It’s about time for all the recent high school grads to start preparing for the next new step in their lives: college!
One of the most exciting parts about prepping for your first year in college is dorm room shopping. But with all the items out there and the sales encouraging you to buy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To make the transition as fuss-free as possible, here’s what you should buy for your new dorm room.
Alarm clock
Unfortunately, freshmen are usually saddled with extremely early 8am classes. While you may think that you can easily get away with the alarm clock on your phone, consider getting an old-fashioned alarm clock that you can set far away from your bed. This way, you’ll have to actually get out of bed to turn if off, ensuring you’ll make it to that pesky biology class without hitting snooze too many times.
Decor from home
You’ll undoubtedly have tons of photos from graduation and your celebrations with friends over the summer. So why not show them off with some canvas prints in your new room? Not only do canvas prints stand out compared to typical, run-of-the-mill photo collages, but they’ll be a great conversation starter with your new roommates.
A trusty thermos
Chances are, you’ll pass by a coffee shop on your way to class, but in order to save money and time, invest in a trusty thermos or insulated tumbler. This small item will work hard to keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, and make you feel even more accomplished that you made yourself a nice beverage in the morning.
A shower caddy
You don’t want to go to the showers with an armful of bath and beauty products. A shower caddy works wonders, so you can simply grab and go without having to remember everything you might need on those groggy mornings. Go the extra mile and buy one that has an extra spot for your keys, so you don’t accidentally lock yourself out of your room!
A sleep mask and ear plugs
If living with a roommate is new to you, you may be wary of figuring out the right sleep schedule for you. A good sleep mask and ear plugs can help you get to sleep when you want, while still keeping the needs of your roommate in check.
A mini crockpot
Day after day of dining hall food can turn your taste buds to mush. If you’re craving an easy, home cooked meal, look no further than a mini crockpot. These life savers are perfect for soups, dips, and dump dinners and rarely require expensive or hard-to-find ingredients. Plus, most crockpots are small enough so they won’t take up too much of that precious dorm room storage space.
A drying rack
Now that you’ll be doing your own laundry, you have to treat your clothes with care. You will most likely have washing and drying facilities in your dorm, but some clothes may need to be hand dried. While you may not think that this is an essential, you never know when you’ll need to air dry your favorite shirt or sweater. Luckily, most drying racks fold up small and compact so you won’t even notice it is there.
With these items at your disposal, you’ll be set to be the most prepared freshman in your dorm. Now, all you have to do is pack everything, so good luck!
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