As an incoming freshman, I am curious what are unconventional things prove useful in a dorm living situation that only experience led you to discover?
It’s been a while but off the top of my head: an umbrella, zip lock bags, some sort of sandal for shared showers, basic tools.
Go on Pinterest and search college dorm packing list, it has a lot of the basic stuff you need (and probably will forget lol). For me my essentials were shower shoes, a small portable fan, and a GOOD mattress topper. I got a Tempurpedic and it was the best investment I made. It was like $79 on sale so not that bad. Also bring two pairs of sheets, chances are you’ll spill something on the first and get too lazy to wash them right away lol.
my son says an electric tea kettle!
^^ Just make sure they allow it. Colleges have different policies on electrical appliances. My first university would only let you bring a Keurig, no other type of coffee or tea kettle. My second one wouldn’t let you have either.
3M Command hooks and caddies are what my DD has found very useful! These can be removed without damaging paint. There is a wide assortment of products. Go on 3M website to get an idea of what is out there. Home Depot has a good section devoted to them. At the end of the year, remove them following instructions, and reuse them next year with replacement adhesive strips.
It is oh so very tempting to buy so many dorm things! But dorm rooms are small…take that into account.
Command hooks i totally agree with! But before you buy a fold up chair, for example, see if you find a need and you can always order one via amazon.
I’d definitely recommend some old-fashioned milk cartons. They can be used to carry things when moving in or out, but since they are basically 12x12x12 cubes, they also can be stacked in various ways either on a desk or on the floor to create more shelving space, perfect for big textbooks, folders, or binders.