12 Dorm Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

12 Dorm Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed

How to make your dorm your home away from home.

645
12 Dorm Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed
Hailey Mathieu

When I was packing for college, I read so many "college essential" lists, yet many of them lacked these items. Here's a list of 12 real must-haves from one student to another.

1. Shoe Organizer

10-Shelf Hanging Shoe Storage Organizer – Gray - Room Essentials™

www.target.com

A shoe organizer is definitely a must-have in college to maximize the space in your dorm, especially if you share your room. I bought this gray shoe organizer from Target, and I LOVE it! It came with hooks to hang on my closet rod, so it doesn't take up any space on the floor. It has 10 slots to hold shoes, which are big enough to fit two flip flops or sandals in each. I love how much space it's saved me!

2. Half ID Holder

Frosted Rigid Plastic Horizontal Half Card Holder - for Swipe Cards by Specialist ID (1 Single Item)

www.amazon.com

In college, you constantly have to present your university identification to "swipe" into places, like dining halls, dorms, and events. I was tired of pulling my ID out of my backpack, wallet, or phone case until I found this half ID holder. Basically, it's an ID holder that leaves the black strip of your card accessible, so you can swipe your ID without taking it out of the lanyard! I keep it on my lanyard, and it's saved me a lot of hassle. It's my most-used item on this list and my favorite by far.

3. Whiteboard Calendar

Ubrands MOD Frame 3 n 1 Calendar Board - 16" x 20"

www.target.com

When my mom told me I should bring my whiteboard calendar from home, I told her that I didn't need it since I had a planner. Turns out, my mom was right. I ended up hanging my whiteboard calendar halfway through my first semester, and immediately I became a better student. I started taking 5-10 minutes every few weeks to write down all of my assignment due dates, testing days, and extracurriculars. Staying on top of my classes suddenly became easy. The best part is that I would get excited to erase an assignment on the whiteboard, so I would work ahead. Seriously, I'm not the kind of person who uses my planner (even though I try to), but this simple trick kept me organized!

4. Shower Flip Flops

Women's Star AquaFlops Shower Shoes in Black

www.bedbathandbeyond.com

It's a good idea to wear shower shoes in a public bathroom to prevent athlete's foot, and what better way than flip flops! These shower shoes from Bed Bath and Beyond are non-slip and have little star-shaped openings that help them drain water and dry fast. I bought them six months ago in black and have been using them every day since, and they're still in perfect condition. The best part? The cushioning is so comfortable!

5. Long Charger

Just Wireless 6' Lightning to USB-A Cable - White

www.target.com

I didn't know what I was missing out on until I upgraded to a six foot long charger in my dorm. You won't have to worry about moving your charger whether you're studying at your desk or laying on your raised bed. In class, if you need to charge your phone, you can sit a few feet away from an outlet with no problem. Seriously, you need a long charger in your life!

6. Rolling Laundry Basket

Rolling Laundry Hamper White With Turquoise Handles - Room Essentials™

www.target.com

Chances are you won't have a laundry machine in your dorm room. A rolling laundry basket will save you the hassle of carrying a heavy laundry basket by the handles to the laundry room. I wish I had one of these from the start!

7. Drawer Organizer

Simple Houseware Closet Underwear Organizer Drawer Divider 4 Set, Gray

www.amazon.com

I struggle to stay organized, but this drawer organizer makes it easy! It's great for organizing your socks and underwear when you finish laundry, and it makes things so much easier to find.

8. Mesh Laundry Bag

iDesign Mesh Large Mesh Wash Laundry Bag for Delicates In-Wash Cleaning, Bras, Underwear, 16" x 0.5" x 20", White

www.amazon.com

This mesh laundry bag is so cheap and versatile! I use it to wash underwear, bras, and delicate items in the washing machine. It even comes in handy when I need to wash my sneakers. Plus, it doubles as a travel bag to keep your suitcase or duffel bag organized!

9. Target Plates, Bowls, and Cups

10.5" Plastic Dinner Plate - Room Essentials™

www.target.com

Target sells affordable plastic plates, bowls, and cups for under a dollar each! They're lightweight, durable, stackable, and microwave/dishwasher safe. Plus, they're much better for the environment than their disposable counterparts!

10. Shower Caddy

TERRA HOME Portable Shower Caddy - Large Capacity, Quick Dry, Mildew Resistant with Metal Hook - Hanging Shower Bag - Waterproof, Breathable Mesh Toiletry Shower Tote for Gym and College Dorm (Grey)

www.amazon.com

Fine, you probably already knew you needed a shower caddy, but check out this one I have! It's a mildew resistant shower caddy that comes with a strong handle and metal hook to hang in your shower. It features a front zippered pouch, two side pockets, and additional organizers inside that make it easy to store and secure all of your toiletries, even full-sized bottles. The best part is that it's quick-dry and easy to travel with.

11. BedShelfie

BedShelfie The Original Bedside Shelf - 9 Colors / 3 Sizes - AS SEEN ON Business Insider (Original Size, Bamboo in Black)

www.amazon.com

This bed shelf attaches to your bed easily (without tools!) with a strong clamp that will stay in place. It holds up to 15 pounds, allowing you to keep your laptop, water, glasses, earbuds, etc in arm's reach. It also has a little slot to place phone chargers or other cords in so they don't fall down. I love this shelf!

12. Brita Water Pitcher

Brita Metro Pitcher with 1 Filter, BPA Free, 5 Cup, White

www.amazon.com

A Brita water pitcher is definitely a college essential! This pitcher is easy to pour and refill. It filters the water to reduce chlorine, copper, mercury, zinc, and cadmium impurities found in the tap water on your college campus. The filter makes the water taste better and lasts for about two months.

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190251
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14923
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457884
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26643
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments