What To Bring
BED STORAGE ELECTRONICS
Pillows (2) Storage Bin TV
XL twin sheets (2 sets) Shoe Rack Lap Top & Bag
XL twin comforter Closet Organizers USB Drive
XL twin blanket Hangers Cell Phone
XL twin mattress pad Laundry Basket Calculator
Detergent & Softener iPod
BATH Ironing Board & Iron Camera
Soap Desktop Storage Memory Card
Toothpaste Webcam
Toothbrush DESK Ethernet Cable
Deodorant Planner Surge Protector
Body wash
Floss Notebooks Gaming System
Mouthwash Folders Alarm Clark
Shampoo Pens/Pencils
Conditioner Highlighters OTHERS
Razor Self Stick Notes Umbrella
Facial skin Care Stapler Duct Tape
Hair dryer Scissors Decorations
Hair straightener Tape Adhesive Hooks
Towels Binders/divider Cleaning Supplies
Washcloths Index Cards First Aid Kit
Hand Towels Dry Erase Board Full Length Mirror
Shower caddy* Printer iHome
Shower Curtain* Printer Paper Tools
Trash Bin* Ink Bike & Lock
Bathroom Rug Backpack
Shower Shoes Reading Light
Kleenex
Microwave*
Compact Fridge
Cups & Coffee Mugs
Utensils
Plates/Bowls
Food Storage
Dish Soap
Sponge
Water Filter
-Bedding
One of the most important things to think about when getting bedding is that many colleges use extra long beds. You can get XL twin sheets at Bed Bath& Beyond, Target, or Walmart around the start of school. You also may have the option to purchase a comprehensive set, which includes sheets, pillow cases, pillows, towels, etc. all in one package. This is very convenient, but watch out, because most of them are not of great quality. You may be much more satisfied taking the time to pick it all out yourself. Also, a good investment would be in some type of padding or egg crate mattress pad, because most of the mattresses in dorm rooms are not very comfortable. It may be a good idea to have an extra set of sheets just in case you do not have time to do laundry or you wore your sheet to a Toga party the night before.
Make Sure to look into what kind of bathroom set up you will have. If you have floor bathrooms you will definitely want to invest in a shower caddy and some shower shoes. However, if you have private bathrooms make sure you get a shower curtain, bath rug, trash bin, and toilet paper. Hair straighteners and blow dryers are personal preferences, but check with your roommate to see if you could share.
There never seems to be enough outlets, so surge protectors and extension cords will be important. As far as TVs and Gaming Systems go, it is completely up to you and how much entertainment you want. They are both things that you should talk to your roommate about so you don’t have double everything.
-Storage
Most of Storage is optional, but remember these rooms are usually not very big. The better storage you have the less cluttered your room will seem.
Most of these things you will need at some point or another. You always have the option of borrowing office supplies, but think about what you use on a regular basis. Your school will have printers on campus that you can pay for, but chances are you will use yours a lot.
Even if you have a meal plan, you will probably want a microwave and fridge, if they are permitted in your dorm. It is good to have some snacks always accessible. This is another thing that you should coordinate with a roommate.
-Others
Most dorms will not allow you to put nails or screws in the wall. So one of the best alternatives for decorating your room is the Command Adhesive Strips and hooks. They are strong, but they do not take the paint of the walls, so you will not get those extra fees when it comes time to move out.
If you have a piece of duct tape separating your room into half, chances are something went horribly wrong with your roommate!! College is one of the few, or only, times in life where you have to live with a complete stranger.Getting a Roommate: We have all heard horror stories about roommates, but do not let this deter you. Many people have become great friends with their roommates. If your school offers a compatibility test, I highly recommend taking it. This way you can be paired up with someone who has a similar sleep pattern and level of cleanliness. If your school does not have it and you are really worried, there are websites you can go to do it yourself (roomsurf.com). It is also wise to think twice before living with a best friend, since being together 24-7 can be a little overwhelming and has ruined a lot of friendships. You may also limit yourself in meeting new people if you do this.
Expectations of Roommates: A lot of students go into the dorm experience assuming that they will be best friends with their roommates. If that does happen, that’s great! But do not think your roommate has to be your best friend. If you have this mentality, you could end up being enemies. You just need to get along well enough to live with each other.
Avoiding the Issues: One of the best things that you can do to avoid issues with your roommate is set aside time at the beginning of the year to make a “roommate agreement.” Let each other know your opinions on things like sharing, bed time, noise level, bathroom usage, and what you find disrespectful. Many people have very different standards and expectations,establishing expectations is a good way to avoid surprises down the road.
When to Give Up: Try as hard as you can to make things work. There is a lot of lessons learned and character building in this process. However, there are some people that truly are not compatible and you do not want to be miserable your entire first year. Although, make sure to wait at least a couple of weeks before trying to change roommates. Some things take time and you wouldn’t want to write off a decent roommate and end up with a horrible one.
