Here are the things that are genuinely worth considering.

Make Your Bed Comfortable

You’re going to spend a lot of time in your bed, so this is one area I’d prioritize.

Start with a good set of bed sheets, a mattress topper, pillows and a duvet or comforter. I’d recommend bringing two sets of sheets if you have the room so you always have a clean set while the other is in the wash.

Your sheets can also set the vibe for your entire room, so this is an easy place to add some personality and make the space feel more like you.

Just make sure you check your university’s mattress size before ordering anything. Dorm beds aren’t always standard sizes.

And if you find that your mattress is particularly uncomfortable or too soft, a mattress topper can be worth it for some extra cushioning and support.

Make the Bathroom Easier

If you’re sharing a bathroom, a few small things can make your morning routine much less annoying.

A shower caddy was probably one of the most useful things I had. It makes carrying your shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other products back and forth so much easier.

A pair of shower slippers is also worth bringing if you’re using communal showers and don’t want to walk barefoot on the floor, especially if you’re a germaphobe.

You’ll also want your usual towels and toiletries, plus a pair of comfortable slippers for walking around your room or residence. I personally liked wearing slides because they were easy to slip on and off.

Bring a Handheld Steamer

This is an underrated pick and might not be at the top of a traditional university checklist, but you’ll probably appreciate having one.

A handheld steamer takes up very little space and makes it easy to get wrinkles out of your clothes before class, presentations, dinners or events. It also gives your outfit that extra detail that makes you look more put together without needing an ironing board.

Don’t Forget Your Power Setup

You’ll probably have more things to charge than you expect.

Your laptop, phone, headphones, watch, lamp and other electronics can quickly take over your available outlets, so a power bar or appropriate extension cord will come in handy.

I’d also keep a portable charger in your everyday bag. It’s one of those things you might not use every day, but when your phone is dying halfway through a long day of classes, you’ll be glad you have it.

Just check your residence’s rules before bringing electrical equipment.

Get a Bag You Actually Like

Your university bag is going to be one of your most-used purchases.

You want something that can comfortably hold your laptop, charger, notebook, water bottle and whatever else you carry throughout the day. A backpack is usually the most practical if you’re carrying heavier things, while a structured tote can work if you travel lighter.

Don’t buy a bag simply because it looks cute. You’ll be carrying it everywhere, so comfort and practicality matter just as much.

A Water Bottle Is Worth It

A reusable water bottle is one of those simple things you’ll use constantly.

You’ll be walking around campus, sitting in lectures, studying in the library and spending long days away from your room. Having a bottle you actually like carrying means you’re much more likely to keep it with you.

I personally prefer an Owala because they’re cute, come in so many different colours and are easy to carry around but if I were in my dorm all day I would prefer the Stanley.

Give Yourself Somewhere to Put Your Dirty Clothes

A laundry hamper is essential simply because your floor doesn’t need to become the laundry basket.

A collapsible hamper is particularly useful in a dorm as it can be folded away when you need the extra space. If your laundry room is far from your room, a laundry bag with handles can make carrying everything easier.

Make Your Desk Work for You

Your university desk is probably going to become your study space, vanity, charging station and general dumping ground all at once.

A small desk organizer can keep your everyday supplies contained. A phone stand is also surprisingly useful. I use mine all the time, especially when FaceTiming family and friends who live far away.

A laptop stand or lap desk can also be useful if you sometimes study from your bed or another area. And don’t forget a mirror if you like doing your makeup or getting ready at your desk in the morning.

You don’t need a complicated desk setup. A few things that make your existing space easier to use are enough.

Use Your Doors and Walls for Storage

When you’re living in a small room, vertical space becomes valuable. I quickly learned that maximizing the space you already have makes a huge difference.

An over the door organizer can hold shoes, accessories, hair products or other small items without taking up floor space.

Command hooks and strips are also useful for hanging bags, towels, decorations and other lightweight items.

If your residence allows it, a floating shelf or wall-mounted shelf can give you additional storage without taking up desk or floor space. However, this is one I’d wait on until you know what you’re working with.

Always check your residence’s rules before putting anything on the walls.

Don’t Forget the Food Basics

You don’t need to turn your dorm into a miniature kitchen, but a few things can make eating on campus easier.

An adult lunch box or insulated lunch bag is useful for bringing meals and snacks with you, especially on days when you’re on campus for hours.

A few reusable food containers are also handy for meal prep, bringing food from home and storing leftovers.

A Few Small Things You’ll Be Glad You Have

Some items don’t seem particularly important until you need them.

A compact umbrella can live in your bag for rainy days. A small personal safety alarm is another inexpensive item you can keep attached to your keys or bag. It’s one of those things you hopefully won’t need, but it’s reassuring to have.

Depending on your residence and climate, a small fan can also be worth considering, particularly if your room tends to get warm.

Your Room Is the Vibe

You will spend a lot of your time in your room, whether you’re sleeping, studying, getting ready, watching movies or just decompressing after a long day. Your environment can have a bigger impact on how you feel than you might expect, so making your room feel like a comfortable home away from home is important.

This is where you can have a little more fun. String lights or LED lights, a tapestry, a cute lamp or wall lamp, photos and a few decorations can completely change the feeling of a basic dorm room.

You don’t need to recreate a Pinterest dorm room overnight. A few things that reflect your personality can make the space feel much more like yours.

What I’d Wait to Buy

One of the biggest mistakes is buying every possible dorm accessory before you’ve actually seen your room.

You might discover that you already have plenty of storage, that your desk is a different size than expected, or that you don’t have anywhere to put the shelf you bought.

I’d wait on things like extra storage, floating shelves, additional organizers, decorative items and room-specific lighting until you’ve moved in.

The same goes for buying huge quantities of anything. Live in the space for a week or two and you’ll quickly figure out what you’re actually missing.

Your dorm doesn’t need to be perfectly decorated on move in day. It just needs to be comfortable enough to sleep, study, get ready and relax. You can make it feel like yours gradually.

Your University Dorm Essentials Checklist

Buy Before You Move In

• Bed sheets
• Mattress protector
• Pillows
• Duvet/comforter
• Towels
• Shower caddy
• Shower slippers
• Slides/slippers
• Handheld steamer
• Laundry hamper or bag
• bag/backpack
• Reusable water bottle
• Portable charger
• Power bar/extension cord
• Umbrella
• Personal safety alarm

Nice to Have

• Cute desk/bedside lamp
• String lights/LED lights
• Desk organizer
• Phone stand
• Laptop stand or lap desk
• Mirror
• Over the door organizer
• Under-sink organizer
• Adult lunch box/insulated lunch bag
• Reusable food containers
• Small storage bins
• Small fan
• Tapestry/photos/decor

Wait Until You Move In

• Floating/wall mounted shelves
• Additional organizers
• Command hooks and strips
• Extra lighting
• Under bed storage
• Room specific decor
• Anything that needs to fit a specific space

The best university shopping list isn’t the longest one. It’s the one filled with things you’ll actually use.