Student Blog: The Do's And Don'ts Of Dorm Supplies

When you’re an incoming college freshman, it can be very overwhelming. One of the most concerning aspects for these students is their dorm rooms. More specifically, what to bring to their dorm rooms. I was also struggling with this last year, as the thought of packing left me feeling very stressed. To combat this, I have decided to create a list of items that are and aren’t needed for a typical two-person dorm. Bear in mind that this is based on my personal experience, meaning that what worked for me as a UConn freshman may not work for students in different dorms or at different colleges altogether. 

First, let’s begin with some non-negotiable must-haves. In my dorm, I found it essential to have certain items because without them, life would be much harder. The first of these items is a storage ottoman. It provided extra room for items, didn’t take up much space, and also was a great step stool for my lofted bed. Next, I would strongly recommend bringing an extra long phone charger. There weren’t many outlets in my dorm, so having an extra long charger made it easy to charge my phone at night from the convenience of my bed. I would also strongly suggest bringing an air purifier. Sickness is inevitable in college, but I found that the purifier prevented me from severe illness.

Now, let’s discuss what isn’t needed. Again, this is based on my personal experience, but I found some items to be unnecessary since they were never used. I found no use for a Brita pitcher since I had a water filtration system in my building’s communal kitchen. If your dorm doesn’t, then this may be a worthy investment, but I would wait until you move in to see if it’s necessary. I also do not recommend using a mesh shower caddy: use a plastic one instead. Mesh has a higher chance of getting moldy and gross, whereas a plastic one will dry properly. The one I used from freshman year is still in great condition because it’s plastic. Finally, I do not recommend bringing a TV. It may seem appealing to bring one, but it won’t get used. When I had my friends over and we wanted to watch a movie, we would always use our computers. A TV takes up a lot of space, so avoid the hassle and use a laptop. 

Overall, I hope that this advice is helpful. Just remember that dorms are very small spaces, so it’s important to pack wisely. If you’re struggling, try making a list of what you use daily. I made a list last year and it definitely helped me stay more organized. If you’re moving into a dorm this year, I wish you the best of luck!