Written by Annastatia Brooks

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Unsplash

Moving into a dorm can be a very difficult endeavor. You will be experiencing a whole new lifestyle, and it can be a hard adjustment while navigating school, new people, and independence while living on your own. Your dorm will ultimately become home, but it is hard to know exactly what you need, what you are allowed to bring, and what should stay behind. This is an in-depth dive into items I recommend for dorm living that can help you optimize your experience living at the Saint Mary's University residences, coming from someone who has lived in a dorm for two years.

Storage

Boxes

Foldable boxes are great because they can become compact when they are being moved but can open up once you arrive in your dorm. Flat boxes are essential; they will fit in the short and deep closet shelves in the campus residences while concealing everything you wish to store.

Baskets

Baskets were definitely the most used items in my previous two dorm rooms. They are multifaceted; use them in drawers to store snacks, toiletries, and stationary, or on your desk shelves to store craft supplies and study tools. You can also put a basket on the edge of your desk for your keys, wallet, tissues, reusable bag, hand sanitizer, and student ID for you to grab on the way out the door, or easily put into your backpack on the way to class.

Paper organizers

I cannot recommend these enough– my notebooks and loose-leaf paper were a disaster with no storage, piling up in the corner of my desk. Paper organizers changed everything by allowing me to keep my personal and school-related papers separate from each other, and keep them stored out of sight. These from IKEA are deep enough to store a bit of mess while also being cute and tidy!

Stationary bins

It is important to understand that there is very little storage in a dorm room unless you bring it yourself. So, all your stationery will need a place to go. IKEA pulled through with these foldable boxes that I place on my desk, in my closet, on my desk shelves, and in my nightstand drawers.

Toiletries

Travel bottles

These are a game changer; it’s simply impracticable to bring a large bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to the communal bathroom every time you need to shower. Buying the products in bulk is cheaper, and then transferring the product to your travel bottles results in a more lightweight solution.

Shower caddy

I have yet to meet a University student who does not use a shower caddy in their communal bathroom. They are so convenient and are excellent for holding your travel bottles, a razor, shaving cream, and loofa, so you can grab and go when the shower is free. I found a small one at the dollar store that was intended to be a sink basket for utensils, and it worked perfectly. Whichever shower caddy you pick, ensure it has good drainage or that you empty water from it regularly to prevent mold from building up on the bottom.

Shower shoes

As I’m sure everyone knows, communal shower floors can be awful and unhygienic, especially when shared with five other people. Please protect your feet from infection by using shower shoes! Whether they be flip-flops, slides, or Crocs, be sure to create a barrier between your feet and the shower floor.

Robe

Robes are another item meant to convenience yourself; instead of bringing a change of clothes to the shower, bring a robe so you can change into your outfit from the comfort of your room.

Food Supplies

Electric kettle

Since hotpots and hotplates are not permitted in residence, an electric kettle is a fantastic way to make a quick snack without leaving your dorm. These are perfect for kettle meals and snacks such as instant soup, ramen, oatmeal, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea; simply pour the boiling water into the pack or over the powder, and you’re good to go!

Mini fridge

Dorms in Loyola North and Vanier do not come with fridges, so if you ever want to enjoy snacks such as cereal, yogurt, juice, fruit, meats, or cheese, a mini fridge is a must. While Dockside does provide food from 7:30am to 8:00pm on weekdays and Late Night Delivery is available on the Hey Chef app, there’s something to be said for the convenience of grabbing a snack from your own fridge.

Protein bars

Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter or you simply don’t have time to cook a meal, protein bars can be a great option for staying healthy as a student. Make sure to pick a nutritious bar that best suits your lifestyle to ensure you are receiving an adequate amount of protein!

Dishes

While dishes are clearly necessary for Residence apartments with kitchens, they are also important in single-room dorms. Whether it be for cereal, leftovers from a restaurant, or a bowl of chips, dishes are a necessity in your dorm. Compostable dishes are a convenient option because they can be thrown out once you have used them, and they are also environmentally friendly. Reusable dishes are also a great option because they come in a variety of materials and can last after many uses. The downside to bringing reusable dishes is that they need to be washed, so be sure to pack dish soap and sponges as well.

Laundry

Drying rack

Though the Residences do have laundry services, it may be wise to cut down on drying costs by investing in a drying rack, which is also helpful for drying clothes that are air dry only. There are many different types available; I personally prefer a foldable stand-up option that can be tucked away as opposed to a clip-on hanging option.

Laundry basket

A lovely dorm room hack is to have not one, but two laundry hampers. A stiff, stand-up hamper is perfect for holding all your dirty clothes during the week, but a backpack laundry bag is essential for laundry days! This simplifies throwing laundry in the hamper during the busy schooldays and then makes the journey down to the laundry room so much easier.

Laundry strips

Another great way to simplify the laundry process is using laundry strips instead of large, liquid detergent, or detergent pods! Laundry strips are lightweight, portable, and most importantly, eco-friendly. TruEarth is an eco-conscious company that sells laundry strips that come in slim, compostable packaging, and they work wonderfully.

Dryer balls

To save money, I often stick as many clothes as I can into one dryer. The only downside is that my clothes sometimes come out slightly damp. I have found that a great solution for this is reusable dryer balls. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than disposable dryer sheets, but they also reduce static, and decrease drying time! Of course, they come in adorable shapes, making laundry day all the brighter.

Miscellaneous essentials

Slippers

Not to be confused with shower flip-flops, slippers are also essential for your dorm life. If you have to use the bathroom, walk around your residence floor, or even pop down to Dockside for a late-night snack, these are great to have on hand. They are also practical when studying in your dorm on chilly winter nights. Bonus points for unique and funky slipper designs to show off at monthly floor meetings!

Medical supplies

One of the hardest parts of university may just be getting sick. Especially in a dorm, which is an extremely small space, it can be difficult to take care of yourself so far from home. Make sure to have supplies for absolutely anything that could come your way. Medication, liquids such as juice or Gatorade, and way more tissues than you think you’ll need; when cold season hits campus, you’ll be grateful!

Homey items

This may not seem like a necessity, but I assure you that dorm life can be pretty difficult some days, and anything that can make your room feel more like home will be beneficial in the long run.

Some things I had in my dorm room for the past two years that I would recommend are:

A lamp (for cozy evening lighting)
Photos of family and friends from home
A childhood plushie
Snacks from your home province or country
Wall decor such as posters, calendars, or postcards to customize your space
Plants (real or fake)
A familiar and cozy blanket

Fan

This is an optional essential because the residences come with fans. However, during early fall, the dorm rooms (especially the higher floors) can get extremely hot. If you are bothered by heat, bringing an extra box fan could be beneficial to you.

Extension cord and power bar

For an extra fan, chargers, or your own lamp, an extension cord and power bar are very useful in a dorm room. A power bar will allow you to plug in multiple items despite limited outlets, and an extension cord can give you more freedom to move around your dorm while charging.

Hangers

Though there is closet space in the residence dorms, you will be required to bring your own hangers. I would also recommend a hanging storage shelf for pants or sweaters, leaving more room in your under-bed drawers for other storage.

Sticky tack

The Saint Mary's University Residence Handbook clearly states that thumbtacks are not permitted to be used in the Residences, so bring sticky tack for personalizing your dorm!

Command strips and hooks

A handy hack for storing hats, bags, mugs, jackets, and belts is to place command hooks on your walls and hang them there. They are great for over your bed, on the back of your door, and even on the desk corkboard!

Calendar

The campus bookstore sells fantastic four-month whiteboard calendars that you can customize each term. This is great for organizing assignment due dates and even sorting your and your roommate’s weekly chores.

Extra bedding

The residences can get pretty chilly from time to time, so I always suggest an extra warm blanket, along with fluffy socks for really cold nights. An extra pillow or reading pillow would also be a great idea for movie nights on your bed, or simply to add extra support when you need to lay down.

I hope this list has brought to light some of the important items to bring to your dorm room. To see what Saint Mary’s University recommends for your dorm, click here to go over the SMU Shop dorm essentials page. Thank you to various university students who shared their own personal recommendations with me! Feel free to comment on the SMU Journal Instagram page sharing your favorite items in your dorm. Be sure to check the Saint Mary's University Residence Handbook for other important information, and sign up for Res Top 5 to hear about all the amazing opportunities awaiting you in residence this year.

Dorm Living Essentials