Dorm Essentials for Students with Chronic and/or Mental Illness
Introduction
It’s official! Despite the pandemic, I will be moving and living on campus for my first semester in college (as of now). It will definitely be a different experience than most people’s first semesters on campus but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I have read article after article and scoured Pinterest to find what I need to live on campus as a person with both chronic and mental illnesses. This is what I found. Some dorm essentials are more obvious than others, so I tried to include ones that we might usually forget.
Chronic Illness Dorm Essentials
1. A Heating Pad
This is one of my favorite dorm essentials on this list. Whenever something hurts, having an extra-large heating pad distracts me from the pain and sometimes, even makes it stop hurting. I have this one, and, although I love it, it sends heat in waves rather than constant heat. It also has a magnetic system so you can wear it like a cape! If you would rather have one that’s just a rectangle, I think this heating pad would be best. It has a 2-hour auto shut-off and a 9-foot cord and is also very soft and machine washable.
2. Mobility Aids and Braces
If you have a chronic illness or disability that affects your walking or movement in any way, these are a must! I learned that during a trip to Chicago a couple of years ago. For your sake, keep an open mind and be willing to look into every option. I am planning on getting a wheelchair as soon as COVID 19 allows me to because ambulatory wheelchair users are a thing and I need one. However, there are plenty of other mobility aid options, too, like canes, rollators, and crutches. If you’re considering trying out mobility aids, having a folding cane couldn’t hurt and is a pretty good place to start.
EDS means my body is constantly falling apart whether I like it or not. Fortunately, braces and compression gear are a lifesaver. I don’t know what I would do without them. Actually I do know what I wouldn’t do, I wouldn’t be able to type or write or even walk sometimes. So, thank you, braces! Some people may think these aren’t dorm essentials, per se, but you’ll store them in your dorm, right? Therefore, I say they are.
3. A 10 ft Charging Cable
On days you’re bed bound or nearly so, having a long charging cable will save many spoons. Enough said.
4. A Pregnancy Pillow (you’ll thank me later)
This is another one of the dorm essentials that’s especially important for anyone with chronic illnesses like EDS or anything involving joint pain or dislocations. It may seem weird to say that I’ve been sleeping with a pregnancy pillow since my junior year of high school because I’ve never been pregnant. However, it supports my body while I sleep and keeps it from falling apart as it usually would with just a mattress.
5. A Lap Desk
There are many days where I need to spend the majority of my time lying down because of my POTS. Having a lap desk allows me to get work done without sacrificing my wrists.
6. Wrist Cushions and Ergonomic Mouse
This kind of goes with the last one, but is still extremely important. I am currently saving up to buy them because, not only, can I use these in bed with a lap desk, but I can also use them whenever I’m typing. If you don’t know this by now, the short story is that my wrists hate me and I write with my left hand to make up for it as best I can.
7. An Eye Mask and Ear Plugs
I am such a light sleeper. The slightest noise or hint of light will wake me up immediately. However, I find that some nights are more difficult to sleep because there is pain on top of noise or light. This makes it to where noise and light are no longer problems. It’s a give and take solution for me, though, because I end up getting headaches from the eye mask (yes, the one I have actually is Hello Kitty themed). Since I already get headaches from pillows, anyways, I choose to use one. Also, wearing normal ear plugs make my ears literally bleed. It’s not sponsored or anything but I highly recommend you add these ones to your dorm essentials list.
8. A Rolling Shelf System
This literally changed my life. All of a sudden I was able to keep my meds and any other necessities/things I need to get to near me at all times. I could just roll around my shelf cart with me wherever I go without having to get up and move whenever I forget something. The one I have is from Ikea and it’s my absolute favorite!
9. Post It Notes, a Mini White Board, or a Digital Planner
This is for all my folks with brain fog! Without a whiteboard, I can’t remember anything or keep track of the days at all. If you have a chronic illness, you will probably find that even on the best days you will be grateful to have it. This one from Target has a magnet and is very well-organized. For those of you who don’t like the idea of a whiteboard, post-its may be for you. If you don’t like either of these, check out this digital planner on Etsy. It’s inexpensive, reusable, and save the environment!
10. A Face Mask
It wouldn’t be a 2020 dorm essentials post if I didn’t include a face mask. When I move to university this year, social distancing and face masks will be a must for me and every other student on campus. As an immunocompromised individual, this is extremely important for me. If you don’t already have one, look on Etsy or ask your great-aunt who can sew a quilt like nobody’s business to make you one.
Mental Illness
11. Fidget Toys
It’s so easy for me to get distracted with anxiety, ADD, and everything else going on. That’s why fidget toys are so helpful. They help keep my thoughts from spinning all over the place and they’ll do the same for you, too. If you’re looking for something that’s a little bit more professional looking and less noticeable as a fidget toy, this seller on Etsy makes some really cute fidget rings!
12. A Journal/Planner and/or Symptom Trackers
Journaling will change your life if you haven’t already tried. Using a planner may be a no-brainer for college in general, but when you get super distracted all the time, it’s extra important. If you aren’t sure where to start on the whole planning thing, check out this blog post.
Whenever you’re too busy or broke for therapy, taking small steps to stay as healthy as possible is necessary to stay sane. One way to do that is by using symptom trackers to keep track of how you’re doing. I’d highly recommend using these if you’re organizational or need to write things down to prevent getting overwhelmed.
13. Your Favorite Food and Drink
When you’re having a rough day with your mental health, there’s nothing better than your favorite food and drink to comfort you. It may not seem like a proper item for dorm essentials lists, but I think it’s a-living-on-your-own-necessity.
14. Headphones/Earbuds and/or a Speaker
I love to listen to music! It’s not just a way for me to process my feelings, but also a way for me to express them, and how I listen changes how it affects me. For example, I usually listen to music on my earbuds when I’m around other people and want to distract myself from a panic attack. Whenever I’m alone, though, I listen to my music as loudly as possible and harmonize with its beauty. My personal favorite speaker is the JBL Clip 3 because it’s waterproof and can get very loud!
15. A Comfy Chair
Feeling depressed? Just hop into a comfy-cozy chair with a good book or movie. It’ll solve all of your problems! Okay, maybe not. But, it might help.
16. Supplies to Make Tea/Coffee
Not only is having a warm drink in a hot mug a great tool for grounding during panic attacks and dissociation, but it also tastes really good. I, personally, am a fan of a Persian-style English Breakfast Tea (it makes sense to me).
17. A Weighted Blanket/Cozy Throw
When you’re sitting on your favorite chair, the best way to recover is by cuddling with a nice weighted blanket. If you’re like me and can’t afford one, an eight dollar fluffy throw will work wonders.
18. A Candle
The air smells better and using aromatherapy can improve your mood, too. I really love Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Candles, Mrs. Meyers Candles, and The Malicious Women Co. for amazing candles.
19. An Instrument or Other Way to Express Yourself
Whenever I feel frustrated or ready to give up, I play guitar, piano, or ukulele. It’s a healthy way for me to express my emotions and doesn’t take up a ton of space in your dorm. Of course, not everyone enjoys playing instruments. So some other ideas that won’t take up too much space are painting, drawing, one of those mini sand zen gardens, wooden box puzzles, cooking (more on that next), and poster collages.
20. A Microwave, Mini Fridge, Hot Pot, and/or Toaster Oven
These may seem like normal dorm essentials but that are especially important to the student with chronic or mental illness because they allow you to make healthy food from home (in a way that can even respect all of your dietary restrictions). One thing my aunt told me that really stuck with me is that, for her, cooking is like a way to express herself and let go of all the stress from the day. For most people, I think it just makes us more stressed, but if you’re like my aunt then having kitchen appliances that fit in your dorm will probably be really important for your sanity!
Conclusion
I know this isn’t like what I usually write as of recently, but I wanted to take a moment to write something that would be helpful to other upcoming college freshmen, this year. There’s a lot of craziness waiting for us when we step foot onto campus this fall and I want to make it feel as normal as possible because we only get one first day of university (at least, hopefully). College is not going to destroy us this year and neither is COVID 19.
I do have a little question for all the college students reading this. What dorm essentials can you not live without? DO you have any tips for upcoming freshmen?
