8 Overlooked Dorm Essentials

By Ashley Paskill on August 30, 2020

While many colleges are going virtual due to COVID-19, some are having classes in-person, meaning students will need to live on-campus if they do not live close enough to commute. As you are preparing to move into your dorm, you may know the basics of things you need, but there may be things that are overlooked that you should get.

1. Nightlight

While a nightlight may seem strange, your dorm is going to be dark at night. Without a nightlight, it will be difficult to navigate to the bathroom in the middle of the night without tripping or running into things. Nightlights come in a variety of sizes and give off different amounts of light depending on what you need. Some even give off different colors of light so you are able to personalize them. This is a great way to ensure the safety of you and your roommates.

2. Steam iron

It is no secret that clothing wrinkles. In many cases, students choose to just live with it. However, if you have a job or internship and need to look professional, wrinkles can be your worst nightmare. In these cases, having a steam iron in your dorm will help you get the wrinkles out of your clothes. They tend to be relatively inexpensive and are simple and quick to use. While you do not have to iron all of your clothes, especially your more casual wear, having an iron on hand can help your nice clothes look nice.

3. A fan

If you are going to school in an area that tends to be hot and muggy in August and September as the seasons change over, having a fan is a must, especially if your dorm does not have air conditioning or your roommate does not like it to be too cold. In the case that your dorm does not have air conditioning, buy a standing fan that oscillates so that you and your roommate can both stay cool. If your roommate does not like it to be too cool, buy a small desk fan and position it in a way that the air is directed at you so you and your roommate can both be comfortable.

Image: Siniz Kim via https://unsplash.com/photos/Z2m5HdWOYHg

4. Dry erase board

Living with a roommate can be stressful, especially if it is your first time. Being able to communicate is essential, and having a variety of ways to stay in communication and be organized is key. Having a dry erase board can be a great way to see each other’s schedules visually and be able to set responsibilities such as cleaning and taking care of the trash. You can even personalize it to fit your dorm room’s décor!

5. Command hooks

One of the most exciting things about moving into a dorm is the opportunity to decorate your space in a way that is uniquely you. However, there may be rules for what can be done and there may be penalties for damaged walls. If you are planning on hanging posters or other pictures on your wall, having command hooks is essential. These hooks allow you to hang things up and take them down without damaging the walls with things like nails or sticky substances. Command hooks can also be used as a place to hang jackets and purses for you and your roommate or any guests that come over.

6. First-aid needs

When you are in college, you are highly likely to get injured or sick at some point. You will need first-aid items like Band-Aids, tissues, ice packs, and medicine to help you feel better. These items are typically forgotten about until you need them and are struggling to get them. It is better to have them on hand and not need them than to need them and not have them. Even if you end up not needing them, your roommate or friends in the building may need them, so it is good to have these things on hand for when things happen.

7. Shower shoes

If you are living in a dorm, you likely have to share a communal bathroom with multiple others. While custodial staff members work hard to keep things clean, they are not necessarily working around the clock to clean up every little thing that happens. You never know what others have done in the shower before you came in, so it is better to wear the shower shoes than to risk getting sick. A simple pair of basic flip flops will do the trick.

8. Air fresheners

Even if you and your roommate are both super clean people, your dorm will eventually start to smell bad. Having an air freshener will be a huge help with reducing the lingering odors, especially during busy times when neither you nor your roommate is able to clean the space. Air fresheners come in a variety of scents and styles, so you will be able to find one that you and your roommate both like. Just be sure to check with your roommate to see if they have any sensitivities to scents.

Packing for the dorms is stressful, but knowing what to pack, especially when it comes to often-overlooked items, can help you be as prepared as possible.

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