<p>Do any of you current students or incoming students have any tips or tricks to use when living in a residence hall?
Looking online I found that something like a "wonder hanger" might be helpful (<a href="https://www.wonderhanger.com/ver4/index.asp%5B/url%5D">https://www.wonderhanger.com/ver4/index.asp</a>).
What other things are good to have in a dorm or make life easier away at college?</p>
<p>-I know dorm students will want some type of plastic “tote” to carry shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc. back and forth from room to bathroom. </p>
<p>-Make sure your sheets are twin XL. Don’t wait too far along into summer to get them.</p>
<p>-Check out Bed, Bath & Beyond website. They have a “College” tab that has a check list…</p>
<p>(You may not be getting much help, as AP tests are in full swing and USC is having finals…)</p>
<p>Plastic stacking drawers that you find at Target, for storing all the accumulated papers, items etc, as well as for extra clothing. (fits into closet and under the bed)</p>
<p>Plastic filing cabinet and files.</p>
<p>Footstool (especially if you are short) to get up onto the bed.</p>
<p>Foam (eggcrate or otherwise) mattress pad.</p>
<p>First aid kit.</p>
<p>are the beds raised up high?</p>
<p>You can choose the height of your bed, so it can be high, but it doesn’t need to be. I personally liked mine at the medium height, worked well as a couch too.</p>
<p>But if you’re in a dorm (versus Parkside), you will definitely want shower shoes.</p>
<p>A fan.</p>
<p>Laundry basket/bag.</p>
<p>over the door hooks for hanging up your wet towels, a touch light for the bed</p>
<p>My d was in Birnkrant and Art&Humanites and in both instances the over the door hooks did not fit on the doors</p>
<p>What if I already bought sheets that are Twin sized? 
But no XL? Is there hope that they’ll fit?</p>
<p>^ are you requesting a “chance-me” ? :D</p>
<p>Haha, I sound exactly like a chance-me poster, don’t I? 
Yes, I do need to know the chances of my sheets fitting :(</p>
<p>I suggest a foam mattress pad to soften the bed up. Shower shoes are a must in most dorms, you can get away with it in suite style but I wore them anyway.</p>
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<p>I guess its workable but I’m pretty sure they won’t fit over the ends of the mattresses. It was hard enough putting my XL on after I would wash them.</p>
<p>You’ll definitely need Twin XL for the bottom, fitted sheet. Regular twin sheets and comforters work fine for the top.</p>
<p>Last year I read about getting a suction cup type of hook for hanging towels and such. It took a layer off the wall the first time a towel was hung on it! I think PAHRC may have ultra-sensitive (or poorly finished) walls, but I urge you to resist this supposedly helpful item.</p>
<p>I recommend a Brita water filter pitcher for your fridge. </p>
<p>Instead of a cork board or other heavy bulletin board, foam core board from Target makes a nice place to tack things up, and weighs almost nothing. Good for those delicate walls.</p>
<p>Ah, sigh. I guess I’ll buy a XL fitted sheet and try to keep my comforter, then. I like my matched set :)</p>
<p>do the residence dorms like birnkrant have microwaves/fridges already in them or do i have to buy one?</p>
<p>microwaves and little fridges come with freshman dorm rooms - If you go to [Housing</a> Options](<a href=“http://housing.usc.edu/Default.aspx]Housing”>http://housing.usc.edu/Default.aspx)</p>
<p>you can do virtual tours of the different rooms and actually see them in the rooms.</p>
<p>Question: If over the door towel hangers don’t fit the doors, and the suction type ones pull the plaster off the walls…What do students in dorms do with their wet towels once they return to the room from the showers?</p>
<p>Many rooms already have towel hangers on the back of the doors. Also, you could hang them in the closet.</p>