Tag: University

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Have you ticked off all the items on your college check list yet? If so, you probably have towels, bedding, power strips, a suitcase or two filled with clothes, and other odds and ends you’d expect to need in a dorm. But after you survive the chaos of move-in day, you may start noticing there are a few things you’d love to have that you didn’t think to pack. Check out these eight must-haves for your college dorm you might have forgotten in your rush to prepare for the next step in your life!

A Shelf

Shelves that you can put together yourself are easy enough to find at your nearest department store, and they work extremely well as extra storage space for textbooks, toiletries, or anything you need a spot for. For those who like to keep their living space neat and organized, it’s more practical than trying to stuff everything into a corner on the floor.

A Fan

You may not recognize how much you could use a fan until you’ve spent an evening in your dorm sweltering after an 80-degree day.  A fan can offer you some relief during those moments so you can concentrate on your work and sleep more comfortably at night.

A Drying Rack

In your dorm, you’ll likely have access to washers and dryers, but you probably won’t have anywhere to hang more delicate pieces of clothing. A drying rack that folds up easily and doesn’t take up too much space will make laundry day much easier.

Disposable Cups, Plates, and Silverware

If you don’t have your own kitchen for washing dishes, sometimes it’s less of a hassle to simply use a paper plate. Furthermore, between classes, homework, and other school activities, you might not always have the energy or time to wash dishes. Believe me, disposable eating and drinking ware comes in handy on long days.

Shower Shoes

For the sake of cleanliness and foot hygiene, you can stop in the store to grab a pair of shower shoes or sandals before you go off to college. It might not be as convenient as going barefoot, but you never know what the state of the shower stalls will be, or who will be using them, when you move into your dorm.

A Screwdriver

A screwdriver you can store in your desk can come in handy more often than you might expect. Even if you just need to change a battery, you’ll be thankful you have one conveniently at your disposal.

An Umbrella

This may seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget. Then, two weeks into the semester as you walk to class on a rainy day getting your face wet, you’ll be wishing you’d thought to bring an umbrella to school with you.

Stamps and Envelopes

There’s a pretty good chance that, wherever you go, a post office where you can buy envelopes and stamps will be nearby. In fact, you might even have one on your campus. That said, it’s best to be prepared in case you have to send a sudden thank you note, a letter, or some other correspondence.

Preparing for college can be an exciting time, but it also comes with its share of challenges. Having all those little useful yet unexpected items by your side can make all the difference in helping you make the transition to dorm life.