<p>We're just starting to think about accumulating things to take to school for my son. There must be things that we would never thing of that are out there that work well in a college dorm. What cool / useful / innovative item did you bring to college that made a difference?</p>
<p>Mattress cover, shower shoes, radio. My college suggested that people bring message boards for their doors, although that's definitely not a necesity.</p>
<p>a sense of humor!</p>
<p>a few surge protector strips with long cords for multiple plugs ins--sometimes there are very few electrical outlets or they may be inconveniently located. Extension cords are also good to have if the school allows them.</p>
<p>Definately bring a mattress cover! OMG BRING IT! I brought a flashlight, which I never thought I would have to use. But I have. Quit often. Power will go out in dorms during lightening strikes, routine matinence, etc. and my flashlight has proven very helpful. Plus that why you can look for stuff in the middle of the night with out waking up your roomie.</p>
<p>Oh and dont forget to bring an umbrella. alot of people forget that. </p>
<p>a personal lighted magnifying mirror. Especially if you are a girl, so you can actually pluck your eyebrows and see what you are doing.</p>
<p>Febreeze and room deodorizers.</p>
<p>My dad got me a small lock box and drilled a hole in it, added a steel cord thing so i could attack it to furniture. that really came in handy. i put extra money, my jewelry, ipod, and check book in there so they would not get stolen. </p>
<p>lysol disinfecting wipes. those really come in handy</p>
<p>my dad also got a wooden bar, drilled holes on either end and attached rope. I tied this to my closet bar, so i had a double hanging closet. That added alot of space</p>
<p>Duct Tape!</p>
<p>those cute little things by 3m that let you hang crap</p>
<p>hang anything and everything</p>
<p>condoms and birth control...</p>
<p>Well, besides that, cleaning tools such as a mop and whatnot are always useful and overlooked!</p>
<p>condoms indeed</p>
<p>oh... and dont forget the toga and beer dispensing helmet</p>
<p>bring a lockbox and put it next to the shrine of your ancestors to make sure it's safe</p>
<p>but you are just getting a regular desk</p>
<p>Anything that will give you more space/let you use your space better is super helpful. Bed lifts, which raise your bed like six inches, can give you space to put boxes or your refrigerator or whatever under your bed. Or if you don't have too much stuff to hang up, you can get hanging shelves for shoes/clothes that go in your closet.</p>
<p>People have nailed down the most common. I would add to the list: a good backpack, preferably a light hiking backpack. You may have a good place to sleep, but your not going to get good sleep with a back ache because of the cruddy backpack that sagged on you in high school.</p>
<p>are messenger bags a good investment?</p>
<p>I second the umbrella. I highly recommend the auto up/down umbrellas. They cost a bit more, but keep you from getting drenched while you try and get down your umbrealla.</p>
<p>A nerf shootgun is a good stress reliever.</p>
<p>So is a regular shotgun.</p>
<p>Ahahahahahahha</p>
<p>lol - I'm not sure why, but the above post startled a laugh outta me.</p>
<p>I just bought some multivitamins to help ward against colds/flus. I hope they work.</p>
<p>EDIT: By above post, I meant #16</p>
<p>im not a college person..but go to costco and BUY one of those big things of pretzels they come in these resealable containers my sister got one for college and hers lasted months...they come in other things like Chex mix and cheetos but i dont think the cheetos will last as long..</p>
<p>Mini-fridge.</p>