Packing for college can easily become a mess. With stacks of dorm supply lists to choose from, your list becomes a jumble of items to weigh the pros and cons of. Often, the best advice you can get is directly from those who once lived in the same situation. Though these essentials can vary from person to person, we have compiled a list of what to buy versus what to leave on the shelf when it comes to your own dorm supply shopping.
What to spend your money on
Daniela Aguilar, Life Editor
Picnic blanket: When the weather is nice, Alumni Lawn will be full of students, and having a cute picnic blanket makes it 10 times better. It’s also perfect for days in Centennial Park and a great addition to hangouts. I truly believe that investing in a picnic blanket can enhance your college experience by providing a cozy spot for relaxation and socializing.
Shoes you don’t mind getting dirty: Bringing comfortable “beater shoes” is crucial for the college experience, especially for parties where you don’t want to ruin your favorite pair. These shoes will become your reliable choice for any messy or casual occasion. I recommend a pair of Converse or any cute yet comfy sneaker.
Caboodles makeup case: If you’re a makeup girl like me, having an easily transportable and spacious makeup case is extremely important. I bought a Caboodles case right before coming to college, and it’s been my favorite makeup storage spot ever since. It’s extremely cute, has plenty of divisions and includes a mirror, making it perfect for any college makeup lover.
TaMyra Johnson, Deputy Life Editor
Vacuum: My roommate and I got a small one halfway through the year, and it was very helpful. Your floors are bound to get a little dirty, so I found a vacuum to be my go-to rather than a broom.
Drying mat: I didn’t know many other people who used a drying mat, but I placed it under my shower caddy and shower shoes to prevent water from spilling everywhere. It was very easy to clean and kept my floor from being wet.
Abby Hoelscher, Photography Editor
First aid kit: The scary but real truth about living in a building with dozens of early adults still learning to take care of themselves is that everybody is pretty much always sick. My first aid kit was created from a pink tackle box from Home Goods and stuffed to the brim with everything from cough and cold medicine to antiseptics, bandages, COVID-19 tests, pain relief medicines and disposable heating pads.
Bedside shelf or caddy: Not only is a lofted dorm bed the trendy move, but it comes to be quite practical, especially in the smallest of double or triple rooms. Rather than trying to find a six-foot nightstand to drive halfway across the country to school, an easy shelf or caddy can be the perfect storage compartment for bedtime essentials.
George Albu, Staff Writer and Photographer
Extended charging cables: Upgrading your out-of-the-box charging cable will make using your devices a breeze, allowing you to charge them even when seated far from an outlet. I recommend purchasing one that’s around six feet long. That has given me the perfect balance of convenience while not occupying too much space in my bag. Bonus points if the cable is threaded — purchasing a great quality threaded cable provides you with an extra-durable companion for whenever you need to recharge before a lecture.
What to save your money on
Daniela Aguilar, Life Editor
Printer: Bringing a printer will likely be more of a hassle than a help. They take up a lot of space, and there are plenty of working printers around campus. Plus, Vanderbilt’s Free Printing Program provides $6 to each student’s Commodore Card at the beginning of each academic year, with an additional $9 for students eligible for need-based aid. Even though it may not sound like a lot, the free printing money goes a long way. With the program, I have never found myself needing to pay for printing out of pocket.
TaMyra Johnson, Deputy Life Editor
A big trash can: If you’re like me, you watched all the TikTok videos that said dorm trash cans would be too small to fit anything. While this may be true at other schools, it has not been the case for me at Vanderbilt. Your dorm is supplied with a decent-sized trash can and recycling bin. My roommate bought us a trash can, and all it did was take up extra space, so this is a pass for me.
Decorative pillows: This one may be controversial but you do not need the five extra pillows on your bed. I did this and may do it again, but it is not a necessity. When you’re sleeping, your pillows are most likely going to end up on the floor since they take up a lot of space. They are really cute though, so I’d leave this decision to the end of my dorm shopping.
Abby Hoelscher, Photography Editor
Full-length mirror: Though this may be crucial at some schools, all of the residential colleges at Vanderbilt are furnished with full-length mirrors! If nothing else, this one can save you a few bucks in your online shopping cart.
Drying rack: We all know that sometimes dorm laundry situations don’t dry our clothes to the best of their ability. That being said, hanging up damp or delicate clothes on a hanger on the underside of my lofted bed worked perfectly fine and saved me both the space and money of a traditional drying rack.
Mattress topper: Dorm rooms obviously differ from school to school, as do dorm shopping guides across the Internet. From a Vanderbilt perspective, I thought that spending money on a foam mattress topper was a complete waste because the mattresses were pretty thick and comfortable if they were layered with the right bedding. Instead, spend that money on comfortable bed sheets and pillows.
George Albu, Staff Writer and Photographer
Mini-fridge: This is perhaps controversial, but I am glad to have avoided the burden of owning a mini-fridge during my first year. Finding it too expensive and clunky to justify owning, I saw it more as a chore to deal with in May than anything. Alongside finding space in my triple for it, selling it for a loss at the end of the year would have become a headache after all was said and done. Plus, considering that you can easily purchase cold drinks from Munchie Marts or enjoy unlimited drinks at the dining halls, this is a solid pass for me.
Leisure books: I also did not bring leisure books to campus. Now, this is very much dependent on the person, but unless you are consuming a series, do not bring more than one or two leisure books to campus. Often, you will be too preoccupied with academics and extracurriculars to finish reading any of said books. If not, Vanderbilt has at least three undergraduate libraries fully stocked with any genre you could imagine. Skip bringing your personal library and just borrow.
We understand that this list includes both niche items that are wants (but can make a big difference) as well as items commonly packed that may be a waste of your graduation money. Regardless, we hope that our experience can help you start thinking about what you may or may not need as an incoming Vanderbilt student.
