Pathetic Excuse for a “Bed”
Decor to “make it your own”
Organization So You Don’t Cry
Cleaning Supplies (JK WE DON’T CLEAN)
Personal Dingbats
YUMMY YUMMY FOOD
Actual School Supplies…
Misc things that I forgot to stick up there
HOPEFULLY YOU KNOW HOW TO PACK CLOTHING.
IF YOU’RE NOT LOCAL, ASK LOCALS ABOUT THE GENERAL WEATHER. PACK ACCORDINGLY.
*pack clothes in trash bags for easy transportation*
- 2 Pillows
- (make sure you buy ones like the ones you usually sleep with)
- Foam Topper
- (Target sells 1.5 inch memory foam ones for $30)
- Mattress Pad
- don’t splurge if you’re also buying a foam topper
- At LEAST 2 sets of sheets
- check with your school to see what size sheets you will need
- NO twin sheets will not fit an XL twin mattress
- invest in breathable sheets for the summer and jersey sheets for the winter
- Comforter
- before picking a color: 1) consult your roommate, 2) remember that you won’t be washing this often, 3) consider your other decorations
- Curtain
- many schools supply window coverings, but the websites aren’t always specific. Give the school a call or wait to buy curtains until you see the dorm room.
- Alarm Clock
- (don’t get battery powered)
- Body Pillow
- this is obviously optional, I don’t plan on bringing one
- Blankets
- the fluffier the better
Decor to “make it your own”
- Backrest Pillow
- the “chair” the schools supply are about as comfortable as the wooden ones in the library.
- Chair
- if you don’t like the supplied one, turn it into a plant holder and buy a new one
- or if you have the space, buy a comfortable one to chill in
- Lamp
- one for your desk (and the late night study seshs)
- one for the floor (it might be taller than you, so find a cute guy to carry it for you)
- Full Size Mirror
- something to hook over the back of the door or stand up in the corner
- if you plan on hanging it up, make sure you figure out how to hang it up without destroying the wall
- Ottoman (miniature)
- you can buy cheap “pop-up” ones that double as seating and storage
- Rug
- you’ll probably want to hide the ugly carpet or flooring
- Wall Art
- this could be string lights, a tapestry, posters, paintings, stickers, a cork board, dry erase sticky things
- Wall Clock
- in the case the wall clock wasn’t enough
Organization So You Don’t Cry
- Storage Bins
- always buy FOLDABLE
- there is beautiful space under your bed and in your closet, use what you have
- Storage Cubes
- there are fabric ones that can be put on shelves for assorted toiletries or randoms
- Hangers
- Bed, Bath, and Beyond has an overwhelming amount of options, from wooden to felt and plastic to wire.
- don’t forget about belts and scarves and jewelry, they make special hangers for all of those things
- Stick on hooks
- great for wet towels, rain jackets, winter coats, or anything else you need to hang up
- Risers
- great for your bed if you’re not bunked or lofted
- also awesome if you are provided a shelf that isn’t bolted to the wall. It will give you some extra storage underneath.
- Bulletin / Dry Erase Board
- you’re probably one of “those” people that likes lists
- Batteries (AAA and AA)
- for your label maker...don’t lie, you want one now
- Tool Kit
- for when you order that cool thing from ikea that you have no idea how to put together
- Sewing Kit
- even if you are a guy, you need one. BUTTONS ARE UNRELIABLY SEWN ON
- Safety Pins
- when you bloody your fingers trying to sew, resort to safety pins.
- Duffle Bag
- you’ll probably have a few from move in, send most of them back with your parents, but keep one for traveling to and from home and neighboring colleges.
Cleaning Supplies (JK WE DON’T CLEAN)
- Paper towels
- you won’t to wash orange juice covered hand towels
- Napkins
- you know the muffins in the cafe are cumbly
- Clorox Wipes
- “What’s that green goo on the back of the door…?”
- Hand Vacuum
- if you’re TRULY a clean freak
- your RA probably has a vacuum, don’t buy one
- Trash Can
- DO NOT GET WIRE, you’ll regret it, especially once it gets wet and starts to rust
- Trash Can Liners
- or you can reuse place bags from the store
Personal Dingbats
- Shower Caddy
- something that will not easily mold
- Hair ties, head bands, and clips
- even for you guys (I see you over there with the man bun)
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- things you should still splurge on, even in college
- Hair brush & Comb
- Styling Tools
- curling iron and straightener
- both roommates probably don’t each need to bring a blow dryer, bring 1
- Bath Towels
- full size & washcloth size
- Shower Flip Flops
- avoid foot fungus
- Small First Aid Kit
- Medications
- prescriptions, cold medication, ibuprofen, advil, midol, sunscreen, itch relief cream, allergy medication, tylenol
- Deodorant
- for the happiness of your fellow students, please bring enough
- Lotion
- cuz you ashy
- Toiletries
- no need to be embarrassed
- Make-up & Make-up Remover
- and cases that hold them
- Nail Kit & Polish & Remover
- Q-tips
- so many uses
- Razors & Shaving Cream
- this goes for both genders
- Hand Soap
- just a bottle on hand in case the bathroom is all out
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- bring extras
- Mouthwash & Floss
- Tweezers
- Laundry Detergent / Softener / Dryer Sheets
- if you don’t know how to do laundry, ASK. The last thing you want to do is dye all you whites red.
- Stain Stick
- because you aren’t as graceful as you look
- Iron / Steamer /Ironing Board
- some of these may be provided, ask and see
- Tissues
- because you will get sick at some point
YUMMY YUMMY FOOD
- Microwave
- check the max wattage allowed by your school
- Mini Fridge
- check the max size allowed by your school
- Reuseable Water Bottles
- many schools are going “eco friendly” and have water bottle refill stations with filtered water, so don’t bring the costco sized pallet of water bottles
- Plates / Cups / Cutlery
- disposable
- if you want to be “eco friendly” only bring a few of each and clean them in the sinks
- Coffee Maker
- for the 3 am study sessions that have you feeling some type of way
- Coffee
- for the coffee maker obviously
- Tea
- even if you don’t like it, drink it, it’s good for you
- Mugs / Travel Mugs
- for coffee before and during your 8 am class
- Chip Clips
- to preserve the last of the doritos
- Sandwich sized baggies
- for everything + food
Actual School Supplies…
- Laptop
- LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS, they are EVERYWHERE for students (I got my macbook at Best Buy for so cheap with their student deals)
- Mouse / Mouse Pad
- for when you’re actually sitting at your desk
- Planner
- invest in a cute one that will make you want to use it, then USE it
- Post-its
- in EVERY color and size
- USB Drive
- these are just about obsolete, but it might be nice to have when you’re not using your Google Drive (as I am now)
- Calculator
- check and see what type you’ll need for your math class
- Computer Lock
- if you have anything (except the newest MacBooks) you have a port for a lock to lock your computer to the desk.
- YOU MIGHT TRUST YOUR ROOMIE, BUT DON’T TRUST EVERYONE YOU/ YOUR ROOMIE BRINGS IN THE ROOM
- Mini Stereo
- if you can find a waterproof one, buy it
- Phone Chargers
- bring one, and then a backup
- Power Strip
- there generally aren’t enough outlets in the dorm rooms
- Extension cord
- General School Supplies
- binders, dividers, sheet protectors, hole punch, stapler, index cards, markers, sharpies, paper, notebooks, loose leaf paper, paper clips, pens / pencils, planner, pocket folders, manila folders, post its, ruler, scissors (at LEAST one pair), tape, glue, whiteout, calendar
Misc things that I forgot to stick up there
- Fan
- Febreze
- in whatever form you like
- Door stop
- great for move in day and for meeting new people. They will smell coffee and come knocking
- Head Phones
- lots and lots of pairs
- Umbrella
- mini and full size
- Flashlight
- for that bug that crawled under the desk at 1 am
- Health Insurance Card
- ATM Card
- License / ID
- Student ID
- if you don’t bring this, stay home, just stay home
HOPEFULLY YOU KNOW HOW TO PACK CLOTHING.
IF YOU’RE NOT LOCAL, ASK LOCALS ABOUT THE GENERAL WEATHER. PACK ACCORDINGLY.
*pack clothes in trash bags for easy transportation*