College Dorm Room Necessities

A Dorm Room - Mark Pellegrini, Wiki Commons

As college students move out of their homes to their freshman year dorm room, they usually face one unexpected crisis: trying to cram all their stuff in their parent's car. Want to avoid this hassle? The thing is, most freshmen bring way too much stuff you don't really need for a dorm room. They also overlook cheap necessities that they really do need.

Other than clothing, what does a student really need to bring to college? Here are a list of basic and cheap necessities that should make their way into your new dorm room. To help remember these things, consider making a college dorm room checklist.

1. An alarm clock. There's one thing you should look for in an alarm clock: efficiency! Make sure it's loud enough to wake you up. The snooze button is a wonderful invention, but if you think you'll be pressing it too often, skip it. A battery powered alarm clock is a good idea in case the power goes out, but don't forget to check the batteries now and then.
2. A telephone. These days, most college students skip the land line and just use a cell phone. Shop around for the cheapest plan, or be nice to your parents so they'll keep you on theirs.
3. A computer. You can probably get by without one, but college life is much simpler with a computer. Fortunately, they are much cheaper than they used to be. When shopping for a computer, the most important word to keep in mind is reliable. Here are articles about what to look for in a laptop computer, and about how to decide between a laptop or a desktop.
4. Music. Yeah, tunes are a necessity. You can save space by digitizing music and putting it on your computer, iPod, or MP3 player. Make sure you have headphones so you can listen to music without annoying your roommate or the people down the hall. For music on the cheap, a plain old radio or cassette player will do.
5. A modest bathrobe. You'll be spending lots of time walking from your room to the shower, so cover up, especially if you live in a coed dorm. Get a bathrobe with pockets to carry your room keys. Modest pajamas are a good idea too.
6. Cheap flip flops for the shower. You don't even want to know what's growing on the shower floors.
7. A small basket to carry your stuff to the shower. A basic one will do, or you can get a cutesy one shaped like a heart or something. Just make sure it's waterproof.
8. Basic hygiene materials. If you're smart enough to go to college, you're smart enough to know how to keep yourself clean. Remember, your mom's not around to make sure you don't stink. Unless you go to school on the top of a mountain or in the middle of the desert, there will be stores around, but you might want to stock up in bulk at home before you go. Raiding you parents' closet is also an option.
9. Basic linens. Dorm room beds often require extra long sheets, so find out ahead of time what you need. Bring two sets of sheets, enough blankets to keep you warm, enough pillows to keep you cozy, at least three decent bath towels, a couple of hand towels, and some wash cloths. You can raid your parents' closet or buy these things on the cheap, or splurge and get some nice sheets and towels to make the room more homey. Here's more information on how to choose college dorm room bedding.
10. Basic cleaning materials. Keep it simple: dust rags, Windex, and maybe a miniature broom and dustpan. Keeping your room clean is important roommate etiquette.
11. Medications and basic first aid stuff. Don't forget vitamins, over the counter pain meds and cold medicine, and bandages.
12. Basic school supplies. Stores like Target and WalMart have giant sales on notebooks and stuff this time of year, so stock up. School supplies cost way more on or near a college campus. Don't forget to bring a stapler.
13. A good backpack. If you're going to splurge on one thing, get a really good backpack. You're going to be spending an awful lot of time with that thing.
14. Books. Yes, you need to buy books for your classes. There are some classes where you can get buy without doing the readings, but these are the exception. Some professors will require you to buy course packs as well. Here are some tips on how to get cheap textbooks.
15. Laundry materials. You need a laundry basket that's easy to carry and laundry soap. Fabric softener and stain removers are optional.

Enjoy your new dorm rooms, students! For more tips on purchasing the things college students need, check out this College Student Essentials Buying Guide.

Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.

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