I’ve got 99 problems and I’m not dealing with any of them
Hey guys! It’s back to school time, which for a lot of us also means moving back into dorm rooms. Here’s a list of everything I’m bringing with me this year, to give you an idea of what you need!
bedding
- A lightweight quilt (I can add blankets in the winter, without having to burn up in the summer)
- Two sets of twin XL sheets (one nicer set, and a $5 set for laundry day)
- A comfy mattress pad. Dorm beds are uncomfortable on their own!
- Two blankets (one for regular bed use, the other as an extra or for studying on the quad)
- Two normal pillows (the same ones I use every night at home)
- Four throw pillows (It seems like a lot, but I do a lot of studying/watching TV from bed, and they make that way easy + comfier.)
- A body pillow, so I’m not rolling into the wall all the time
bath
- A robe
- A sturdy shower caddy (I got a cheap one the first year, and had to replace it by fall break. shampoo bottles are heavy!)
- Three towels + 10 wash cloths (they do double duty as dust rags, drying cloths, you name it)
- All my usual soaps/shampoos/toiletries
clothes
- Shirts: I bring mostly plain t shirts/tank tops that can work with lots of outfits, then all the nicer “cute” shirts I have (which isn’t a lot), and then a handful of graphic t shirts. You’ll end up with a lot of free shirts, so go easy on that type.
- Pants: Five pairs of jeans (three different shades of blue denim, two black); four pairs of shorts; all the athletic shorts I own, because those are the best for really hot days/lazy days/every day, really.
- Dresses: One nice “interview” dress and three casual for class/church/hanging out. You’ll need more if you plan on rushing a sorority or working in an office with a dress code.
- Pajamas: three sleep shirts (you’ll acquire more, I promise), three pairs of sleep shorts, and two pairs long pajama pants.
- Jackets: a hoodie, a denim jacket, a Patagonia pullover for now. After fall break, I’ll bring a light trench coat, and a heavier cold weather coat.
- Shoes: comfort is key! I’m packing Chaco sandals and Vans for wearing to class, a pair of nicer sandals and heels for when I want to look cute.
- Rain boots and a rain coat are a life saver. I rarely use them at home, but you don’t really have the option to stay out of the rain at school.
- Definitely keep in mind your lifestyle when packing clothes! Bring what you normally wear and are comfortable in.
- Also, plan on leaving clothes to bring back after break. Space is tight, so you don’t want all your winter coats in August if you can help it! Although, keep a couple out of season clothes on hand in case you get an early cold snap, or a freak warm day in February.
study
- Desk lamp
- Notebooks/paper/whatever you need for clas
- Bulletin board/white board
- Wall calendar
- Cups for pens, drawer organizers, etc
- Tape – scotch and duct
- Sticky notes, push pins, etc – typical desk things
storage
- Ikea rolling cart (you know the one)
- Plastic three-drawer organizer
- Tupperware bins
- Two smallish trunks (from TJ Maxx)
- All go under my bed!
cleaning
- Clorox wipes
- Lysol (for when your roommates sick and you have three tests next week and have no time to sneeze)
- Dust pan and broom
- Dish soap + sponge
- Tide pods (so much easier than lugging a huge bottle up the stairs)
- Laundry hamper (small, or else you’ll put off doing laundry until you have zero clothes left)
- Laundry bag/basket
misc.
- Floor lamp (dorm lighting is depressing)
- Rug (cold floors!)
- Pictures and posters
- A futon, fridge, coffee maker, TV – if you and your roommates decide you need them. Split up who brings what!
- Board games and a deck of cards
- Your favorite movies
- Leave the books at home! You won’t have time to read them, and they’ll just end up collecting dust.
- My school allows you to check out things like pots and pans, vacuums, and even movies. Find out if your school does this and you may be able to knock some items off your list!
Of course, everyone is different and every school is different. Definitely do some research on your specific school and building, because what works for me might not be exactly what you need.
