If you’re moving away for college, you’ll need to stock up on all the right supplies. From bedding and décor to backpacks and computers, there are certain dorm essentials you will need when moving out of your parents’ house and into your college of choice.
But first, do yourself – and your parents – a favor by booking professional movers to get your stuff from point A to point B. The right movers will even help you pack, and will provide storage in between moving out and moving in if there’s a gap.
Here are some dorm essentials to include in your checklist, as suggested by Colleges of Distinction.
Bath and Bedding
All dorm rooms feature those uncomfortable twin XL mattresses. But don’t worry – you can increase your comfort by picking up a high-quality mattress topper. To store all your bath and bedding items, bring plenty of storage containers and organizers, especially thin ones that can fit under your bed.
Here’s what you will need:
- Comforter
- Throw blanket
- Bed sheets (Twin XL)
- Reading pillow/body pillow
- Pillows and pillowcases
- Mattress pad
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Under-bed storage
- Towels: bath, hand and wash cloths
- Shower shoes
- Shower caddy
Mark all your items, especially the face cloths and towels, with your name or initials on the tag in permanent marker. If you’re rooming with a few other people, this will help you keep track of your stuff.
Health and Grooming
Even though you’re away from home for the first time, it’s still important to keep up with your health and hygiene. Familiarize yourself with the health center on campus, and stock up on a first aid kit.
Know where to get a good haircut in town, and stock up on toiletries to care for your skin and hair. Join the campus gym to stay in shape so you can handle the rigors of academics and sports. Here is what you will need in terms of health and hygiene:
- Shower gel/bath soap
- Shower cap
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Deodorant
- Brush, comb, hair dryer, curling iron
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Lotion
- Cosmetics
- Bathrobe
- Travel soap container
- Dental floss
- Nail clippers
- Eye drops
- Mouthwash
- Loofah
- Cotton swabs
- Shaving kit
- Handheld mirror
- Prescription medicines/copies of each prescription
- Bathroom cleaning products
- Shower mat
- Air freshener
- Thermometer
- Heating pad
Clothes and Laundry
No one likes to do laundry, yet it must be done if you want clean clothes to wear around campus. You may want to invest in a clothing rack to dry your clothes and keep them all organized. Here’s what you will need:
- Clothes: Bring only what you will need, as closet space is limited in dorms
- Coat or jacket for cold locales
- Laundry basket or bag
- Stain remover stick
- Laundry detergent
- Bleach
- Dryer sheets
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Socks/shirts
- Jeans/shorts
- Jewelry
- Sweat pants
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sneakers
- Boots
- Sandals
- Dress shoes (internships, formals and job interviews)
- Swimwear (if appropriate)
- Belts
- Watch
- Iron/steamer
- Ironing board
- Hangers
- Shoe storage
- Quarters/debit card for laundromat
Decor
Your dorm will act as your home base for the whole year. It makes sense that you want to make it as homey as possible. It should be a place where you feel relaxed, comfortable and rejuvenated. Here are some good ideas for decorative items.
- Posters/banners
- Sticky wall mounts/removable adhesive hooks (most colleges won’t allow you to put nails in walls)
- Photos and photos boards
- Frames
- Curtains and spring rods
- Throw rugs
- Additional seating, such as bean bags and futons
- Desk chair and lamp
- Trashcan
- Floor lamp
- End table
- Bed risers
- Over-the-door storage hanger
- Stepladder
- Dry-Erase Markers
- Bulletin Board
- Fan
- Curtains
- Closet Organizer
School Supplies
Of course, in order to be the best student you can be, you will need the right classroom supplies. From books to calculators, you’ll need a lot of stuff to get you through the semester.
- Backpack
- Laptop/tablet
- Pens/pencils
- Paper
- Notebooks
- Binders
- Sticky notes
- Highlighters
- Calculator
- Stapler
- Ruler
- Earphones
- Extension cord
- Index Cards
- Scissors
- Tape
Now that you have all the proper equipment, you can make the move from home to campus in a snap.
Contact Redefyne Moving and Storage
But first, don’t forget to book your dorm movers! Give us a call at 817-405-2890 or complete our form online for great rates for anyone on a budget – including students. We offer everything from the move itself to packing and storage to make the transition as easy as possible.
