Top Ten Tips - Packing For Your First Dorm Room
By Tip Diva | Aug 01, 2008
Categories: Activities, Adult, Appliances, Bathroom, Bed, Bedroom, Behavior, City, Cleaning, College, Computer, Electronics, Etiquette, Food, Moving, Products, Safety, Shopping, Student, Television, Tips, University, Websites
Moving into your first dorm room can be an exciting experience. But what should you bring?
- Talk To Your Future Roommate - Many items can be shared, like television sets, a refrigerator and phone. Call your future roommate and discuss who’s bringing what so there are no duplicates. If you have to purchase big items, make sure to split it up fairly; one person buy the TV, while another buy the mini-fridge, etc. Whatever you do, don’t go splitsies on singular items until you know your roommate well - if one of you has to move out, there could be an argument about what belongs to whom.
- Bring The Basics First - eCampusTours.com has a great list of dorm room basics and what not to forget. Always make sure to bring the minimum until you know how big the room is.
- Check What You’re Not Allowed To Bring - Each college has its own rules and regulations on what you may or may not bring to your door room, especially items with a fire hazard. The rules can vary from dorm to dorm, so make sure you check with the school first. And buy sticky tape instead of thumb tacks to affix posters and pictures on the wall - many schools don’t want you nailing things to the wall.
- Hit Stores Now - Go to stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond now - July and August is the best selection for back-to-school items.
- Purchase An Lockable Trunk Or Safe - You may trust your roommate, but there will possibly be lots of people going in and out of your room. Invest in a lockable steamer trunk or safe where you can store valuables or stash your computer while you’re not in the room.
- Stock Up On Food - Bringing your own food is a must, because you’ll either get sick of your meal plan at some point or find yourself short on cash. Buy foods that are easy to make in a microwave or hot pot; also stash “to-go” type foods like energy bars or 100-calorie snack packs.
- Buy A Hot Pot - If your dorm allows, invest in a hot pot. You can make all sorts of items with it, from tea to boiled eggs.
- Get Flip-Flops - Flip-flops are a must if you share a bathroom. Wear them in the shower or any communal area where people are walking around in bare feet. Athlete’s foot? Plantar warts? Ick!
- Buy Cleaning Supplies - At the very least, make sure you have Lysol wipes to wipe down and disinfect surfaces. Window cleaner, Febreeze, air freshener and fabric stain remover are also helpful.
- Buy Insect Sprays - Lots of messy college students living in one area? Expect bugs like ants and cockroaches (the latter, especially, if you go to a college in a big city). The school has access to exterminators, but they will temporarily do the job until one is called in.
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