As the Back To School Rush is approaching, many of us have children returning to school or even going off to college for the first time. It can seem very overwhelming trying to figure out just what is essential and not to be forgotten! I think back on my own dorm room experience fondly, and laugh with my former roommates about our first few days after moving in. Our dorm rooms were set up like mini apartments, and we all figured out quickly that we didn’t know much about cooking, cleaning, or caring for ourselves when we got sick 🙂 Back in those days, computers and internet access was very limited, we weren’t fortunate to have a Walmart Store Locator to help us figure out where the closest store to the University was located! NONE of us were local, nor could we read a map very well, so we spent some time getting to know one another and the local roads while we searched for a store to purchase some necessities!
Fortunately, Walmart has everything you need to put together the 10 Dorm Room Essentials, and at affordable prices! Here are the essentials I think you need, and I’d love for you to share in the comments, what things you think are important!
- Bedding: You will need sheets, pillows, comforters, and throw type pillows to lounge on while studying.
- Shower Kit: Depending on how the bathrooms are set up for your child’s dorm, they will likely need a carry case for their bathroom essentials. Most college dorm bathrooms aren’t large enough to leave things in there, students must carry them back and forth. Don’t forget Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Lotion, Razor, Shaving Cream, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss, Mouthwash.
- Socks and Underwear: There will be a time when they run out of clean undergarments. Buy them more than you think they need to help keep that to a minimum 🙂
- Laundry Kit: Quarters, Laundry Soap, Woolite, Fabric Softener, Bleach. Kids will have to find machines to use if they live to far from home to bring it for you to wash 🙂 It takes A LOT of quarters! I used Woolite to wash delicates in the bathroom sink, and in a pinch it will come in handy! Bleach for sheets, towels, and undergarments that they may be tempted to use one too many times between washings. It’s college, they get busy and forget to do laundry. It happens.
- Sick Kit: Make sure they have plenty of Kleenex! They will likely catch a cold, and need to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure they have plenty of hand washing soap, fever/headache medication, cough syrup, cough drops, vitamins, tummy ailment medication, band aids, neosporin, chapstick, etc. You don’t want them to figure out how “easy” it can be to skip class because of a minor ailment. If they have items on hand, like Kleenex, to help prevent the spread of germs, that can keep it to a minimum. When they do get sick, if they have over the counter medications on hand, hopefully they can catch the issue early and avoid getting really sick.
- Healthy Snacks: Kids will have to learn new schedules, time management, etc. It can be challenging. Stock their dorm room with bottled water and healthy non-perishable snacks. They’ll have something handy when they get hungry and need to keep on studying, it’s less expensive and healthier than running to the snack machine, and if they don’t have to leave their room for a snack, they’re less likely to get sidetracked by social opportunities to distract their studying.
- School Supplies: Make sure they have plenty of folders, pens, pencils, chargers for computer/phone, anything specific to their major or area of study. Buy early when they are on sale for a very low price over the summer to save money.
- Decor: Bring pictures of friends and family from home, favorite books or movies, things that give the comfort of home. Additionally, they won’t want their room to be bare bones like the picture below. Help them decorate. Kleenex has made a concerted effort to design stylish oval boxes to fit with so many different styles!
- Mini-Fridge/Microwave: So they can prepare their own food and store perishables.
- Small Lamp: They may want to study when a roommate is sleeping, or just not want the bright overhead light on all the time. A small desk lamp is very helpful to have on desks and nightstands!
stacey7smith says
you will need your own towels and Wash Rag and Sheets.
Cynthia R says
need a comfortable office chair to study on.
Sara Theissen says
I think a good amount of minutes on your phone is essential to call mom or dad when you are homesick 😉
Carissa Joslyn says
For me, a comfy bed! That’s all I would really care about. long as I could get a good rest it’s alright with me! 🙂
kathy downey says
I think a First Aid Kit and a hot water bottle
Lanie K. says
I think bedding is the most important thing. Without a comfortable bed and good sleep you are doomed!
Robin Wilson says
A safe of some kind came in handy ~ one that has a desk lock cable is best.
Robin Wilson says
Need to make sure that they have plenty of cold and flu medications and that they get their flu and pneumonia shots.
Rebecca Parsons says
Great list and definitely the Microwave and Mini Fridge are the must haves.
Tara Gauthier says
I would think aside from a bed that a desk would be a good thing to have!
Robin Wilson says
Laundry supplies are important ~ a good hamper too.
Cindy Merrill says
Having a Kuereg Coffee machine in the dorm room would save your college or Vocational school student the hassle of buying a cup of coffee in the cafeteria.
Jill Myrick says
To me a microwave and mini fridge are most essential so that food and drinks can be kept and cooked in the room.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Victoria says
Flip flops for the shower and a robe are essentials I wouldn’t want to forget. My room was often cold and I felt like even there the floor was just disgusting
carterfamilyof10 says
Duct tape is something that comes in SO handy that no one ever thinks to pack! You can use it for everything!
Seyma Shabbir says
Def a laptop.. I work at a university and many times the student has work to do and the labs are closed, or the student is sick and does not want to go out. Plus with many courses being online, it is a necessity!
Robin Wilson says
I also think that a really good power surge strip, several actually, for the electronics is a must have!
Robin Wilson says
A mini fridge is very helpful as is a microwave if they don’t have one.
Cynthia R says
A shower caddy to hold all your bathroom supplies is necessary
pumpkinsfan76 says
I think you have included everything needed for life in a dorm. I still think the most important thing is the laptop and the coffeemaker/coffee.
Dawn Keenan says
I think a flashlight is also super thing to have.
Seyma Shabbir says
The laundry kit is def important. I think detergent, softener, etc is important and especially for when you are sick. You need to have enough to wash your bedsheets and clothes. So this way the Sick kit is very important. Great ideas!!
Seyma Shabbir says
Most important essential is a desk to study and a comfortable bed to sleep.
polly says
I think a desk with everything you need for your school/classes…….and a picture of your family!!!
Victoria says
There are so many essentials but for me Clorox wipes and Lysol are at the top because dorms always seem so dirty
Tami Vollenweider says
The Mini Fridge was a big life saver for my Son at college!
carterfamilyof10 says
I honestly remember SNACKS being my most important dorm room essential! lol
Dawn Keenan says
The most important dorm room essential is a super secret stash of cash for emergencies. You just never know when an emergency might arise.
Cynthia R says
I think the most important dorm room essential is a computer/laptop
Robin Wilson says
They need to make sure they have winter accessories for walking the campus.
slehan says
Make sure it’s a pillow that the student already knows is comfortable. And a sit-up-in-bed pillow is nice.
slehan at juno dot com
Brian E. says
Perhaps some gear to secure laptops, petty cash, etc.
MARIA simon says
I THINK HAVING A REFRIGERATOR IS A MUST 🙂
Trisha McKee says
Such a great, thorough list! I think a must for dorm rooms is framed pictures so they have something from home for when they get homesick. It makes the small space more their own.
RICHARD HICKS says
Nice list for dorm essentials. The laundry kit is very essential!
Christina G. says
8/17/14 daily comment: I think the most important dorm room essential is underwear. I shudder to think of a life without clean underwear. Thanks for sharing!
Victoria says
Aside from the super obvious (like a bed, chair, clothes, etc.) I would say some of the most useful items for me were hand sanitizer, a little fridge, flipflops, and a robe and slippers
fmd518 says
Microwave and Mini fridge.
Robin Wilson says
My son’s dorm room would not have been complete without his Bible.
Jody Doncaster says
Great list- I would only add gift cards for fast food places nearby!
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
A comfy place to sleep. If they supply the mattress and is uncomfortable it might be to the students advantage to purchas
one that is
slehan says
The shower kit with flip-flops is so important.
slehan at juno dot com
Christina G. says
8/16/14 daily comment: I think the most important dorm room essential is underwear. I shudder to think of a life without clean underwear. Thanks for sharing!
Robin Wilson says
I got my son a battery operated smoke alarm. I just don’t trust the hard wired ones alone.
thelemondaisy says
I would say the sick kit is really essential. Other things are needful, but when you have a cold you really need to keep it to yourself.
Christina G. says
8/15/14 daily comment: I think the most important dorm room essential is underwear. I shudder to think of a life without clean underwear. Thanks for sharing!
Christina Graham says
I would say a laptop and cute bedding.
victoria lynch says
For me it was my pillow from home. It just reminded me of home so much and made me feel close to those I loved. I also could not have done nothing without my laptop.
Barbara Miller says
The sick kit is such a great idea and not one I would have thought of.
Cynthia R says
Show shoes with a shower caddy to bring in your shampoo and soap is important and essential too.
Cathy French says
teenagers and young adults going to college don’t think about what necessities they really need. A good thing to do is to provide them with a good supply of toilet paper and toiletries so they don’t run out.
Jayne T. says
I think the most essential part is bath products. No one will want to be around you or help you if you smell like you haven’t had a bath in forever.
Cathy French says
I believe a dorm room essential is definitely family pictures in small frames so the student can always feel like family and home is close by even though they are away at college
Kamla L. says
Great list! You cover a lot of the essentials. I would ad an electric coffee maker or kettle and a desk lamp.
mamarandom says
Even though some unis rent linens, I think bringing your own bedding is important. Being able to snuggle down in familiar feeling and smelling covers is comforting when you are away from home.
Cathy French says
I think the student would appreciate the microwave maybe more than anything else so they can have something to eat while studying.
evans s says
Most essential is a shower caddy or bucket to carry your supplies to the bathroom and you must have shower shoes. Everything else are stuff you already use so you would have them with you anyway.
lindamanns says
There are so many things that I feel are important for a dorm room. I really think some family pictures would pick them up a little when they look at them
Robin Wilson says
A couple of things that we forgot the first time were a broom, dustpan and a swiffer mop.
Cathy French says
I think the most important dorm room essential is comfortable bedding. If nothing else, kids need a good nights sleep.
Ashley Smith says
The biggest dorm essential is decor. Its important to feel comfortable in the place you will spend a lot of time away from home!
Beth Hill says
Sending my son off to college, this is my first! I am very nervous but I feel the most important items we have packed for him are the “sick kit” items, kleenex, cough drops, tylenol, nyquil, bandaids, neosporin, etc. Mom wont be there to help with that!
Malissa Manney says
I think an important essential is a mini fridge/microwave (love the one in this pic where you can write on it, very handy) and someone else suggested a “sick kit”. What a fabulous idea, I totally agree. Will definitely be sending my son off next year with one of those.
Janis Gibel says
A quality multiple outlet surge protector to plug all those electronics into. The thought of having to replace a laptop, computer, etc is daunting enough but possible. Papers, research and other college work isn’t so easy to replace if it hasn’t been backed up recently.
Christina G. says
I think the most important dorm room essential is underwear. I shudder to think of a life without clean underwear. Thanks for sharing!
Deb Ford says
The most essential is portable storage that you can take with you when you move to a new dorm room next year
Lanie K. says
I think bedding is the most essential. Without a comfortable bed it is hard to feel relaxed and get the proper sleep you need.
cynthia C says
When my kids went to school we had to get plug adapters for all their electronics. Dorm rooms were built before the electronic age and had few plugs.
Jennifer Boehme says
Essential would be ear plugs or something to plug your ears if you need sleep and someone else doesn’t.
Amanda Alvarado says
Another thing to include in the shower kit is a pair of flip flops that are just for the shower area!
pumpkinsfan76 says
I would have to say a laptop and a coffeemaker would be at the top of my list. Thank you for sharing.
Kelly Blackwell says
One of my must haves back in college was towels, towels and more towels and one of those funny little turban like towels for my hair. My mom even got me a little drying rack so I could hang up a few or quick drying when laundry wasn’t going to be happening and a very comfy absorbent bath robe. It was a life saver.
lindamanns says
I think a comfortable study area with good lighting is very important. I also think a nice cheerful room with colorful decor is great
Sue A. says
Dorm Room Lock Box – Although your room has a lock, there are many times when dorm rooms are left open with many visitors coming and going. And an assigned roommate or his friends are people of unknown character.
Kim Cowgar says
I definitely agree with the shower caddy with a good sturdy handle. When I was in college, almost everyone had a small tv too, although now you can use your laptop if you have one to watch movies and such.
gianna borden says
the most essential dorm room item is definitely storage! cute storage boxes or cabinets are a must!
kelley wood says
Well everyone has good thoughts that I read above. I would have to have the fridge for my tea , this is a must!
rebeka deleon says
I think the most essential item is their laptop so they can get all their work done and a desk, a place to sit.
Cathy French says
I think that you included the Sick Kit is a great idea that probably most people wouldn’t even think of.
sheila ressel says
I think bedding because you need a good night’s sleep to be able to handle the classes.
Amy Hart says
Great list! Don’t forget towels and a sturdy backpack.
Julie G. says
I agree with Holly, a pair of flip flops for the shower is essential. That was something my daughter definitely used.
Anastasia says
I totally agree with the mini fridge and microwave! You need to be able to have some food on hand, especially on some campuses where there isn’t anywhere to go late at night 🙂
Holly Thomas says
I think the most important thing is shower shoes.
Anita E. says
I agree that all the things you listed are important, but thinking about my own college experience, I’d say the shower caddy items would be the most important. I’d advise getting a sturdy but handy carrier, one not too large to take up all the room in the shower. I grew to not be surprised while I was in the shower to hear another girl yell out for someone to loan her shampoo, conditioner, something she either ran out of or forgot to put in the caddy.