college dorm room essentials

1. Kleenex: When school starts, you are going to meet a million new people and be exposed to millions of germs each day. By the time midterm exams start, you’ll be sleep deprived and stressed aka an ideal candidate for catching a cold. When I was in college, I seriously hoarded Kleenex boxes in my room, car, backpack, and purse because it seemed like I was always sniffling! Even if you’re not sick, Kleenex can also be used to help even out smeared makeup, eliminate oil on a warm day, or even clean up a spill in a pinch! I like to pick up Kleenex boxes in fun designs that match my room’s decor, and the new chevron designs from Kleenex that are available at Walmart are beyond adorable. The 64-count oval boxes come in several different colors, and the design is exclusive to Walmart. If you want to find out where you can purchase these super cute designs, click here to see a list of locations!

2. Shelf Extender / Extra Rod: Just go ahead and accept that you’re not going to have very much closet space. Dorm room closets tend to be tall, but they have very little functional storage. At most, you’ll get a shelf and one closet rod to hang your clothes. You can find shelf extenders at stores like Walmart for less than $10, and they add an extra row of hanging space in your closet. Your roommate is definitely going to be jealous if you have one!

3. Comfortable and Cute Bedding: Dorm room mattresses are not exactly luxurious, so be prepared with an abundance of comfortable bedding. I recommend finding an affordable mattress topper along with soft sheets, a warm comforter, and a few comfy pillows to hide the plastic coating of the mattress you’ll be provided. 

4. Hanging Closet Storage: As I mentioned earlier, storage space is hard to come by in a dorm room. That means you need to utilize every space in the room to store your things. Hanging closet organizers can be hung in your closet or over your room/bathroom door and can help you store shoes, accessories, or toiletries!

5. Thin Hangers: Are you getting the hint that dorm room closet are tiny? Find the thinnest hangers you can find- preferably in a bright color to prevent your roommate from stealing them!

6. Disinfectant Spray: College kids are kind of gross. Definitely stock up on disinfectant sprays and spray down EVERY INCH of your room and bathroom before unloading your stuff. As an RA, I saw some pretty unhygienic messes, so I’d recommend going a little overboard with Lysol spray. 

7. Laundry Bag with Strap: When laundry day rolls around, you might have to trek to a different floor, different building, or even a different side of your housing facility to do your laundry. When your laundry bag is completely full, it can be extremely heavy. Invest in a sturdy laundry bag with comfortable straps that will allow you to transport your laundry to the laundry room. 

8. Chalkboard or Whiteboard: College is a busy time, so I liked to keep a chalkboard or whiteboard to keep track of the week’s academic and social events in addition to my planner. I’d write a bulleted to-do list for the week of events that I didn’t want to forget (quizzes, tests, big assignments due, friends’ birthdays), or I’d write notes to my roommate!

9. Headphones: Roommates can be fun…and not so fun…to live with. It’s exciting to have fun people to talk to, but when you’re busy studying for a test or just need some time to relax, you’re going to need to have an awesome pair of headphones to block out your roommates’ noise. 

10. Storage Boxes: These versatile boxes can be stacked underneath your bed, sink, or closet to add additional storage space!