We all have our dreams of our perfect college dorm room, right? A place to come home at the end of the day and feel rested. A tidy dorm room, flooded with natural light. All your essentials are organized and in place. The window is open, letting a fragrant breeze freshen your space. A fresh bouquet of flowers on your desk. Glowing twinkly lights.
The reality of it is often crushing because of — well, orientation day. A long drive. Sweat. The exhaustion of hauling box after box up the stairs. The fact that your dorm resembles a depressed jail cell.
So, how do you get from reality to your dream dorm? It all boils down to packing. The more you bring, the more overwhelmed you’ll be. However, the less you bring, the more peaceful your space will be. In order to reach your dream version of your dorm, you need to bring only the things that you really need — the things you love.
I had a hard time finding a packing guide for minimalists who still wanted their dorm to feel like a home and not a hospital ward. I put together this list — every single thing that I brought and used during my first semester at college. Adapt it to fit your own circumstances, of course, but know this: if you’re in doubt, you probably won’t use it.
Desk
- laptop, case, and charger
- phone, case, and charger
- camera and charger
- polaroid camera and extra film
- headphones
- power strip
- vision board with pictures and polaroids
- a desk lamp
- air freshener
- a mug with all pens and highlighters
- stationary (to write home all your adventures)
- various binders and notebooks for organizational purposes
- a day planner (this will save your life)
- school supplies: 3-hole punch, tape, sticky notes, stapler, paper clips, scissors, index cards, eraser
- textbooks: all nineteen of them stacked in the bottom drawer
- a box of tissue
- backpack: wallet, student ID, eyeglasses, gum, hand sanitizer, keys
Closet
- three pairs of jeans
- two pairs of shorts
- one dress (preferably black because it’s cool)
- seven tops — a couple nice ones for dressy occasions.
- eight jackets (including denim jacket, leather jackets, and a hoodie)
- five sweaters
- workout clothes
- socks and unmentionables
- accessories: belts, a beanie
- shoes: boots, tennis shoes, flip-flops
- laundry hamper
Toiletries
- towels: hand towels, shower towels, face towels
- shower caddy with shampoo, conditioner, soap, facial cleanser, razor
- makeup pouch (click here for my five-minute college makeup routine) and perfumes
- hair: brush, spray, hairbands, bobby pins (unless you’re truly dedicated, you won’t need a curling iron)
- nail polish, clippers, and file
- three sets of earrings
- toothbrush, paste, retainer
- deodorant
Decor / Bedspread
- mattress pad
- two sets of sheets
- comforter
- many, many pillows
- command hooks and tape (you will give thanks)
- twinkly lights EVERYWHERE
- decorations: plants, candles,
- some manner of tapestry to brighten up the room (I got my map from Society6)
- nightstand: alarm clock, Bible, hand lotion
Miscellaneous
- coffee station: espresso pods, coffee cup, assorted teas, coffee machine
- a refillable water bottle
- refillable coffee cup
- laundry pods
- yoga mat
- umbrella
- first-aid kit
- cleaning supplies: extra trash bags, sanitizing wipes, paper towels
- a suitcase or overnight bag for weekends
- a purse for excursions out into the great wide world beyond the college campus!
There you have it! A complete list of items to pack, designed to be minimalist(ish) and yet still have your hobbit-y comforts like tea and cozy blankets. Your dorm room might not feel like home right away — and that’s okay. Like any growing thing, you need time to adjust to being replanted.
Sometime during orientation weekend, dedicate an hour or two to just puttering around. Open your windows, turn on a fan, play some soft music from your phone. As you unpack, fold your clothes neatly in the drawers. Arrange your books. Spritz some air freshener. Brew a fresh cup of tea. You’ll feel better for it, I promise.
Here’s to your wonderful new adventure,
<3 Olivia Grace
