I'm starting college next week...what should I take with me to the dorms?

Question

I have so many people giving different advice on what I should and shouldn't take with me when I move into my dorm room. I just want to know what the basic essentials are.

Answer 1

Of course you need your clothes, toiletries, and school/office supplies. You'll need sheets, pillows, blankets, etc. You should also bring supplies for cleaning your room (it might be disgusting when you move in, never know) and doing laundry. Bring some items to personalize your room...art work, photos, posters, etc. Something to make it seem more like you, less like a little box. ;-)

You might talk w/your future roommate & figure out what you want to do RE: stuff like curtains and a rug/carpeting...if you get an upperclassman for a roommate, she may already have those items. Or you may want to wait & purchase things like that when you get there & can measure things. Bring along a set of tools in case you need to fix something, hang items, etc. They an go back home, although it can come in handy to have a small set of tools for quick fixes instead of waiting for maintenance to come to your room. Shelves & organizers can be brought from home, but they may not fit so again you might want to wait until you get there, measure & go shopping.

Some people bring microwaves, fridges, TVs, DVD players, game systems...every comfort of home you can imagine. Others go very basic. Totally individual. Hopefully you aren't going so far from home that you won't be able to go back in a few weeks for a visit and pick up some stuff if you find you need it. :-) Good luck & have fun!

Answer 2

If you've got a roommate, talk to them before you decide what to take. While a little microwave (if allowed) and a little fridge are really nice things to have, having more than one in a small dorm room is just too much. A small tv can be good or bad, as it can be too much of a distraction. Also, you need to know the living arrangements. If you're sharing a bathroom with just a couple of people you can probably leave your stuff in there and not have to worry about it, but if the bathroom is down to hall you'll want something to carry your stuff around in. A little bucket with a couple of holes in the bottom is a good way to do that. See if you can find out whether the dorm beds take standard twin sheets before you buy. I had some that did and some that didn't...

Basically, you want the stuff you use at home. You need to remember that dorm rooms are really basic and really small. You'll want things for the walls, maybe a small rug, etc. but you don't want too much stuff or it'll drive you and your roommate(s) nuts.

Answer 3

When I first started college I brought all the "basics" school supplies, organizational stuff for my room, decorations, clothes, and stuff like that. When I actually got to the dorm I was able to set up and see what else I really needed. Your school should supply you with a list of what to bring and what not to bring.
Most of the stuff is best just to get when you've actually arrived at school. There's nothing worse than lugging a bunch of junk 6 hours across state when you can buy what you don't have in town.
Also check out the containerstore.com they have lots of great ideas.

Answer 4

When it comes to clothing, it depends on how far you will be away from home and how often you plan to go home. If your college is a long distance from home and you will not be going home often, I'd say take a few sweaters (maybe a light weighed jacket) along with the clothing you plan to wear now (that's if your first trip home is in October or November). If you plan to go home a little more frequently, take clothing that you plan to wear now and when fall arrives, go home and get your fall clothing.
I found that this cuts out a lot of clutter in your room (the rooms are not that big) and gives you more room in your closet. Other than that, you will need comforter, sheets, personal items, laundry items, & of course your school materials. Have fun and good luck in school. This is an experience you won't forget.

Answer 5

Like the others have said...take all the basics that you use at home. If you'll be rooming with someone, though, it'd be best to either contact them to decide who brings what or just go shopping when you get there. Also some things to think about bringing: shower shoes (mandatory for community showers or if your roomie is gross), shower caddy, step stool (my dorm room bed was wayyy too high), a compact refrigerator, dry erase board, Clorox wipes (dorms are usually notorious for spreading germs), insurance cards (for doctor/hospital/pharmacy visits)...things like that. Good luck!

Answer 6

When my brother went away to college last year, my mom made sure he had plenty of clothes, shoes, socks, etc. Bring extra underwear, it will make it so that you dont have to wash clothes as often, besides, its good to have plenty of them. Bras too, etc. take a small picture or two from home, it with help if you get homesick as well. a really good way to store your clothes, is to go to wal-mart and get a tall platic cabnit type thing, with drawers that slide in and out. its cheap, and helpful. hope this helps

Answer 7

Birth control.

Answer 8

Didn't your college give you a basic list of things you might need? I would go back through my information packet and see what they recommend bringing and what they allow.

Answer 9

a box of condoms

Answer 10

Clothes, duh! It's whatever you're using at home - bring those. Cell phone, makeup, tampons, meds, RAMEN (lol), bath stuff, etc. Everyday use things you're used to using .. umm..yeahh.. haha