The Metamorphosis
This post is all about campus living and the most efficient way to shop for your college dorm and move in on campus. It’s the ultimate guide for your first time living on campus.
One of the best things about your college experience is living on campus – but are you prepared to move in? Do you know what to pack? Are you overwhelmed with deciding what college dorm essentials you really need?
Well, look no further! This is the ultimate college dorm room living post to answers all your questions about what college dorm essentials you actually need to buy, how to pack, and tips for moving in and out of college!
I’m a senior in college and I’m about to go into my last semester before I graduate this Spring. I’ve lived on campus every semester since freshman year so believe me when I tell you I know all about the do’s and don’ts of packing and dorm room shopping. I’ve had plenty of experience.
Without further ado let’s get into what you need and don’t need, and the BEST tips for packing and moving into your college dorm.
*Affiliate links are used in this post, read more here.
Before You Start Shopping for College:
Talk to Your Roommate(s)
If you’re sharing a room, make sure you communicate with your roommate to find out what they’re bringing! You don’t want to both bring something like a trash can. Share the load so that they bring certain things one semester and you bring those things next.
Take Stuff from Home!
My freshman year I wanted everything to be new and everything to mine. That got old pretty quickly after I spent $300 in one store and only did half my shopping.
My advice? See what you can bring from home first. I took stuff that my mom had in excess; pillows, kitchen utensils, blender, new towels etc.
Both of these tips allow you to save money and shrink your college packing list. Now onto the tips…
Best College Shopping Tips
Pro Tip #1: Get Bulky Items AFTER You Move In
I wish someone told me this my freshman year.
You may or may not agree but hear me out first. I’m not saying don’t shop at all until you move in. Some things are necessities so you know for a fact that you’ll need them. You can get that stuff – but anything else you’re skeptical about or haven’t used before, wait till after you move in.
Benefits:
- Saves you money: how? because when you shop after you move in, you get a feel for what you need and you see how much space you really have to work with
- Saves you time: you move in faster when you have fewer things to carry, which means fewer trips getting to your room on a busy elevator
- Saves you energy: like I said before, fewer things to carry.
- Less stress: if you’re going to a college in a different state or just hours away from your home, this will also make things easier.
So let’s get practical. What exactly do I mean? How do you do this?
You either shop online, or in a store near campus (depending on the size of the items and your mobility).
Best Places to Shop for College Dorm Room Essentials
Not sure where to shop for your college essentials? Don’t worry, I got you.
Below is a list of the best places to shop if you’re on a budget. Some may be more expensive than others, but these stores usually have great college dorm items and deals around move in time.
Dollar Tree & Dollar General
If you want to get basic dorm room items like storage bins, snacks, and plastic ware, head over to either Dollar Tree and/or Dollar General. In my opinion, it’s better to shop at these places in store rather than online because sometimes they try to get you to buy the items in bulk online because it’s so cheap.
Amazon
Your one-stop shop for… pretty much everything! The great thing about Amazon is that you get a 6 month Amazon Prime Student trial which means FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING! This is the most convenient option in my opinion because you can get your dorm essentials delivered to your dorm in no time. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other websites.
Walmart
Of course, Wally-world is on the list! This is a great place to shop for your college dorm room essentials without breaking the bank. You can also pick up groceries from there as well.
Target
Target usually has an entire college dorm room shopping featured page to get all your dorm essentials during the summer. They offer great deals on back to school items. I got most of my items there.
The Container Store
Great for organization and storage items and other college dorm essentials. It’s a bit more expensive than Walmart and Target but they usually have great items.
Again, there are many other places, but these usually offer the best deals in my opinion.
BONUS PRO TIP: I’d recommend going to the super budget-friendly stores first. You can get basic cleaning supplies and plastic ware (for lazy days) and storage and organization items. For the nicer stuff like your bedding, you can check out the other stores.
Getting Cash Back While You Shop with Ebates
First and foremost, I would recommend using Ebateswhen you’re ordering your stuff online so you get some extra cash back in addition to whatever savings the website may offer. Ebates also finds and applies any active coupons to your cart when you check out for even more savings!
*Plus when you use my referral link, you get an extra $10 when you spend $25 (which you will because dorm shopping isn’t cheap, am I right?)
In case you aren’t sure how Ebates works or have never heard of it, you can read my article on how to save money and get cash back with Ebates.
BONUS PRO TIP #2: Make sure you have a UNiDays account to get student discounts at hundreds of stores, especially if you’re planning on getting more clothes for college.
Disclaimer: since you’re probably going to have family helping you move, you may want to still get some items before you move in to make it easier for you that way. I did a bit of both in my senior year (because I had a lot of stuff from prior years), but I ordered a lot of the new items and had them shipped to the mail room at my dorm.
P.S. Just in case you’re wondering, for the items you know you’ll need – order ahead of time so that it comes in the same week/day you move in.
Related:
More tips on how you can save and get more cash back when you shop:
8 Ways to Save Money & Get Cash Back When You Shop
11 Insanely Easy Ways to Save Money in College
The #1 Tool for Getting Cash Back that You Didn’t Know You Needed
Pro Tip #2: Get Groceries AFTER You Move In
Whether or not you decide to order some of your items after you move in, so you don’t have to deal with it on move-in day, you’re still going to have a lot of stuff. It can be hard to pack all that stuff + groceries in your car. So what I’ve usually done is go grocery shopping after I move all my things in (same day).
Using Instacart for groceries
Recently, I’ve been using Instacart ever since they came out, to get my groceries.
It’s a grocery delivery app that allows you to shop at your local supermarkets. Instacart is also very interactive in that it allows you to communicate with your shoppers to get any replacements or extra items if needed. It’s literally like having a personal shopping assistant.
If you’re interested, you can use my referral link for $10 off your first order.
Pro Tip #3: Amazon Prime Student
I had to separate this one to make sure you see it because a lot of students actually don’t know about this!
As a college student, you get a FREE 6 month Amazon Prime trial after which you pay only $6.49/month.
I had a friend who was actually paying the $99/yr fee because he didn’t know this. Don’t be like him.
What to Buy for Your College Dorm
Now that you know how to shop smart, get the free checklist for your college dorm essentials!
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Are you more of a visual person? Well, guess what! I created a list of 30 things that will transform your college dorm room AND 30+ Dorm Room Storage Ideas to Maximize Your Space
Consider bundled deals/ College packages
It may be a bit overwhelming to shop for each item for your college dorm room individually. For this reason, many consider the bundled deal like these:
Click here to view the lilac bundle! Click here to view the pink bundle!
They include all the basic items you need like your comforter, mattress, topper, sheets, and more.
Recommendations
One item that I would highly recommend – a wheeled laundry basket. Trust me on this. I’ve had the regular mesh ones and it was a nightmare dragging that thing to the laundry room because it was a long walk. Do yourself a favor and get one with wheels! Here are some examples:
It’s also pretty popular in my dorm. I’ve seen a lot of students in the halls just casually pulling it while I struggled with my old mesh one – that’s why I bought it.
- Ample storage space: Hold 60 liters (15kg/33lbs) of laundry in this robust and durable plastic clothes hamper
- Comfortable handles for portability: Built-in cut-out handles allow easy transport to the laundry room or laundromat
- Lid keeps it neat: The hinged lid lets you keep your laundry under wraps when guests come over, keeping your bathroom or bedroom tidy at all times
- Ventilated for aeration: Avoid buildup and keep spaces fresh and clean with a ventilated design that promotes easy airflow
- Just the right size: Measuring 17.65 long x 13.75 wide x 24.15 inches tall (44.83 x 34.92 x 61.34 centimeters), the 4-lb. clothes hamper slides into small spaces yet holds so much
No products found.
Here’s what else you need for college:
13 Essential Items Every College Student Needs to Get Through the Semester
10 Backpack Essentials Every College Student Must Have
Things You Don’t Need to Buy
Before I started freshman year, I watched just about every dorm room shopping video on Youtube and downloaded a bunch of college checklists. I had to be prepared, right?
Well here’s what I learned: you don’t need half of the things on those lists. So in addition to FREE dorm essentials checklist above, I made a list of things that you really don’t need to get. It all comes down to personal preference but if you prefer to save money, then I got you! So without further ado, here are…
15 things I’ve either bought from other college checklists and never used or things I know for a fact you can live without:
- USB Flash Drive – no one uses these anymore.
- 500 decorative pillows – now this is a matter of preference but think about this; most dorms have Twin XL beds which are basically big enough for nobody. If you have like 5 decorative pillows on your bed, where are you going to sleep?
- Toolkit – don’t need it; call maintenance.
- Batteries – if you have something you need batteries for then buy it, but what’s the point of getting batteries just because? How do you know what batteries you’ll need until you need them?
- Ironing board – when my roommate and I realized neither of us brought one we used our desk, lol
- Sewing kit – I bought one of these for freshman year and I have YET to use it!
- Alarm clock – save some money and treat yourself with some food. Use your phone.
- Extra furniture – just don’t. You already barely have space.
- Shower caddy – unless you’re sharing a public bathroom you don’t need this.
- Scale – why? do you really need that kind of negativity?
- Drying rack – don’t. no space. just use command strips if anything.
- Curtains – the rooms will have blinders. If you really don’t want any light coming in your room then so be it.
- Area rug – great decor but you can live without it
- Lap desk – your pillow is actually a great alternative
- 300 storage bins – I had more storage bins than I had things to store; they were just so pretty and alluring. Get storage bins AFTER you move in to see how much you REALLY need.
Don’t get me wrong, some of these things will definitely take your dorm to the next level and make it feel more like home. But if you’re trying to save money, you can do without them.
But if you’re more interested in say, having the best college dorm room, I created a list of 30 things that will transform your room!
College Packing Tips
Prepack items before actually packing to move in
Okay so bare with the title, I just didn’t know how to say this. But let me give you an example to better explain it:
- If you bought the Sterilite Organizer Mini 3 Drawer Wht Sm (Pack of 2) for your makeup, pack your makeup in the organizer and then put it in a box with the rest of your items for move-in day. That way you just take it out and put it on your dresser and you’re done.
Keep Your Clothes on Hangers
My BIGGEST tip for making your life easier on move-in day is to put a garbage bag on your clothes (while on hangers). That way when you’re moving in and unpacking, you simply just hang them up and remove the bags, and voila! You’re done.
Label Everything!
Store similar items in the same box or storage bin and label it! That way you can find things easily when you’re unpacking.
For more packing tips, this post has a lot of good ideas.
Tips for Move-In Day
GET A CART!!!!
Cart, hand truck, trolley, whatever you call it, get one. I promise you; this will be the best investment you ever make.
My school provides move-in bins to help carry items on move-in day but they rent it out at $15/hour! I’ve always rented a bin because I never wanted to invest in a trolley because I was too cheap. In hindsight, I realized I would’ve saved money had I bought one freshman year. Luckily my friend had one this year so I borrowed hers.
Do yourself a favor a get a trolley! I can guarantee you, you will use it more than you anticipated. In case you’re not sure, this is what I’m talking about, take your pick:
Get there early
My college always gives out a schedule for move in based on your floor. I always ignore this because I usually get times in the afternoon where it’s busier than usual because that’s when everyone comes. This can be a hassle because it’s harder to find parking plus you have to wait forever to get on the elevator with all your stuff. If you get there as soon as they start it’s much easier.
Tips for Moving Out
Start moving out early
Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing. If you are able to go home on weekends because you live close, bring more and more items home with you in the weeks prior.
Stop buying food
Now, I’m not saying to starve. I’m saying, don’t buy groceries a week before you move out. Your last shopping trip should be around 2-3 weeks before your last day. Shop strategically so you don’t run out of food. In the last week before you move out you should try to eat up whatever you have left so you don’t waste any food. The last thing you’ll want to pack up is food – you’ll be more tempted to just throw it away.
Take note of what you didn’t use
Don’t be like me; don’t take all your stuff home and then bring back all the things you didn’t use the next year. Pay attention to what hasn’t be used and don’t bring it back! I know it’s hard – you’ll tell yourself you might need it, but I promise you, you don’t (as you’ve seen).
Don’t forget your shopping list!
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This ultimate campus living guide showed you the ins and outs of how to shop for your college dorm, move in & out, where to get your dorm essentials and more! Like it? Share it!
Check out my other college posts:
- 10 Backpack Essentials Every College Student Must Have
- 13 Essential Items Every College Student Needs to Get Through the Semester
- Dorm Room Ideas | 15 Insanely Cute Dorm Room Ideas to Copy this Year
- How to Write a College Paper and Get an A+ Every Time
- 20+ College Graduation Gift Ideas Your Grad Actually Wants
- Top 15 High School Graduation Gift Ideas for 2019
- 11 Lessons You’ll Learn the Hard Way in College
- 30+ Dorm Room Storage Ideas to Maximize Your Space
- 3 Post-Grad Entrepreneurs Give Advice on Life After College
- College Success Tips: The Ultimate College Survival Guide
- The Ultimate College Shopping & Move-In Day Guide
- 30 Things that will Transform Your College Dorm
- 11 Insanely Easy Ways to Save Money in College
