Congratulations fellow first-year Coogs! Transitioning into this brand new chapter of your life will prove to be an exciting experience. There are so many perks offered to first-year students like meal plans (as a lazy commuter, these come in handy) and dorm living. But out of all of the lists that you and your favorite stores have made specifically for moving in over the summer (thank you Bed Bath and Beyond for those lovely 20% discounts), there are still a couple of items that you may not have realized you needed.
Well, I’ve got you covered with a helpful list of things that I learned to love throughout my first year!
1. Mattress Pad
When shopping for your dorm, keep in mind that handfuls of other people have slept on the exact same bed before you. Investing in one of these really makes a difference when it comes to making your bed feel cozy and brand new!
2. Ear Plugs
Small space + thin walls + noisy residents = major studying distractions. Luckily, ear plugs provide a quick solution to this issue. Of course music works just as well.
3. Bug and Mosquito Sprays
It’s common knowledge that with rain comes mosquitoes. With that being said, investing in a high quality mosquito spray is a must! I personally prefer Repel’s Lemon Eucalyptus Spray because it’s highly rated and for its lemony scent. And while we’re on the topic of bugs, if there’s one thing that I’ve learned from living in first floor dorms it’s to keep a bottle of bug spray on standby at all times. No matter where you live, bugs are practically unavoidable. Keeping bug spray somewhere close by can help prevent an episode in the future.
4. Weekend Bag
You’ll need this for day trips and visiting parents. I love Ikea’s KNALLA duffle bag because it conveniently folds into it’s own pocket whenever it’s not needed. However, any other brand of bag can work too.
5. Book Light
For those out there who share a room, you can study in silence without disturbing your roommate. Consider purchasing a book light! This cute one is from Kikkerland and sells for $8, but of course there are cheaper alternatives out there as well.
6. Door Stop
You may not be a freshman, but if you’re living on campus it’s important to try and socialize with others who live nearby. Instead of shutting yourself out, use a door stop to help you open up to others on your floor. You can purchase these at most supermarkets.
7. Food Containers
For my first year of college, I had remembered to pack the cutest patterned paper plates as well as matching bowls, cups and straws for my guests and roommates. But I had managed to forget containers for storing any extra food laying around afterwards. Later that year, I purchased a set of JĂ„MKA containers from Ikea for less than $5 and have been using them ever since.
I hope that any of the items on this list work to your advantage and that this school year will be an amazing one for you!