Your dorm room will be home for the next two semesters, maybe the next 4 years. If you’re not comfortable and if things are not convenient in your “home,” you will not be a happy camper. Of course, after you have acclimated to the dorm and to your campus, it will be easier for you to adapt, add, and alter; but you will want the first few weeks, before your next visit to your real home, to be a good living situation. Here are some ideas for what you should bring with you to campus so that when you arrive in the fall you can survive well till your October or Thanksgiving break. To help make your shopping for back-to-school easier, visit Amazon, the one-stop shop for everything imaginable!

The Basics

Computer, printer, paper, and ink
Surge protector and a three-prong extension cord
Laundry bag/basket and detergent
Backpack
Yes, hangers
A fan – you may need air
Soap, shampoo, and other must have cosmetics
Aspirin, Advil, cough syrup, and other medications you might need
An alarm clock – one that’s reliable
And batteries
Linens, and include a snuggly, warm throw and a comfortable reading pillow (Of course, coordinating with your roommate about colors and décor is helpful in this category.)
Reading lamps, one for your desk and one to clip on your book
Plastic cups/silverware/plates/and napkins – You will not only eat at the cafeteria!
Handi-Tak to hang posters, etc.
Shower caddy
Extra pens and pencils, with a sharpener
Extra ink cartridges
Paper and binders
A credit card – with a very limited credit amount – No more than $1,000
Phone card
List of your doctors’ names and telephone numbers with prescribed medication scripts
One locked suit case for valuables

To Make It Easy

Plastic plants – You can forget to water them and they’ll still look good.
Rolls of quarters for the laundry
A sewing kit
An address book
Under-bed storage
Stamps

Reminders of Home

Pictures of home, your pets, and friends
Your senior yearbook
Special items from your room at home (But, limit this to two or three—unbreakables!)
Cocoa and a stash of your favorite candy

And, Those Creature Comforts

Sound system/Ipod
DVD Player
Collapsible TV chair, oh, and a TV
Refrigerator (mini)
Warm rug for your feet as you rise from bed
Answering machine

Oh, Read the Small Print

Make sure to check with Admissions or in your college handbook or with Residential Life to find out what you CAN NOT have in your dorm. That will vary from pets to space heaters. No reason to fill up your car with things you’ll have to ship home anyway.

Tip: You might want to check out Amazon for all the items that you will need to make your dorm room feel like home.