As August looms ahead, the endless college summer is coming to an end. Move-in season is almost upon us, and many students will soon be heading to the dorms for their first semester of college.
Going into my freshman year, I thought I had a good grasp on what I needed to bring with me. It didn’t take long for me to realize some items I brought were a waste of space, or just downright pointless (I’m looking at you, Brita).
Even with a few duds, there were a handful of things I bought for my dorm that ended up being life-saving purchases. Here’s everything you need ASAP!
- Linenspa 2” Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Twin XL ($39.99)
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Oh, plastic mattress, I do not miss you at all. I guarantee you will need an extra layer under you to be comfortable. This mattress topper from Amazon was like a cloud and turned my bed into a cozy little space that was very hard to leave.
- Keurig® K-Classic® K55 Single-Serve K-Cup Pod® Coffee Maker ($119.99)
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My grandmother actually gifted me this coffee maker before I went to school, but it was the best gift to get. While you will probably still spend an obscene amount of money on coffee, the Keurig helped rein in how much I was spending at Dunkin’ and Starbucks. I even used it to make boiling water for ramen and hot chocolate, so there are many uses for a Keurig other than coffee and tea. There are a ton of models available, so find the one that does what you need.
- BESTEK 8-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip with 4 USB Charging Ports and 6-Foot Heavy Duty Extension Cord, 600 Joule, ETL Listed ($24.99)
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There’s nothing like college move-in to make you wonder how you ended up with forty things that need to be plugged in to the three outlets in your dorm room. It’s not something exciting, but a power strip is a necessity if you have multiple things to plug in.
- AmazonBasics Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable – 6 Feet ($8.99)
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While by no means a necessity, this HDMI cable came in handy for movie nights with friends, and the days when I didn’t want to watch Netflix on my laptop screen. The cord connects right to your laptop, and worked perfectly with our TV.
- Fabric Cube Storage Bin 11″ ($4)
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You will need a place for all of your random things, and these storage cubes worked wonders in my dorm. I had one for cleaning supplies, one for cooking items and one for miscellaneous things like batteries and Command hooks.
If you’re still unsure about what kinds of things are worth bringing or buying for your dorm, think about the things you use every day and write them down as you use them. When the time comes to pack up for school, use the list you’ve made to guide your packing decisions.
And remember: If all else fails, there is sure to be a Target where you can buy what you need.