When I listed items you should not buy for your dorm, I talked about how much research I did and the spiral of purchasing useless items. Due to all that insanity, I ended up purchasing a few things I believe every college student needs to survive.
1. Filtered water bottle
The not so great side of being in college is how lazy it makes you. After multiple trips a week up and down three flights of stairs, you get tired of filling up your filtered pitcher. Having a filtered water bottle means you can fill it up anywhere and not have to worry about what is in the water. While filtered pitchers do the same thing, they are bulky and can't be filled up in bathroom sinks, which is a necessity when you live anywhere besides the main floor of your dorm building.
2. Fun games
Listening to music and watching shows is fun, but, after a while, it gets boring. Those days when there is absolutely nothing to do, and you are tired of watching the same reruns, you are going to need some kind of card game or board game to keep you entertained. I, sadly, forgot to bring games and missed out on the fun, late nights playing games with my friends. Instead, I watched "New Girl" and "Greys Anatomy" constantly, which is pretty lame.
Now, I'm not saying you have to play basic games like Monopoly or Spoons. Games like Cards Against Humanity are the best because everyone is always laughing or trying to figure out what the card even means. There are a ton of games that keep your attention in a way similar to this, such as What Do You Meme? and High, Drunk, Or Stupid. You could also keep it old school and play games that keep your heart racing. I'm sure you're thinking, "What board game or card game could keep my heart racing?" Well, the answer is Uno and Phase 10. Everyone gets so invested in Uno because of all the twists during each player's turn.
3. Bedside caddy or table
College dorms are small, and it is hard to rearrange furniture, so there is a chance you will not have a bedside table. For instance, the closest place I had to set a drink was either my tall dress behind me or desk at the end of my bed. I know those seem close, but between late nights and studying, I did not want to have to get up or reach far to grab it. This is why I recommend getting a bedside caddy. Not only can it have a spot for your drink but bedside caddies also have another pouch for miscellaneous items like chapsticks or books.
4. Rug
More than likely, you are going to have cold lament floors in your dorm room. Rugs will make sure your feet do not freeze off when it is cold in your room. If you do not have A/C in your dorm, like me, rugs are a nice decorative touch, and they allow you to sit on the floor without getting dirty.
5. A hamper with wheels or straps
Carrying heavy laundry baskets becomes exhausting after multiple trips, whether you have to go up and down stairs or you have to take an elevator. Clothes can get pretty heavy. Wheel or straps on your laundry hamper can relieve the weight and make the trips easier.
