Dorm Room Essentials

There are several items every college student needs to make sure they have in order to ensure they are ready for college. These items are necessary in order to make the college experience easier to tackle.

If you have a child preparing to move into the dorms, these are must-have items for college students.

#1) Laptop or PC- computers are a must. Some people feel that they are not necessary with computer labs being on campus, but these are a necessary item for college students. Laptops allow students to take notes during classes. This can be a huge asset for students. Having digital notes seems to be much more effective than hand written. Also, having a laptop will allow students to work on schoolwork at any time of the day. Computer labs have hours. With more and more students working full time and going to school full time, they need access to a computer at odd times. They will not be limited to lab hours if they have their own computer.

#2) Plastic utensils, plates & cups - Don't even bother to buy cute plates or cups for dorm-room living. Some dorms hardly have a sink big enough to do dishes. Opt for a stash of plastic items that you can just trash after using. This will also allow more time for studying since you don't have to worry about washing dishes when they pile up.

#3) IPOD Player/alarm clock - having one of these will definitely make dorm-living easier. You can pop your Ipod in, charge it, and listen to music while you work. Now, you can even get one with an alarm clock so that you never miss class or other appointments. Also, there are many ebooks you can place on your Ipod that can be listened to while studying or working out and can be very helpful with studies.

#4) Microwave and small mini-fridge - You can purchase both for about $100-150 in total and these will be a huge lifesaver. Having these in the dorm room will definitely save a student money on eating out. Sometimes, just buying that cold water every day can add up to about $40 a month. You can have cold waters in the fridge all of the time and not have to buy one per day for over $1. A case can be purchased for $5 for about 24 waters. That would cost at least $24 if you purchased all separately. The microwave can be a lifesaver when looking for quick meals in the dorms.

#5) Great pillows and blankets - These are a must because everyone wants the room to be comfortable. You can purchase a great set at your local IKEA at a great cost.