With just over one month left of the school year, I find myself reflecting on all the chaos (happy chaos, of course) that has filled my freshman year. A big part of my experience has been my freshman dorm. For many of us, this was our first time moving away from family and having a space that is truly our own. How you choose to fill it and make it yours is what makes or breaks the experience.
At night, I find myself looking up at my wall, a collage of photos and memories I’ve collected over the past 19 years, thinking about how I’ll have to take it all down in a month, yelling across the room with my roommate, who I’ll miss having these nightly debriefs with. I also think about the storage box under my bed, a collection of miscellaneous items I was convinced I’d absolutely need but never even touched. But then I turn to my Woozoo fan and thank it for the countless nights on my 4th floor dorm where it saved me from melting in the scorching heat that collects. With all of this in mind, I’ve been thinking about what I need to do differently for my sophomore dorm. So here are my takeaways and recommendations—what I’m grateful I had, what wasn’t quite necessary, and what I wish I had—to help guide your dorm planning for future semesters. Especially for any incoming freshmen!
Things That Saved Me
Woozoo Fan
As previously mentioned, the Woozoo deserves absolutely all the hype it receives. I kept mine next to my bed, and although it probably collected some dust during the winter months, I have friends who have never turned theirs off. Whether you need it for white noise or, more practically, for the cooling effect (which you’ll absolutely need during those first months when heat gets trapped in these musty dorms), make sure to get yourself one. Personally, my Woozoo was on the smaller side, and I was absolutely jealous of friends who invested in the larger ones. Just don’t forget to clean it every now and then; she gets dusty.
Picnic Mat
I didn’t actually get a picnic mat until a couple of weeks into the fall semester, but it has been one of my favorite purchases. Taking it out to the Main Green is always the cherry on top of a beautiful day, sprawling out with all my friends and soaking up the sun. Sure, you can always just sit straight on the lawn, but the picnic mat means you don’t have to worry about mud, dirt, or ruining those cute springtime outfits.
Storage Ottoman
My storage ottoman has been my savior. As someone with an obscene amount of stuff, it’s been helpful not only for storing extra items but also for getting up onto my bed. If you’re like me and have your bed raised, you’ll know the struggle of launching yourself up without any help. The storage ottoman to step up on makes that a whole lot easier.
Owala Rubber Seal Replacements
This one’s a little more niche, but for any Owala owners out there: get yourself a pack of rubber lid replacements to keep in your dorm. I try to wash my water bottle as often as I can, but even I find myself wondering what the rubber might be collecting over time. Replacing it every so often helps me feel clean and steer clear of any gross buildup.
Things That Weren’t So Necessary
Sheet Clips
I kept seeing TikTokers recommending these bed sheet clip holders to save you from the frustration of sheets coming up off the edges. This may just be specific to my situation, but I only used those clips at the beginning of the year, and after my first time washing my sheets, I couldn’t be bothered to put them back on. Honestly, getting under the mattress to clip them on properly is more work than just putting the sheets on normally. Without the clips, I haven’t had many problems with my sheets sliding off, so you can probably skip these.
Ice Cube Tray
I love an ice-cold drink, so I came prepared with an ice cube tray from Target. To my surprise, though—no freezer! So, unless you bring your own mini fridge or crank your fridge’s temperature all the way down (sacrificing whatever else you have stored in there), you can probably pass on this one until you’re living off campus with a real kitchen. If you really need ice, you can always use the communal freezer in the dorm kitchens, or if you’re lucky enough to live near a dining hall, just use their ice machine whenever it’s convenient.
What I Wish I Had
Vacuum
This seems pretty intuitive, but something I desperately lacked was a vacuum. In a triple of girls, the hair accumulates fast. Having a vacuum rather than the broom we relied on would have made our cramped space feel a lot more refreshed. I’ve been lucky to borrow one from a friend on my floor, but it would be easier to come in with your own. That’s definitely on my list for next year.
Drying Rack
Over the summer, I had seen people recommending drying racks for dorm life, but I thought it seemed unnecessary and extra. Little did I know I’d end up draping tops and jeans over my closet doors and desk chair to air dry anything I didn’t want to risk shrinking in the dryer. I find myself envying all of my friends who made the smart call to invest in a nice drying rack, and it’s something I’ll absolutely be adding to my list for next year to make laundry just a little easier.
Whether you’re an incoming freshman building your dorm shopping list or a returning student planning for next semester, I hope some of my experiences help you figure out what your next home can look like. And if you’re already thinking ahead to what fun get-togethers or parties you might want to host, make sure to check out this article for some inspiration! It’s hard to believe we only have about a month left, and I know I’ll spend every moment of it soaking up all the memories, especially the ones made in my beloved freshman dorm.