College has just started up again and most of us could not be more excited about being back on campus. However, being back on campus has brought up some interesting problems I did not have to deal with while I was attending Zoom University. I currently live on campus and did not realize how badly I needed a Brita water filter. I just assumed that the water would be fine, but I was so wrong.
So in order to try and help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made these past few weeks, here are some things that I think every college student needs that are not talked about enough.
- Room spray
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People smell! Shoes smell! Everything smells! Since most dorms do not allow candles, a room spray will save your life. If your space is feeling icky and musty, all you need to do is spray some room spray and you will be 1,000 times happier. My recommendation.
- fabric spray
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You don’t know where someone’s booty has been! Dorms usually have fabric furniture that comes with the room that is incredibly difficult to clean. With a fabric spray, it takes about eight seconds to clean and you know you’re sitting in a clean space. My recommendation.
- Shout or spray stain remover
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Spills happen! And most of us only brought laundry detergent with us. But some stains require more “elbow grease” than just a Tide Pod. Shout, or a specific spray for removing stains, will save your life. You get to throw your stained clothes in with the rest of your laundry and it comes out looking as good as new. My recommendation.
- a phone wallet
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Whether or not you are a forgetful person, a phone wallet will have your back. Some universities have a card system, meaning everything you need to pay for (or even get into your room) is done with a single card. In order to not lose this, having all of your cards attached to your phone is so helpful. My recommendation.
- a good pair of sneakers
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You will be doing a lot of walking. I swear I have never walked so much in my life. You want shoes that not only support your feet but also prevent blisters. You also want something that matches with many outfits. Yes, boots and sandals are so cute, but they are not the best choice when you are running across campus. So, if you have the means, invest in a good pair of sneakers. My recommendation.
- slippers or house shoes
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Shoes that you have been wearing all day get disgusting after a while. When walking around your dorm, you want a pair of shoes that are easy and comfortable. You also want something you can wear while running to the laundry or trash room quickly without putting on a full pair of shoes. Keeping dirt outside of your living space is a lifesaver I never would have thought of. My recommendation.
- workout/resistance bands
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If you’re not used to the gym, exercising in a new gym can be a terrifying experience. Also, sometimes we do not have enough time to go to the gym. We need something that is quick and easy but is also going to get those endorphins flowing in a short amount of time. There are a ton of free workouts available on YouTube if you have no idea how to use resistance bands. My recommendation.
- Gum (or mints)
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Right now, we are all wearing masks. Do you know what is truly disgusting? Mask breathe! I hate smelling my own breath (gross, I know). But gum or mints have made my mask-wearing experience way more enjoyable. My recommendation.
- A couch cover
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If your dorm gives you a couch or chairs, a cover is a MUST! They are so gross, no one wants to sit on a nasty, nine-year-old couch. It is also helpful having something washable so if someone spills, you just wash it. It’s so nice and convenient. My recommendation.
With these underrated college essentials, your return back to campus has been made that much easier!