Dorm
Naples resident Katie Burmeister in her freshman dorm room at Florida State University
It’s hard to know what you should pack when heading off to college for the first time, starting from scratch and making sure you have all the essentials for a successful freshman year. With these items by your side, and a few left at the store, you can be confident that you are ready to tackle the year ahead.
Bed
While your dorm will provide you with a bed, make sure you take steps to make it a comfortable space, as it will not only be the place you sleep but also be the place you watch movies and hangout, since your dorm room will be too small for much extra seating. Add a throw blanket so you can easily sit on your bed without getting it dirty!
- Mattress pad (gel foam is the most comfy)
- Comforter
- Duvet cover
- Sheets (x2) Check to see if your bed is a twin XL, because you will need longer sheets
- Pillows (1 or 2)
- Pillow cases (x2 or x4)
- Chair pillow
- Throw blanket
Desk
Your desk will be multifunctional—it is not only the place you study but the place you eat and one of the only surfaces you have to decorate. Make sure you don’t clutter it too much so you are unable to use it, but also add some touches of personality. As an important note, if your dorm bed is on risers, your desk will be the closest surface. If you get a lamp with a built-in plug or USB port, you can use it to plug in your phone or electronics at night while still being able to reach them.
- Lamp (with USB port/charger on the base recommended)
- Highlighters
- Colored pens
- Flash cards
- Printer (only one roommate needs one, so try to plan it out where you bring this big ticket item and they bring another, or vice versa!)
- Desk hutch: the best ones are adjustable to the size of your desk. (Look at Amazon, Target, and Dormify for ideas.)
Food
Your dorm room will not have a dedicated space for cooking or a pantry. Try to come up with space-saving storage techniques to maximize the space you have! I used a basket on a windowsill as the perfect space to store study snacks.
- Microwave (some dorms come with a microwave and some do not allow them at all. Make sure you are compliant with dorm rules before purchasing one.)
- Basket/organizational storage for snacks
- Tupperware
- Cutlery/bowls/plates/cups
- Mini-fridge (some dorms provide one, others have size restrictions)
Closet
Your closet will be tiny, and your drawer space will disappear quicker than you think. Hangers will break more often than you think. Make sure to find storage systems to maximize the space you have to work with!
- Hangers (more than you think you’ll need!)
- Over the door mirror
- Hamper with handles or wheels
- Extra storage bins/drawers (wait to buy these until you see your dorm for the first time—some rooms will be better for under bed drawers, whereas others might lend themselves to baskets on a shelf. Make sure to measure your space twice and buy extra storage once!)
Bathroom
The number one rule of shared bathrooms is to keep the space clean. Make sure you are not the roommate responsible for breaking this rule!
- Toilet bowl cleaner*
- Plunger*
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hand soap*
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes
- Steamer
- Shower wrap/robe
- A set of towels
*not applicable if moving into a communal bathroom style dorm
Decoration
Infuse your room with your personal style! However, if you have a roommate, make sure that you are respectful that it is their space too. Collaborate so your room reflects a style that fits both of you, or make sure you have clearly stated whose side is whose.
- Rugs (recommend 2 bath-mat sized or small rugs instead of one large one for easier cleaning)
- Twinkle lights (will allow you to still see if your roommate wants to sleep, and will also add some warm lights to take away from the fluorescent lights of your dorm)
- Storage cube (can act as seating and storage!)
- Wall art/photos
- Black out curtains (a suspension shower rod makes a good, adjustable curtain rod)
Miscellaneous
These are some necessities that you might overlook!
- Vacuum cleaner (only one roommate needs one, so try to plan it out where you bring this big ticket item and they bring another, or vice versa!)
- Antibacterial wipes
- Air freshener/glade plug ins
- First aid kit
- Ethernet cable (extra long)
- Locker lock
- Command hooks/picture hangers
- Extension cords/surge protector (at least 4)
- Oil diffuser/humidifier
*Did not need*
From things I thought I would want to things I was told I would need, these items would have been better left at the store.
- Locking trunk
- Calendar/cork board/ dry erase board
- Bedside caddy
- Extra seating—there is no room! Use something multifunctional (like storage that can be a seat) instead
The best thing you can do as you move into your new home is to bring the essentials and give yourself time to settle in. As your year goes on, you will figure out exactly what you need to make your room yours!