What does your freshman really need for dorm living?

This paid piece is sponsored by Dakota State University. 

Many families of high school graduates likely are preparing for their students to leave for college in fall. Now is a great time to begin shopping to equip students with some of the essentials they will need while living away from home.

For starters, look at the school’s website under housing — often found in the student life section of the website — to find lists of things to bring, descriptions of residence halls and more information.

“One of the biggest pieces of advice we give to parents is to communicate with your student’s roommate before you come,” said Wendi Carlson-Kenley, interim director of residence life at Dakota State University.

“There are some of those big items like the TV, refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker that they might want to bring, but they don’t really need two of.”

Beyond the large items, students will need to outfit their room with the basics such as sheets, pillows and towels. Check out the list below to get started:

• XL twin sheets — two sets are beneficial when sharing a laundry.
• Mattress pad to add an additional layer of comfort.
• Comforter and/or throw blanket to help keep them cozy all year long.
• Pillows.
• Towels.
• Clothes hangers for their most studious outfits or their 8 a.m. class sweats.
• Laundry bag or basket.
• Surge protector to help them stay plugged in.
• Fan for temperature control.
• Mini garbage can for first drafts.

And it’s important not to forget personal care items:

• Bathroom toiletries for refreshing and staying clean after pulling an all-nighter.
• Shower caddy for organizing and carrying those toiletries.
• Shower flip-flops for shared bathrooms.
• Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and Tylenol.
• Laundry detergent for fresh sheets and clothes.
• Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for staying healthy on the go.
• Water bottles or bottled water for daily hydration.

Each dorm room comes with furniture specific to the room, often with lofting kits for beds as well. Students can bring additional furniture for their room, as long as it fits with existing furniture.

Now let’s talk about decor. While nails and neon signs are a no-no, there are welcome ways for students to personalize their space:

• Utilize poster tack and tape for placing items on the wall.
• Posters allow students to display their favorite art and images.
• Photos of family, friends and memories can be displayed in a variety of ways, like taped in a photo grid.
• LED string lights can brighten up a room.
• Wickless candles for weeks of scent.
• Glade Plug-Ins without an additional outlet attached.
• Cork sheets for notes, schedules and more.

Things to avoid:

• Nails
• Tacks.
• Duct tape.
• Hooks.
• Pins.
• Halogen, lava or sunlamps.
• Neon signs.
• Candles with wicks.
• Space heaters.
• Window air conditioners.

Carlson-Kenley has more recommendations for incoming freshmen, such as looking for compact storage ideas to fit smaller spaces and “don’t bring your whole room.”

Additionally, if students don’t already know how, she suggests they learn to do laundry and to cook simple meals that might be a comforting break from the dining hall.

She also advises students to come in with an open mind and an understanding that “your roommate may not end up being your best friend.”

“You can have a roommate who you get along with but you don’t do something with 24/7.”

It’s important to remember that not being best friends with a roommate does not make the student a failure, she added.

Finally, as the move-in date gets closer, students should continue to check and read their emails for information about check-in and procedures.

For information about DSU’s housing, including helpful sections like what to bring and what to leave behind, visit DSU housing.