Had my mother not taken me by the hand and forced me to go into Bed Bath & Beyond the month before I started school, I would have been completely screwed!
I was so nervous about starting school in a far away place that I was trying to put off thinking about it. That included thinking about packing and buying items for my future home — the dormitory. As easy as it is to procrastinate, you do NOT want to do it.
The truth of the matter is that you’ll end up saving much more money (and your sanity) if you stagger purchases for your dorm room throughout the summer. You’ll be less likely to make impulse purchases and buy things that you don’t really like.
As someone he’s been there, I can give you a pretty good idea of what you’ll need to be prepared. I’ve created three sections that will (hopefully) encompass all of your freshman year needs!
What you’ll probably need:
Twin XL sheets (and comforter that fits)
Laptop/printer
Small lamp for extra lighting
Shower curtain
Bath mats
Shower caddy
Storage containers (for under your bed)
Microwave
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Cable cord for TV
Risers for mattress
What you’ll probably want:
Flat screen TV
Speakers for MP3 player/smartphone
Wireless mouse
Wireless Internet router
Comfy chair or futon
Mini refrigerator
Flash drive
Mattress pad
Your favorite books/movies
Pictures of friends/family (to battle homesickness)
What y0u’ll likely forget about:
Alarm clock
Flashlight (if the power goes out — dorms are dark and creepy without electricity)
Band-Aids
Advil (or similar pain relievers)
Trash can
Surge protector (you’ll thank me for this later)
Extra pens/pencils
Highlighters
Scissors
Extra notebook/printer paper
Extra ink cartridges for your printer
Quarters (for laundry and parking)
Hangers (you’d be amazed by how many you’ll need)
Laundry basket
Post-Its
Robe/Towels
Extras of all your personal items (in case you don’t have a car)
Planner
Binders/notebooks/folders
Hand soap
Hand sanitizer
Dish washing soap/sponges
Extra phone charger
Social Security card (you’d be amazed when you’ll need this and you won’t have it)
Plates/cups/utensils
Can opener
Bottle opener
Iron and ironing board
Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
Swiffer
Vacuum
Batteries
And now you’re probably wondering where in the heck you”ll find all of this … No worries, I’ve got you covered:
Bed Bath & Beyond
Dormify
PB Teen
Target
Although it will be great to prepare all of this for your individual needs, don’t forget you’ll need to coordinate with your roommate(s)! There is only so much space in your tiny dorm room, and it will be silly for both of you to have duplicates when really only one will do. I recommend either starting a Facebook message chain, an email or a Google Doc listing what each of you have bought so you can easily keep track. Try to keep it as equal as possible — you don’t want to have resentment built up before you even set foot inside your new home!
What do you wish you would have packed for your freshman year? Let me know in the comments!
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