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With spring right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking ahead about getting your kid ready for the college school year. While pondering significant acquisitions like textbooks and laptops is natural, have you reflected on the day-to-day essentials?
When my little sis headed off to college, I jumped in to help her and mom get everything ready for her dorm life. That checklist we made helped calm her nerves and made her feel more ready for college life.
On a side note, if you no longer need your old high school textbooks, you can earn some extra cash by selling them online at Textbook.com!
Enumerated herewith are eight quintessential items that graced her inventory of dormitory requisites. Make sure to remember these items and add them to your college packing list!
1. Minifridge for College Dorm
When sharing a room with one or two other people, space is tight. However, you still need a place to keep cold drinks, leftovers, or ice cream. Especially for those midnight munchies while you’re cramming for a final. A minifridge is a must-have in any college dorm room.
I like this one by Igloo, because it’s affordable, and roomy enough to hold a gallon of milk or a two-liter bottle. An added feature is that the front is an erase board you can write messages on with neon markers!
2. Food Storage Containers
Do you think that your box of last night’s lasagna is going to last long in that foam box? If you keep your leftovers edible for a while, you’ll need to put them in sealable containers. Plus, college students are always looking for ways to avoid cooking themselves. Check out Rubbermaid’s Brilliance Food Storage Containers.
They use sturdy plastic, not heavy glass, to make these containers. They’re stackable, which means you can stick them out of sight. Most importantly, when you lift the lid hinges, there are vents. This way, the lid doesn’t blow off in your microwave and create a mess.
3. Microwave for College Dorm
Speaking of microwave, what college dorm room is complete without one? Dining halls aren’t open all night, after all. How are you going to heat that leftover pizza, or that cup of instant ramen?
This RCA microwave is perfect for students who are low on money. When all you need is to heat stuff, you don’t need something with a lot of bells and whistles.
4. Reusable water bottle
Some times when you have to spend all day on campus, running back and forth from your residence hall can be exhausting.
Instead of having to stop at the student store just to buy a bottle of expensive water, why not bring your own? Fnova‘s reusable water bottle is suitable for both hot and cold drinks, making it a great choice for coffee drinkers as well. By using your own water bottle, you’ll be saving money, time, and the environment as well.
5. Shower Caddy for College Dorm
When you have a lot of toiletries and have to walk to shared showers, you’ll need something to carry them in. Something roomy enough for all your stuff and will stay resistant to mold.
This shower caddy is enough to carry all your showering supplies. The outer part has deep pockets for tall items like shampoo bottles, and the main compartment can fit a whole rolled-up towel. Mesh instead of plastic, which means that water will drain through and the bag stays mold-free.
6. Drawer Cart
Improve your college-bound kid’s space with smart storage. A drawer cart from Walmart is a must-have.
It provides convenient organization for school supplies or an aid kit while blending seamlessly with their dorm room decor. Practicality meets style easily. Make the move easier so your kid feels comfy and all set for this new adventure!
6. Flip flops
Let’s face it—shower floors in communal dorm bathrooms are gross. No one would ever dream of stepping in one barefoot. What you need is a good pair of shower flip flops, like this one by Showaflop. These in particular have little holes which allow water to drain.
While these flip flops are perfect for the beach or shower, they’re not the best choice for long walks around town.
7. Study Lamp for College Students
Most college dorm rooms come with a desk lamp, but they’re not always adequate for studying during those late nights. On one hand, it may be so bright that it’ll bother your roommate. On the other, it may not be bright enough that you’ll develop tired eyes.
This desk lamp offers five color modes to reduce eyestrain, ranging from natural light to warm yellow.
8. Bedsheets (With Pockets!)
I wish I had this when I was a student! I sometimes lost my glasses or TV remote, only to discover them tangled in my bedsheet. These BYB sheets with pockets would have been great to have at the time.
Two pockets on each side. They’re the perfect size for smartphones, glasses, a book, and even tablets. Just make sure you buy the correct size of twin XL, the standard size for dorm mattresses.
Anything you think we missed in the essentials to bring to college? Let us know commenting below 🙂
Remember to consider signing up for a Hulu account! Yes, probably the best college essential, we all love watching movies and our favorite shows! Hulu even gives students a great deal!
