Are you sending a student to college for the first time? Baffled and overwhelmed about how to pack those dorm room essentials? I’ve got you. After conducting an informal survey among seasoned professionals (aka parents who’ve done this already) here are 10 most recommended essentials for freshmen in 2022.
Highly Recommended Dorm Room Essentials
- Oversized Heavy-Duty Tote Bags: the most recommended dorm room essentials for college move-in day. The intense pace of the moving process, crowded and overworked elevators, plus the convenience of packing in flexible bags make these moving bags a must-have. There are several options available. I’m pleased with the quality and capacity of these.
- First-Aid Kit with Instructions: several moms told me they wished they’d sent their kids to college with commonly used first aid supplies, over-the-counter medications, and instructions for how to use the medications. Not that there’s anything wrong with calling or texting parents to ask for empathy or advice, but perhaps including instructions will make unexpected cuts, scrapes, and illnesses more palatable for everyone.
- Damage-Free Picture Hanging Strips: once the bags and totes are moved into the dorm, transforming a bland room into a comfortable living space is the next crucial step. Check with student housing staff for guidelines first, but usually, temporary hanging strips are acceptable. Flags, posters, framed inspirational quotes, whiteboards, and cork boards are a few popular suggestions for making a dorm room feel more like home.
- Portable Lap Desk: a modern twist on a classic favorite, the portable lap desk with the pillow cushion is another highly recommended dorm room essential. There are countless options available so this is an item you’ll want to ask your student about. They’ll likely have strong opinions regarding fabric and color selections.
- Shoe Organizer: In our house, it’s customary to take our shoes off as soon as we walk in the door. We end up with lots of shoes tucked away in nooks and crannies, the mud room, and on the floor in the middle of bedrooms. That’s not going to work in a 12 x 10 shared space. Several recent dorm room dwellers told me they had to find ways to store their shoes in a manner that controlled odor, conserved space, and didn’t annoy their roommates.
- Bedside Shelf: in a traditional dorm room, there’s often no room for a nightstand. If the beds are bunked, there’s no place for the person in the upper bunk to store a phone, alarm clock, or e-Reader. And let’s be real–who wants to get out of bed and cross the room to stash stuff on a desk or dresser? Enter the bed caddy and the BedShelfie. How cool is this?! I see why such a clever accessory ranks high on the list of highly recommended dorm room essentials.
- Backpack-Style Laundry Bag: standard laundry baskets are great for hauling clothes and plenty of other possessions, but they’re also bulky. The backpack style is ultra-portable and sports a convenient pocket for toting detergent and dryer sheets. College students will be thrilled to stuff this thing to the gills and toss it in the car when they come home on breaks.
- Extra Seating and Storage Ottomans: creating an inviting communal living arrangement means adding functional and comfortable furniture. Often the standard-issue desk chairs are the opposite of comfortable. Futons, trunks, ottomans, bean bags, cushioned folding chairs…the modern college student has so many fantastic options. Gathering with new friends, gaming, or enjoying a study break will be much more fun in a comfortable chair that protects the cozy vibe.
- Mattress topper and weighted blanket: beds are the cornerstone of a college student’s dorm room. There’s nothing worse than moving away from home and dealing with an uncomfortable, disappointing sleeping situation. In my opinion, this is one of the key components that influence how well the student thrives. That’s why it isn’t surprising that friends and family recommended mattress toppers and weighted blankets as dorm room essentials.
- Multi-outlet power strip with a surge protector: in today’s highly connected world, two or four measly outlets aren’t going to cut it. Extra power strips with built-in protection against power surges will be crucial for dorm rooms. Remember to double-check and follow student housing guidelines before adding microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers.
Final Thoughts
Leaving home and moving into a college dorm is a major life change. Knowing how to prepare and what not to do will help ease the transition. Emotions are complicated during move-in day. The logistics of getting to the university, understanding how to unload, staying positive and making the room comfortable in a just a few hours is a huge task. Hopefully this list of dorm room essentials curated from folks who have gone before you will make this journey easier to navigate.
If you have any suggestions to add to the list, I’d love to hear them. Please share in the comments.
