October 30, 2025 by

My name is Abbey Patterson, and I am a junior middle childhood education major with concentrations in language arts and mathematics. I lived in Printy Hall my freshman and sophomore years, and now I live in Wood Hall. Throughout my years here, I’ve collected a lot of items that make dorm life more pleasant — including some that I wish I’d brought as early as Getting Started Weekend! 

Here are five unexpected items you will want to bring with you on your own move-in day! 

Dorm Essential #1: A Tool Kit  

One item that I have brought to campus each year was a tool kit. My dad brought one with us when I moved in freshman year, and this made the process easier and helped us put together all of my recent Amazon purchases. But when it was time for my parents to leave, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep the tool kit.  

I thought that it would take up space in my room, but I did keep the tool kit, and I am so glad that I did. I have needed and used it throughout my freshman, sophomore, and even junior year thus far.  

I just had a girl in my hall borrow my tool kit last week — this is an item that not only benefits me, but also those around me. Mine is from IKEA, but smaller tool kits can be found almost anywhere that you would shop on a normal basis.  

Dorm Essential #2: Shoe Mat 

Another item that was a game-changer for my life in the dorms is a waterproof shoe mat. This item comes in handy when you experience the infamous “sideways rain” that Ohio gifts randomly throughout the year, or you could use it as a place to put your shower caddy while it dries. I use mine for the latter, and it has helped me tremendously.  

I started out using a bath mat to dry my shower caddy on. This seemed to work well for the drying process, but when I moved out, I realized that the water had soaked through the mat and caused mold to grow underneath. A plastic shoe mat prevents this from happening since the mat will not allow water to soak through and will properly keep both your caddy and your floor dry.  

Dorm Essential #3: Extra Shower Caddy  

On the topic of shower caddies, an extra shower caddy is another item that makes my dorm life easier. I use my second caddy to carry all bathroom essentials from my room to the bathroom to get ready each morning. This not only frees up my hands in the mornings but also creates a routine for me to promptly get ready for the day.  

You could also use the second shower caddy to create a Bible bag. I saw this idea in action on Pinterest last year. The girl on Pinterest had a plastic shower caddy that had four compartments in it, and she filled the compartments with anything she would need to do her quiet time. This would be such a phenomenal use for another shower caddy since it would ensure that you had everything you needed during your time with the Lord.  

Dorm Essential #4: Mirrors 

Another item on my list of must-haves is a mirror or two. In Printy Hall, where I lived my first two years on campus, there was a full-length mirror already on the back of my door, but in Wood Hall, where I live this year, there was not one on the door at move-in. My roommate and I decided to purchase one because we felt like it would be needed.  

I also recommend a mini mirror, especially for girls who enjoy wearing makeup or doing their hair elaborately. I use my mini mirror daily, whether it be to check my hair and ensure it is up to my standards, or to check and see if I have any mascara spots after I walk back to the dorm in the rain. This item on my list is probably the least essential, but it could also be the most beneficial if you think you would use it.  

Dorm Essential #5: Wheeled Laundry Basket 

The last item on my list of essentials is a laundry basket with wheels. This is my first year with a wheeled laundry basket, but knowing what I know now, I wish I had invested in one in the past years as well. The wheels on the laundry basket make the journey to the laundry room way easier, especially if your dorm’s laundry room is on a different floor than you.  

Another secret use for wheeled laundry baskets is carrying groceries from the car with ease if you and your friends all do your shopping at the same time.  

Ready To Move In?  

This list of items is not comprehensive, but these are some of the unexpected items I’ve been grateful to have invested in since move-in weekend. While the necessity of these items varies depending on your personality and routine, I would highly suggest investing in them if there is even a chance you will use them. 

 If you are looking for other ideas of what to bring to campus that make life easier, I would suggest reaching out to other students on campus or even asking your RA when you arrive! 

 

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