Dorm Essentials
There are certain things you have to bring yourself for your new college life. We'd recommend that you try out most of these things in person (except, say, a power strip) to make sure they're everything you expected, and avoid buying them online.
Bedding + Blankets
Most schools require "extra-long" bedding. Essentially, this means your fitted sheet (the one under you) needs to be extra long, and your flat sheet (the one you put over you) and everything else will be the same length as a normal twin. Your bedding should be:
- Easy to wash
- Comfortable
- Well-made
- Stain resistant
- Tasteful (this precludes your bringing Darth Vader themed bedding)
Bring 2 sets. Make sure you pick out bedding that is comfortable. As in, go buy it in person. Pay attention to the thread count (over 300 is best) and the material (cotton-polyester blends, though more common, tend to be rougher on your skin than 100% cotton).
Comforter
If you're going a school where it gets cold, or you like your bed toasty, don't forget a comforter. We'd recommend getting a duvet - two layers of cloth forming a bag filled with down feathers - since you can easily wash the cover, and replace it when you want. Covers start at about 50, but given they are washable and replaceable, they're well worth the price.
Toiletries
We have a list on this page: For the Bathroom
Towels / Bathrobe
Remember your towels, or bathrobe if you have a long walk down the hall. Avoid those awkward few moments of trudging back to your room in your old, dirty, and now wet clothes. If you decide to get a bathrobe, don't pick a really big one that will end up dominating your closet. For towels, bring at least 2 towels, and a bunch of washcloths so you can go longer without doing laundry.
- Selection of Towels
, we recommend at least 2 sets!
- Pick a bathrobe of your choice (size, color, etc.)
Bed Risers
This is a huge space-saver. If your school doesn't offer its own supplies for raising your bed, and you aren't on a bunk-bed, bring your own bed risers. Then scoot as much stuff as you can underneath your bad, and you'll have so much extra space! If you plan on really raising your bed, you might want to rethink bringing a first-aid kit...
- Check your school
- On the Cheap: Cinder Blocks
- Stackable and Durable: Clear Bed Risers (Set of 8)
Organizers
Make the most of the little space you have with storage organizers... they'll make everything under your bed more accessible, glean you some closet space, and let you increase the amount of room you have for storing everything you bring. There's two approaches: (1) Buy at home and pack what you're taking into them ...or... (2) Buy them at your school once you know what you're looking for.
Surge Protector
Chances are, you have about two outlets in your dorm, in quite possibly the most inconvenient place they could find. Pick a power strip with several outlets, an extension cord (or buy one separately), and surge protection to protect everything you have connected. You don't want your 20 page paper to vanish into thin air just as log onto turnitin.com at 2am...
