To any college students who have ever lived in a dorm, one will know that all those Pinterest boards, lists, articles, etc. of things you "had to have" in your college dorm or any tips came no where close to the information you were actually missing....We were all in need of an ultimate dorm guide, made by a real college student with real help.
So here it is, for all students new to the dorm life:
THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE DORM LIST/GUIDE
Bed (typically for a Twin XL):
- Pillows
- Pillow cases
- Duvet/Comforter
- Sheets
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Mattress topper (VERY HIGHLY SUGGESTED/either a few egg shell ones or a 2-4 inch memory foam like topper)
- Decorative pilllows
- Blanket(s)
- Loft Tray (I bought mine from Target and it was the best investment)
Closet:
- Hangers (felt hangers with the indentations work the best, but any kind will do!)
- Shoe storage (can either be a miniature rack you put on the floor of your closet or one of the hanging shoe organizers you put on the back of your door)
- Hanging Mirror (for the outside of the door)
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Scarf/belt/tie hanger(s)
- Boxes for storage either up top or on the bottom (typically filled with out of season clothing/shoes/etc)
- Mini step stool (trust me, it will come in handy every day)
Laundry:
- Laundry Basket(s) (Ones with STRONG handles work best, because your laundry will pile up and get heavy)
- Laundry Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
- Fabric Softener
- Stain Remover Stick
Bathroom:
Own bathroom [to split among the roomie(s)]:
- Toilet Paper
- Plunger
- Toilet Scrubber
- Trash Can
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Above Toilet Shelving Unit
Communal Bathroom:
- A full bladder because all necessities are provided for you lol
Shower:
Own shower [to split among the roomie(s)]:
- Shower Curtain
- Bath Mats
- Shower Storage Holder (hanging-shower-head kind works best)
- Hair Stopper (if you got that flow)
Communal shower:
- Shower Caddy
- Shower Shoes (flip-flops, crocs, whatever your heart desires)
Both:
- Towels (2 is all you need)
- Face/Hand towels
- Toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, etc.)
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Bluetooth waterproof speaker (that way you can put all your troubles aside and jam in peace)
Counter (own bathroom people only):
- Toothbrush Holder(s)
- Paper Towel Spinner
- Standing Hand Towel Holder
- Jars/Storage (typically for cotton balls, cotton swabs, etc. Can be DIY or bought)
- Drying Dish Mat
- Dish Scrubber
- Soap Dispenser
- Trash Can
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Makeup Holder
- Jewelry bowl/plate (for when you have to take off your rings, earrings, etc)
Appliances & Kitchenware:
- Mini Fridge (one with a big freezer section works best when you wanna keep that Ben & Jerry's handy)
- Microwave
- Silverware (4 spoons, 4 forks, 4 knives, and 2 sharp knives does the job)
- Plates ( a few plastic but also a lot of paper plates because doing dishes gets tiring lol)
- Cups
- Coffee mugs (if you're into coffee)
- Water Bottles (ones with a loop handle at the top are highly suggested)
- Containers (a few of all sizes)
- Plastic Bowls (a few small and one big)
- Ziploc Baggies
- Napkins
- Salt and Pepper Shakers
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Ramen Cooker
- Keurig (mini takes up less space)
- Over the fridge storage organizer (holds silverware and napkins well)
- Food Storage (stackable drawers, mini tubs, etc)
Desk:
- Storage Desk Lamp (mine had USB plug-ins and storage for pens, pencils, etc. It worked out perfectly!)
- Stapler with Staples
- Ruler
- Calculator
- Pens
- Mechanical Pencils
- Highlighters
- Hole Puncher
- Tape
- Scissors
-Sticky Notes
- Paper
- Sharpies
- Paper Clips
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- Storage Bins (to help keep your desk space clean and tidy)
- Calendar (YOU NEED THIS ACTUALLY)
- Decorations (pictures, posters, lights, etc.)
Electronics:
- Lighting (standing lamps, clip on lamps, string lights, etc. You will need extra lighting!) WITH THE CORRECT LIGHT BULBS
- Mini Vacuum
- Fan (the bigger, the better)
- Extension Cords (I used two extra long plugins with 2 prongs, two 3-pronged cords, and a few multi-socket plug-ins)
- Batteries for any electronics
(OPTIONAL, but totally worth it)
- TV (smart TVs work the best!!)
- DVD Player with DVDs
- Game System (Wii, PlayStations, Xbox, etc.)
- Mini Steamer
- Mini Humidifier
- Scented Plug-ins with fillers
- Music System (record player, iHome, Bose speaker, etc.)
Miscellaneous (all optional):
- Futon
- Decorative Pillows
- Tapestries
- Bookshelf
- Curtains
- Small Coffee Table (with storage)
- Cube Storage Holder (doubles as seat)
- Decor (string lights, pictures, posters, wall art, flowers, etc.)
- Thumb Tacks (for dry wall dorms. Get a lot!)
- Command Clips (for concrete wall dorms. Get mini and big ones!)
Futons are great for the exact moments like these: cuddling with your beloved roomie(s)!
(I had a few leftover string lights and made this masterpiece! You can do all kinds of cool things with string lights and hella thumb tacks!)
How to Shop Properly & Frugally:
- I promise you that the special lighting you want from Anthropologie isn't worth it. Amazon probably has the exact one, or one very similar for a LOT less. SO LOOK ONLINE!!
- Walmart has literally everything, I got about 78% of my stuff there, and for very good prices.
- For the big items like fridges, futons, etc. reach out to anyone you know moving out of a dorm! They are probably looking to get rid of their dorm stuff and are willing to sell it to you for cheap! Also check on Craigslist (but be smart and safe) and ebay! People will sell like-new stuff for super cheap.
- Dollar general is your best friend. THEY SELL LISA FRANK STUFF, helloooo. Plus it is extremely affordable.
- Do a bunch of DIY stuff, it is fun and usually cheaper than buying it yourself! It is also super fun :)
Move-In Day Tips:
- EAT BEFOREHAND. You will seriously be moving non-stop and dying near the end.
- PACK A WATER COOLER WITH HECKA DRINKS YO. You and your fam will be dying of thirst and will surely thank me on this bit.
- Bring a crew. You can NOT move in by yourself! I mean you can, but you would be moving in for a week. lol
- Pack a tool set. You will especially need a mallet!
- Pack all your belongings in boxes with handles! Also label them as clothes, kitchen, closet, bath, etc. It will make it a lot easier on you come time to unpack!
- Write your name on all your things! Stuff can easily get lost or stolen in college. Better safe than sorry. It also comes in handy at the end of the year when you have to pack-up and you can't remember what's yours...
- Wear something comfortable for Move-In Day. It will be scorching hot, you'll be sweating, and picking up 149 boxes. So stay comfy, but kinda look cute because, well.... boys/girls.
- Don't forget to document that day in history with all your new roomies! Till will fly by and it is fun to see all the change that will come :)
- Come Move-In Day, you better already have discussed what you are splitting with your roommates! Make sure you split evenly money wise! So if Sally buys the fridge for $200, I would buy the microwave for $60 and the futon for $140, got it? Also, get to know them! Have a sleepover, or go dorm shopping together!
- Make sure you have all the clothes you need, I didn't list that because it is obvious you need to pakc those. BUT DO pack rainware!! No one told me that and I wish they had! I highly suggest getting a rainproof backpack, rain boots, raincoat, and a large umbrella! It poured my first day of college and I was NOT prepared!
Don't forget to have fun!! This will be a very new, exciting, stressful chapter of your life!! So enjoy it while it lasts! I probably forgot something, so my bad in advance.
Hope this helps!!
