As the new school year is fast approaching, some of you may be wondering what to expect. I don’t want to tell you too much because college is meant to a different experience for everyone.
All I will recommend is that you go into it with an open mind. Be willing to try things you’ve never done, talk to people you may have ignored, and ask questions that you would never previously considered.
I promise that you will be better off for it.
Enough of the cliche life lessons (just because it’s cliche, doesn’t mean it isn’t true).
Let’s get into what you really came for. Great dorm room products/gadgets/items that will make your dorm living experience that much more enjoyable.
Everyone knows to bring proper bedding, clothes hangers, and a laundry hamper. That’s why this list is full of items you may have not considered.
Some may seem either excessive or unnecessary, (I’m talking to the guys here) but trust me, you will be thankful you have them.
Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker
Let’s start off the list with something that pretty much any student needs. A Bluetooth speaker. Whether you’re keeping your dormmates up till 3am or partying with them on the weekend, the Jabra Solemate is ideal for each situation. It’s portable, durable and has great sound quality for its price point.
Buy it here: $54
If you are a little more worried about keeping your music quiet, maybe grab yourself a pair of over the ear headphones. We recommend the Audio-Technica M50x’
Google Chromecast
While we’re on the note of electronics, a must-have gadget is the Google Chromecast. Cut the cord from your TV. With a simple tap of a button, you can cast what’s on the screen of your laptop or phone directly onto your TV. The Chromecast is great for watching Netflix, YouTube, or anything else you would like to see on a bigger screen.
Buy it here: $35-$45
Under Bed Storage Container
For those who love to be organized, this one seems like a no-brainer. But for the more chaotic, it seems like a waste. And trust, me I get where you’re coming from. But when you’re two weeks into living on your own and mom doesn’t fold and put away your laundry. There is a good to fair chance that your neat freak roommate is likely to develop a nervous twitch when they see that massive pile of “clean” laundry spilling onto their side of the room.
There’s still 30 more weeks to go. Let’s just avoid the inevitable snap show heading your way and stay organized from the beginning.
Buy it here: $15
Hand Vacuum
Organization is essential if you are going to make things work with this new roomy. Potentially even more important is cleanliness. Dirt, food crumbs and dust can build up quickly. Pick up an easy to use Hand Vac. A little bit of vacuuming will go a long way.
Buy it here: $60
Individual Coffee Maker
If you don’t already drink coffee, by the end of the first semester you will – trust me.
One piece of advice: Don’t waste your money buying Starbucks every single day, make the early investment and buy an individual coffee maker. Perfect for early morning and late night study sessions. The KitchenAid Personal Coffee Maker can brew you a single coffee in just a few minutes.
Buy it here: $80
Coffee Mug Warmer
Now that you have your own personal coffee shop set up in your dorm room, it’s time to get studying for that midterm. But now you’ve started to realize that after about 30 minutes of sipping on your coffee, it’s beginning to get cold. That’s where the Home-X Mug Warmer comes in. Plug this guy in beside your laptop and keep that coffee warm so you can study the whole night through.
Buy it here: $7.5
Thermoelectric One Can Cooler/Warmer
If coffee still isn’t your drink of choice, or you simply just need to keep your favorite drink cool, this might be what you need. The USB Thermoelectric Cooler & Warmer is great for keeping one can cold. Ideal for students who might not have a fridge or who want to keep their bevy cold on the go.
Buy it here: $20
Adult Coloring Book
Despite what these last couple items may have you thinking. College is not all about cramming for finals, late night study sessions, or cleaning your room. The beauty of living on campus is having the freedom to just relax. You can even waste an entire day watching Netflix if you choose to do so.
However, if you are looking for a more productive way to spend your free time. I might suggest an adult coloring book. Yup, coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Coloring is a great activity for stress relief as well a wonderful way to keep your mind sharp.
Buy it here: $11
Tool Set
when living in a dorm room, there is a fairly high chance that you won’t be doing any renovations while you’re there. However, throughout the year, you may run into a couple structural issues or minor installation. For those instances, it’s useful to have the basic tools. Pick up the Apollo Precision 39 piece Tool Set. You never know what you might need it for, but it’s always good to be prepared and have the right tools handy.
Buy it here: $42
Electrical Outlet Power Bar
Back in the day, when they first designed outlets, most people only had a few electronics to plug in. Probably some sort of lighting, a radio, and maybe even a TV. Most students probably only had just one of the 3. Thus, the old dual outlet plugins were perfect. What more could you need?
Today the average student has a computer, phone, printer, and speaker at the very least. Throw in a TV, gaming console, hot plate, and microwave – that’s 8 electronics right there. Most dorm rooms won’t have enough outlets for that. Good thing you came prepared and brought yourself this very practical electrical power bar that has 6 additional plugins. It also protects against surges, just in case you want to use all 8 electronics at the same time.
Buy it here: $10
