With the start of the fall semester less than one month away, it’s time to start thinking about what to bring for your residence hall room (if you haven’t been already)!
It’s super easy to overpack—trust me, I do it every year—but there’s always things I later wish I had thought to bring. Here’s my list of some items you may want to consider packing.
If you need more tips, check out University Housing’s full list of things to bring and NOT to bring.
Garbage can: I didn’t even think of a garbage can when I started making my dorm shopping list. Even if you coordinate with your roommate and share one, I would highly recommend having one in the room. No one wants piles of food wrappers, papers, or who knows what else laying around. Save yourself the mess! You can even buy them at a dollar store.
Robe: This might be more of a girl thing, but I always felt a little weird walking down the hall from the bathroom in my towel. There’s not much room to bring your clothes with you, so if you at least have a robe you won’t be traipsing half-naked down the hallway.
Shower shoes: Seriously people, go buy a cheap pair of sandals or flip-flops and use them when you go to the bathroom or to shower. Community bathrooms are without a doubt gross, and wet showers combined with many different people are the perfect breeding ground to pick up something nasty (think Athlete’s foot). I just kept a pair of flip flops by my door that I used when I needed to go to the bathroom or to shower.
Small tool kit: I highly recommend getting a small tool kit or at the very least a screwdriver. You never know when you’ll need to use a hammer or screwdriver so having one on-hand saves you when you need it.
Rain boots: These were something I never even considered investing in. Again, probably a girl thing, but rain boots are literally lifesavers on rainy days. There’s nothing I hate more than wet, soggy socks, but a pair of rain boots will keep your feet nice and dry.
These are just some of the items I learned later on that would come in handy while away at school. You never know what’s going to happen so it’s best to be as prepared as can be. Chat with your roommate and come up with some things to share so you’ll be ready when something does happen! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!
#BirdofMouth blogger Cassidy Obis is a senior public relations major at Illinois State. Read more posts from Cassidy.
