11 Things

11 THINGS YOU NEED IN YOUR FIRST DORM

ANNIKA TOMLIN AND CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI • COLLEGE TIMES

Moving into a dorm does stuffy dorm rooms. The fan can be #6 LAUNDRY BAG/BASKET not need to be hard to do set to automatically shut off after Dirty laundry needs to go if everything is ready to eight hours of use with an electric somewhere—but not the fl oor go by the time move-in day comes timer option. Operate the tower fan or bed. Washers and dryers are around. There are things the people using a smartphone or tablet with probably not going to be in the room. think they need but don’t actually Bluetooth technology. It’s $79.99 on They are most likely down the hall need, and then there are things Amazon. or in another designated spot. Have that they should have brought and a comfortable bag that can be lugged completely forgot about. Here is #9 DRY ERASE around or a basket with soft handles a list of things that are a must to CALENDAR/BOARD that can be transported back and bring into the dorm to make college It’s easy to get disorganized forth between dorm room and life a breeze. for anyone of any age. Dry laundry area. erase calendars or boards #11 A COMFY PLACE make remembering homework #5 POWER STRIP/SURGE TO WORK assignments, due dates and other PROTECTOR

The last thing any student needs important events easy. Use various There are limited outlets in a dorm is carpal tunnel or stiff shoulders color markers for different classes or room. More often than not it will after sitting on a couch or in a types of events to make things more come down to picking which device bed with a laptop. The Bink laptop organized. to charge fi rst. Get a power strip table by BDI will erase any chance with a surge protector so you can of that. The durable, movable #8 STORAGE BINS/TOWER plug in all devices at once. However, laptop table adds a fl ash of red Storage bins and towers are musts safety comes fi rst. If you lose power, (or “cayenne,” as BDI calls it), salt, to keep everything tidy and tucked you don’t want your electronics to pepper or mineral to a dorm room away. Purchase one that fi ts under crash. or apartment, and is just high the bed or into an empty corner. enough to type comfortably. It There is extra space around the #4 CLEANING SUPPLIES costs $289 at BDI retail partners or room that is waiting for something Mom is no longer there to clean up e-commerce sites like Amazon. to be placed there. Might as well your mess. Be an adult in college and make it a multipurpose item. purchase basic cleaning supplies: #10 A GOOD FAN mirror/window cleaner, toilet

We recommend the Lasko Wind #7 TRASHCAN cleaner, vacuum and duster. Don’t Curve Tower Fan with Bluetooth Not all dorm rooms come with a forget laundry detergent, because (T42905). The three-speed/optional trash can. To cut down on the clutter the college does not provide it. Dish widespread oscillation provides and taking the trash out every other soap is needed for the kitchen. maximum air delivery and full-room day, have a designated trash can for Don’t be that messy roommate coverage—especially perfect for each room. whom everyone complains about.

2 ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | JULY 2020

It’s a shared space, so share the responsibility of cleaning.

#3 MEDICINE

This is an easily forgettable thing but is super important in the long term. Pack immune-boosting, pain and cold medications. Make sure to have a small fi rst-aid kit that has all the basic necessities (bandages, gauze, antiseptic, etc.). It’s better to be safe than sorry.

#2 MICROWAVE

Most dorms do not come with a kitchen area. A microwave will be a saving grace when it comes to making food when you run out of meals from your meal plan. Get creative. You make a lot more than popcorn in a microwave.

#1 LAPTOP

Most assignments are going to be submitted on a digital platform, especially if classes are all virtual. Make sure you pick out a laptop that suits to all of your needs for college: note taking, streaming Netfl ix, writing papers and playing music. Make sure it has the right amount of storage and speed that you need as well. Dorms have slow Wi-Fi, so be patient while writing a paper or heading to the library, where it will be a lot faster. CT

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