What To Get For College Dorm

Lock Box For Personal Items

Things can go missing at college. Since college dorm rooms are not like hotel rooms, with built-in safes, its smart to get your student a lock box for personal items. A fireproof box with a key should do the trick. Since these boxes tend to be heavy and awkward, you minimize the chances that someone walks off with it. Our daughters used their SentrySafe boxes to keep personal items, including prescription medicine, locked away and safe.

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Blueair Pure Fan Auto

The Blueair Pure Fan Auto doubles as a cooling fan and air purifier, giving you the benefit of both in one compact product to save space in small dorm rooms. Using Blueairs HEPASilent filtration technology, which is different from a typical high efficiency particulate air filter, the Pure Fan Auto removes over 99 percent of airborne allergens like dust and pollen from the air, according to the brand. It also provides a cooling stream of air and is built with an air quality indicator. The device is lightweight so you can move it around your room, and you can personalize its design with fabric pre-filters that are available in multiple colors.

Toiletries + Getting Ready

Just because youre sharing a bathroom with 40 other people doesnt mean you dont still need all of your own toiletries. Keep in mind that while youll be able to stock up as needed, its a good idea to bring large sizes of toiletries with you in the beginning of the year so that they last as long as possible.

• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes
• Shampoo
• Body towels
• Hand towels
• Deodorant
• Cotton pads and/or cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Hair clips

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Desktop Decor And Entertainment

*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.

A surge protector is an inexpensive way to squeeze extra outlets into a dorm room while also protecting your electronics. The Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector SK30USB is one of the picks in our surge protector guide. Its compact design, with three outlets and two USB ports, is ideal for small spaces, and it wont take up too much space under your desk, as the bulkier surge protectors we tried did. This surge protector also comes with an auto-shutoff mechanism, making it one of the few three-outlet options weve found that will disconnect the power when the surge protection wears out. Also, its grounded plug and optional screw in the center of the unit help keep it firmly attached to the wall outlet, which is important for preventing electrical fires or shocks. If you need a few more outlets or a different configuration, we also like the circular Accell Power Air, which has six outlets and accommodates differently sized plugs more easily.

Backpack Essentials For College

These are the 5 college essentials for class that I always appreciate having stashed in my bag.

First up is:

7. Stain Remover Pen

A stain remover pen is just the thing you need when an inopportune coffee spill happens. And if youre a bit of klutz like me, that usually a weekly occurrence. One of these has saved my white shirts and pants more times than I can count!

A Tide to Go pen is a kind of out there unexpected college necessity, but Im attached at the hip with mine. I like to keep one in my backpack and in my purse because its small, portable, and I know my track record.

To me, its well worth having one within arms reach when something stains my favorite piece of clothing.

8. College Planner

Another one of my backpack essentials for college is a planner. Its a major help for keeping your sanity while going to school.

You may have not needed one in high school but trust me here. Its going to make staying on top of your class schedule, assignment due dates, social outings, and everything else A LOT more manageable.

I always like to simplify my life in any way possible and a planner helps me achieve just that.

9. Breath Mints

Coffee is an almost universal staple among college kids and coffee breath is a real thing.

You may not have time to brush your teeth in between classes but you do have time to pop a mint in your mouth. Breath mints are an unexpected, but much needed, thing to bring to college that will get steady use.

10. Water Bottle

Plus:

Which is why:

And:

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Unexpected Things To Bring To College

This post is here to make sure that any important college necessities arent accidentally left behind.

Because:

Knowing youve got it all taken care of will help take some of the stress out of the whole going to college process.

Start your semester off right by making sure you have everything you need!

I divided this article into three sections. The things to bring to college that you wouldnt think of are as follows

My easy solution wrinkle release spray.

This stuff works amazingly well, Im just mad I didnt discover it earlier in life!

It only takes minutes to get rid of wrinkles. And on those mornings when youre running behind, the spray is just way too convenient to have.

Plus:

The spray is especially handy when it comes time to interview for jobs or internships. So cross the ironing board off your college packing list and add wrinkle release spray instead.

If youre going to school anywhere where theres even a chance of it raining

An umbrella is going to be a college essential youll regret to forget.

This is an item that often gets forgotten about in the rush of back to school. But its better to be safe than sorry. Cause on a day where its pouring, youll be glad to have one!

3. Dry Shampoo

Between classes, social outings, homework, and studying yeah, youre going to be a liiiiittle busy.

Showering often enough to have clean, manageable hair is gonna go by the wayside. Sorry its just the truth!

4. Bathrobe

Plus:

5. Shower Shoes

6. Shower Caddy

Final Thoughts On Things Every College Student Needs

So, that covers it! My list of unexpected things to bring to college with 22 college necessities ends here. I hope its helped you feel more prepared and confident about tackling your first year of college.

When youre ready to start packing for college, be sure to use my complete college packing list .

Seasoned college students what are some necessities for college that you cant live without?

Id love to know what things youre more than happy to keep around! If you think I missed any big college necessities leave a comment below.

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Item : Posters And Tapestries

One of the best parts about moving away for college is getting to decorate your room however you wish, which means that posters and tapestries are essential!

For my dorm room, I got a packet of mini posters that I arranged in a checkerboard pattern that worked really well, but some other options include creating a gallery wall or a photo collage. You can also re-use calendar pages instead of throwing them out.

Tapestries are another great option because they come in a variety of sizes, and you can switch up where in the room you want to place them. You can hang them up on the ceiling, at the head of your bed, or behind a couch or futon. Tapestries are also great because they come in a wide variety of sizes so you can find the perfect one for your dorm room!

If you want the best of both worlds , then you can even use your tapestry as a curtain!

College Dorm Must Haves

Here is a numbered list of the 46 college dorm needs for guys and girls. These are listed in no particular order so please be sure to read all the way through to the end.

Also, the items listed below have links that will jump you to that portion of this article. Then, at the bottom of each section, youll find a link to take you back up to the top of the list. This should make your reading and shopping easier.

Each item in the numbered list jumps to the specific tip. Ive done this to make your reading easier.

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Inexpensive Cotton Towel Set

Towels arent provided, so youll need to bring your own. Getting an inexpensive one will save room in your budget for other necessities, and will keep you from worrying so much if something happens to it or it gets stained from being washed with non-like colors (I personally was far too busy and lazy to separate my colors for every wash

Crock Pot Slow Cooker Or Instapot

The great thing about having a Crock Pot or Instapot at college is this: your student can put everything in it that morning for dinner. Then, by the time they get home from class, dinner is servce. Both appliances are money-savers, too. They cut down on eating out expenses.

Important note: our daughters dorms only allowed these appliances if they had an auto-off timer on them. I believe they required this for fire safety reasons. So look for one that says programmable on it.

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Saving Money On Dorm Room Essentials

Many retailers have free shipping and other special savings for college students so read the fine print and take advantage of every offer. Your student may have to provide their .edu email address to be eligible which seems like a fair ask to unlock the savings.

• Bed, Bath & Beyond College Savings Pass lets kids save 20% on all their purchases through 9/30/21, plus free shipping for orders over $39.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Hydro Flask water bottles and tumblers are the PERFECT gift for your student as they head off to college! They are made of stainless steel and keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours. Try customizing it if your teen wants something unique and trendy that only they will have. You can choose different cap, strap, bottle, and boot colors to make a cool and creative combination!

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But Waittheres So Much More

Visit our FREE Resources Page to get access to THE ULTIMATE DORM BUNDLE! Heres what youll receive:

• Stock the Essentials Checklist: A checklist with everything you need to stock your dorm including toiletries, cleaning and laundry supplies, and food!

• Medicine Checklist: The next best thing to moms tender loving care. We thought of everything!

• Simple Dorm Recipes: Youll get easy recipes you can whip up in a dorm. No stove or oven required!

• 13 Adorable, Fun and Sassy Frameable Prints You Can Download for Your Dorm

Kits And Safety Supplies

• First aid kit: You can get a pre-packed kit at any local drugstore
• Sewing kit: This can come in handy for any clothing mishaps. You may already have one if you’ve ever stayed at a hotel, but they include a sewing needle, basic colored thread and a button or two.
• Tool kit: You might want to build this kit on your own if you can’t find one that includes the important basics of a hammer, flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers and a starter kit of nails and screws. It’s also a good idea to grab a set of picture hanging accessories to have on hand.
• Fire extinguisher: This is helpful to have in the kitchen just in case. Also, be sure that your apartment has smoke detectors that you’ve tested. If you can’t find any, contact your property manager immediately. That’s a bigger issue they’ll need to address.

These initial purchases add up fast, so make sure your budget includes these costs. According to the News Times, one of the common mistakes college graduates make in their first apartments is, not planning for expenses beyond rent.”

This includes the cost of most of these items, which are pretty essential in maintaining your apartment. You won’t have to continue buying all these after this initial push, but a few items will become a regular expense.

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Portable Electric Oscillating Fan With Remote Control

No dorm is complete without a fan its a necessity not only for circulating air but also for drowning out the noise in the dorm hall. This fan is awesome because its narrow enough to fit in tight spaces, it oscillates and it has a remote control so they never have to get up to turn it on or change the setting.

Dorm Must Haves For College Freshmen

Want to know that dorm must-haves you actually will need? Keep reading to find out!

Most of these lists had the same items over and over again. I know, it is overwhelming. There are tons of lists out there on the internet. Trust me, Ive been there.

That is why I am writing this blog post to wrap up all the lists and give you the most common dorm must-haves you will definitely need!

No matter what kind of dorm you are living in, you will need these 21 items.

As an affiliate partner of various brands, we earn commissions on qualifying purchases.

Packing for your dorm is both exciting and a lot of work. I remember move-in day, wearing a huge t-shirt and shorts, and sweating in the late summer heat.

Moving into my dorm was one of my favorite moments of college. I spent a lot of time researching what dorm must-haves I needed and read so many dorm packing lists.

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Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Microwave Oven $6998 At Walmart

Popcorn, easy mac, ramen there’s so much you can make with a microwave. If you want to go a little more gourmet, you can make your own microwave-friendly dishes like mug cakes and frittatas. With the range of what you can make, and the ease of use, a microwave is a worthwhile and necessary investment for your college years.

The Truth About What You Need For Your College Dorm Room

Whats the real truth, what do you really need for your college dorm room?

I ask this because I was at the mall with my college kid and we noticed all of the dorm room must haves on display. We started talking about all of the must haves we purchased that were never used. My daughter also laughed as she noticed several items that she really did need that were not on display.

We quickly realized that as so many stores try to sell you on all the things they think you need for your college dorm room, its hard to figure out what you actually need, what is nice to have, and what youre just plain wasting money on.

But, Ive got you covered, heres the real lowdown on college dorm room necessities.

Most of the items are available on Amazon, so you can avoid all those displays with unnecessary stuff that will just turn into clutter. While youre on Amazon I highly recommend you sign up for your free trial of student Prime. Its not technically a necessity, but it is definitely nice to have. We get so much use out of it, you can have your order shipped straight to their school. We use it for everything from last-minute needs to ordering textbooks.

Are you ready? Here we go:

This post contains affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy here.

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College Dorm Must Haves Updated

Ive just updated this college dorm must haves article for this year. It includes 46 college dorm must haves.

Ive covered college dorm list for guys as well as college dorm must haves for girls. In fact, there is quite a bit of overlap for dorm must haves whether youre sending a someone to college.

In writing this article, Im sharing what I believe to be are dorm room essentials. Ive included products that can help with dorm storage ideas as well as dorm hacks and decorating ideas for dorm rooms.

Bathroom Caddy For College Dorm

No one wants to carry an armload of shampoo, soap and shavers with them every time they visit a college dorm bathroom. At the same time you cant just leave your stuff on the bathroom counter and expect it will be there the next day. Thats why smart college students invest in a bathroom caddy.

The best bathroom caddy for a college dorm is the one that can fit a ton of stuff and has holes on the bottom or is made of mesh. Why holes or mesh? So that if you bring it into the shower with you, the water can drain out the bottom. Otherwise, soon enough youll have a soupy, moldy mess.

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Tips For Starting Your List

First of all, start with the list weve created here for you. It is a fully comprehensive list, so you can edit down based on your needs. Our list might also spark ideas for other items you may want to add, so start here and tweak it to make the perfect checklist just for you!

Check your college dorm or apartment rules for what kinds of things are allowed and what is explicitly forbidden. Examples may include pets, certain appliances, and making even temporary decor changes.

Make sure to check what is already included. New apartments sometimes come furnished, with kitchen appliances or basic furniture. Dorm rooms may include basic things such as a desk, chair, bed/mattress, and lamp.

Find out who your roommate or housemate is/are. Make a plan to meet them, either virtually or in person, to discuss similar interests, basic room rules, what each of you will be bringing.

Check with your program about specific items you may need for the program you are studying. You may need special software such as Adobe or Microsoft Office, or a headset for lectures.

Know your study preferences. Check in with yourself before making your desk checklist about what you need for studying, and what type of environment works best for you .

Find out what is already included. No need to buy double of anything!

Use what you already have. Remember you will likely only be studying for 9 months. Theres no need to buy all new things for only a portion of the year.