Packing for the big move can get overwhelming. A lot of the time you end up worrying about the main things to bring and the essentials you’ll need while living in student accommodation. However, there are items that you may end up missing on your list, or you don’t realise their usefulness until you actually start living away from home. Below is a dorm packing list with a selection of often forgotten or unique items that’ll make your student life easier and a little bit more bearable.
You have no idea what the heating and insulation will be like at your dorm until you actually get there. My first accommodation’s insulation was fantastic but then I had to deal with a bunch of sweaty summer nights. My second room had a huge window and through winter I was freezing and constantly had to turn my heater up to max. Having a blanket gives you the best of both worlds: something for when the duvet’s too hot or an extra layer of warmth for the winter nights.
At one of my accommodations, they forgot to give my room a bedside table. It was one of the most inconvenient things ever and I’d often have to reach for my desk (across the room) or use my chair as a makeshift table. A BedShelfie is a bedside shelf that hooks onto your bed and provides a platform to put all your essentials. It’s a small addition but it’ll make your life easier by having all of the essentials nearby.
If you enjoy working or watching on your bed then definitely consider getting a foldable laptop desk. It’s definitely more comfortable and prevents your laptop from overheating on your bed. They often come with little compartments, a cupholder and space for a mouse, meeting all your needs.
If your dorm room doesn’t come with one already then I highly recommend getting a desk or bedside lamp. It’s great for when you do some work later in the day or if you want to do some late-night reading. It makes your room so much cosier and the lighting isn’t as harsh, helping you get relaxed before bed.
Let’s face it, university life is a mess. You’re stressed because of coursework and exams. You’re broke because you keep breaking the budget. You’re trying to balance your social life but all the dates, appointments and deadlines make your head spin. Getting a whiteboard and/or bulletin board will help you get your life back on track. Having a visual reminder that you can easily glance at every day, rather than an app on your phone, helps you visualise, track and prioritise the tasks you need to complete.
If you have a private bathroom make sure to buy a bath mat. It will change your life. Nothing is worse than stepping out of the bath or shower onto a cold, slippery floor. The floor then gets wet and it takes forever to dry – it’s just a very uncomfortable experience. Get a bath mat so that you’ll never have to experience that on the daily.
Your desk can get messy quickly, so keep the clutter and stationery in place with an organiser. Having a clean and organised desk clears your mind and helps you work better as you’ll be less distracted by the mess.
Student life isn’t glamorous and like most people, you’ll have to start budgeting and be smart about your expenses. This inevitably means eating out less and cooking your own food which is so much cheaper. Food containers allow you to plan ahead and store food for your lunch breaks and dinners.
Dorm rooms often have plain white walls that can feel stifling and a little boring. Bring some posters from home or buy new ones to add some character, colour and life to your room. Personalise your room to make it your own and make it feel a little more like home.
Use labels with your name on it to show what belongs to you. There are so many horror stories of neighbours stealing other people’s plates, cups and kitchen utensils so labelling your items can act as proof and a deterrent. You don’t know what your dormmates are like so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
A power strip is an essential item that people assume that they won’t need, or often forget to bring. There’s a good chance that your room doesn’t have enough plug sockets, or that they’re too far away from your bed. Bringing a power strip solves that problem easily.
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