Getting Ready For Dorm Life? Here's What You Need
Jul 03 '00
Going to college is a fun experience! Trust me, I graduated only two years ago. One of the best parts of going to college is living in the dorm. However, it's important to bring everything that you need with you on the first try. If you're going to school far enough away from home to need a dorm, odds are you won't be returning home too often.
The following is a list of things that I found very helpful to have during my first year of college.
The Basics
- Bedding - Enough said.
- Computer - Any decent college will provide computer labs, but they'll also have certain hours when they're closed. Oddly enough, those "closed" hours usually correspond with when your paper needs to be written. You can share a computer with a friend, but beware of the end of the semester when you all have papers to type right now. Remember one thing--how can you spend hours each day on Epinions without your own computer?
- TV, Stereo, and Small Fridge - Check with your roommate first on these. There's absolutely no need for more than one of each of these in a single-room dorm, but they're near-essentials.
- Clothes (duh) - Don't make the same mistake I did and leave all of your hanging clothes hanging in the closet at home. You'll end up doing what I did again, and buying a whole new pants wardrobe (not a cheap proposition).
Another word on clothes - You don't need EVERY item of clothing you own. You should be able to get away with the following - a large supply of casual, wear-to-class clothes, some going-out-with-friends clothes, and a few nicer "professional" type outfits for those events that spring up with only a few days' notice. The exception? Bring every pair of socks and underwear you own, and then go buy some more. Due to some mystery of the universe, these get used up much more quickly than anything else. Also, I can guarantee that your clothes storage space in college is smaller than your clothes storage space at home.
Things That Aren't So Obvious
- A Shower Organizer - You need some sort of basket to hold all your shower supplies, unless you intend to juggle everything as you walk down the hall. Make sure it's got holes in the bottom to let water drain out, because it will get in.
- A Reliable Alarm Clock - While a 9:00 class may sound wonderful while in high school, it's not so great in college. I had an alarm clock where I could set two different alarm times--one for Monday-Wednesday-Friday class time and one for Tuesday-Thursday class time. This meant I wasn't waking up at the wrong time if I forgot to reset the time on my alarm one night.
- School Supplies - Paper, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, etc. Yes, you can buy these at the bookstore once you get there, but the price amazingly rises from $0.59 to $2.59 for a notebook. You may want to bring along some markers or crayons; people in college are forever making signs for one reason or another.
- Entertainment - You won't be studying all the time! I highly suggest a deck of playing cards. It's a quick and easy way to attract a crowd of companions. Other ideas include books, a journal, or board games. Games such as Monopoly and Taboo become much more fun in college!
- A Few Dishes - You won't eat college food all the time. That's what your little fridge is for! But it's hard to eat a lot of foods (such as cereal) without dishes. I found two plates, two bowls, and a handful of plastic cups and cheap silverware to be plenty.
- Basic Medications and First Aid Items - Some items to consider include Advil or other pain reliever, Band-Aids and Neosporin, Sudafed or other decongestant, and any other medications you use regularly. Some Rolaids might be helpful after certain dorm meals. I also highly suggest Vitamin C supplements to help protect yourself from the germs of the dozens of people with whom you're suddenly sharing a bathroom!
- Some comforts of home - Some pictures of family and friends, a stuffed animal or two, a special book of keepsakes, etc. Don't overdo this - dorm rooms are only so big, and having too much of this stuff around can actually make you more homesick.
- White board for your door - This is an essential communication tool! People will write all kinds of messages on them, from "Hello" to "We're going to ---- at 7:00" to the best, "Class is cancelled." A few of the wipe-off markers would be helpful, too, as no one's original marker ever lasts the semester.
- CRATES - The singular best storage item for college students! They're cheap, they can help hold all of your stuff on the ride to school, they (unlike bookshelves) actually fit in your car, and they can be arranged to fit whatever random open space you have in your room. Bring more than you think you'll need, or you risk sending your parents out in the pouring rain to find a Meijer in an unfamiliar city--or at least I did.
College is a fabulous time--and it's a much better experience if you have the things you need. Before you leave, be like Santa Claus - make a list and check it twice! Good luck!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jenninca
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Cindy
Location: Dallas, TX
Reviews written: 184
Trusted by: 293 members
About Me:
Well, whaddya know!
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.