14 College Dorm Items You Will Regret Not Buying
I overpacked. Sharing a tiny dorm room with 3 other roommates, I felt horrible. I didn’t know what to bring to college, but upon arriving I knew I had brought way too much. Where was I going to fit my extra stuff?
Knowing what to bring to college can be stressful, because sometimes colleges are not good about communicating what to bring. Some items are incredibly obvious must-brings, while other items may not occur to you until you need them.
Avoid last-minute runs to Walmart or orders on Amazon and buy these items before packing for college. Below is a list of 14 items you might not think of but definitely want to add to your packing list for your first year of college.
14 College Dorm Items You Will Regret Not Buying
#1. A mattress topper
I cannot overstress this point enough: your sleep is incredibly important in college. Guard your sleep time. Do everything you can to make sure you can have a good night’s rest, including purchasing a mattress topper. This one item is a must if you want to protect your sleep.
Your dorm room mattress is likely cheap and thin. You probably will not sleep as well as you do at home. Prioritize your sleep by purchasing a mattress topper. While you can purchase a basic topper for less than $20, I strongly encourage you to take the plunge and purchase a memory foam topper that is at least 1 1/2 inches thick.
You will sleep better, and the quality of your sleep will be better. A memory foam mattress topper is completely worth the expense. And who knows, maybe you can use some graduation gift cards to fund this important but sometimes pricy purchase.
#2. A clip-on lamp
Sometimes you will have to wake up early or stay up late. Your roommate will want to go to bed, while you’ll still be plugging away on a paper. Keeping on the main light is inconsiderate, but without a lamp the only option left is working in the dark. Yikes.
There will be late nights and early mornings in which you will need to read, write, or study. Without a clip on lamp, you will have to leave your room for another location. Sometimes this will not be a good option, especially late at night. Having a lamp to clip on to your bed can be a life-saver, so don’t forget this helpful item.
You can certainly invest more money if you wish, but I find that a cheap lamp works just fine. You may even be able to find one second-hand. And don’t forget a compatible lightbulb.
#3. A small fan
When you share a room with another person, you do not have complete control over the room temperature. Maybe this fact has never occurred to you before. In a college dorm room, room temperature can sometimes be a little thing that becomes a big deal.
What temperature do you prefer? Some people like the room to be colder, while others like it hotter. Know now that you are probably going to have to compromise with your roommate when it comes to room temperature.
One way to compromise is by using a fan. Not only can a fan keep you from getting too warm, but it can also be a nice white noise to block out loud sounds from outside of your room. You can find a clip-on fan relatively cheaply, and it will definitely come in handy.
#4. A sound machine or ear plugs
While everybody wants the perfect roommate, almost no one gets one. (Partially because perfect roommates do not really exist.) Sometimes your roommate is going to be inconsiderately loud. Even if your roommate tries, he or she may not be able to be as quiet as you would like. An easy and cheap solution to this problem is earplugs.
I can sometimes be a light sleeper, so I regularly use earplugs to sleep. While it takes some getting used to, sleeping with earplugs can help you get and stay to sleep even with a noisy roommate or loud next door neighbor.
Another solution is using a sound machine. If you can afford to purchase a small sound machine, you will find that it not only helps you sleep better but can help you concentrate on school work when the dorm is loud. Some sound machines include alarm clocks, which might be a good solution if you can be a hard sleeper.
#5. An extra blanket
Another way to compromise with room temperature is by purchasing an extra blanket. Right now, you may not know where your bed will be in proximity to the heat or air conditioning, but you definitely want to be prepared for the possibility of being too far away.
Don’t shiver to sleep every night. Instead simply bring an extra blanket in addition to your comforter. Be sure this blanket is easily washable and can be easily stored away when not needed. You want it to be practical and useful, so be sure it will last a long time.
#6. A shoe organizer
Your closet space will likely be limited. You may even have to share your closet with a roommate, so do your best to consolidate your items. Finding storage containers that maximize your limited space can help you make the most of a tiny closet.
Some new college students never think about this easy way to save some space: using an over-the-door shoe organizer. Not only can this cheap purchase provide you with more space for your clothes, but it can also help you quickly find the pair of shoes for which are looking. On those early mornings, you don’t want to scramble through your closet to find the pair of shoes you need.
#7. Disinfectant wipes
Thankfully, my first college roommates came to college with these life-savers. I didn’t know just how handy disinfectant wipes could be in a college dorm room. Come to college with some wipes, because you have no idea what state your room is in.
You won’t know who lived in your room before you did. You also won’t know how clean those people were. Coming to college with disinfectant wipes can help you unpack your items quickly and with peace of mind that the drawers and closet are truly clean.
In addition, wipes can come in handy when you or your roommate is sick, when you need to wipe down your sink, or when you need to clean your desk. They will always come in handy, so come to college prepared.
#8. An air freshener
Unfortunately, some roommates are not always aware of their odors. Living in a small space means that smells travel more quickly. Prepare yourself for stench that can sometimes come from living in a dorm by bringing some air freshener.
Scents can sometimes be tricky, especially if you or your roommate has allergies. Once you have your room assignment, I would advise you to ask your roommate if he or she has any allergies you should know about. If you do not have roommate information before arriving to college, staying with a more neutral scent is probably safe (e.g., clean linen).
Some people prefer a plug-in air freshener to a spray can. Either will work fine. Sometimes a plug-in can end up being more expensive in the long run, but it also does the work for you. Choose what works best for you and your budget.
#9. A reliable umbrella
There are few things worse than being caught in a downpour on your campus. Your books, your book bag, your clothing, and your shoes get soaked. Avoid this unpleasant experience by coming to college with a reliable umbrella.
Depending on where your college is located, rain may be predictable. Where I went to school, you could start the day with blue skies and in a moment’s notice be caught in rain. Having an umbrella in my book bag at all times saved me in many situations.
While you can purchase a cheap umbrella, I would highly encourage you to buy one that costs at least $5-$15. The advantage of having a quality umbrella is worth a few extra dollars. I will discourage you from buying an umbrella that costs more than $30. You wouldn’t want to lose it or for it to get stolen.
#10. A rain-friendly pair of shoes
Going along with an umbrella is a pair of shoes that can last through rain. Many shoes are not made to withstand the wear and tear of walks through the rain. You do not want to be searching for shoes during the school year. Prepare now by finding shoes that will work for rainy days.
In my personal opinion, ankle boots work very well. Not only do they help keep your feet dry, but they keep you from getting too warm. There are styles that work for both men and women. This footwear investment is completely worth the cost.
#11. Curtains
Yes, even if you are a guy, you should consider investing in a curtain for your dorm window. While your college may provide blinds for your window, you will want something else to block the morning light when you get to sleep in on the weekends.
Blackout or room-darkening curtains are entirely worth the money, especially if you have trouble sleeping with light in the room. While they can cost more than regular curtains, you should consider investing the money. You will not regret the extra sleep.
#12. Storage containers
When traveling to and from college, you may want to pack your items in cardboard boxes. While this may be a good idea for some items, consider more durable and sturdy containers.
These containers have a two-fold advantage. One, plastic containers with lids or drawers can be incredibly helpful in your dorm room. Two, they can survive more than one move, because you will likely be bringing your clothes home over most summer breaks. Having an easy and safe way to transport your items will be something you are grateful for year after year.
#13. A small mirror with lights
This may be an item more targeted to female students, but I would highly recommend purchasing this item. If your dorm room does have a sink and a mirror, there will be some days where your roommate and you have to share the space.
At first, sharing may not be a big deal. But as time goes on, you will probably get tired of your roommate beating you to the mirror. A small mirror with lights will give you a place to fix your hair and put on makeup, even when the main room lights are off.
#14. A small refrigerator
There are many occasions where you will not have time to grab a meal in the dining hall or off campus. Do not consistently skip meals! You need to keep a healthy meal routine, even with your busy college schedule.
Having a small fridge in your room can help you maintain a regular meal schedule. Your future roommate may already own a fridge, so be sure to ask him or her before purchasing one. Your small dorm room doesn’t have the space for more than one fridge, so share if you can.
Don’t be like freshman me and bring way too much to college. Choose to bring things that you will truly use over and over. You will not regret bringing these items to college, so start your search now. Your future self will thank you.