College Dorm Checklist for Campus Living: 25 Unexpected Essentials
Introduction
If you didn’t know already, I recently moved into a college dorm. What I didn’t realize was that my college dorm checklist was missing quite a few necessities that I didn’t even think about. That’s why I’m sharing a list with everything I wish I’d brought with me, so you don’t have to panic after you move!
1. Command Strips & Hooks
I honestly forgot that command strips were a thing until it became time for me to hang up some art work, a flag, a mini white board, and everything else I wanted to store on the walls. Thankfully I happened to pack some on a whim, but I still had to buy some at a ridiculously high price after I got here. I recommend everyone buy at least one heavy duty hook so they can use it to hang their towels.
Another related tip: If you want to hang a flag or tapestry, cut up a larger command strip into smaller pieces. Then put the strips on multiple mini clothes pins. Measure out the spacing, stick the command strips to the wall, attach the clothes pins, and hang up the flag one by one. It won’t hurt your tapestry and you won’t have to pay for repairs in your dorm when you move out.
2. Over the Door Storage/Mirror
This is something that I now think is pretty obvious. However, I really didn’t think about until I got here. A lot of people put mirrors on their doors, but if you really don’t have any space, why not add some extra storage.
3. Corona Virus Kit
During the pandemic, these are all necessities (I’m still working on it, but we’re getting there): at least three or four face masks, a no touch trash can, an air purifier (that cleans bacteria, specifically), a thermometer, antibacterial fabric spray, a UV phone cleaner, hand sanitizer, vitamins, and a few general meds you might want if you do get sick (things like vaporub or Benadryl).
4. Silverware, Dishes, Pots, & Pans
Especially because of COVID, it’s really important that you don’t use communal dishware. I remembered things like bowls, plates, silverware, pans, etc., and forgot a can opener, spatula, pots, measuring cups, and a strainer. These may seem like unnecessary extras, but, trust me, you’ll want them when you’re cooking soon enough. Also, if you don’t cook a lot, I’d still recommend getting a travel silverware set at the very least.
5. A Plastic Drawer Set
Looking back on it, this one seems like an obvious dorm essential. However, my train of thought was more, “I’ll buy it when I get there. They’re so easy to find!” Let me tell you something, hon, when you move to a university, there are thousands of other kids moving, too. Everything will be out of stock for the first week and a half–even on Amazon. Buy as much as you can before hand.
6. An ID Wristlet
As soon as you get on campus, you’ll be receiving an ID card. If you lose it or get locked out, you’ll be paying a fine. To avoid that, buy one of those wristlets or lanyards with a plastic ID slot. That way it’s easy to find and harder to lose. Plus, you might want to leave to take out the trash and not bring your full-size wallet. This way you don’t have to worry about dropping it down the trash chute.
I bought mine on Mercari because I wanted one and didn’t have the money to chuck fifty dollars out the window. If that’s you, too, you can use my invite link to save ten dollars on your first purchase after you sign up! Full disclosure: this is not an affiliate. It’s a referral for a friend. I get ten dollars and so do you!
7. A Desk Lamp & Light Bulb
So, you think this is obvious?? Think again! I bought the desk lamp ahead of time to prepare for my move-in day. However, I didn’t think to bring a light bulb. This meant I had to wait over a week and a half before I could find a store selling even the most expensive light bulbs.
8. Your TiNspire
If you’re in high school and you don’t already own a TiNspire CX or Ti-84, spend the money now, and take good care of it. Don’t get the TiNspire CAS, though. You can’t use it on any standardized tests. However, you can graph all of your work with the TiNspire or Ti-84 (I’d recommend the TiNspire or Ti-84 Plus, though). When you have to take math in college, you’ll also be a step ahead of everyone else because you’ll know how to use your fancy calculator.
9. Hand Soap
Sometimes the most obvious dorm supplies are the easiest to forget. I, literally, didn’t bring any soap and I don’t want you to make the same mistake.
10. A Mini Dry Erase Board
If you are a visual learner or thinker, get a dry erase board! If you feel like your thoughts are all over the place, get a dry erase board. If you forget everything, get a dry erase board. Whether your preparing for a move into your dorm or your first place, this is something that will save you so much stress and, honestly, save your life.
11. Under the Bed Storage
This is one of those things that you don’t think you need to bring with you to your dorm, but you actually do. If you don’t, you won’t be able to find it anywhere for a while. Most beds in dorms are on stilts or risers, so you won’t need to worry about the height of the boxes. If you’re still worried though, just buy boxes that will fit underneath any bed frame.
12. Drawer Organizers
I’m not just talking about organizers for your dresser. I’m also referring to organizers that will fit in kitchen drawers or your plastic drawer set. If your dorm has a kitchenette, you probably won’t want a lot of your dishes directly touching the bottom of those drawers. They can be pretty gross.
13. Lots & Lots of Cleaning Supplies
The necessities: A broom and dustpan, dish soap, a multi-surface antibacterial cleaner, laundry detergent, paper towels, dishcloths, bathroom cleaner, and clorox wipes.
The helpful things but not necessary: waterless dish soap, antibacterial shower cleaner, a mini vacuum cleaner,
14. A Bike/Skateboard
This is more for general campus living, but anyone living in a dorm is living on campus so you need one. Even if your university has a smaller campus, you are still going to want one of these. You don’t realize how difficult it will be to figure out how to drive in a new city (potentially much bigger than the one you’re used to driving in) while also not getting parking citations until you’re here.
15. Weather Preparedness Kit
No matter where you’re moving, there will probably be some annoying things about the weather. For example, moving to a dorm in south Florida means that I need to be more prepared for hurricanes than ever. Thankfully, the building I live in is an emergency shelter, but my college dorm checklist wouldn’t be complete without flashlights, extra batteries, an umbrella, a rain jacket, a gallon of water, a portable phone charger, sunglasses, and all the other necessary supplies for Florida weather. The point is that you make sure you know what the weather is like wherever you’re moving ahead of time.
16. Your Favorite Food
The first few days in your new dorm are probably going to be a little difficult. You’ll be cleaning, unpacking, buying last minute items, and scrambling to get your life together for some time. Instead of falling apart at the beginning of the school year, you should prepare for your early onset mid-life crisis by having a favorite food fest in your dorm.
17. A ScrubMommy
Now, you might be wondering why something called a ScrubMommy is on this list. That’s because I hate all sponges except for this one. They gross me out, scratch the dishes, and seem like they never dry. This sponge is different. Once you get over the weird name and look, you, too, will realize it is the best sponge out there. It dries quickly, cleans easily, and doesn’t scratch dishes! Additionally, there’s a soft and textured side for all kinds of dishes. If you didn’t think that was enough, there’s a mouth that’s the perfect shape for cleaning spoons. Your carpal tunnel will thank me, Just buy this sponge!
18. A Clothes Drying Rack
Depending on whether or not you are pinching pennies, this could be a really good item for you and your dorm. Because of the pandemic, using the heat of a dryer can be especially useful, but it’s not essential for clean clothes. Also, some clothes just can’t go in the dryer no matter how expensive they were.
19. A Dish Drying Rack
This is a MUST-HAVE. I have spent so long looking for this and it’s probably my biggest regret for not having on my original college dorm checklist. I totally forgot that hand washing dishes was a thing.
20. A Boredom Kit
During COVID-19, you aren’t really able to leave your dorm too much. Because of that, I recommend that you bring a couple of exciting things for you to do with you. Some ideas are: crochet, coloring, water colors, books, a ukulele. macrame cord for bracelet making, fancy headphones for watching movies, and baking mixes if you have access to a sanitary kitchen. For more ideas, check out my Finding Peace in Quarantine Printable.
21. General School Supplies
Moving into a dorm isn’t just a time that marks maturity and teenage stupidity, it’s also a time for realizing that you don’t even know what you need for classes in university and freaking out when you can’t find anything. First, take a deep breath. You just moved in. People will forgive you if your college dorm checklist doesn’t include school supplies. Oh, wait. It does! For starters, make sure you have at least one notebook, one pencil, and one pen for every class. If you can’t afford any more than that, don’t worry. It’ll be fine as long as you also have a computer.
22. A Suitcase & Other Travel Necessities
It might seem unnecessary but if you really love to travel, take everything you need with you instead of having to stop at your parents’ house before every trip. This way you can leave your dorm and go anywhere at a moment’s notice!
23. A Noise Machine
Do you really wanna listen to your room mate snoring every night or do you wanna sleep? Enough said.
24. Ear Plugs & An Eye Mask
For light sleepers, this is probably the most important thing on this college dorm checklist. Between crappy blinds that don’t block out sunlight and people sneaking in an elephant in the room above you, it can be pretty hard to get your beauty rest. However, it is absolutely necessary. When you’re buying ear plugs, make sure to buy ones that are washable, reusable, and that fit your ears. Otherwise, you could end up like me and have bloody ear canals all the time. I’m working on it, okay. For people with chronic and/or mental illness, I’d highly recommend checking out this other helpful college dorm checklist with essentials, like this, just for you!
25. A Shower Caddy
I should clarify by shower caddy I’m talking about a lot of different things, so let me explain. Before you move into your dorm, try and figure out what kind of bathroom you’ll have access to? Will it be shared with 20 other girls or between you and one other girl? Are you lucky enough to have a shower to yourself? Here’s my advice for these different situations.
Semi-Public Showers: First, make sure your wear flip flops! Now, that we’ve gotten that out of the way let’s keep going. Your shower caddy needs to be something that is easily portable. Additionally, you’re going to want to be able to hang it up in your shower very easily.
Same Shower: When you first move in, clean that shower like everbody’s business has been in it. You do not know what’s happened in there, nor do you want to know. If you’re sharing a bathroom, create an agreement not to leave hair on the wall ahead of time and divide your shower storage space accordingly. Since you have your own shower, you’ll probably want to use something with suction cups instead of it fitting over the shower head. Why make life harder than it has to be? Depending on how big this shower is, you may want to consider getting a waterproof corner shelf because that increases your fanciness levels three fold.
Conclusion
There you have it. This has been the ultimate college dorm checklist for unexpected essentials! If there’s an item you use all of the time in your dorm that you think I missed, let me know. I’d love to hear. Also, for those of you subscribed to the blog, you can download the College Dorm Checklist in my free resource library to print and use when you move.
