Dorm shopping (and really any kind of back-to-school shopping) is one of my favorite things! July is almost here which means stores like Target and Bed Bath & Beyond will start to announce their college sales very soon! This upcoming fall semester may look very different for all of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning! Today, I will share some of my essentials that you may not think to bring, as well as some items that you can probably leave at home.
MUST-HAVES:
- Bed Bug Protector: This is one of my top recommendations whether you are a freshman or a senior. These covers zip right over your mattress and protect you and your bedding from any unforeseen circumstances as well as allergens such as pollen and dust! I have used mine every year and I am so glad we purchased one!
- Lysol Laundry Sanitizer: This was one of my recent discoveries, but I have no idea what I would do without it! In college you are sharing a laundry room with so many other students all using different detergents and products in the machines. I personally felt like my clothes were not as clean as they could be and this has changed the game! In addition to your normal detergent, just pour a little bit in the fabric softener compartment and run your load like normal. It kills any bacteria that may be on your clothes or in the washing machine and makes them smell great!
- Drying Rack: Continuing on the topic of laundry, this one is a must-have! Your dryers will likely have fixed settings with pretty high heat so it can be nerve-wracking to throw some of your nicer items in. To avoid accidentally shrinking that new top or your favorite pair of jeans, you can set up a drying rack in your dorm and let your clothes air dry! Although it is a slightly longer process, it is totally worth it for certain clothing items!
- Essential Oil Diffuser: Since most on-campus housing doesn’t allow candles, this is a much safer alternative! My roommates and I have loved using it, especially before going to bed! Certain oils are also great for purifying the air and keeping you healthy throughout the year! I use mine at home almost every night and it is definitely one of my all-time favorite purchases.
- Healthy Snacks: I always love having healthy options on-hand in my room! A treat is always fun to have every now and then, but if you keep the majority of your snacks relatively healthy, it will help you feel more energized and ready to take on your day without crashing.
THINGS YOU CAN DO WITHOUT:
- All the shoes: It can be difficult to determine what shoes you will actually wear at college. In my experience, you can probably leave the heels and really formal shoes at home (unless of course you have a specific event that requires them!) To start, I usually bring my frequently worn sandals, running sneakers, and casual shoes for class. Once fall rolls around and the temperature starts to drop, I will switch them out for boots and other closed-toed shoes. I also recommend finding shoes that are versatile, like a good pair of flats, that can be worn casually or professionally for multiple occasions!
- Notes from High School: I was guilty of doing this my freshman year! If you took a class in high school that you will be re-taking in college for your major, it can be tempting to bring all of your previous materials for extra help. It very well could help you, but in my experience, my bulky binders and notebooks just took up extra space in my desk.
- Laundry Basket: Lots of laundry tips today haha! I personally find that using a larger hamper or laundry bag is more efficient than the standard baskets you might use at home! They fit more of your clothes, and allow for easier transport down to the laundry room.
- Too Many Decorative Items: Shopping for decor is one of the more enjoyable aspects of planning out your dorm room, but it is definitely possible to over-do it. Having a few decorations and pictures for your wall, as well as some fun decor pieces for your desk is totally fine, but too many can leave your space feeling cluttered. Worst case scenario, you can always buy an additional item to fill some extra space, but it is better than spending money on something you can’t find a use for! See if you can find out exactly what kind of furniture your dorm has as well as the dimensions! This is a great way to determine what you will end up having space for.
- Finally, if you do not think you will use it, don’t bring it! In college, you have to get very creative with your storage! Knowing exactly what you need may require you to actually get to school first, but if it is not something you will be using on a regular basis, ask yourself if it is really necessary.
Wow that was a long list! Thank you so much for reading if you have made it this far! Have a great day and I will see back here on Wednesday for my next post 🙂
