Essentials for Freshman Dorms

[josefmayor 8]

I'm moving into my dorm in August and I would like to know some stuff I should bring to keep my sanity and help me pass my classes!

So If you would (Older members) Post your to bring list if you had to do freshman year of college all over again!

[Easy Bakes 253]

Get an apatment or rent a house.

Much cheaper in the long run.

[Meg 368]

Earplugs could be useful.

A lot depends on the availability of food.  How close is the nearest dining hall and what are it's hours?  You will need to either eat only when the food is available or figure out how to feed yourself at other times.   This doesn't have to be difficult; it's possible that a microwave for your midnight popcorn snack is all you need in terms of supplementing food.  or not, depending on the arrangements.  Your dorm might not allow food.

[LivingInThePast 364]

2-Ply toilet paper.

[Zelgadis 638]

A little fridge is essential.

A large TV isn't necessary. Whatever it takes to get your programs and video games.

Personally, I felt a microwave wasn't necessary as my dorm had one. It was easy enough to just use that.

A mattress cover is essential to go under your sheets. I don't even like to think about what kinds of things are on those old college dorm mattresses...

ISF

[Duke87 1,070]

Well, a lot depends on whether you plan on being in the dorm a lot or out and about. If you have a portable game system (GBA, DS, PSP, etc.), you should definitely bring it. If you know you're going to have a TV and there's a non-portable console you can take, that probably isn't a bad idea, either.

As for food... some people like the dining hall food more than others. I myself have always been able to do two meals a day there (never Lunch and Dinner on the same day), so food wasn't/isn't too much of an issue.

Also, where you're going to college makes a big difference, too. I'm walking distance from Stop & Shop, Staples, Burger King, McDonalds (2 of them), and Target; and a subway ride away from anywhere else in New York City. But if your campus is in a more remote location, you may not be able to just go out to the store whenever you want.

The third important factor is how far away from home you're going. I'm only 45 minutes from hoime by car, so I can go home for the weekend whenever there's a reason to. But if you're going halfway across the country, that won't be feasible. Either way, a trip to Costco/BJ's before you head off isn't a bad idea so you can stock up on snacks.

...We'd be able to help you more if we knew where you were going and what kinds of things are or aren't allowed in the dorms there...

[MrCinatit 30]

The first thing I had to go out and buy after moving into my dorm was a can opener - an amazingly essential item that seems to be the last I remember.

Then I got hangers.

I also made sure I bought some of my own music and own movies along. College life could be rough, and having some forms of entertainment are very helpful.

Food-wise, and endless supply of Ramen Noddles - cheap, somewhat filling, and at the time, they tasted good.

[josefmayor 8]

So sounds like I don't need much my college is in Downtown Tampa, so there's restaurants EVERYWHERE and a supermarket 2 blocks south of the campus, so I really just need appliances, in my information sheet it did tell me to bring a microwave. I think they all have tvs in the dorms cuz it said that cable was already wired and you got a basic package.

Keep in mind I'm going to a school where the tution is $22,000 a year.

[DanWalker8 3]

get some flip flop shoes for the shower, lord knows what people do in there... and its best not to stand in it.

Buy a ton of socks and whatever underwear is your fancy, those are the only two things you really need to have clean day-to-day.

A good pair of headphones. Are you going to UT?

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: DanWalker8 get some flip flop shoes for the shower, lord knows what people do in there... and its best not to stand in it. quote>

You know, I've personally never understood why people insist on wearing flip-flops in the showers... I've never done it, but I'm entirely alone on that.. everyone else thinks it's absolutely disgusting.

As for "lord knows what people do in there", sexual emissions aren't a permanent stain on things. They get washed down the drain with the rest of the dirty water, so I fail to see why it's an issue, or why wearing flip-flops would make it less of one.

The reason I've often been given is athletes foot and toe fungus. And yes, it is absolutely possible to catch something like that by going barefoot in a public shower. But the chances of it are slim to none, so it's not something to go crazy worrying about. And you know what? A little toe fungus won't kill you, and is easily curable. So it's no big deal even if lightning strikes and you pick something up.

It's one of those things that it actually rather annoys me that people do just because they've perceived there's some sort of minor hygienic risk... like covering a toilet seat with TP before you sit on it. It's absolutely unnecessary. It's not like the seat is going to bite you.

And I personally believe there is such a thing as living too clean. Because a little exposure to germs is good for keeping the immune system in shape.

[___idiotbox 0]

Well, I highly suggest wearing flip-flops. My older brother is 24 and during his first year of college he lived in a dorm and he used the showers without wearing sandals. About 4 warts developed on his foot. Well actually, they are the type of warts that are inside the skin and in order to get rid of them the doctor must dig (not freeze)them out. Anyway, he still has them. All the dirt that is in the shower went into an open pore and never came out.

So I suggest it.

-Ellie

[coolotter88 2]

omg, I got those once and it was a huge PITA to get them out.

[hamsterTK 93]

Well Ive always been told to wear flip flops too. Even at public showers at places like campgrounds I wear flip flops

[josefmayor 8]

Originally posted by: DanWalker8 get some flip flop shoes for the shower, lord knows what people do in there... and its best not to stand in it.

Buy a ton of socks and whatever underwear is your fancy, those are the only two things you really need to have clean day-to-day.

A good pair of headphones. Are you going to UT?quote>

Yeah University of TAMPA!!!!

Go Spartans!

[GingerBlokey 30]

Im only 16 but I can certainly reccomend getting a good set of kitchen utensils. When my mum becomes ill I have to live by myself for weeks so I get used to shopping and cooking, cleaning etc for myself. If youve got a good set of kitchen gear it makes everything easier, and cheaper in the long run. Buying one high-quality kettle is much better than buy four or five more expensive ones. Id also reccomend buying a good quality cookbook (Delia Smith, Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley Wittenstal are good) so that you can get a good diet and nutritious meals which will help you study.

Also all this talk about flip-flops - Id reccomend Crocs I own a pair and they are comfortable and practical. Also quite fashionable in the UK.

[confused04 14]

I'll see what wisdom I can give as this is my fourth year of living in a dorm.

I agree, a set of kitchen supplies for two to four people is very handy for take out... snacking... homemade meals. At the very least, having a larger set of dishes allows you to go longer periods of time without doing dishes (within reason of course ). Cups are definately a must and buying a good 5-10 will be quite necessary.

Tissues will come in handy for when the flu invades...

Some kinda plastic organizer bin. Just to keep your crap contained.

Laundry detergent, two sets of bed sheets (at least), dirty clothes hamper, trash cans and other necessities just for getting by.

I presume you have a computer and possibly a stereo. When the dorm parties get started, having a little music going is nice. Don't forget to bring headphones for those room mates and pesky neighbors that don't like your music or at least not at a specific time of night .

To spice up your room, brining a bit of personal decoration such as posters, pictures, trinkets, souvenirs and what not can turn the average white washed room into something a bit like home.

Books are good thing to fill some of your shelves... makes you look smarter at the very least.

Ummm... thats about all I can think of. Good luck

[mayormommy 8]

Many moons ago when I was in college, the item that most people were jealous of that someone thought to bring for their room was a folding beach lounge chair - the kind that sits low to the ground. Much more comfy than watching tv from your bed or desk chair.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: ___idiotbox Well, I highly suggest wearing flip-flops. My older brother is 24 and during his first year of college he lived in a dorm and he used the showers without wearing sandals. About 4 warts developed on his foot. Well actually, they are the type of warts that are inside the skin and in order to get rid of them the doctor must dig (not freeze)them out. Anyway, he still has them. All the dirt that is in the shower went into an open pore and never came out.

So I suggest it. quote>

Care to offer proof that those two things are related? They may very well not be. That's just speculation.

And frankly, I don't see how you'd pick up any reasonable amount of dirt in the shower, it getting washed away and all. The place you'd pick up dirt is walking down the hall from the bathroom back to your room.... and I've been taking my shoes off inside since I can remember. The bottoms of my feet aren't the cleanest things in the world, but I've never developed any warts.

....besides, it's pimples that dirt in pores causes, not warts.

[wolverine 12]

If your dorm does not have a sink in the room, be sure not to buy to many snack foods that are messy and require washing of dishes. I always hated having to wash my dishes in the community bathrooms. I was on a meal plan, but I would still prepare a late night snack of easy mac once and awhile. The bowl would sit there for days. Sometimes I would hide them in the closet so my friends wouldn't see that I was leaving dirty dishes everywhere. Fortunately it didn't smell. This was a few years ago, I know better now to wash dishes right after I use them.

I would seriously ignore the comments about moving into an apartment because its cheaper. That's not always true depending on where you live. Besides, this is the moment for you to meet new people. Why be anti-social by living alone?

[Eastwinn 6]

Well, I'm no where near that time, but I have heard from tons of people that the 3 most important things are:

1. Bread

2. Peanut butter

3. Jelly/Jam

[The_Family_Guy 2]

TV, Computer, Food, Friends, Super Smash Bros., set for life.

[Duke87 1,070]

Well, there are plenty of snack foods that don't require getting dishes/bowls dirty.

Cheerios- Eat in fistfulls out of the box

Pretzels- Eat right out of the bag

...the same goes for Cheez-Its, potato chips, crackers, etc.

My flatware sees minimal abuse. The dish just for pancakes and leftover pasta, the knife just for the pancakes, the fork for the pancakes and pasta, and the spoon for ice cream (no bowl, I eat it straight out of the container)

And I don't ever get any cups/glasses dirty either. Soda and other beverages get drunk straight out of the can/bottle.

...my sister says it's disgusting that I drink Nesquik straight out of the bottle, even though no one else ever touches it. Me, I just don't see the point in getting a glass dirty unnecessarily. It's a habit I developed at the dorms out of laziness that came home with me.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: wolverine 

I would seriously ignore the comments about moving into an apartment because its cheaper. That's not always true depending on where you live. Besides, this is the moment for you to meet new people. Why be anti-social by living alone?quote>

 

Well you may be right about it not being cheaper to live off campus depending

on  were you go( Ann Arbour MI is probably one of those thats more expensive). But who said you had to live alone? 

I shared a small 3 bedroom house with 2 friends.  A least for me it was way better then the dorm, my own room, able to cook what ever you wanted( with a real kitchen), room to store more food then a few snack items,  room to move around not shareing a bathroom/showers with   20+ peoples. Theres a LOT to be said for haveing some privacy away from others.

Seriously look into off campus houseing if you have some friends going to the same school.

Especialy if your paying for it your self /geting loans or what ever.