College Survival Guide


On Campus Living.

-mini fridge (find one with a freezer! it'll help out a lot!)

-rug (helps make room more home-like)

-floor lamp

-desk lamp

-futon (if you are allowed to loft your bed, its suggested, you will have MUCH more space, and futons will give extra seating for friends you have over)

-tupperware set (gladware makes size small containers that work well as bowls, and come with lids to save leftovers in your fridge)

-silverware (invest in a mildly good metal set, they last longer than plastic, and have less of a chance of being stolen or permanently "borrowed")

-measuring cups (if you're going to be making ANYTHING in your room, measuring cups will be needed. from measuring water for hot chocolate, or making mac n' cheese)

-coffee maker (if you will be attending school in a cold climate, to save money buy a coffee maker to make hot water for tea, hot cocoa, coffee, cider, etc.)

-microwave (don't invest in a spendy one. you'll use it, but probably be pretty rough on it. garage sales are good places to look for one if you don't want to buy a new one)

-organizer bins (really really helps when storing food, like ramen, mac n' cheese, granola bars, oreos, etc. you can keep them all in one spot!)

-curtains & tension rod (unless you really want your dorm to look like its a hospital room, I suggest cute curtains! the tension rod isn't glamorous, but its what works when you can't put holes in the wall)

-3M hooks & mounting tape (hooks work well for hanging coats, towels, and purses. mounting tape is good for hanging artwork on canvas, dry erase boards, etc.)

-surge protector (i suggest two. one for all of your computer/printer needs, and one for the fridge/microwave, because you generally don't keep all of that in the same spot)

-zip ties (funny sounding, but are AMAZING for keeping cords together and making your room a little less like a spider web)


Off Campus Living.

-furniture (if not provided in your apartment, which is unlikely, search thrift stores, and stores like Target and Wal-Mart, then go to Ikea as a last resort. Their items may be cute, but they tend to be pricey for the average college student)

-pots & pans (really good sets can be found at both Target & Wal-Mart, and are generally on sale before school starts)

-kitchen utensils (I've found sets on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond, and Linens n' Things, but can also be found for cheap at Wal-Mart and Target)

-stand-alone fan (really good for when you move in, since its most likely in the summer, your apartment will get HOT when you're moving boxes all day)

-toaster

-microwave (if not provided with apartment)

-measuring cups/spoons

-mixing bowls

-dish set (cute ones are cheap at Target)

-silverware set

-vacuum (cheap, decent quality ones, can be found at Target and Home Depot like stores)