Photo by: Tostie14

This is the 2 in a 4 part series on dorm needs. This posts focuses on the living space/study zones. In previous posts I have covered the bedroom space.

The dorm room – probably the smallest space your will ever share with one person! It becomes your bedroom, kitchen and living room. In a previous post I mentioned the things you need for your bedroom “area”. Today I am going to tackle the things that you will need for your living room/study space. Remember this space is small so the list is not going to be big.

Necessary Needs:

• Desk Lamp – Helps you focus when you’re studying at your desk.
• Surge Protector – Save that expensive laptop (and TV/fridge!).
• External Hard Drive or an online back up service – Professors won’t care that your computer crashed – they want the paper when it’s due! Protect yourself!  (And your grade!)
• Charging Station – A one-stop place to charge your phone, ipod/mP3 player, bluetooth, etc.
• Cooling Station for Laptop – Don’t let your laptop suffer heatstroke!
• Laptop Lock – Don’t let your laptop run away from you!
• USB Flash Drive – A quicky way to protect your files. Also useful to grab a file and take it to print at another location!
• 3M Command Strips – These are awesome! They keep things on the walls and when the year is over, they come down quick and easy and leave nothing behind (or take anything with them – plaster, paint, etc).

Maybe You’ll Need These (provided you have the space!) – These can wait until you move in or talk with you roommate:

• Lounge Chair – A fold up chair is great – you can store it away when you don’t need it and when you have “guests” you have a place for them to sit!
• Window panels/tension rods – Dress up your room!
• Wall Art – Dress up your walls! (Use the 3M Command Strips to make things easy!)
• Area Rug – Add some color to your floor (and some warmth in the winter!)
• Floor Lamp – Add some light to your room (put different color bulbs in to create some fun!)
• Laptop Desk – When your study area moves to your bed, you need a way to continue to work!
• Locking Safe – This can be useful to store you iPod/mP3 player and other valuables while you are in class (in case you have a roommate that is forgetful about locking the door!)
• Storage Carts – Provided storage is limited in the dorms. You might need to bring additional storage.
• Underbed Storage – A great place to find extra storage!
• Step Stool – A fold up step stool is great for those that are “height” challenged!
• Waste basket – An extra basket never hurt anyone!

I don’t really have any things that you shouldn’t think to bring to your dorm room (ok you really don’t have room for a sofa/futon but that’s common sense, right?).

Do you have any suggestions of things I missed? What do you NEED for your study zone? What is a MUST for your living space?

Next week: The Bathroom Area!

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