15 College Dorm Necessities You Forgot to Pack
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You may think you have everything covered on your college packing list, but there could be some necessities that have slipped under your radar. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a seasoned senior, these items are worth considering. In this post we’ll cover:
Technology essentials to boost your productivity
Dorm and apartment supplies to save space and maximize utility
Miscellaneous must-haves that always come in handy
I wish I had found an article like this when I was making my college dorm checklist. Many of these items I discovered during graduate school, while some I’ve been using for ages. Either way, I’d like to pass on these important finds available on Amazon that can save you time, improve focus, streamline your workflow, and even come in handy during minor emergencies. So let’s get started!
1) Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Ask any current college student. Noise-canceling earbuds are something you can’t live without when you’re in college. They can be a life-saver when you need to study for an exam but your roommate has been on the phone with her boyfriend for two hours with no end in sight. Or maybe you’re doing homework in your university’s student union and need to block out the roar of voices around you so you can focus. Even better - there’s a bullet train that routinely whistles past your dorm in the middle of the night (this was me). Whatever the circumstance, noise canceling earbuds are a necessity for college life. If you haven’t added them to your packing list yet, consider these wireless Beats studio buds. They’re highly rated with active noise canceling features and up to 24 hours of listening time combined with their sleek charging case.
2) Desk Organizer
Nothing can discourage you more from doing your homework than a messy desk. Especially when you don’t have a place for office supplies, stray papers, and textbooks, your desk clutter can get a bit out of hand. Desk organizers are a great way for you to compartmentalize all of your notebooks and nick-knacks, helping you feel more prepared to accomplish tasks. This desk organizer from Beiz provides plenty of room for notebooks, textbooks, and office supplies without overpowering your space.
3) Note-Taking Tablet
This is something I wish I would’ve invested in sooner. I’m naturally a pretty organized person, so I didn’t think using standard notebooks for taking notes in my classes would be a problem. Did I get by? Yes. Was I organized and efficient? No. I started using a tablet to take notes after my first semester in graduate school and it was one of the best productivity decisions I’ve ever made. Organizing my notes is a breeze, and finding them is even easier. I no longer have clumpy whiteout stains all over my homework, and my backpack is so much lighter without all those notebooks. Plus, I can easily access notes from previous semesters since I never have to clean out my old notebooks to clear space. If you want to invest in the best note-taking tablet available, consider the Samsung Galaxy S7 Plus. The 12.4 inch screen provides plenty of room for taking notes and comes with a stylus. You can also purchase a keyboard and use it as a laptop! If you’re looking for a more affordable option, try the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite. This is the tablet I personally use. It’s a more compact size at 10.4 inches and a great value all around!
Related post: “How to Spend LESS Time Studying and Get Better Grades”
4) Foam Roller
A foam roller may seem like a very unnecessary item for a college packing list, but trust me, you need this. During college I developed back problems because of spending all day hunched over my laptop. I had to start paying to visit a chiropractor as a result of my constant pain. This one little item changed that. Foam rollers are not only useful for relieving sore muscles, but you can also use them to routinely pop your back, which can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in the long run. This foam roller from TriggerPoint is very similar to the one I use. The ridges on the roller really help to put pressure where it counts!
5) Power Strip
Dorm rooms surprisingly don’t have that many outlets considering the amount of technology the average college student uses. Make sure you have a safe way to charge all of your devices with this surge-protected power strip.
6) Dual Monitors
This is another absolute necessity that I really regret not purchasing during undergrad. Dual monitors have completely transformed my workflow. As a person who routinely does a lot of coding and report-writing, being able to have a source document on one screen while typing on the other dramatically cuts down on my completion time. Dual monitors are helpful for anyone in any major. Even as I’m writing this blog post, I’m using a reference document on another screen to guide my thoughts. This is by far my favorite item on the list, simply because of how much more efficient my workflow is now that I use multiple monitors. This portable monitor for laptops from Duex is perfect for increasing your productivity on-the-go and takes up minimal space. It easily slides out from behind your laptop screen, instantly creating dual monitors with no hassle.
7) Mini Toolkit
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself needing a hammer or screw driver while in college. Though it may not be an item you’ll use every day, it’s so necessary to have access to a basic set of tools when the need arises. Especially if you rent an apartment or house, basic tools are necessary for hanging art, shelves, and doing simple repairs. This CARTMAN 39-piece tool set is compact enough to store inconspicuously in your dorm and contains all of the tools you’ll need during your college experience.
Related: “Where to Find College Textbooks for Cheap”
8) Laptop Backpack
Any incoming college student knows they need a backpack, but have you thought about how well that backpack is protecting all of the valuable devices inside of it? Considering all of the technology you’ll be lugging around during college - laptop, tablet, phone, camera, etc. - shouldn’t your backpack be designed to adequately protect those expensive items? I made the mistake of not purchasing a quality backpack in college, and I broke the power button on my laptop because of it. Big mistake. Invest in a quality yet affordable backpack meant for carrying your technology like this Matein Travel Laptop Backpack, which has protected, anti-theft laptop compartments, a USB charging port, and water resistance.
9) Rain Jacket
Don’t forget your rain jacket! This is an item I’m so glad I brought to college with me. I had to walk long distances between classes since I attended a large university, so having my raincoat in my backpack was very handy during a downpour. These Columbia jackets for men and women are great options for lightweight rain jackets that you can fit in your backpack.
10) Desk Lamp
Having a great desk lamp can be super helpful during your late-night cram sessions. The one that I recommend is this COZOO LED desk lamp because it has multiple USB ports and outlets, and I’m all about maximizing outlets! It’s convenient to be able to charge your phone or tablet directly on your desk. Also, this desk lamp has three brightness levels and an adjustable head, so you don’t strain your eyes or wake your roommate while studying.
Related: “How I Cut My College Living Expenses IN HALF”
11) First Aid Kit
This is an important item to have handy during minor emergencies. Maybe you cut your finger, burned yourself, or just have a headache. Either way, it’s a relief to have what you need available, where it’s a bandage, burn cream, or Ibuprofen. This all-purpose first aid kit from First Aid Only is perfect to bring to college with you.
12) Coffee Maker
Early mornings are inevitable in college, and if you avoid those, you’ll have some late nights instead. If you’re a coffee drinker, consider getting a small coffee-maker to fuel your night-before-the-exam cram sessions or just to increase alertness for your 8:30am class. It’s nice to have a little bit of luxury in a small dorm room, and your own mini coffee maker can make a draining study session feel a little more like a treat:) This mini travel coffee maker with a tumbler and reusable filter may be just what your dorm room needs.
13) Tupperware
I had a meal plan while in college, but sometimes you need easily-accessible snacks if you’re trying to power through a homework assignment. If you live in a dorm, one tupperware container is really all you need to store a quick meal or decent snack when you don’t have the time to visit the dining hall (or if you’re feeling lazy). This leak-free tupperware container has a divider to keep your snacks separate, and is microwave and fridge/freezer safe.
14) Wrinkle Release Spray
Because folding clothes is haaaarrrrrddddd. Not really. It’s just boring and time-consuming. On days when you have no wrinkle-free clean clothes, a wrinkle release spray can be extremely helpful. Especially if you have an interview for an internship or another professional event, this is a quick way to show that you’re well-dressed and responsible, even if you’re still working on the “responsible” part. Plus, it smells nice!
Related: “25 Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students (High Paying)”
15) Planner
Within my first week of college, I realized I needed a planner to be successful. I had never used a planner consistently in high school, but my college class schedules and due dates were much harder to keep track of. Google Calendar is a wonderful free resource to keep track of all your class schedules, tasks, and appointments, but if you’re looking for a physical planner, Rocketbook is the way to go. Rocketbook is a reusable daily, weekly, and monthly undated planner that allows you to scan your old plans to the cloud and reuse the same planner. It’s earth-friendly and you’ll never have to buy a planner again.
Transitioning to college can be overwhelming, but equipped with the items listed above, it can be less stressful. Your college packing list should be focused on minimizing your stress and effort while maximizing your productivity and comfort!
Though necessary, your college dorm checklist can be expensssivvveee, just like what you’re paying to even attend college. That’s why I’m offering a free workshop to teach you how to graduate from college debt-free. I graduated with a master’s degree and no college debt, and I’d like to pass on the knowledge and resources that allowed me to achieve financial flexibility!
