Attempting to pinpoint all the necessities for life in the residence halls can be quite an overwhelming task. With so many different items to consider, many students will overlook the not-so-apparent essentials. 

As the graduation date quickly approaches, upcoming freshmen scramble to assemble a list of everything to purchase. But what if this list of must-have products was already available? 

For those searching for this remarkably convenient itinerary, you’re in luck! As recorded right below is a 20-item list consisting of every dorm room necessity an admitted college student might need.

To start, let’s begin with one of the most important aspects of a dorm room: bedding.

       1.  Appropriate Sheets, Covers, & Mattress Pad

The first thing you need to consider when purchasing bedding is the size of the provided mattress. This information may be specific to each college, so it’s important to confirm this detail on your designated university’s website. On top of this, it’s always convenient to own two separate sets of bedding to ease the pressure of laundry day.

       2.  Egg Crate/Mattress Topper

College mattresses have the tendency to be quite uncomfortable, so purchasing some variation of a mattress topper will be your best bet at a good night’s sleep.

       3.  Pillows & Blankets

Transitioning to dorm life can be an abrupt and unsettling experience at the start of the school year. Therefore, bringing along some comforting pillows and blankets from home may be just what you need to convert your dorm into a more cozy and homely environment.

Next up, let’s consider a category outside of the dorm room itself: bathroom supplies.

       4.  Shower caddy

Traveling back and forth between your dorm room and the communal bathrooms can be quite a hassle. Because of this, many students find a mesh shower caddy to be a convenient tool to transport their abundance of toiletries in one trip.

       5.  Shower shoes

Although most universities prioritize bathroom cleanliness, communal showers can be a bit of a grimy scene. Whether it’s simply an old pair of flip-flops or newly purchased shower shoes, having something to protect your feet from the shower floor will be helpful in the long run.

       6.  Personal Toiletry Preferences

Newsflash: the importance of personal hygiene does not disappear when you move away from home. If anything, maintaining good hygiene habits is even more vital when commencing an independent lifestyle. Therefore, be sure to remember all of your skin and hair care products when moving day comes around. 

One of the most dreaded but also most crucial subjects is what we’ll address next: laundry materials.

       7.  Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, & Stain Remover

Although it may appear to be an obvious necessity, many students overlook the fact that residence halls are not equipped with laundry detergent and other washing products.  

       8.  Laundry Basket/Laundry Hamper

Necessary for transporting dirty laundry, some sort of basket will greatly assist in minimizing the number of trips you’ll need to take to the communal laundry room. On top of this, any variation of a hamper will help to store dirty clothes and keep your dorm room feeling clean and organized. 

On the subject of cleanliness, let’s not forget about a widely loathed concern: cleaning supplies.

       9.  Handheld Vacuum

Just because you’re moving away from home doesn’t mean you suddenly get to opt out of chores. Dorm rooms have the tendency to accumulate dust and grime over time, so a thorough vacuuming once or twice a week is generally recommended.

       10.  Clorox Wipes & Paper Towels

Spills and messes do happen, so always having something on hand to clean up accidents is essential when it comes to living in the dorms.

The next topic of conversation is a main priority of many college students: food resources.

       11.  Microwave

A necessity for whipping up quick meals when the dining hall isn’t an option, a microwave is a crucial addition to any dorm room. However, many universities do provide these as part of the designated dorm furniture, so be sure to confirm this with your chosen college before purchasing.

       12.  Mini Fridge

Another item that may or may not be supplied by your selected university is a mini fridge. Absolutely necessary if you plan on storing any perishable food in your dorm, a refrigerator will greatly reduce the trips you’ll need to take to the dining hall.

       13.  Dinnerware 

If you’re planning on skipping out on campus food options at any point, reusable dinnerware will prove to be imperative. Some specific examples you’ll want to keep handy include: plates, silverware, cups, bowls, and water bottles.

Now that we’ve covered the vital categories, it would be beneficial to next mention the outcasts: miscellaneous necessities.

       14.  First Aid Kit

You never know when you’ll find yourself in a situation where first aid supplies are necessary. Therefore, if simply as a precautionary measure, keeping a survival kit in an accessible location is crucial when living on your own.

       15.  Fan

Whether or not your residence hall has proper air conditioning, the temperature will still falter in a stuffy dorm. Because of this, many students invest in a compact fan to cope with the humid months of early fall and late spring.

       16.  Dry-Erase Board

Keeping track of due dates, student events, and other important activities can quickly become overwhelming without a means of recording them. For those looking for a constant reminder to engrave these details into their brain, a dry-erase board may be just the solution. 

       17.  Full Body Mirror

If you’re looking to get ready in your dorm rather than the cramped communal restrooms, a mirror of some sort will come to be a necessity. Attaching a full-body mirror to the back of your door is a convenient way to fulfill this need while also maximizing living space.

       18.  Desk Lamp

Pulling an all-nighter while rushing to complete an assignment you’ve procrastinated on all week is a rite of passage for most college students. In this case, a desk lamp will be a must-have item if you hope to avoid disrupting your roommate’s entire sleep schedule.

       19.  Hangers

Although most colleges provide students with closets, they’ll be of no use if you have no hangers with which to organize your clothing. Since these aren’t granted alongside the furniture, be sure to purchase some if you hope to avoid a wrinkly wardrobe.

       20.  Curtains

On those much-appreciated days when you have the privilege of sleeping in, you don’t want the blaring sun to interrupt your short-lived bliss. Hanging curtains is both a simple and aesthetically pleasing solution to this problem. For those seeking to go the extra mile, consider looking into blackout curtains, as they may be worth the investment. 

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve officially reviewed the 20 essential items every student must consider when taking the next steps towards independent living. Although this list may need to be altered slightly to cater to one’s personal needs, it is an ample starting point for a pack list. Letting go of high school is both monumental and terrifying, but being prepared to face what’s next is the best way to combat these worries.