Welcome FIT newcomers! Wether it’s your first year of school, or you’re transferring in, we’re happy you’re here! Hopefully you’re feeling more settled in, but if not here are some of my favorite dorm essentials you might not have thought of that helped make my first year at FIT so much better.
Reusable grocery bag
My personal favorite- the $1 Trader Joe’s plastic reusable bag- is incredibly versatile! Use it for laundry, use it for groceries, use it to carry plants, use it for moving. What’s nice about it is that it’s big enough to fit quite a bit, and easy to carry over your shoulder. There are many options other than the TJs one- but I like that it’s easy to wipe down in the sink. Even if a tote bag is organic cotton, the amount of water used to make it negates a lot of the benefits. Also, for messy tasks like taking home plants from the market, canvas totes have a tendency to stain. That’s why I’m a big fan of using and reusing a sturdy plastic tote shopping bag!
A personal light
When it comes to dorming it’s likely you’ll have a roommate or two – and everyone has different schedules. Having a small personal light can help for when your roomie needs some rest but you need to see. I personally suggest every night turning off the overheard lights before bed and you and your roommate having a non-intrusive personal light to read or do homework by. That way when one wants to call it a night, they can flip off their light without inconveniencing the other.
A fan for white noise
It depends on your roommates preference, but if they don’t mind a bit of white noise a fan can really help at night. Dorm rooms are small and every little noise can bother each other. Fans help drown out the little things that might inhibit sleep, and the airflow is always a good thing!
Simple cleaning supplies
Yes, it can be hard to keep things clean – but I have found that having cleaning supplies I like makes the job tolerable. I love the way my all-purpose cleaner smells, and it makes cleaning a lot more relaxing. Giving your space a quick wipe down every week keeps any mess from becoming a Mess. By using products you like and find fun it doesn’t feel like as much of a chore.
Bedding from home
This might not be possible – say if you have a queen at home your sheets won’t fit a twin xl – but bringing your pillow from home and your personal sheets or comforter does help ease the transition to a new space. While it’s tempting to buy a whole new room set in the back to school frenzy, that little bit of home can be pretty comforting.
Those are my top essentials – have any others? Let me know in the comments!
Sam