Dorm Room Survival Guide

Dorm Room Survival Guide: what to bring, what not to bring and what to expect.

When preparing for the first year of college, and presumably, your first year away from home, you might be nervous and unsure of what you need, and do not need to bring. Look no further, this survival guide will attempt to answer all types of questions about dorm life.

One point I must stress is: do not over pack. A dorm room is a small space for two people and you most likely will not have room for your TV, your couch, your refrigerator and three suitcases full of clothes. At first this small space will catch you off guard, but do not let it get the best of you; after a few weeks, every college student is a master in space management and efficiency.

Here are a few things you could do to maximize your space:

a) bunk your bed

This always creates the awkward alpha-roommate situation. Around the age of ten, the thought of sleeping on the top bunk moves from exciting to annoying and inconvenient. If you can score the bottom bunk, then by all means bunk the bed, otherwise I would not suggest it.

b) loft the bed

This can optimize space and can create more room for activities. Also, it offers the option of creating the "study cave," made by moving your desk and dresser underneath the lofted bed. I chose not to loft the bed because I personally do not enjoy sleeping ten feet off the ground and inches from the ceiling.

Now that I have covered space optimization and room layouts, I will list a few specific necessary items available at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc.

bathroom tote:

this is essential for carrying all of the miscellaneous nicknacks to and from the shower and is usually forgotten by incoming freshman.

multiple towels:

Having just one towel is just gross and, the lone towel will most likely still be wet next time you have to use it.

laundry detergent:

Having to do my own laundry for basically the first time in my life, I neglected to bring laundry detergent and have been borrowing from whoever possible. Bring it

Reading light/lamp:

Please do not keep your roommate awake with the bright overhead lights, bring at least a lamp to keep him or her happy.

ear plugs:

If you are not a late night person, and you have a roommate who, alternately is, a night owl, you will really want a pair of earplugs. You might have to look in the "beyond" section of Bed, Bath, & Beyond to find these, but, I promise, they will come in handy.

Other desirable items: stapler, extension cords, water bottles, toiletries, writing utensils.

Try to avoid buying any of these items at the over-priced student store; get them with your parents before you arrive. All of these items should come in handy throughout the course of the year. Take not of all of this information, configure your room however you please but take not in the information above. If you have all of these things before you get to campus, your first days at college will be less hectic than they already are.