Dorm Room Essentials: Eating and Chilling

So you’re pretty much set for college. Tuition’s paid, books have been researched and bought, meal plan has been selected and bought, and your parking fee just went through. Oh, and you bought your bed, bath, and desk supplies. You’re all set!

Not quite, darlings. Because unless you plan on staying in the room studying all the time, you’re missing the “fun” times. But also you need to think about another time.

The relaxing times.

So here are some items you may want to include into your U-Haul or moving vehicle of choice before you ship off to college so as to have that relaxing dorm.

1: If you live two buildings and nine floors up from the nearest mess hall . . .

You’re going to want to buy a mini fridge. This can stock drinks, fruit, left overs, cold foods in general, and make a nice shelf for that microwave you’re going to want to bring to heat said left overs in. Also, grab some dishes from mom’s cabinet to add to your collection. Don’t forget the essentials!

Essential Dishes:
- Bowls (for those seven cent Ramen Noodles and off-brand cereal)
- Spoon (to eat soup, cereal, and ice cream with)
- Fork (Leftovers need some lovin’.)
- Knife (because sometimes you need something to spread the peanut butter and take the plastic wrap off that CD)
- A Cup (To put fluids that you would want to drink in unless you drink strictly from cans)
- A Plate (to put food on to heat it up)
- A Can-opener (Spaghetti-Os aren’t going to open themselves)

Some Things To Consider:
- Napkins or Paper Towels (To wipe up messes)
- Coffee Cup (if you like to drink it and have a coffee maker in your room)
- A Water Pitcher (If you actually like water and don’t want to buy a water bottle every time)
- Dry Food Storage (This can actually be just that storage place you’re putting everything else in your room)
- A Reusable Water Bottle (Once again, so you don’t have to buy a new one every time. And you can put more than just water in it, if that’s what you prefer. Good for when you’re going to class.)

Remember, you can add or take away from this list as you please. I didn’t need half of this stuff and think I’m going to be okay. Just look at your daily life now and it’ll show you what you’re going to want the most. And for those dishes that you wish to use in the microwave, make sure they’re microwave-safe.

Also, remember to utilize your resources. For everything that I am bring with me to my dorm, the mini fridge was the only thing that was actually purchased ($79.99 at Walmart, baby!) and that was because I feared that the mini someone was giving me might crap out (it was as old as me!).

2: For Entertainment purposes only.

So you’re a huge gamer. Maybe you like to read to relax. Or you just might need to watch the newest episode of “Project Runway” in order to be happy. That’s okay. We all come in different shapes and sizes so here are some tips for some of you out there.

First off, bring a TV. It could come in handy for all those boring old days and could even entice fellow hall mates into your room. Just make sure that for those times you aren’t in class, you don’t spend it all the time alone, in front of the TV. College is probably the only time in your life where you’re in close proximity of hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people your own age, going through what you’re going through. Take advantage of that opportunity and meet people. It could be as simple as going to the dining hall and sitting at someone’s table.

Now if you’re a gamer, go a head. Bring your PS2 (or 3), Xbox360, Wii, or even a Gamecube or an old school Nintendo64.

But only one. That’s right, one.

I’m suggesting limiting yourself to one gaming console (one per roommate, at least.). This is for two reasons:

One: You bring more than one and you’ve increased the chance of never coming out of your room.

Two: You really don’t have that much space.

So bring one game console, a couple of your favorite games, and that’s it. Don’t get too fancy or complicated.

Movies are a good way to keep entertained and to invite people but opt for a DVD player over a VHS (unless you get a VHS/DVD player combo). Or if you happen to bring a gaming console that’s compatible for DVDs, skip the DVD player all together. If you bring DVDs from home, don’t bring the whole set. That way, if they get lost or, heaven forbid, stolen, you’ll still have some. And make sure to keep them in a disc holder, not their original casing. Once again, you don’t have that much room. And do not bring VHS’s no matter what. You can wait until your first apartment for that.

If you read for pleasure, get a library card. Maybe even look into stories online or eBooks. Do not tote around your library collection. Maybe bring one book that you love to read over and over again but that’s pushing it. And I feel you pain. I have a book case in my room that is stuffed with books but I know I can’t bring them all. It makes me sad, too.

So maybe your entertainment is based more in outdoorsy things. That’s cool but from what I’ve heard, most sports’ equipment can actually be borrowed from the school so don’t bring too many sport related items with you. Maybe a tennis racket and a Frisbee. (This, of course, is up to you. Just look at the room and see what you have room for! Also, considering leaving some equipment in your car instead of putting it in your room.)

Music is fun and lovely and if you have room, talk with your roommate about bringing a boom box to your dorm. That’s right, a boom box. Don’t bring the entire system from home, including the detached speakers and the woofer that could blow the walls down. For Cds, once again, put them in a disc holder and don’t bring them all.

Don’t forget to bring your portable CD player or iPod (depending on which you prefer. I’m actually a CD player fan myself) to have for yourself, along with some decent and sturdy headphones. These are also good for watching movies on a laptop while your Roomie is sleeping.

Even if you’re thing is arts and crafts, bring a sketch pad and a small box (like one of those cheap pencil boxes that we all had when we were little) of pens, pencils, whatever you prefer. Even a cheap coloring book or two might help. Thanks to my high school education, I actually find this activity both relaxing and creative.

And remember, bring what you like to do already and what you already have! Move-in day is not the time to discover “new hobbies” that you’ll no longer like two weeks in.

3: Communication is key.

In this day, a phone is key. But not just a good cellular phone with a long distance plan. A dorm should also be equipped with a “landline.” It’s great for calling take out, other rooms, and various other numbers! And it wont waste your minutes on your cell phone.

Plus, if you look at your student bill, you’ll see that you’re already paying for it so why not take advantage of it? So go out and get a land line.

In most cases, you wont even have to go buy one. Ask your mom if you have a spare phone in the house or various relatives. Somebody’s bound to have one in a random box upstairs in the attic.

To keep in touch with the roommate during the day, get a white board or a pack of sticky notes! I got my white board for ninety-nine cents! Write a note and leave it somewhere they’ll see it.

4: And something comfy to enjoy it all on . . .

This may not be the most important thing to you but when I watch TV, play games, watch a movie, read, and even eat, I like to do it in a comfortable place that isn’t my bed. So this is what I suggest:

Get a futon. Doesn’t have to be new but it does need to be comfortable (and situated right across from the TV.). You can even get cozy with some throw pillows and a blanket over the top.

If you don’t have the money (or the space) then just get a comfortable chair or add chair pads to your desk chair. Whatever makes the room a little bit more comfortable for you.

5: Final Word.

Once again, these are not rules, just advice. Feel free to add or delete to your heart’s content. I am here merely to help along as much as I can.

All photos are by me done in my room, bathroom, and garage with stuff I have.

Questions or comments, as always, are more than welcomed.

Sincerely,
Ran