You walk into a small room with bunk beds stacked tightly in each corner, blank walls, and almost no sunlight. You immediately think to yourself, “I wish I could go home.” As we reach the end of the year, we say goodbye to our Arcata High seniors, many of whom may experience this next year when they enter the dorms.
Though they may seem small and blank at first, many students have found ways to make these spaces their own and turn them into areas where amazing memories are made. If you are planning to live in the dorms next year or in the years to come, I have compiled a list of items from experienced dorm tenants to help you not just survive the dorms, but thrive in them.
Starting off with some of the must-haves:
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- Fan: Every student discussed the importance of having a fan in your room to create air flow and keep a comfortable temperature. No matter the weather in their location, this item is a must-have.
- Mattress Topper: Due to the college-supplied, typically uncomfortable mattresses, mattress toppers are a common way to help you sleep and make the most out of your bed. Scarlett Robinson, a sophomore at Louis Clark said clearly, “Get a mattress pad, those beds suck!”
- Decor: Simple decor and items to boost the atmosphere of your room are sure to help you make it your own. “Having a speaker, a mirror, and candles makes life 10x more worth it,” Nancy Bibliano, a sophomore from Chico State, remarked.
- Lighting: Fun lighting can make all the difference in a small, dark dorm room. “ I would say bring some fairy lights and small decor items to make the dorm feel less like a hospital room,” Robinson said.
- Kettle: Though this may not come to mind as a must-have item, junior at Chico State, Cooper Donnelly, remarked, “I had a small plug-in kettle in my room, which was super awesome for making coffee or having boiled water for food.”
Though there are many must-have items, there are also some items that people believe they need but end up not being used and taking up valuable dorm space. Here are some items to leave behind:
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- Laundry Basket: Having a laundry basket may seem like a nice organizational tool to keep your dirty clothes off the floor, but it seems that these end up being a big space taker and can be replaced with a cloth laundry bag that folds up much more concisely.
- Accessories: Though accessories are important, less is more, and functionality truly becomes the highest priority during dorm life. Don’t bring your whole purse collection, so stick to the basics.
- Multiples: Bringing multiple of one item is oftentimes not necessary. Though you may have a big collection of seasonal items like bathing suits or winter coats, don’t bring all of them unless you live in a place where you will use them all!
- Small Furniture: Though it is good to bring personal furniture to make your room suit your taste, when bringing small furniture, make sure it is not something already supplied by the dorm. Some examples are chairs, desks, trash cans, hooks, and microwaves.
Hope this helps you survive dorm life!
