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10 Dorm Must-Haves
by
Julie Buitrago
Deciding
what to bring to college is a headache. You'll
want to bring every item you'll need to live on
your own for the next several months, but how
you'll manage to fit into an area not much bigger
than a walk-in closet is the ultimate dilemma.
"We
advise students not to bring everything that they
own, but travel with as little as possible, and
then buy what they need up here. They'll want
to see what their roommate has, too," says
Jimmy Moore, assistant area coordinator for the
University of Central Florida's Apollo Community.
In
many cases, students have access to a computer,
microwave, and television in their building, so
these popular items aren't a necessity. Other
items might be too difficult to bring along, like
your bed. Andrew Reshefsky, a student at Longwood
College, Farmville, VA, says he misses his bed
from home the most, since the dorm beds are too
tiny. Unfortunately, with limited space, this
is one luxury he had to leave behind.
So
what do you absolutely need to bring? For the
befuddled freshman, here's a top 10 list of dorm
room must-haves:
1.
Alarm clock radio/CD player:
With limited space, every item must count. In
most dorms, you won't be able to play a large
stereo loud, so this smaller unit works perfectly.
If you can find a unit with a telephone, you'll
have fewer items to move.
 2.
Toolbox with tools:
You won't be able to borrow dad's tool kit when
you're away from home. That's why your toolbox
should contain all of the essentials to survive
dorm life -- a regular and Phillips-head screwdriver,
hammer, nails, screws, ruler, tape, glue, and
wrench.
3. Dishes for two:
Even if you have a meal plan, you'll want to have
dishes in your room for everything from snacks
to take-out. Remember forks, knives, spoons, plates,
bowls, cups (plastic, so they don't break), and
mugs. And, most importantly, don't forget the
can opener for meals on the go.
 4.
Sheets and towels:
Remember to check with housing for the correct
sheet size, and always include a pillow. (We want
you to have a restful sleep that will result in
A+ classroom attention.)
5.
Laundry
hamper:
In addition to storing dirty clothes, a
hamper can double for a laundry basket, storage
space, or an impromptu end table.
 6.
Dry-erase board or corkboard
"A cork board allows you to post important
information from telephone numbers of significant
others, to addresses, to when school assignments
are due," advises sophomore Matthew Kerns
of Christopher Newport University, Newport News,
VA.
7.
Plastic storage
As corny as it may sound, large Tupperware containers
will come in handy. Easy to stack in the room,
or flat enough to slide underneath the bed, use
'em to store loose clothes, towels, books, etc.
You will be on your way to a neat and more organized
dorm room.
 8.
Power strip
As Katherine A. Hirsch, a junior at the University
of Maryland, Baltimore County, says, "The
amount of power sockets for a computer alone is
enough to need a power strip. If you plan to bring
a lot of electronic devices you'll need another
one too, since power sockets are not provided
in bulk."
9.
Fan
Even if your dorm has air conditioning, it may
not be reliable. A window fan is always a good
backup.
10.
Photographs and mementos from home
OK, you could survive without bringing photographs,
stuffed animals, and knick knacks, but some reminders
of home can help cure your first-year blahs.
Most
colleges have a recommended packing list for new
students, as well as restrictions for what items
are not permitted in campus housing. Get a hold
of one -- they can help you pack light, and pack
right.
Related
Reads:
Dorm
Decor on a Budget
Get
Packin'
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