<p>I'm a entering freshman at USC and was wondering if there are dorm supplies that freshman should bring but most freshman forget to bring. EX: Flip-flops, power extension cords, cleaning supplies, etc.</p>
<p>This is a pretty broad question as some people are minimalists and some people (in my opinion) have too much stuff. One thing many people fail to consider is that at the end of Spring, you have to pack up all your stuff and move out. I’ve seen ridiculous amounts of stuff get thrown out in perfectly new or mint condition. Yes, you can store your stuff and yes, if you live nearby, it really isn’t a problem but just something to think about. </p>
<p>That being said, some simple things that I’d recommend are an Ethernet cable, a lamp for your desk, shower flip flops, hangars. Most things that you will need are on any of those college dorm checklists that are found at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Container Store among other places. In case you forget anything, there is a CVS across the street and a dollar store in the UV. The USC bookstore has a dorm section, however at premium prices. Until the Target at 7th and Fig opens up, you will need a car to reach Target, Walmart, etc. </p>
<p>[College</a> Checklist - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_checklist.asp]College”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_checklist.asp)
<a href=“http://images.containerstore.com/medialibrary/pdf/tips/CollegeChecklist2012.pdf[/url]”>http://images.containerstore.com/medialibrary/pdf/tips/CollegeChecklist2012.pdf</a></p>
<p>What about binders and notebooks? One for each subject?
Better to rent texts?</p>
<p>Depends on the class and personal preference, some people like to hand write their notes while some like to add to PowerPoint slides using their laptop or just take notes on their laptop.</p>
<p>Also, depends on the textbook, you can usually save the most by buying used and reselling online some people may find that to be too much work. I’d see how much you actually will use the book before you buy it/rent it/etc, you usually won’t need it the first day anyway.</p>
<p>Based on my experience:
Lamp, shower shoes, hangers, mattress pad, binder paper, printer, printer paper, hair dryer, laundry detergent.</p>
<p>Get your notebooks/binders when you get there because chances are you won’t need much. Also, try to coordinate with your roommate what you’re each bringing! My roommates and I shared a hairdryer and printer.</p>
<p>D (current college Jr.) switched to Chegg book rental soph year - saved tons of money and time, and didn’t have the hassle of “reselling”. Just pop rented books back into the box after finals, print the return label and drop off at postal service.</p>
<p>Do you guys think that slippers are necessary for when you’re in your dorm room?? I know that shower slippers are a must but what about inside your dorms and just relaxing in your dorm??</p>
<p>Depends on how clean the carpet is and how clean you keep it haha.</p>
<p>Probably not necessary in your room but most people do have some sort of flip flops or Rainbows.</p>
<p>Does it make sense to have a pair of Wellington boots for winter? Or is that overkill?</p>
<p>Don’t know what Wellington boots are, but D brought and used her Uggs</p>
<p>a “bad” winter day in California is one where it dips below 60 degrees, and drizzling if you’re particularly unlucky. A “terrible” weather day is one where it’s raining (maybe five-fifteen days a year? Depending on the weather patterns—the 2010-2011 winter was apparently ~especially~ bad because of El Nino). That being said, I did buy rain boots, and they are generally useful. You won’t wear them super often, though. I know plenty of people who function just fine on campus without them, I just like having them.</p>
<p>Your dorm should provide you with a power strip. </p>
<p>As much as I enjoy reading for pleasure, I never cracked open a book that wasn’t for school, so I’d leave those behind. A Kindle or Nook or whatever would be fine, since they’re light and don’t take up much space. </p>
<p>I went to the kids’ section of Ikea and got some plastic plates, cups, and cutlery (pretty sure I spent less than $10 on all of it), and that was a good investment I thought, especially for microwave cooking.</p>
<p>@camomof3, “Wellies” are like rubber boots. I thought Uggs wouldn’t work very well in the rain since they are not meant to be waterproof. When I lived in LA many years ago, I do recall the rainy days when it can come down pretty hard. Wellies aren’t very well insulated unless you get a super duper pair, so I thought that might be good for Ca. La Nino winter.</p>
<p>Glad to hear a power strip is provided. I was going to put that on the list. I like the cutlery idea since I’m convinced that my D will end up eating Cheerios and apples once she gets tired of dorm food.</p>
<p>I know people would “borrow” stuff from the dining halls but a) that’s really inconsiderate, and it leads to there being a permanent shortage of forks in the dining halls at peak times and b) I think the stuff from IKEA is so much cuter! I got everything in the Kalas collection ([Children’s</a> Tableware - IKEA](<a href=“Baby & children products - IKEA”>Baby & children products - IKEA)), so spent $8. Granted, this stuff is sized for children, I just like bright colors. But there’s plenty of cheap normal-sized stuff at IKEA and Target.</p>
<p>e.g. [Flatware</a> - Flatware & Serving set - IKEA](<a href=“Flatware & Cutlery - Cutlery Sets - IKEA”>Flatware & Cutlery - Cutlery Sets - IKEA)
[Dinnerware</a> - Plates & Bowls - IKEA](<a href=“Dinnerware - Plates & Dishes for Dining - IKEA”>Dinnerware - Plates & Dishes for Dining - IKEA)
[dinnerware</a>, kitchen & dining, home : Target](<a href=“Tableware : Target”>Tableware : Target)
I got a great set of flatware for 4 at Target for like $5, but I guess they don’t sell those anymore! </p>
<p>It’s nice to have that stuff, even for things from the Campus Center or other places that you take back to your dorm. I try not to use disposable utensils, so having my own helps me make less of an impact on the environment!</p>
<p>I didn’t know they’d give me a powerstrip, so I brought my own—which was quite handy for when I moved out of USC housing! (they ask you to return the powerstrip when you check out). They did that at Parkside A&H at least, I don’t know how other dorms do it, but I’d imagine they’re all pretty similar.</p>
<p>for those with Uggs…I spray mine with waterproofing and wear them all winter long in Seattle - no wet feet. That said, we rarely get the torrential downpour that can occur in LA, it’s more of a regular soggy drizzle that lasts for months.</p>