“I cannot wait to leave this one horse town,” my daughter informed me when she decided to go 500 miles away to college in a major metropolitan area. She was actually wrong, we have three horses in our town, but that is beside the point. Before she left I began to find items I knew she would need for her dorm room. Having not seen the inside of her room, I was not sure how large it would be and tried to plan accordingly. Now that I am a pro at packing for college dorms, I have found 10 must-have dorm room items to make the transition easier. Thanks to Kleenex + Walmart for sponsoring today’s discussion.
1. A laundry hamper, detergent and rolls of quarters. This seems counterproductive since I have seen pictures of her dorm room with clothes thrown all over the floor, but it does make the laundry easier to lug down the stairs to the laundry room when and if she decided to wash it.
2. Comfy bedding. Since she went North, she was in for a major shock when fall rolled around. The comforter and blanket I sent not only added some patterns to her room, but kept her warm in the freezing temperatures.
3. A laptop. She lived on North Campus, a mile from the library. I would much rather she had a computer in her room than have to walk back from the library by herself late at night.
4. A desk organizer. This was an easy way to keep needed supplies in one place instead of in the floor amidst the dirty clothing.
5. Towels and Washclothes. At least two of each, to rotate and throw on the floor among the dirty clothes.
6. Earphones. The first day I went to the dorm the noise level was incredibly loud. I don’t imagine it became any quieter after school was in session. These were perfect to block out the noise when she studied. (Cough, cough, yeah, right. These were mainly for listening to music.)
7. A phone. This is basically to call home and ask for care packages or tell us how she has the flu. Again. It also offered me some comfort as she walked back to the dorm from where ever she was exploring in the city.
8. Kleenex Expression Oval Tissues. To go with all the times she caught the flu, eye infections, sinus infections, etc. Plus, the box was cute enough to add some pizazz to her décor.
9. Snacks. Because the cafeteria is not open during those all night cramming sessions.
10. A first aid kit. Just because college students do some weird things in their dorm.
What items do you think should be included in the perfect dorm room?
That is a great list. I would add some toiletries, flip flops and slippers!
The first-aid kit is something I never would have thought of. Great ideas, this will be really helpful!
Great essentials! I’m loving them! Thanks for sharing.
It’s so funny how a phone is an essential now. I feel old. When I went away to college a cell phone was out of the question. Cost too much back then. LOL!
Great list! Kleenex always has such great patterns on their boxes… it really adds to any room decor!
Kleenex is a must have for any dorm room. Next year will be my daughter’s turn
Everything for the dorms is so cute. For me, my dorm room must have was just a working PC!
This is a great must have list just in time for all those busy college kids. Those tissue boxes are adorable!
Those are all true! Some snacks and HBC items too! College kids get so hungry!
How cute are the chevron tissues boxes? They didn’t have those when I went to college!
The kleenex college edition is really cute! Great boxes to add a little pop of colour and pattern to a plain dorm room.
I needed lots of organization stuff like hangers and rolling plastic drawers! This is a great list, love those Kleenex boxes
This is a wonderful list of dorm essentials! I love that Kleenex boxes are so pretty that we want to display them!
This is a great list! My kids aren’t even near high school yet, but it’s amazing what having the right stuff can do to help make college easier.
Haha, I love her selfie! Her room looks nice and comfy with the cute comforter!
To think I’ll be buying dorm supplies for my teen soon makes me sad. Thanks for the great list of must-haves though.
Headphones were essential for the semester that I lived in the dorms. Oh, the racket!
I have a while until I have a college bound child. These are great tips for anyone room.
I never thought about the safety issues. You’re absolutely right though, it’s better to be safe than sorry and have the laptop in her room.
I needed a mini fridge and microwave for my dorm. Headphones were also very important!
When my daughter went to college, they offered a kit of bedding supplies – comforter, sheets, towels, etc so that was pretty handy. We also stocked her up on food when she didn’t want to eat at the cafeteria.
That is a great list. I know before I know it I’ll be dropping my kids off at college.
Totally forgot the first aid kit. Good thing to have for dorm.
Those tissue containers are super cute. Can’t have enough snacks that can be eaten in a dorm room. And don’t forget shower shoes!
It’s amazing how much they need to be prepared! The Kleenex are so darn cute!
Oh, the snacks are a must have! So much to do to get ready for college!
Great items! I used most of those when I went to college. Those Kleenexs are too cute!
I went through a lot of kleenex my first year. I had never gotten do many frequent colds before, I guess from being around new germs. And then the water works for being home sick for the home you weren’t gonna miss thing…
I can use those beautiful Kleenex boxes here! We are a few years away form the dorm thing.
When I went to college, I didn’t have a computer to start and I got one the first day that I got my financial aide because, like you said, walking through campus in the middle of the night can be dangerous.
A laundry bag would have been great for me. I lived on the fourth floor. The laundry room was in the basement. A very long walk (since my dorms also didn’t have elevators.)
Those Kleenex boxes are so cute. I want to go get some for my house 🙂
My daughter will be off to college in two years and I don’t even want to think about dorm life yet! Unfortunately, she is already picking out dorm room bedding and supplies. Why do they have to grow up so fast!?
great must haves. my girls are a long way from college but I know the time will come quicker than I realize.
The kleenex college edition is really cute! Sharing this post with a friend her oldest is heading off next week!
My mom would add a cutting board. She sent me to school with a mini one, because you never know when you’ll need it 🙂