Your Dorm "Must Haves"

As an upperclassman college student, I’ve been there and done the dorm life. I experienced some of my best memories in those tiny rooms and made the best of friendships.

To me, it was so important to have my room looking cute, clean, and classy. But it’s not cheap to do so and I definitely had more than I needed. To make sure you don’t break your piggy bank or go overboard, here are a couple of my “must-haves” helpful tips for dorm living:

• Lighting: $10-$20

This changes the room incredibly, especially in the evening. Buy some cheap, regular white Christmas lights (seriously, mine were $3) and hang them around the room. You can also look for some cool/unique lamps at thrift shops around town!

• Desk Decorations: $10-$25

  My desk was covered with picture frames of my loved ones, inspirational quotes for when I needed that extra push, and a desk organizer to keep my pencils/supplies together. Make sure you stay organized because it’s easy for a desk to get cluttered!

• Shower Supplies and Caddies: $15-$40

  You can find these cheap at Target or Walmart. I prefer Target because they have cute (or if you’re a guy, cool) themes. This includes your shower caddy to keep your necessities together; towels, bathrobes, tooth brush holders, etc.

• Wall Art: $10-$50

  This is the icing on the cake for dorm living, making your space unique and “you”. For some cheap decorations, print out pictures of your family/friends/pets from home and hang them up across the wall with fishing line and clothespins. If you’re feeling crafty, buy a canvas, some cheap paint, and check out Pinterest for some fun/simple ideas for your room and paint away. This can also be a fun way to bond with your new roommate!

• Throw Rug: $20-$75

  This can change your room from a cold space to a cozy room. I personally like a lighter color to brighten the room.

• Seating: $25-$50

  When you’re not wanting to sit in the lofted bed or the world’s most uncomfortable chair (aka the desk chair provided), make sure you have a comfy/fun chair to lounge in. Personally, I had a trampoline chair and it was the go-to spot in our room but there is so many fun ones to choose from. For some ideas, you can search online! 

• Bedding: $70 and Up

  My mistake was buying it all separate which can be expensive. You can buy sets that include everything - comforter, sheets, fitted sheet, and pillowcases – especially this time of year. Your bedding will be the “attention grabber” piece in your room, so make sure you love it.

 Reported from businessinsider.com, the average amount a family spends on dorm décor/supplies is $907. My biggest advice is to start saving now (even if you’re moving next month), to make it a little easier. The Credit Unions Earn and Learn Savings account offers high interest rates for anyone under 21, so I would jump into saving ASAP. 

If you’re about to move on campus, get excited and remember to soak every moment in. It truly flies by so fast, but it will be the time of your life! If you need help financing your education, check out our student choice loans.