Lauren
Living in a dorm can be an amazing experience, where you meet amazing people, maybe get a couple of noise complaints, and make a little home for two in a 130 square foot oasis.
On the other hand, when you have a lot of stuff (like myself), it's easy for your room to become quickly overtaken by clothes, shoes, books, and lots of unnecessary junk.
Whether you're moving into dorm for the first time or trying to do a little better than last year, here's what you should know about things you need, and what you really don't:
1. NEED: Steamer
For my two years on-campus, I would shove all my clothes deep into my drawers and when I was rushing to get ready, they were so wrinkled they were unwearable. However, this steamer changed the game for me. SO quick, just fill it with some water, plug it in, and you're good to go. (P.S., don't steam your clothes while you're wearing them.)
2. DON'T NEED: Coffeemaker
I can't tell you how many of my friends had these elaborate and expensive Keurigs on their desks that they ended up NEVER using. They take up so much space, the pods are expensive, and you most likely have very cheap coffee at your dining hall (and you'll probably end up at Dunkin' or Starbucks either way).
3. NEED: A nice desk mirror
Getting ready for class or to go out is almost impossible when you can only see half of your face when blow-drying your hair or doing makeup. HIGHLY recommend investing in a large, good-quality mirror for your desk; you will get SO much use out of it. I use this one from Amazon and it's been great.
4. DON'T NEED: Extra furniture
The most unnecessary thing I've seen people do is to try to bring extra furniture in their already-cramped dorms. Most schools will not let you remove any of the furniture already in there, so bringing anything else will just make the room feel more cramped and less homey. Trust me, you'd rather have the open space.
5. NEED: Under-the-bed storage
If I didn't have under-the-bed storage, my room would have been far more of a disaster than it usually was. My roommate and I each put one of my two-drawer dressers under our bed and kept our other out, and it saved SO much space on our floor. I also kept my food in a bin (from Costco- the best!) under my bed and it made for convenient access.
6. DON'T NEED: Tons of silverware, cups, plates, and bowls
In a dorm like mine, it was a nightmare to clean silverware and dishware. We had two bathroom sinks and no kitchen, so the experience was not ideal. If you love the environment like me, it's still doable without going the disposable route - but don't bring a ton! You'll be in the dining hall most days anyway.
7. NEED: LOTS of warm clothes
ESPECIALLY if you live in Binghamton (or anywhere in upstate NY), there is no question that you will need your winter jacket before Thanksgiving. I made the crucial error last year to wait until Thanksgiving break to bring up my parka and just survive with my teddy bear coat, and I ended up begging my parents to express ship my jacket for $30 because I was so desperate. Cold and snowy weather sneak up on you, so prepare in advance!
8. DON'T NEED: Printer
PSA: Printing is almost always covered in your tuition!!! I love to print things to rest my eyes from my laptop, but there's no reason to cramp your room with a bulky printer and have to pay for ink and paper. It's a little less convenient, but definitely worth the hassle!
9. NEED: Mattress topper
Lastly, with probably the most crucial essential - a mattress topper. You might hear it all the time, but a good mattress topper will transform the way you sleep in a college dorm bed. Invest in a good one because you can use it for years! I LOVE mine from Amazon - feels like a cloud.
10. DON'T NEED: A car
This may be a controversial one, but my first two years on campus, it definitely wasn't necessary to have a car. Many schools (like mine) provide free bus transportation on and off campus to almost anywhere you'd need to go in the area. It also teaches you how to navigate a bus schedule if you aren't familiar, which is great if you might want to move to a city! Plus, gas, parking passes, mechanics, and any unfair tickets from campus police are out of the question!
A few more you may not have considered:
DON'T NEED:
- a TV (in my opinion! I use my MacBook to watch)
- a ton of fresh and/or perishable food
- ice cream and frozen desserts (they usually melt or don't fit in mini freezer :( buy right before you're eating!)
- expensive throw pillows (they will be on your floor ALL the time)
- a closed mind!!!
NEED:
- self-care items (face mask, Netflix account, fun snacks)
- a good pair of headphones
- blue light glasses (helps eye strain!)
- vitamins and immune support
- first aid kit
- sewing kit (you have no idea how many times my friends have borrowed)
- genuine friends and a good outlook!!!
Moving into a new place for the first time can definitely be scary, but everyone is in the same boat! Keep your mind open to new possibilities and focus on happiness first! You got this!
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