Leaving your perfectly curated bedroom at home is a difficult task, and moving into an entirely new environment at college is an even harder one. It’s stressful running around, buying everything you think you may need for your freshman dorm (though you can’t be entirely sure; you’ve never lived in a dorm before), and ending up forgetting to bring the most important items.
Being a few weeks into my freshman year, I’ve figured out what in my dorm has been essential and what probably didn’t need to be purchased. Although every student is different, in my experience, I’ve found a few essentials that can make dorm life a little easier, more comfortable, and, most importantly, feel more like home.
Decorations
While this may not be the most essential dorm category in some people’s eyes (especially parents), I think it makes all the difference in how you live. Think about it like this: you now have an entirely new space to customize and make your own.
Choose your favorite color comforter, make some cute dorm crafts for your walls, and hang up those twinkle lights. I’ve found that the space I live in can really affect my mood, so I’ve made a point of making my dorm my own. While making your dorm look like a home is important, making sure it actually functions like one is just as necessary.
Appliances
A more practical, but less aesthetic, category of dorm items to consider is appliances. Obviously, you have the microwave, but there’s a lot more to it. If you’re a coffee fan, a coffee maker is essential; it’s a simple way to make your drinks and save a few bucks at Starbucks.
Another appliance that’s probably less thought of when considering a dorm is a steamer. You wouldn’t think you’d need it, but then a date function, interview, or club meeting pops up, and you realize there’s not a dry cleaner or ironing board in sight.
While appliances can make your everyday routine easier, these are a few smaller, lesser-known things that can make an even bigger difference when you’re living on your own.
Snacks
While most students have a meal plan or even plan to cook in their dorm kitchen (an impressive feat), you must anticipate that sometimes you’re going to want a snack. I believe an essential item to keep above your fridge is a snack box. You never know when you won’t have time to make dinner, or you’ll need a quick granola bar to grab before your first class, so it’s best to be prepared.
Making the Space Cozy
Beyond having what you need to get through the day, your dorm should also be a place you want to come back to at the end of the day. Depending on the type of person you are, you’re either going to spend hours in your dorm or seldom see it. Try to imagine what you’ll be doing in your dorm: studying, sleeping (obviously), and hanging out with friends.
Even if you think you’ll be the type of person to always be out of your dorm, I believe it’s still important to create a calming atmosphere in your room. Keep the big light off and turn on warm lamps, fairy lights, or a sunset lamp.
Another way to cozy up your dorm that made the most noticeable difference in mine is an oversized rug. Dorm floors are bare and slightly resemble a hospital floor, so a rug combined with warm, peaceful lighting helps the space feel homier.
Once you’ve made your room feel comfortable, the next challenge is keeping it that way.
Storage and Organization
I learned quickly that, in a dorm room, storage and organization are just as important as decoration. Dorm rooms are much smaller than they look in pictures, and it’s surprisingly easy to run out of space. Under-the-bed storage dressers are great for extra clothes, shoes, or things you don’t use every day. I also recommend bringing a small rolling cart for things like snacks, school supplies, and toiletries (it’s where I store my coffee maker!)
Keeping everything in its own place makes your room feel less cluttered and makes it much easier to find what you need when you’re rushing to get to class.
Buy as You Go
Figuring out what you need takes some time, which is why my biggest piece of advice is not to feel like you need to buy everything before move-in day. I can personally attest that TikTok and Pinterest stressed me out with the overload of suggestions for dorm essentials, but you won’t actually know what you’ll need in your dorm until you start living there.
Maybe you’ll realize you spend most of your time studying at the library, or you’ll find yourself buying coffee every morning and wish you had a coffee maker. Give yourself the time to figure out what works for you. Your dorm doesn’t have to be perfect right away. It should be a space that makes college feel a little more like your new home.
As you’re preparing to move into your dorm, or even if you’re already at FSU, consider some of these items as you build out your space!
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