When you head off to college, you’re most likely going to be excited about taking the next steps in your life. You might also be excited about meeting your new roommate(s), making new friends, and beginning your coursework.
Part of this transition could be moving into a dorm. It’s a rite of passage for most of us, to learn how to deal with those roommates after the initial excitement fades, how to cram all of our stuff into the small rooms, and how to learn to co-exist in a community. It’s also a fun time to outfit your new pad with new bedding, electronics, and all those “must-have” college dorm accessories.
But before you plunge yourself into a Bed, Bath and Beyond shopping spree, consider the following to ensure you’re not wasting your hard-earned money:
- Check the approval list from Residence Life. This list is the Holy Grail of what not to bring/do in your room. Before you buy that microwave or lamp, make sure it adheres to the safety guidelines set by your school. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when you’re told to take it home by your RA or—even worse—the item is confiscated during room checks (yes, these exist!).
- Know the space you’re moving into. If possible, check out the floor plans for your new room. Be realistic about what you’ll be able to fit in there and remember that unless you’re paying for a single room, you’ll have to share the space with another person. Showing up with a packed U-Haul will most likely mean that most of those things are headed home with your parents when they leave.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. People often get too caught up in the allure of the new and forget what’s right under their nose. Remember, there is no shame in reusing things you already have around the house. There’s nothing in the college guidebooks and orientation manuals that says everything you have to buy must be brand-new!
Once you have these three rules in place, it’s time to focus on the essentials. From scoring things at thrift stores to stacking coupons during Back to School sales, it’s possible to get the most bang for your buck for the following dorm room essentials:
- Bedding and towels. If you already have useful things at home, you should take them to school with you. If you do end up purchasing new, buy only the basics—2 towels, a set of sheets (check the size of your mattress—will be extra long twin or not?), and a comforter/pillow set. If you’ll be going home regularly, take the laundry with you. This way, you can easily get by with just one set of each essential.
- Storage. You’ll need some containers for storage and organization, but don’t go over. These can be bought on the cheap at dollar and discount stores.
- Electronics. Coordinate with your roommate prior to move-in to ensure you’re not doubling your efforts and wasting money.
- Toiletries. You’ll need your various personal care items, but don’t forget about flip flops (you’ll be sharing a bathroom with 20+ other people!) and a shower caddy to carry your things to/from.
- Laundry essentials. A sturdy basket, hangers, and an emergency (small) bottle of detergent is all you need in this department.
- Snacks. Skip the expensive options in the cafes and stock up on your own. You can easily keep them under your bed or in your closet (in the new storage containers) so when the urge to snack strikes, you’ll be prepared.
- Décor. This is the area to not go overboard on. Sure, a few photos and posters will help you transform those stark walls, but allow yourself some time to organically transform your room rather than rushing to turn it into the next version of HGTV Star.
[Free Resource: Check your free credit report and score]
The post Dorm Essentials that Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Quizzle Wire.