Portable Speaker
If there’s one element that has shaped my college experience more than anything else, it’s music. Whether I’m getting ready for a football game, chatting outside with friends or studying for my next exam, I always have something playing to set the tone. A good speaker is an investment that will last throughout college and beyond, making it a worthwhile purchase. Popular options include JBL and Turtle box, which are known for their durability and sound quality.
Heated blanket
Don’t let its location on a map or its country charm fool you — Nashville gets cold. Since dorm walls are thin, the effects of the cooler weather are felt immediately within our own rooms. A heated blanket is a foolproof way to warm up without bothering with the dorm room thermostat. All you need is an outlet, and you can be warm in your room all winter long.
Himalayan salt lamp
Another fact of Nashville winter life: it gets dark early. As an avid overhead light hater, I’ve made it my personal mission to find other, more cozy lighting options to make the winter evenings bearable. My personal light of choice is a Himalayan salt lamp, which provides a warm glow and calming presence to the room without being too bright. On many, you can also adjust the brightness settings yourself, making it a truly personalized lighting option.
Projector
In a college dorm room, extra space is hard to come by. It’s difficult enough to fit a bed, desk and mini fridge, so for many, making room for a TV is out of the question. For those with a lack of space, a projector is the perfect solution for providing cozy entertainment. It turns movie nights from uncomfortable to enjoyable. No more hours spent huddling around a computer screen trying to see. With a projector, you can watch from anywhere in the room, providing a true theater experience.
Fleece jacket
In just one short semester, I’ve experienced countless days where I’ve debated the unanswerable question: jacket or no jacket? A puffer feels extreme, but a hoodie won’t cut it against the wind’s chill. On these days, I’ve found that a light fleece offers a perfect in-between. Not too bulky, but just fluffy enough to keep some of the wind at bay. Some popular options for where to buy fleece jackets include Ugg, Free People Movement and Aerie.
Water bottle
Perhaps the most functional item on this list, finding a good and sturdy water bottle is a key aspect of college living. With all the walking students do from building to building, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated. By finding a water bottle that you can pack and bring anywhere, you save yourself the trouble of constantly searching for a water fountain or refill station. Some popular options for insulated water bottles include Owala, Yeti and Stanley. Their ability to keep drinks hot or cold for a long time is an added bonus.
Memory foam pillow
This one may sound obvious, but in my opinion, you don’t know what you’re missing until you have it. At the beginning of the semester, I bought a new pillow, specifically one made of memory foam. Despite my initial thought that it would have no impact on my sleep quality, I instantly found myself sleeping more soundly and comfortably. My pillow of choice is the Z Pillow, but there are tons of comfortable options available both online and in stores like Target and Walmart.
Eye mask
Keeping on the sleep theme, the next top purchase I’ve made this year is a sleeping mask. Dorm life is synonymous with close-proximity living, which many students are not used to or prepared for. Adjusting to one another’s sleep schedules can be a challenge, and a blackout sleeping mask benefits both night owls and early risers. At night, it can be used to block out any lights that a roommate may be using, and in the morning, it can combat the light pouring in through not-so-blackout curtains.
Magnetic white board
While buying dorm room decor, the choice between aesthetics and functionality is a difficult decision to make, and a whiteboard is a perfect compromise. You can use it as a calendar, a to-do list or as a place to hang up your favorite pictures. It can also serve as an exterior door decoration to write notes to your hallmates. The variety of uses is what makes a whiteboard such a good and versatile purchase.
Plants
Many of us miss our pets while we are away at college. As outlandish as it might sound, purchasing a plant has given both my roommate and me a feeling similar to that of taking care of our pets. Our plant of choice is a cactus, a solid option for those who lack a green thumb or tend to be on the forgetful side. It also makes for the perfect windowsill decoration. Though it will never replace our precious animals at home, having something to water and care for makes daily life in a dorm just a little more exciting.
These ten purchases may seem small on their own, but together they’ve made dorm life much more comfortable, functional and enjoyable. Whether it’s for staying warm, keeping organized or adding a personal touch to a space, the right items can transform a dorm room into a true home away from home.
