Before I had even graduated high school, I had already begun thinking about what I wanted my dorm room to look like. I started making a packing list the first week of June and by the time move-in day rolled around I had enough stuff to fill a small house, much less a 13' x 11' dorm room.

I soon realized that I didn't need a majority of the things I spent the entire summer stressing about. By the middle of the semester, I had taken so many things home or donated them to the local Salvation Army because I never used them.

With that being said, here are 7 must haves for your college dorm:

1. Storage Cart with Wheels

My mom was hesitant to buy this, but it was a LIFE SAVER. Dorm rooms often lack storage space and it was perfect to keep my plethora of cups and coffee mugs, along with containers full of snacks in! There are much more fancy ones out there, but this one from Target worked great, while still being cute!

2. Over-the-door Mirror

With small dorms comes next-to-no wall space. Having a full length mirror is the perfect way to check out your entire outfit, and having it on the door is a way to make it easy without taking up valuable wall space! This over-the-door mirror from Target even has a little bit of storage inside!

3. Mason Jars

I always have mason jars scattered all throughout my room; whether it be to hold pens, pencils, and makeup brushes or in the fridge with overnight oats or a pre-made smoothie ready to grab and go for 8am classes, they can be used for anything; I even use a tall one as a flower vase! This set of 12 from Target is perfect (and cheap)!

4. A Planner!

I've kept a planner since it was mandatory to have your Agenda book signed every day back in elementary school, but the average student isn't as organized (or OCD) as I am. College is your first step into the 'real world,' and with that step, comes more responsibility. Writing everything down in a planner helps you to stay on track without missing an assignment, a meeting, or even a nap. My favorite planner is by The Happy Planner (at Michaels), but any store that carries office supplies have a variety that work well, too.

5. Pictures, and lots of them

Pictures are a cheap and easy way to add a little bit of home and your own personality to your bland dorm walls. I bought twine, mini clothes pins, and Command decorating clips to add the perfect touch of home to my walls!

6. Keurig Coffee Maker

Coffee. Need I say more?

7. Mattress Pad

I saved the best for last with this one. Assigned dorm mattresses are horridif you want to even attempt to get proper sleep. I suggest that this be the one thing you actually splurge on. Any furniture store will carry them, but this memory foam one from Bed, Bath, and Beyond is a great deal.