| With July 4th barely behind us, it seems premature | | | | when the 'rents come to visit, it'll make you look |
| to being thinking about school. But as we careen into | | | | studious and efficient. (We won't tell them you spend |
| August, the start of the school year isn't far off. For | | | | most of your time sprawled out in bed watching |
| many, it will mean heading off to college and living | | | | episodes of Family Guy!) |
| away from home for the first time. Ah yes, college | | | | 6. Alarm Clock - Since Mom will no longer be around |
| dorms...seems like yesterday. Nostalgic for days when | | | | to wake you up in time for your 8 am Econ class, |
| decorating meant posters plastered over a concrete | | | | you're gonna need something that will. Just make |
| block wall, I decided to create a shopping list of ten | | | | sure the alarm isn't too annoying for your roommate |
| dorm room essentials for all you fabulous freshman. | | | | or he/she might retaliate by setting it to go off on |
| While your laptop and your textbooks will have more | | | | that lazy Saturday you had planned to sleep in... |
| impact on your academic success, the following list | | | | 7. Laundry Bag - Something else you'll no longer be |
| will make living in that cramped yet sterile dorm room | | | | able to count on Mom for: laundry. Oh, you can try |
| just a wee bit easier: | | | | accumulating all your dirty clothes to take home at |
| 1. Memo Board - Back in the olden days (i.e.; when I | | | | the mid-semester break, but chances are you're |
| was in college...), we hung these outside our door as | | | | gonna have to break down and wash them yourself. |
| a nifty way to communicate. Friends stopping by | | | | Either way, you'll need a big, tough laundry bag to lug |
| while you were in class could jot a brief note or a | | | | them to their destination. |
| roommate could advise you that while you were | | | | 8. Shower Tote/Caddy - Another toteable must-have |
| studying in the library, you missed a call on the | | | | is some kind of basket for all your shower essentials. |
| communal hall phone from your boyfriend. This was | | | | Most dorms have large communal bathrooms and so |
| life before cell phones, people! But even today a mini | | | | you'll need a way to transport your shampoo, |
| white board as a dorm room essential. In the age of | | | | conditioner, razor, body wash, etc. from your dorm |
| the text message, there's something quaintly | | | | room to the bathroom. |
| high-touch about this low-tech form of | | | | 9. Flip-flops - This handy-dandy slip on in an instant |
| communication. And let's face it: a memo board is | | | | footwear is a must for trekking down the hall to |
| gonna run you a lot less than those text messages! | | | | take your morning shower. Heck, you might even |
| 2. Bed-in-a-Bag - Nothing brightens up a generic dorm | | | | want to wear them while you're IN the shower! No |
| room faster than a colorful comforter. Invest in a | | | | need to worry--I'm sure your Room and Board dollars |
| coordinated set and save the hassle of finding | | | | are being well spent. Though you wouldn't know it |
| matching sheets and shams. | | | | from the cafeteria food... |
| 3. Bed rest - Most dorm rooms provide you with a | | | | 10. Microwave - Did someone mention cafeteria |
| desk and chair, but let's face it--you'll be doing most | | | | food? Yikes! That's as good a reason as any to |
| of your studying sprawled out on your bed. A bed | | | | invest in a mini microwave. Whether it's nuking a |
| rest gives you the back support you need while | | | | frozen dinner or popping some popcorn (to eat while |
| you're researching your American Lit paper--or | | | | you're watching episodes of Family Guy on Hulu...), a |
| watching episodes of Family Guy on Hulu. | | | | microwave can be a true lifesaver when it comes to |
| 4. Booklight - Speaking of studying, if you're a night | | | | dorm life. |
| owl and your roomie is an early riser then a booklight | | | | And there you have it: ten essential dorm room |
| will help you study in the wee hours while allowing | | | | items! The best thing about this shopping list is that |
| him/her to sleep soundly. | | | | most if not all items can be found at discount |
| 5. Desk Organizer Set - For the times when you do | | | | retailers like Target or Kohl's--making getting ready |
| actually use your desk, having a place for everything | | | | for your freshman year that much easier. |
| and everything in its place is a real time saver. Plus | | | | |