Living in a sorority is a lot different than living at home or living in the dorms. Instead of living with just one roommate in a tiny room, you live with many in a giant house. With a different living situation comes different needs, so here are some things you might need when living in your sorority.

1. Step stool

This can be used for your vanity or your bed, depending on the set up of your house.

2. Heated blanket

This is a necessity is you will be sleeping on porch, especially if you’re going to school somewhere that gets cold.

3. Mattress pad

There’s a good chance you’re not the first person to sleep on the mattress provided by your house, meaning that it’s probably fairly worn out. A good mattress pad can transform any horrible mattress.

4. Blankets, lots of blankets

Blankets come in handy if you get a bottom bunk as you can create a butt hut to keep some of the light and cold out.

5. Extensions cord

Maybe get one with a surge protector as some houses (including my own) require surge protectors!

6. Desk lamp

Most sororities do not provide you with a desk lamp so it’s good to bring one if you like to study at your desk.

7. Command strips, a Costco box of them

Many houses require members to use them as their nationals frown upon numerous holes being made in the wall.

8. Ziploc bags

Ziploc bags can be used for a million different things and nobody ever seems to have them. Get ahead of the game and buy your own.

9. Small makeup mirror

This is important because not all rooms have mirrors and it means that you can do your makeup in your dayroom instead of having to go to the bathroom.

10. 3 drawer organizer

Everybody stores different things in these but they always come in handy.

11. Shower shoes and shower caddy

Just like the dorms, you’re going to need a shower caddy and shower shoes because you’ll be sharing a bathroom with numerous other women.

12. Multiple sets of sheets and towels

Laundry can be difficult when living in a sorority just due to the vast number of people that need to do their laundry and have very busy schedules. Bringing two sets sheets and towels is helpful as it allows you to swap one set out while washing the other and means that in emergencies, such as spills, you are never left without clean sheets do to a packed laundry schedule.

13. A laundry basket that is easy to carry

Many sororities (and dorms) have laundry rooms in the basement, however, most rooms are on the second of third floor, meaning that you are left to lug a laundry bin up and down multiple flights of stairs. To ease the process allow, find a laundry bin that is easy to carry and doesn’t dig into your hands when weighed down with clothes.

14. FitBit or some sort of vibrating alarm

When living on porch it is important to remember that you are sleep near a lot of other people who will not appreciate it when your siren alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m. Therefore, it is important to find some sort of vibrating alarm that wakes you up, while not disrupting your sisters. FitBits are a popular choice as the can be synced with your alarm to vibrate at the selected time

15. Fan

Not every house has AC, so bringing a fan can save you if it’s hot the first few months of school.

16. Reusable plastic storage bins

Many people just use garbage bags and cardboard boxes bit getting reusable plastic storage bins is so much easier. You buy them just once at the beginning of your college career and they last you all four years, unlike the alternatives.

17. Full length mirror

Just trust me on this, you’ll never realize how much you use one until you don’t have one.

18. Pots and pans

If your house has a kitchen that members can use, consider investing in your own pots and pans. Buying your own means that you never have to clean dishes just so you can then use them and they will come in handy when you move into your own place.

19. Duct tape

It can be used for anything and everything from hanging up a banner to fixing a car window.