Be Move-In Ready
What will a college student need when moving into a dorm room? Most colleges, overall, require that new enrollees with less than 30 credit hours live on-campus. Each college will require that you bring different items with you for move-in day. We are going to focus on what you will need to bring with you to be move-in ready at colleges in Dallas, TX.
Prep A Year in Advance
Moving into a college dorm room could very well turn out to be expensive. College advisors recommend that you bring what you already must keep expenses down or purchase things a little at a time. These lists are just recommendations; please do NOT rush out to buy everything on these lists, especially if you don’t have the money to do so. Spend at your own risk!
Incoming Freshmen
As an incoming Freshman you’re expected to share a room with a roommate. The first-year resident hall will be a standard double room with a roommate in one of the ‘traditional’ halls. The size may vary slightly; the smallest being 11’ 7” x 16’ 8” and the largest being 13’ 2” x 16’ 9”.
Each room has two desks with hutches built-in overhead, two twin size bed, to closets, two dressers, a sink with storage space underneath and a medicine cabinet. You will have a resident assistant and resident coordinator that you will report to. All halls and dorms are non-smoking.
Most colleges open their student housing for move-in day on the Saturday prior to the week of the first day of classes. This gives each student time to get settled and become acquainted with their surroundings and campus.
Move-In Essentials
Here are a few basic items that you may or may not need. The one that you WILL need is your college Student ID which you should get when you’re on campus right after you’ve enrolled.
These others aren’t needed but are essentials, backpack, academic supplies like pencil and notebooks, bike and bike lock and maybe even a collapsible/reusable water bottle.
Prohibited Items
These items you may NOT have in your college room: candles/wax warmers, extension cords or power strips without surge protectors, lamps (halogen lamps, string lights that are not LED and battery operated), appliances with exposed heating elements (toaster, hot plate, camping stoves), weapons, explosives/flammable items, and pets.
Unexpected things to bring to college
Students everywhere are packing up and gearing up for that big move to their college dorm room. For many of you entering the college world for the first time as students, you need to know what essentials to bring.
However, what about those little unexpected things that you haven’t thought about. You’re gonna wish someone had told you about these things. Here they are!
Baby Noise Machine
Dorm halls can be very busy and loud so why not tune the world out? You’ll think this is a crazy idea, but the best way to do that is with a sound machine that’s specifically designed for babies. Why not sleep like a baby?
Credit Card
College resident assistants and coordinators don’t recommend hiding or stashing cash in your dorm unless you have a hidey hole and a lock box. Therefore, they recommend having a credit card on hand. The credit card will ensure that you can make those emergency or last-minute purchases without damaging your bank account balance.
However, not everyone can get a credit card so use your debit card and just make sure you have the appropriate funds because being insufficient or overdrawn is costly. Here is an article where we go into more detail on this topic.
Essential Oil Diffuser
I don’t know how else to say it but dorm rooms stink. Take something that is going to cut through the smells. I highly recommend an oil diffuser because they cover smells nicely, will work for hours, cheaper after the initial cost, and you can get oils that create different moods. When you’re ready for bed, try a nice relaxing blend.
Ice Trays
Not all dorms will have ice machines. Ice trays are cheap, and you’ll always have ice if you do the upkeep. Not to mention that you’re gonna want ice for those sodas that are stored underneath your bed.
Mini Iron Steamer
As a college student living in a dorm room, your clothes will get cramp packed into whatever and wherever you can put them. Having a mini steamer will be handy to keep your clothes looking sharp and not twice worn.
Old-sneakers
Looking cute a college is a must, however there will be times when you are going to need your comfy old sneakers that you don’t mind getting dirty. You never know when a college tag football game will break out.
Swiss Army Knife
This handy dandy knife is all about cutting. It’s a convenient all-in-one tool. These were designed for soldiers who needed multiple tools like a knife, a reamer, can opener and screwdrivers. They were made to be able to open cans of food as well as assemble a rifle and take it apart.
Noise-cancelling Headphones
What a great way to block out the world. Probably one of the best expensive investments you’ll make as a college student. You’ll not only need these in your dorm room but may want to take them with you to wherever you are going to study.
Foldable Drying Rack
Not every article of clothing needs to be dried. If you are having to pay for the cost of doing laundry, then this will help keep change in your pocket.
Bed Risers
Your situation might call for bed risers. Using these will help make more room underneath your bed for those taller storage containers. Make your life easier and keep your room more organized by having a larger storage space.
A Laptop Lock
You will want reassurance knowing that your belongings will be as safe as you can make them. If you need your laptop, then chances are so does someone else.
Shatterproof Wine Glasses
Nothing survives living in a college dorm or house. I’m sure you’re going to want to walk around sipping on a beverage; it doesn’t have to be wine. The point is they look nice and they’re shatterproof.
A Portable Charger
A backup charger is a great idea. Considering there will be days when your classes are back to back and you’ll have to spend the evening away for whatever reason, then keep a portable charger handy.
A HDMI cord & an Ethernet Cable
For when it’s a Netflix kinda night. Plug your laptop charger into a wall electric outlet, hookup your HDMI cord or the ethernet cable, curl up in bed and enjoy a lazy night.
A Mini Sewing Kit
It doesn’t have to big anything fancy. You just want something incase a button pops off or a seam comes unstitched. You may even have to sew up a tear in your favorite clothing item.
Stain Remover Sticks
You will spill food or manage to get something on your clothes. Keep these handy and use them so that the spillage doesn’t stain.
A Bunk Bed Caddy
This awesome gadget hooks over the railing and hangs from the side of your bed and keeps things nice and tidy. Don’t you love having your remote right where you left it?
| Dorm Room Checklist for Freshman |
| ⌂ Laptop/technology/video games (chargers) |
| ⌂ Mini fridge |
| ⌂ Electric power strip (must has surge protector) |
| ⌂ Pillows |
| ⌂ Mattress Protector |
| ⌂ Comforter/Bedspread |
| ⌂ Sheet set & pillowcases |
| ⌂ Shower Caddy (hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste & brush) |
| ⌂ Towels & washcloths |
| ⌂ Robe |
| ⌂ Desk lamp |
| ⌂ Fan |
| ⌂ Alarm Clock |
| ⌂ Kitchen Gear (burner, microwave, utensils, dishes, etc.) |
| ⌂ Blackout curtains |
| ⌂ Laundry basket (Laundry soap and softener) |
| ⌂ Clothes Hangers |
| ⌂ Small trash can |
| ⌂ Dry erase board or cork board |
| ⌂ Thumbtacks or sticky putty or command hooks |
| ⌂ Wall calendar or personal planner |
| ⌂ Full-length mirror |
| ⌂ Over-the-door Shoe organizer |
| ⌂ Drawer organizer |
| ⌂ Small Storage ottoman |
| ⌂ Coffeemaker |
| ⌂ Area rug |
| ⌂ Shoes, clothing, accessories |
| ⌂ Shaving Kit (Razor & Shaving Cream) |
| ⌂ Cologne or Perfume |
| ⌂ Makeup Mirror |
| ⌂ Tweezers |
Keep track of what you have. Put this checklist for Freshman to good use by printing it out and checking off the boxes as you pack each item. This will help ensure that everything on this list that is essentially needed makes it with you to college. Have a great move-in day, a great first day of class and a great college experience.