Dorm essentials

A guide to college dorm essentials 

Carys Cheshire '24

Editor-in-Chief of Content

The idea of living in a dorm in college is something that brings most of us both excitement and nervousness. After growing up with family constantly by our side, moving into an unfamiliar place with new people and having to adjust to the small space can definitely be stressful. To help make the transition just a little easier, here are some items to help you be more comfortable in this new space: 

While this might sound a tad extra, dorm room mattresses can often be quite stiff and have an uncomfortable material covering them. Adding a soft, foam mattress topper can help you sleep better throughout the night, especially if you are feeling homesick and miss your childhood bed. Mattress toppers with straps are also recommended in order to keep it from sliding off the bed at night.

 2. Shoe rack

Closet space in a dorm is typically not very abundant, and shoes can easily occupy a lot of space. Getting a shoe rack that fits in your closet will keep you way more organized and allow you to fit more shoes in the tight space. Another alternative to this is a shoe pocket organizer that hangs on your closet door and can typically fit eight to ten pairs of shoes.

An example of a shoe rack you can keep in your dorm

 3. Air purifier

Again, you might think this is unnecessary, but it is actually super common for freshmen to get sick in their first few weeks of college due to a dorm’s dust build up. An air purifier can help to keep the air you breathe clean and reduce your chances of getting sick.

 4. Storage ottoman

A storage ottoman is perfect for a dorm room because it can be cute and add to the aesthetic of the room, but also serves as an extra place to store clothes, shoes, bags etc. Anything that can help maximize storage space in a dorm will make your life much easier.

 5. Extension cord with a lot of outlets

A lot of the time, dorm rooms only have one or two outlets in the wall and are in areas that can be inconvenient for whatever it is that you want to plug in. An extension cord that allows you to plug in multiple things at once will be something you are so grateful for when you need to charge your phone, your computer and even turn on a lamp all at the same time.

 6. Shower caddy

If you have a bathroom in your dorm room, then a shower rack that can stick to or hang from your shower through the year will help keep you and your roommate's shower products organized. If your dorm has a communal bathroom, then a smaller shower caddy that you can carry easily back and forth to the bathroom is a great way to make your shower trips easier and keep all the products in one place. Another tip for those with a communal bathroom: shower shoes/slides are recommended for extra hygiene.

These items are not going to make or break your college experience, but hopefully this list helps you prepare for the new journey you are about to embark on!