10 Things College Students Need to Live in a Dorm
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Here's the ultimate guide for college students who aren't sure what they need to pack for dorm life. Dorm life is a new and scary transition for many students. For out-of-state or international students, it is crucial to pack everything they need because they can't go back home so quickly.
Sleeping Bag
Of course, students should ensure they have comforters and sheets that fit their dorm beds. Most college websites will have the beds' sizes so you can double-check the measurements. However, the thing most students don't consider is a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are great when a friend or visitor is sleeping over. The best nights in college end with all your friends crashing on your dorm room floor after staying up ridiculously late hours.
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Bed Shelf
These devices are so helpful for college students with lofted beds, which is what most students have in their dormitories. A bed shelf is an excellent place for students to charge their phones or place their textbooks or drinks while in bed. It makes things easily accessible in the morning when they rush to class. If you don't want a shelf sticking out of your bed, you could also try a bed basket. These baskets attach to the side of your bed but hang down less noticeably.
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Shower Kit
Another great thing college students should have is a shower kit. No one wants to get athlete's foot, so include some flip-flops. You will also want a shower caddy, a razor, body wash, and some shampoo and conditioner. A shower kit with these things will ensure you're prepared to adjust to a shared shower and have everything you need. Unless you have a separate room and bathroom, which is pretty uncommon for students living in dorms, you will want a way to carry and organize your shower items.
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Hot Pot
Even if you have a meal plan, every college student needs a hot pot. Hot pots are great ways to cook quick meals like Ramen, noodles, and other kinds of soup. They are also perfect for boiling water without needing a stove. You can quickly boil water to make hot chocolate, tea, or coffee without leaving your dorm room. Unlike hot plates, which most college dorms ban, hot pots are common for college students. Students can use hot pots to make spaghetti, mac and cheese, ravioli, and all kinds of soup.
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Water Purifier
Some college dorms have a separate machine to fill water bottles and the like, but many do not. Dorms without these devices mean students have to rely on sink water, which typically tastes quite gross. A water purifier is a great way to fix that and is a must-have for many college students. These are simple devices that will provide you with crisp, refreshing water and stop you from having to drink straight from a dorm tap.
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Toolbox
It will surprise you how often someone asks for a hammer or a screwdriver in the dorm group chat. You don't want to be that person because most students do not think to bring tools to college. However, a simple toolbox is invaluable in a pinch. You want a toolbox with a hammer, a Phillips head screwdriver, and a flathead screwdriver. These are very common tools and can help you in many emergency maintenance situations. However, if anything happens with a machine or item that is school property, just file a maintenance order and leave it alone. You do not want to deal with a fine if you end up breaking something in your attempt to be Bob the Builder.
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Vacuum (Plus a Broom and Dust Pan)
Having a college dorm means you have to start being responsible for your space and the space of any common areas. It may be surprising to see how quickly dirt and trash will pile up in corners, so you'll want to establish a regular cleaning schedule with your roommates. Having essential cleaning items like a vacuum, broom, and dustpan will make the job much easier, especially if something glass ever breaks and shatters on the floor. Most vacuums work pretty well on hardwood floors and carpets, but having a broom and dustpan is helpful for larger debris.
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Power Strip (Plus a Super Long Phone Charger)
Adjusting to college means changing to having just a few power sockets. Most college dorms ban extension cords, so you'll want to have a power strip instead. If you have a mini-fridge and microwave, you might consider having two power strips. You can use one for appliances and the other for personal electronics, like your laptop and a printer. Speaking of personal electronics, you will want to get a new phone charger. There are many extended phone chargers for Androids and iPhones on Amazon or similar shopping sites. You will want an extended phone charger when trying to charge your phone on your elevated bed.
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Reading Lamp
Here is an item that people may forget to bring to college but is essential for college dorm life. You will want a reading lamp for your desk and a reading lamp for your bed. There are many reading lamps that can clamp onto your bed's headboard and are adjustable so you can change their position. When buying a reading lamp for your desk, try to get one with adjustable light modes. Studying in the dark with no light from windows is very different from studying in a well-lit room. If you have roommates, you will also want to be able to dim the light if you're pulling an all-nighter and they want to sleep peacefully.
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Cleaning Kit
Finally, cleaning is a not-so-glamourous but very necessary part of college life. College students will want to assemble a cleaning kit with essential items before moving out of the home. No one wants to buy hand soap at a shady convenience store down the block on the first day of class. The best cleaning kits will include a plunger, sponge, hand soap, toilet bowl cleaner, dish soap, Windex, and paper towels. It is easy to forget these items because you never had to think about them before, but you will need to use them in college. In fact, you should probably throw in some stain remover, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets to cover all your bases.
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