100 Essentials for Dorm Life

Photo by Marcus Loke on Unsplash

The first year of college is an exciting and transformative time, especially for female students moving into dorms. Living in a dorm offers a unique experience of independence and camaraderie, but it also requires careful planning and organization. To help you make the most of your dorm life, we've compiled a comprehensive list of 100 essentials every female college student should consider for their first year in the dorms and included an emoji key:

🛏️ = Absolute must purchase and bring

👥 = Collaborate with roommate on who is bringing this item

🗓️ = You can probably leave it and bring it in another trip

🚫 = Don’t bring it isn’t not your kind of thing.

🏛️ = It might be in your dorm already, but double-check with your university

---

Bedroom Essentials:

1. Twin XL Bedding Set 🛏️

2. Comfortable Mattress Topper 🛏️

3. Cozy Blankets and Throws 🛏️

4. Soft Pillows and Pillowcases 🛏️

5. Bedside Organizer 🛏️

6. Room Divider or Privacy Screen 🏛️

7. Curtains or Blackout Shades 🏛️

8. Desk Lamp 🛏️

9. Desk Chair Cushion 🛏️

10. Under-Bed Storage Containers 🗓️

Study Supplies:

1. Laptop 🛏️

2. Printer 🏛️🚫 👥

3. Printer Paper and Ink Cartridges 🚫 👥

4. Notebooks and Binders 🛏️

5. Highlighters and Pens 🛏️

6. Sticky Notes and Page Flags 🛏️

7. Post-it Board or Corkboard 🏛️🚫

8. Whiteboard and Markers 🏛️🚫

9. Wall Calendar or Planner 🚫

10. Scissors and Tape/Stapler 🛏️

Organization and Storage:

1. Space-Saving Hangers Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer 🛏️

2. Hanging Closet Organizer 🗓️

3. Plastic Storage Bins 🛏️

4. Drawer Organizers 🛏️

5. Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer 🗓️

6. Storage Ottoman or Bench 🗓️

7. Collapsible Laundry Hamper 🛏️

8. Makeup Organizer 🗓️

9. Closet Dividers 🗓️

10. Storage Caddy for Shower Essentials 🛏️

Cleaning and Laundry:

1. Cleaning Supplies (all-purpose cleaner, wipes, etc.) 🛏️

2. Quarters for Laundry Day ($10 rolls) 🗓️

3. Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener 🛏️

4. Stain Remover 🛏️

5. Lint Roller 🛏️

6. Mini Vacuum or Handheld Sweeper 👥

7. Dustpan and Broom 👥

8. Trash Bags and Recycling Bins

9. Air Freshener (some universities won’t allow candles)

10. Handheld clothing steamer (some universities won’t allow irons/ironing boards) 👥

Kitchen Essentials:

1. Mini Fridge 👥

2. Microwave 👥

3. Electric Kettle 👥🚫

4. Coffee Maker 👥🚫

5. Toaster or Toaster Oven 🏛️🚫 (most common areas have range/oven, but a toaster oven will allow you to make cookies without the whole floor knowing you made cookies…you know)

6. Basic Cookware (pot, pan, spatula, etc.) 👥

7. Plates, Bowls, and Utensils 👥

8. Cups and Mugs 🛏️

9. Food Storage Containers 👥

10. Can Opener and Wine/Beer Opener 👥

Bathroom Supplies:

1. Your go-to makeup, Soaps, and Moisturizers 🛏️

2. Shower Shoes or Flip Flops 🛏️

3. Towels and Washcloths 🛏️

4. Robe or Bathrobe 🛏️

5. Tissues and Feminine Hygiene Products🛏️

6. Toilet Paper 🏛️

7. Hair Dryer 🚫

8. Hair Straightener or Curling Iron 🚫

9. Shower Curtain and Rings 🏛️

10. First Aid Kit 🛏️

Tech and Entertainment:

1. Headphones (recommending noise cancelling) or Earbuds 🛏️

2. Portable Bluetooth Speaker 🚫

3. Charging Station or Surge Protector 🛏️

4. Extension Cords and Power Strips 🛏️

5. TV 👥 or Streaming Device 🚫 (universities may provide basic cable) 🏛️

6. Laptop/Phone Cooling Pad 🛏️

7. HDMI Cable 🏛️

8. Video Game Console or Gaming Accessories 🚫

9. E-reader or Tablet 🚫

10. Board Games and Card Games 👥🚫

Health and Wellness:

1. Basic First-Aid Supplies (to put in that first aid kit - like bandaids, Tylenol, cough drops, etc)👥🛏️

2. Thermometer 🛏️

3. Prescription Medications or 21+ Medications (cough syrup in some states need you to be 21 or older)🛏️

4. Daily Vitamins and Supplements 🚫

5. Deodorant 🛏️

6. Face Masks and Skincare Products 🚫

7. Water Filter Pitcher 🛏️

8. Exercise Equipment (yoga mat, resistance bands, etc.) 🚫

9. Workout Clothes and Sneakers 🚫

10. Reusable Water Bottle 🛏️

Decor and Personalization:

1. Picture Frames and Posters 🗓️

2. Wall Decals or Removable Wallpaper 👥

3. String Lights or Fairy Lights 🗓️

4. Throw Pillows and Cushions 🗓️

5. Rugs or Area Carpets 👥

6. Decorative Storage Boxes or Baskets 🗓️

7. Inspirational Quotes or Wall Art 🗓️

8. Succulents or Low-Maintenance Plants 🗓️🚫

9. Mirror 👥

10. Cozy Throw Blanket 🗓️🚫

Safety and Security:

1. Personal Safe or Lockbox 🛏️🗓️

2. Door Stopper or Door Jammer 🏛️

3. Portable Door Lock 🗓️🚫

4. Fire Extinguisher 🏛️🗓️ (probably in the kitchenette area)

5. Emergency Flashlight 🛏️🗓️

6. Personal Alarm 🛏️

7. Emergency Contact List 🛏️

8. Carbon Monoxide Detector 🏛️

9. Smoke Detector 🏛️

10. Travel Locks for Luggage and Bags 🛏️🗓️

---

So there you go — 100 items. First thing first, we would recommend that you reach out to your roommate and see what you all need and what can you collaboratively bring. It’s also a good time to set up boundaries or rules about those items, such as if I bring in pot and pans, you are free to cook with them so long as I don’t have to wash the pans out. Those types of conversations can prevent roommate fights down the road.

Second, once you have your shopping list, I would see if there is a store nearby that can do pick-ups to save some room in your car (or have to do a caravan with you and your folks) to bring in all your things into the dorm. Amazon has a lot of pick-up stations on campus, and Target/Walmart always seems to be close by to all the campuses that we have visited.

Third, on move-in days there are always helpers — look for them and get their assistance. Next thing you know you will be kicking your parents out of the room so you can unpack, rearrange, and decompress before the big day!