I was told that I had the “nicest smelling room” on my residence floor and I credit this to the fact that I a) opened my window to let fresh air enter my tiny room, b) sprayed Febreze Air effectsoccasionally when I left my room for class or after I ate dinner in my room, c) and I sprayed no-name fabric refresher spray on my comforter and carpet to keep it smelling fresh and clean and eliminate bad odors.
Windex Glass and Surface Wipes
This is the only thing you need to clean your residence room! I used these wipes to clean mirrors, my desk, my dresser, and my fridge! It cleans dusty surfaces and leaves a fresh scent. Using these wipes will save you so much time and energy! When you're done, instead of having numerous paper towels to throw out, all you have is a tiny wipe to throw in the trash. Plus, the dirty wipe will make you're garbage can smell nice!
Snacks
Yes, there is nothing worse than a hungry teenager. Meal plans are great and convenient (I was on one and am certainly grateful for that) but sometimes hunger strikes late at night when the cafeteria is closed. Having snacks is always a good idea, especially ones that won't go bad fast. I enjoyed flaxseed cookies (which are filling and taste like oatmeal cookies) and granola bars. These items won't make your room smell gross like other snacks will, such as sour cream and onion chips or Doritos.
Water Bottles
Stack up on water; you can never have enough! Have a few water bottles in your fridge so if you go out you can take one with you, but also have a large bottle of water that you can pour into a glass (this is healthier and more environmentally friendly).
Hand-Held Vacuum Cleaner
The residence will have a vacuum cleaner on the floor, which you can use. However, sometimes (like in my case) it does not work well or it is difficult to have a turn (as there are many students that will be sharing one vacuum.) Having a hand-held vacuum will allow you to vacuum whenever you want and make your room more comfortable to live in. Believe me, when you're eating, sleeping, dressing, and working in one room- cleaning is a priority.
Foot Spray
Surprise, surprise but this is necessary! I never realized how much walking is involved in university/college life and pretty quickly your feet begin to stink. I bought foot spray, which you use before going out. It dries really quickly and you'll notice the results! A friend of mine in the dance program realized how necessary it was after I showed her mine. Pretty quickly everyone was using it!
Cash
I know, I know…what student doesn't need cash? But having cash on hand is very useful! I tried to always have $20- $30 in case of emergencies.
T.V. or Portable DVD Player and DVDs
Believe it or not, school isn't non-stop entertainment; there is downtime. To avoid boredom, having a television or a DVD player is a good idea, and having a collection of good DVDs is a must-have! I enjoyed watching two seasons of “The Office” and “Lost.”
Garbage Can
Another item that the residence will “provide” you with. Yes, they did provide me with a bin. However, they only give you one- so you must chose between recycling and garbage. I used the provided bin for recycling as it did not have a lid, and I bought a small plastic garbage can for my residence room. I definitely found that it came in handy.
An Extra Pair of Glasses (if you wear them) and Prescription Medication
Take care of your health concerns before moving into residence. Having enough medication to last you until you go back home is important. Also, a backup pair of glasses is useful if any accidents occur.
Clothes Hangers
Well, the closet isn't too useful if you cannot hang up your clothes. Don't forget a pile of clothes hangers when you move!
Aloe Vera Gel
A lot of the orientation activities take place outside, which increases your risk of getting sunburn. Be sure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin, but having aloe vera gel is a good idea to have just in case. If you get sunburn, apply the gel and it will calm down your burn.
Printer Ink
Be sure to have printer ink in your printer, but also buy an extra cartridge of ink. You will be printing a lot of assignments and running out of ink the night before your assignment is due is a nightmare!
Return Train Ticket Home
Believe it or not, you actually will miss dear old Mom and Dad. Having a return ticket home (if you live close enough to visit) is a good idea as you can go whenever you want.
Agenda
Slacking off on deadlines is not acceptable in post-secondary school; it's time to get organized! Using an agenda will help ensure that all assignments are handed in on time.
Scissors
I'm amazed at how useful scissors are. Cutting tags off new clothes, making assignments look tidier, etc… Scissors are an overlooked important tool.
Organizer for Receipts
I bought a black, plastic organizer with clear dividers in it to organize my receipts. I organized them by category (groceries, clothes, living expenses, books, etc..) This showed my parents and I where my money was going.
Gift Certificates for Groceries
Don't starve! Before leaving, get a credit card-style gift certificate for a grocery store to ensure that you're eating all the food groups! Also a gift certificate to a drug store is a good idea too.
Liquid Landry Detergent and Coins for the Washing Machine
Bringing a small bottle of Landry detergent will save you a trip to the store. Coins have never been more important! Find out ahead of time how much you need for the machine and save up! You can never have to many! I really stress this point.
Computer Screen Cleaner
Random, I know, but necessary. You're computer screen will get smudgy and dusty after exhaustive use, so having a computer duster will come in handy and make a difference! Mine was in the shape of a frog and worked like a charm!
