Random Things You Should Pack for College
If you're moving into a college dorm for the first time, you probably already have many of the essentials. That includes clean sheets, a foldable hamper and, of course, the well-known bed risers to give you some much-needed storage space under your extra-long twin-sized bed.
While there are many items that have been passed down on checklists for years, you may be surprised to learn that there are certain things that will come wildly in handy during your time studying away from home. Some of these items will help you make emergency mac n' cheese when you just can't tear yourself away from studying in order to head down to the dining hall (or even a vending machine). Others will ensure your stuff is safe during dorm hangs. Some will just make your dorm experience all the cozier.
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Here's what you should put on your dorm room checklist that you may not have already thought of.
An Electric Kettle
This is especially great if your dorm has a "no microwave" policy. An electric kettle takes up little room and can be used to make quick mac n' cheese, ramen, instant coffee and even hardboiled eggs.
Tupperware
If you're paying for a meal plan, you might as well get the most out of it. While it's universally frowned upon to bring an entire week's worth of meals home from an all-you-can-eat dining hall, no one is going to fault you if you sneak a couple extra mini muffins or fries.
A Mini Safe
Part of the fun of living in a dorm is that you can leave your door open in order to socialize with soon-to-be new friends, but that can come with some security issues. A small safe you can store in your closet or under the bed can help make sure your most valuable stuff is never taken out of your room, and it provides a place for you to stash important documents you might need to have on hand at school, like your passport. A large enough safe also provides a safe place to put your laptop.
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Earplugs
Just because your roommate swears they don't snore doesn't mean other things in your dorm won't keep you up at night. Whether it's the people above you blasting Ariana Grande a little too late into the evening or some random construction outside your window, you'll enjoy sleeping way more with earplugs. And if you happen to be the snoring roommate, maybe buy some extra that you can donate to the cause.
A Dustbuster
Cleaning your dorm may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to moving into college, but when you accidentally spill an entire box of Fruity Pebbles on the floor in the middle of a late-night study session, you'll be glad you have this.
A "Fracket"
A "fracket" is a jacket you can wear to fraternity parties, but it has many uses. Buying a cute jacket for class is smart, but buying one for a party where it could easily get lost, stolen or accidentally stomped on is just silly. Instead, bring a few jackets that won't leave you devastated if they go MIA.
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Slippers
You don't want to walk the halls of your dorm barefoot, but you don't want to have to lace up your boots every time you go say hi to your friend in another hall.
A Printer
This is definitely a pricier item, but if you can afford it in your college budget, your own printer will save you a ton of time running around campus to print out homework assignments. If you can split one with your roommate for the year, you may find that the cost of printing per page actually works itself out with what you might spend elsewhere.
Cozy Blankets
Unfortunately, most dorms don't give you the ability to control the temperature, which means you might be dealing with a way-too-high air conditioner situation, or not enough heat during frigid winter months if you go to school somewhere chilly. Combat the chill with the coziest, comfiest blanket you can and you won't even be thinking about it.
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