What To Bring To College: Dorm Room Essentials

Everyone knows they need to bring bedding on college move-in day, but most tend not to think of things like curtains or a medicine box. Well, I'm here to save the day with a list of what many people might not think of but I deem essential. After living in a dorm for 9ish months, you could say I'm an expert. Some of the items on the list I could just simply not live without and others are extras that just make life a lot easier.

My freshman year dorm!

1. Curtains The sun gets very bright in the mornings and when you don't have a class until the afternoon, you don't want to be woken up at the crack of dawn by the sun. 
2. Microwave There will be days when you don't want to leave your dorm (like when it's 20 degrees and snowing) and you'll be very grateful for your microwave and that stash of ramen. 
3. Twin XL Mattress Pad and/or Foam Pad Dorm beds are notoriously uncomfortable and a mattress pad will greatly improve your night's sleep.
4. Fan Sometimes your dorm will be uncomfortably warm, especially if it's September and your building doesn't have AC. Also, I like being under all of my covers when I sleep which can get hot, so I have to have a fan pointed at my bed.
5. Blankets Your dorm could also end up being uncomfortably cold at certain points, like when your heat breaks down in the middle of winter. A bonus of having blankets is that when you take a nap, you don't have to mess up your perfectly made bed - you can just use your blanket.
6. Felt Hangers You can fit so much more clothing in your closet with these hangers (They're super thin!). They are absolute lifesavers. (Bonus: They're non-slip.)
7. Lint Roller If you're using the dorm's washer and dryer there's a good chance you'll end up with someone else's lint on your clothes and using a lint roller will make you look a little bit more like an adult. In addition, it works great to roll hair out of your area rug that your vacuum cannot get.
8. Area Rug On that note, an area rug is definitely worth the trouble. It makes your whole room look cozier and less dorm-like and is also a great place for visitors to sit.
9. Stain Remover This is another necessity. You can't control when something leaks or spills onto your comforter or your favorite blouse and Shout (or similar) will be a lifesaver.
10. Decorative Lights This is another thing that will make your dorm cozier. Dorm lights are harsh and unflattering and fairy lights will create an ambiance that makes your dorm look chic and hipster.
11. Note Cards (and Stamps) Your family and friends will appreciate an update every now and again and everyone loves getting mail. Also, it's just a good habit to always have "Thank You" notes lying around.
12. Printer Yes, your library will have a printer, but that library could be 10 minutes away in the pouring rain and cost you 10 cents per page that you could be putting towards your daily Starbucks instead. Having a printer in your room is just more convenient, especially when you're a Humanities major and have to print out and read about 700 pages a week. 
13. Router Dorm Wi-Fi can be spotty and you want every advantage you can get when it comes to class registration day. Also, at my school, the only way you can print wirelessly is if you have a router. It's just something that comes in super handy.
14. Air Freshener Most dorms don't allow you to burn candles so this is the next best thing. It's always great when someone walks into your room and says, "Wow! This smells great." I like the wall plug-in from Bath and Body Works - there's so many scents to choose from!
15. Medicine Box You never know when you might get sick, have an allergy attack, or fall down the stairs, and having a medicine box ready-to-go is literally a lifesaver. (Yes, all of these things happened to me.) 

I hope this lists helps y'all with your dorm shopping and good luck with freshman year! Check back next week for another back-to-college post!

-Marisa