BAY CITY, Mich. -- Whether you're an incoming freshman or returning student, the Back to School season is especially huge for college students, especially when it comes to shopping for supplies, and certainly for those who will be living on campus. While you might have the essentials like a mini-fridge or Netflix, there are several things that you may not have expected would be so useful for dorm life.
From
Graff Bay City, here are 10 unexpected things you didn't know you needed for college!
1. A BEDSIDE CADDY
These are quite handy if you'll be sleeping in a loft or bunk bed or don't have access to a nightstand. Keep your phone, tablet, or favorite book right at your side, and most importantly safe and organized!
2. SHOWER SHOES
Often times you'll have to use a communal bathroom if you live in a dorm, and that means having to share shower space with your dormmates. Unfortunately, it also means you run the risk of sharing all of their germs too, which is why a good pair of shower shoes is essential! College is stressful enough without nasty foot fungus.
The campus library has printers and staplers available to students but, let's be honest, you won't be up for the walk when you've finished your paper at midnight. Instead, get your own printer and stapler for your dorm room. Even better, many printers nowadays are small enough to accommodate limited space, as well as wireless so you don't have to worry about scrounging for an outlet or tripping over cords.
4. AMAZON PRIME
The free 2-day shipping offered by Amazon Prime can be a lifesaver, especially if you need a particular book, something for a project, or an emergency Keurig (hey, it happens). Additionally, Prime also offers movies and shows on-demand, not to mention the service is offered to college students free for 6-months and $49/year after (as opposed to the normal $99/month).
5. EARPLUGS
Between snoring roommates, slamming doors, and weekend parties, dorms can get pretty noisy. To ensure that you get your proper rest, make sure to keep a package of earplugs handy.
6. FIRST AID KIT
College is full of "it seemed like a good idea at the time" moments, and it's a great idea to keep a first aid kit in your dorm room to deal with the aftermath of such moments - or the occasional paper cut.
7. MATTRESS TOPPER
The beds they provide to you at college are notoriously uncomfortable. Sleep on it for one night then put down the mattress topper you brought along. You'll notice the difference.
8. PORTABLE CHARGER
With everything else you have to remember in college, keeping your electronics charged might slip through the cracks every now and again. A portable charger will fit right in your backpack and are typically good for about five charges to phones and tablets before it runs out of juice itself, and some are even powerful enough for laptops.
9. A FAN
Some dorms do have central air, but the rooms can still get a little stuffy. Bring a little fan along and get the air circulating properly. This will also help make sharing a space with a smelly roommate a little more bearable.
10. A POWER STRIP
If your school allows you to have one in your dorm (some don't), we strongly encourage you to take advantage of it. Why have two plugs in a probably unreachable place when you can have six readily available to you?
From all of us at
Graff Bay City, we hope you have a safe and smooth transition back to school, as well as an awesome semester! Before heading back, why not stop by our
service department to make sure your vehicle is running at its best?
