I’m sure you’ve all been on Pinterest and seen a million versions of the ‘ultimate college dorm list,’ so I thought I’d give it a shot. Here’s everything you need when heading away to school…now good luck fitting it all in the car ;)
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Foam Mattress Topper: The single most important thing in my college dorm room. Mine is four inches thick and well worth the price (exactly what I imagine sleeping on a cloud would be like).
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Super Cute Comforter: This really brings the whole room together and creates a theme.
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Lights, lights, and more lights: Nothing says dorm room like lights lining the place.
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8 Cube Organizer: I splurged on an organizer from Better Homes and Garden with a mismatch of colored cubes and it is seriously the best, holds all of my stuff and then some!
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Mattress Pad: Not that my bed isn’t piled high already but something’s gotta hold it all together!
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Jersey Sheets: Maybe you can tell by now but I really value my sleep so a comfy bed is an essential.
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Microwave: I’ll bet you never even realized all of the things you can cook in this baby…dorm room kitchen all in one.
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Mini Fridge with a Freezer: Gotta have somewhere to store that Whitey’s, am I right ladies???
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Bluetooth Speaker: My suite mate came in clutch with this item, my shower singing has never sounded better!
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Comfy Futon and Blankets: Trust me your friends will all thank me later when they need a place to crash, it also adds some extra seating so everyone will want to hang out!
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Plants/Flowers: Even if you feel like you’re dying a little bit at least your plants are living!
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Step Stool: With all of those layers on it i’ve gotta be able to climb into bed somehow!
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Mason Jars: I am one hundred percent convinced that everything…and I mean everything looks cuter in a mason jar…pens? super cute! toothbrush and toothpaste? totes adorbs! flowers? right out of a freaking magazine!
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Pillows: The more the merrier!
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Hanging Door Mirror: Where else are you going to take cute mirror pics to document your OOTD?
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Shoe Rack: Or five if you’re anything like me (I might have a slight shoe obsession).
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Toaster (WARNING: illegal on Ambrose campus): Okay so you didn’t hear it from me but you don’t expect me to give up my morning chocolate chip toaster waffles now do you?
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Fan: Let me just tell you now–quiet hours are not really quiet–might as well crank up the fan, drown out the noise, and get that much needed beauty sleep.
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Laundry Basket/Supplies/Drying Rack: Mom can only do your laundry for so long.
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Enough Quarters to Survive an Apocalypse: $2.50 to wash and dry one load of laundry…even Whitey’s costs less!
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Command Hooks (times a billion): When you have limited space sometimes hanging is the only option!
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Curtains and a Curtain Rod: Those big windows and bare walls just didn’t do it for me; curtains added that homey touch that was missing.
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Coffee Mugs: Mug cakes are my jam.
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Area Rug: A comforter and an area rug can transform a space… pro tip: super fluffy rugs seem to get dirty and wear out quicker!
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Dry Erase Board: The four of us wrote our work and class schedules on the board so we always know where everyone is; it’s a game changer.
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Laptop: Your new best friend…or worst enemy…I’ll leave that one up to you.
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Bathroom Essentials: Who knew one girl could use so many products? #1 being dry shampoo of course.
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Vera Bradley Everything: Vera Bradley who, I said as I headed off to college? Now I couldn’t live one day without her–lanyard, id holder, pencil case, umbrella, duffel travel bag, laptop case, makeup organizer, and of course the best book bag money can buy.
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Umbrella/Raincoat/Rain Boots: Sure the walk across campus doesn’t seem so bad now, but one rainy day and you’ll be wishing you had taken my advice.
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Hanging Door Decoration/Wreath: Your room might as well be cute on the outside too, right?!
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Mini Tool Kit: This makes move-in day a breeze, everyone will be wishing they came as prepared as you.
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Plastic Silverware/Paper Plates: No one wants to wash dishes all the time so might as well just throw them away!
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Extension Cord/Multi Plug Outlet: I’ve got the powerrr (don’t lie and say you didn’t sing along to that).
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TV and HDMI Cord: For all those nights spent binge-watching from your beds.
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First Aid Kit: For those minor injuries that are just a part of life.
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Wall Decor: Go big or go home, take this opportunity and express yourself through decoration!
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Towels in Every Size: Small washcloths, big bath towels and everything in between, your shower routine just got a whole lot simpler.
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School Supplies: Pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, calculator, and of course a planner–oh and don’t forget those dreaded textbooks!
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Desk Calendar: I use my desk calendar to keep track of family events and my planner to keep track of all things school, breaking it down helps to make everything a little less stressful.
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Pictures: Everyone gets a little homesick at some point, it helps to have a piece of home with you!
Have fun with it! College shopping and packing might seem stressful now, but it is so worth it to see everything come together! Wishing you the best sales and the cutest dorms!
Photos provided by me.