How to Choose College Dorm Room Essentials

Going to college feels nerve-wracking? 

Don’t worry. I’ve been there too. 

There may be many unknowns going forward. But one thing is for sure. There are some college dorm room essentials you cannot ignore. 

To make your college life convenient, we can share fresh ideas on Choosing College Dorm Room Essentials. 

You would want a dorm that’s stylish and utility-oriented at the same time. That’s where this guide comes in. 

I come across several TikTok hacks and ample customer opinions every day. I took the most vibrant ideas from there and blended them with my experience to curate this ‘how to do’ list. 

Starting your college the right way is most important. 

Now, you may be a freshman. Or you are revisiting the same campus. Doesn’t matter. 

The college dorm room essentials will always be your number 1 priority. 

Choosing the college dorm room essentials

Before you start packing hastily, learn about the restrictions in your college that matter. For starters, some colleges are very cautious about health and safety matters. They may ban the use of microwaves. Some others only allow fridges with up to 90 liters capacity. 

Be wary of all those regulations. Then we can talk. 

For out-of-state students

I bet you were waiting for this guide if you attend an out-of-state college. I have all your needs covered. 

Firstly, you must remember what you need most during the weather season. I’d suggest packing the whole wardrobe. 

Trust me, it helped me a lot when I started college. I’m sure you will feel the same if you follow my guide. 

Secondly, don’t bother packing every small thing. Instead, plan to buy some stuff after you reach college. 

It will help you make space for the necessary items that have been on your mind for a long time. 

Pro Tip: Try connecting with any current student. They can guide you about the ‘must haves’ and ‘not so important’ stuff. They may guide you with specifics regarding your dorm building.

College dorm room essentials you can’t ignore

Choosing the most crucial college dorm room essentials starts with creating a list of items you think you can’t live with. 

Then comes the things that tally with the living situation there. I’ll try to achieve the right mix of both. If I miss anything, you are always welcome to let me know in the comments.

Bath essentials and bedding

That twin XL mattress will remind you daily that the dorm room is now a part of your existence. Not to worry. 

I got a fine hack. Buy a good comforter or any mattress topper. You will get a fine from Amazon at $40 to $50. 

Don’t bother; it is only a one-time investment. 

In my days back, I was the one who always got stuck to homework marathons late at night. So, I suggest you take an alarm clock along. Trust me, there are 1001 reasons why your phone alarm may deceive you on a fateful day. 

Moreover, rising by the clock also improves your discipline. 

It’s not only me. I have found many people doing the same thing till now. 

Your bedding can include unforgettable dorm room things like organizers and storage cans of different sizes. 

I found these things helpful but had to adjust to a small space. 

Now, I was someone who loved to stay compact and organized. 

But these things would come in handy even for the messy Jessies. They can store essential things in storage cans and stick a label tagging what’s inside. 

Trust me, storage cans should be on the top of the list of dorm room essentials for guys.

That way, it’s easier to discover the most minor things every time. 

And trust me- it’s okay even if you cannot choose your dorm room essentials wisely. 

So what if you have packed loads of unnecessary things? 

Use the storage under your beds. 

Stash the extra shit away there!

Let me tell you, I also hid my clutter there during my dorm days whenever I didn’t have time to organize. 

Beddings you can’t ignore

Without going into details, let me list the daily life bedding to keep you cozy in the dorm. 

• Carry at least three bed sheets
• Have two pillows 
• Comforters and throw blankets are must-haves 
• Under bed storage

Let’s now check out the bath essentials that would make your life easier:

• Bath and hand towels
• Shower bucket
• Tissues and paper towels in abundance

Pro Tip: Stitch your name on your towels. Only some people carry a towel around. But everyone needs one when the time comes. You know the rest.

Room supplies you can’t miss.

Now it’s time to sort your other supplies. Cleaning supplies, clothes, and kitchen essentials are first on this list. 

Let me tell you I made a big mistake during my days back. I carried no extra leaning stuff, thinking the custodial staff would handle it. 

But they will not take care of your private space. They’ll only clean the joint space. 

Carrying a hand vacuum will keep you sorted. 

Let’s ponder how you will pack clothes for your dorm days. 

For the winter, pack some sweaters and your winter coat. But things are different if you go to South California for your college. 

Please wear swimsuits instead of sweaters. 

You are now coming to the kitchenware you need. 

Indeed, you have access to the essential dishes and other utensils from your community kitchen. 

But you can never tell when or how much they were cleaned. 

So, do justice to your health and use your dishes and pans. Note kitchenware in your dorm room checklist NOW. 

While checking how to pack your dorm room essentials, you may also check the residence hall snacks and package meals you must pack. 

Other essentials you can’t ignore

We only got the basics covered. Still, there are lots of hacks and tips you’ll thank me for. 

One of those is having an electric kettle around. There is no other such utility. People mostly use it for tea or coffee making. But I used it profusely for making instant foods like ramen, noodles, and whatnot. 

You can heat water in a snap, using it whenever you need. 

Earplugs and masks

You may need to realize how life-saving these can be. But trust me, these are. 

Unlike you, your dorm mates might be night owls, or vice versa. Some may be late-night video game champions. 

In my dorm days, I had someone to turn off my sleep whenever I wanted to rest without a drag!

In such cases, there is no better solution than earplugs and masks. 

Laundry bags and multipurpose baskets

Do you know why dorm rooms are always cluttered? 

That’s due to poor time management. Mostly, students do not have the time to keep things organized. 

Once you scrape out something from the stash, you’ll not have the time to keep it back where it belongs. 

Now and then, you will shove it somewhere carelessly. 

Even the most disciplined students need help managing time and slip into such habits. 

That’s why having baskets around helps. 

Once every 2 to 3 days, clear the clutter in your basket. You may have a second basket for your dorm room rugs. 

I bet you won’t have time to do your laundry every day. 

But don’t leave clothes awaiting laundry with the other ones. 

Just keep those in a laundry bag. 

Flip flops

The floor needs slippers and flip-flops more than your feet. 

I bet only some people will care to clean the floor or bath space if the concerned staff fails to complete their duty. 

I found my dorm room floor always untidy and filled with dust. That’s why I clung to flip-flops. 

That’s a common habit among students even today. 

Something to help you remember home

How could I miss this one while making the guide? 

I didn’t keep any souvenirs to help me back in my days. And I felt the chills of my poor decision every day at my college. 

But don’t make the same mistake that I did. 

Bring anything, from photos to artwork, that makes you remember home. You can use those for your dorm room wall decor too. 

Other college dorm room essentials you may need

The list is endless. But your dorm room space is limited. 

So, I will list some other essentials besides these that you may need:

• Reusable bottles 
• Room fresheners 
• Wiggle pillow
• Hangers 
• Basic skincare 
• A small portable fan 
• Umbrella

For the weather seasons, primary skin care is critical. 

Wrapping up

I want you to have the best time during your dorm days. That’s why I curated this college dorm room essentials guide. 

The bath, bed, apparel, and kitchen wares are the most important out of the lot. 

So, make space for those in the first place. 

Don’t forget to bring something your mom or dad asks you to take. They know your habits more than you do. 

You may discover new needs when you step into your dorm room yourself. But this guide will keep you mostly covered, without a doubt. 

For other dorm room-related suggestions, ping me here.