It’s almost time for me to leave for the first time to go to college. My school, located in a city, starts in less than a month (we run on a trimester, which is why we start so late!) but I’m working on buying all the things I’ll need for dorm life & stocking up on the essentials now, because all of my friends go back around this time – people to shop with! – and everything seems to be on sale right now.
Here’s a list of some of the best things I’ve purchased for college that I know I’ll get great use out of.
Yoga pants seem like the perfect college pants – comfortable enough to sleep in, yet polished enough to wear around the dorm, cafeteria, or occasionally to class. Aerie’s having a huge bra and clearance sale (40% off!) and you can find coupon codes online to provide 15%-20%, free shipping, etc., bringing the cost of these pants down to an affordable $16-$17. Plus, they come in a straight cut, which I prefer as I usually only wear skinny jeans, and the regular flare is too much for me. I bought three pairs!
Also check out – Aerie’s yoga leggings!
BB&B is my ultimate favorite place for dorm things, and I picked up this modular storage system (plus a two-pack of the matching fabric bins, $9.99) to use as a bedside table. A big concern for me was buying a bedside table system that ended up being too tall/short, so I like how I can stack two or three of these on eachother depending on how high I end up having my bed, and use the remaining one or two as under-bed storage bins. They’re lightweight and incredibly easy to put together or take apart at will, which will make move-in day and working out my storage a breeze, but are also just sturdy enough for me to keep my iHome on next to my bed. Plus, BB&W is constantly sending out and putting their 20% off an item coupons everywhere. The store lets you use as many as you want in a single transaction, so this system is about $16 after coupon use – an affordable $24 if you buy the recommended bins with a second coupon, too!
Also check out – The Crate system!
I realize now that seating and storage are both at a premium in a dorm room, and this is the perfect solution to both. This ottoman is actually very sturdy and comfortable to sit on – I tried it in the store before buying! – and would work perfectly tucked under the bed or desk as a way to store laundry products, towels, or magazines. It also completely collapses down for easy transport and storage, and comes in black, zebra print, and jeweled purple. Again, BB&B has their 20% coupons constantly in circulation, lowering the price on this piece to about $16.
Also check out – This Storage Accent Table!
Considering that the bed in a dorm takes up the greatest amount of space, it seems like the best use of space to store things under it. And while storage bins and boxes are great for things that don’t need to be that accessible, I think it will be a pain to have to unstack, pull out, and de-lid a box every time I need some laundry detergent or a pair of socks. That’s where these drawers come in – at just 24″ tall, these units are cheap and short enough to stow in my adjustable 30″ or so of underbed storage space. I’ll admit I haven’t purchased these just yet, but I plan to order two units as soon as I check the Walmart near me for any other options.
Also check out - this Pack of 3 Cloth Bins!
I already know that the lighting in my dorm will be pretty dim – one ceiling light by the door – so having another lamp or two is a must. This one is multi-functional, with a swiveling base that can hold pens, pencils, clips, and scissors, plus has a polarized outlet on its base for charging your phone, iPod, or laptop! These are sold practically every year at BB&B, come in white, blue, and pink, and though they’re sold out online, I believe they’re still available in stores.
Also check out - this Slim Desk Organizer!
Lovelies, what are you purchasing to go to college? What are some of the best ‘dorm essentials’?
guest
I wouldn’t call those essentials…
Though I did use that 3-drawer cart in my dorm. I think a few necessities are storage bins that you can buy at WalMart, Target, or even Big Lots. They’re made of plastic and latch on the sides. You can use those to transfer stuff, or store summer clothing during the winter, winter clothing during the summer, etc.
A laundry basket with all laundry needs (detergent, softener, dryer sheets, stain removers, roll of quarters).
A shower bag for all your showering needs (towel, shampoo, conditioner, razor, cream, etc).
shelves.
guest
Those lamps are really nice. I still have mine after buying it like three years ago.
guest
1) Storage boxes.
2) A basket for laundry.
3) A shower bag for going to the bathroom and such.
4) A desk lamp – the one my dorm came with was awful and stuck on the wall, so I couldn’t move it around or anything.
5) If your dorm doesn’t come with one, a microwave and a kettle.
guest
…is this a plug for these companies? lol
Anyway you just “essentially” need:
A shower caddy, fabric storage containers, a desk lamp, your own sheets, and a mini fridge or microwave if you don’t have a meal plan
sunflower / 310 posts
nope, not a plug haha, though I realize it could come off like that. I just found these places as some of the best to get college things at! also, to everyone – I realize these aren’t essentials, they’re just the things I personally would consider buying to make for the most positive college experience!
hydrangea / 73 posts
Cube shelves are fantastic, and they’ll grow with you into your future residences, whether you get an apartment during college or after, particularly if you get neutral colors. Or you can just use them in your closet where no one can see when (if?) you outgrow the magenta furniture stage.
Between two beds, two chairs, desktops, and floorspace, seating was never an issue. If it was, we went to a floor lounge with couches
That said, a good desk chair would be a worthwhile investment for long hours writing lab reports/papers.
A fridge and/or microwave is worthwhile if you don’t have access to one. Current students at your school probably know best; my dorm didn’t have common fridges but had common microwaves that were just fine 90% of the time. My roommate and I split the cost of a fridge my sophomore year and used it for two years. Always wished it had a decent freezer, though.
Flip-flops and a shower caddy are a must if you have shared showers down the hall; a hot pot or coffeemaker are worthwhile if you like tea or coffee in the morning or at night when you study (even $1 cups of coffee from the convenience store add up, otherwise!). Hot pot will also make eggs, pasta, instant oatmeal, etc. in a pinch.
guest
1) Microwave and fridge
2) Forks and spoons (you might be surprised by how many people forget this)
3) Laundry basket
4) earplugs (Maybe you’ll get luckier than me, but my dorm building failed horribly at making students shut up during quiet hours.)
5) Flashlight to sit by the front door (Nothing pissed me off more than when my roommate would come in late and turn on the freaking ceiling light while I was trying to sleep).