Dorm Prep 101: 12 Things Seniors Need for the Move to College

By Niya Miller

With the thought of moving out for college heavy on seniors’ minds, many are left lost on what they need to be successful in a dorm. Here’s 12 things CDHS alumni say are essential for success, as well as Amazon links to add to a dorm wish list. 

Kennady Donovan, a CDHS alumni who graduated in 2023, says that a good pair of slippers, a robe, a shower caddy, a fan that clips to your bed, and extra storage bins are essential. She lived in the dorms at the University of Iowa, and says that these items helped keep her organized.

Another CDHS Alumni, Kali Kazinski, says that blackout curtains with a removable tension rod helped her in the dorms at the University of Northern Iowa. She also says that an air purifier helps clear musty dorm room air.

Matthew Boeding, a freshman at Kirkwood Community College, says that extra clothing hangers, a vacuum, air fryer, and mini fridge help him. He doesn’t live in a dorm, but these things still help him adjust to apartment life.

Laura Martens, a class of 2025 alumni, says that a Brita Water Filter helped her in the dorms. Water quality can be questionable in a dorm or apartment, so this ensures clean and filtered water.

Emma Huyten, a sophomore at Iowa State University says that if you plan on having a mini fridge in your dorm, a shelf that sits above it is helpful because it saves space and allows for storage. Another thing Emma recommends is figuring out what your laundry situation is ahead of time so you can get a good laundry basket that works for your situation.

Here’s some Amazon links to everything mentioned above to add to your wishlists:

• Slippers- Womens & Mens

• Robe- Womens & Mens

• Shower caddy

• Fan That clips to your bed

• Extra storage bins 

• Blackout Curtains

• Tension Rod

• Air purifier

• Clothing Hangers 

• Vacuum

• Air Fryer 

• Mini Fridge

• Brita Water Jug

• Shelf