<p>What gadgets/gizmos or anything else, are just ESSENTIAL for living in a dorm?</p>
<p>I already got the mini-fridge and bed risers on the list, but what else can either maximize space or make living much more comfortable?</p>
<p>I know this is a broad question but give me your opinions.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>3M hooks. Get a lot of them in all sizes.</p>
<p>what's a 3M hook (3rd year, lol.)</p>
<p>Microwave, electric kettle is golden. You can heat water for hot chocolate/tea, ramen, easy mac, all sorts of stuff. Never underestimate your need for a stapler.</p>
<p>a whiteboard of some sort for inside your room or on your door is always good. I would also suggest a functional shower caddy.</p>
<p>
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what's a 3M hook (3rd year, lol.)
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<p>They're the wall hooks that are removeable and don't damage walls. You can use them to hang clothes, hangers, bags, hats, umbrellas, all sorts of things. you can use them to hang white boards or lights.</p>
<p>Also, an over the door shoe orginizer is great because you can put all sorts of things in them, socks, [as a girl] hair products, deodorant, ponytail holders, scarves, really anything.</p>
<p>alcohol. (10 chars)</p>
<p>If you have to leave beds bunked--the upper person really can use one of those caddies that hang off the bed with pockets. You can put your ipod in it, cell phone, book, whatever--buy at bed bath and beyond type places.</p>
<p>I second equine, 3M hooks are AWESOME. My roommate last year had a ton and I'm getting alot for this year too, so I can put stuff up without poking or ripping holes in the wall (thus keeping me fine-free). </p>
<p>Also, microwaves are really nice as are minifridges. (I couldn't live without mine.) Make sure you have a tv and a dvd player, for inviting people over to watch movies. </p>
<p>Computer, duh. I would have a printer with me because it's such a hassle to have to go to a lab to print stuff off and expensive too! (I had to do this for a couple weeks when my printer ran out of black ink though so stock up on ink cartidges too)</p>
<p>As an alternative to the person who suggested the things that hang off the bed with pockets in them, I've got a shelf that I bought in my school's bookstore that hooks to the side of the bed. Having slept in the top bunk for two years in a row, I couldn't live without it.</p>
<p>And headphones are an absolute necessity. Both so that you don't keep your roommate awake and so that you can drown out their music if you don't like it.</p>
<p>ALOTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!! of BEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR AND ALSO A ABUNDANCE OF POTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT, and u should be set for the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Minus the Cannabis...</p>
<p>A roll of duct tape!</p>
<p>My dad gave me a roll of duct tape on my move-in day my freshman year. He told me that it 'fixes everything, even broken hearts'. Yes, sappy...but it always is a great item to have lying around! :)</p>
<p>Duct tape is definitely pretty useful! </p>
<p>Don't bring alcohol into the dorm! The RAs'll probably kick you out if they find it. Just drink it at a friend's house/apt who lives off-campus, that's definitely what I do!</p>
<p>Alcohol in the dorms is definitely okay. Just like microwaves. Hide it.</p>
<p>get a coffee maker and a george forman grill <---great for grilled cheese</p>
<p>ya get a whiteboard and put it on your door so people can swing by and leave notes for you. that is, if all the rooms dont already have whiteboards!</p>
<p>mmmmm grilled cheese</p>
<p>One other thing my son couldn't live without was a fan. Even though dorms airconditioned--he likes air movement and the "white noise" for sleeping. Even in winter, he used fan---maybe even more so as it seemed they could never get their heat down low enough.</p>
<p>I could also see the potential for a p/o'ed roommate with a continually on fan. . . it woulf annoy the heck out of me especially if we had a/c already. . .</p>
<p>Agree- AC = NO FAN.</p>