1. UNDER-BED STORAGE (my bed is on the floor)
Dorm rooms are notoriously tiny. Under-bed storage is great for saving space and getting some of your clutter out of sight for when friends come to visit! Look for cute cloth or woven options instead of the plastic ones, for a prettier effect.
2.SHOWER CADDY (checked)
How's a girl going to transport her toiletries from dorm room to bathroom? Invest in a handy shower caddy big enough to hold everything you need to maintain that squeaky-clean image.
3.SKYPE ACCOUNT (checked)
Your friends from high school may be at colleges all over the country, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until the holidays to see them. Talk to all of your friends at the same time on a group video call. With Skype Premium ($8.99 per month), you can video chat with your whole family, sing your little sister happy birthday, and have major gossip sessions with your high school friends.
4. SPILL-PROOF TRAVEL MUG (hunting for one)
There's nothing like a hot drink during an early morning class or a mid-afternoon caffeine pick-me-up, and a spill-proof travel mug is the best way to transport your favorite drink. Not only are these beverage containers usually permissible in libraries, but coffee shops often will give you a discount for using your own mug (not to mention the kudos you get for doing your part to help the environment).
5.FLIP-FLOPS (checked)
Whether you're going to school on the beach or in the Alaskan tundra, flip-flops for the great indoors are a must-have for any dorm dweller. Chances are you're going to be running down the hallways for late night chat sessions, and flip-flops are a great alternative to going barefoot. They also come in handy if you're skeeved out by the communal shower
6. MINI READING LIGHT (i don't think i need it)
A lot of college homework will entail reading, so you may want to invest in a mini reading light that can attach to your book or bed. This gives you the option to stay up late without flooding the room with the overhead light. Plus, your roommate will love you for it.
7.EGG CRATE MATTRESS PAD (looking for one)
While we're talking about sleep, make your new dorm bed as comfy as home by bringing along an egg crate mattress pad. This extra bit of cushion will ensure you hours of quality sleep. Just be sure you have an alarm clock handy; you may not want to get out of bed!
8. A ROKU (INSTEAD OF CABLE) (err?)
Even in college you'll want to watch TV sometimes! The Roku streaming player lets you watch your favorite movies from Netflix and TV shows from Hulu Plus right on your TV for only $7.99 a month each. It ends up being cheaper than the crazy price of dorm room cable, plus you get more of the stuff you want to watch!
9. BATHROBE (do i need it?)
Most dorm rooms don't afford you the luxury of a private bathroom, so you might want to invest in a stylish, comfy bathrobe for those hallway treks to the shower.
Soft and Cuddly Ultra Plus Robe, $20, bedbathandbeyond.com10. MINI-FRIDGE (checked: got a big one)
11. TUPPERWARE (got a lot)
Speaking of food, you may want to raid your mom's party stash because Tupperware is a must-have for any dorm dweller. Bring them to the cafeteria and stock up on leftovers, or just use them as surrogate dishes when you're in need of a bowl for your cereal.
12. IPAD 2 (my country not popular with this)
Yes, it’s a splurge. But if you can put all of your reading packets and PDFs on here (and get a lot of required reading for English classes for free in the free books app), it’ll make it a lot easier to get your reading done for class. Plus, you can take notes in class and entertain yourself with games and videos when you’re laying around in the courtyard, without ever making your bag too heavy!
13. POP-UP LAUNDRY HAMPER (i got big pail for this)
This will seriously become your best friend when lugging weeks' worth of laundry to the dorm facilities. The cool thing about this little gizmo is that it's lightweight, folds up conveniently to save space, and comes in an array of cool colors.
14. BULK SNACKS (checked: my favourite)
It’s always a good idea to have some snacks in your dorm room for those late night study sessions. Load up at Costco so you’ll never run out (and save some cash in the process). Look for foods like Top Ramen and Easy Mac that are yummy, filling, and also easy to cook in those less-than-gourmet dorm microwaves.
15. EXTENSION CORDS/ POWER STRIPS (checked)
Between your computer, printer, alarm clock, cell phone charger, and lamps (not to mention hairdryers and curling irons), there are a lot of electronics plugged into a dorm room. To make sure you're all powered up and able to use your items wherever you choose bring along a couple of extension cords and a power strip.
16. MINI TOOL KIT ( ): )
And while you're at the hardware store pick up a portable tool kit with the basic screws, nails, and a hammer. This will come in handy for hanging stuff on the walls or fixing minor problems around your room.
17. IRON AND MINI IRONING BOARD (aww)
Gone are the days of using your parents' supply of household gadgets, so to ensure a wrinkle-free wardrobe invest in an iron and mini ironing board — they'll store easily under the bed.
