Move-in day with the Goon Squad and pushing gray bins has come and gone. As you finish putting your room together, make sure you have everything you need. Here are the essentials for your dorm room, especially for you freshmen who haven’t figured everything out yet,

Mattress pad

An item often overlooked by students but not their mothers, mattress pads are a crucial, necessary item for a dorm bed. They serve many purposes: They protect the mattress, act as anti-allergens, keep the sheets on the bed and provide additional padding.

‘I wouldn’t be able to sleep without it,’ said Nicole Addonizio, a senior psychology major. ‘Beds here are so uncomfortable.’

Shower caddy

No one wants to step into the shower and realize he or she has forgotten something. When walking down the hallway, keeping all your shower essentials together is convenient instead of trying to juggle all your products in your arms. Plus, you don’t want to have to go back to your room to grab the missing item and lose your shower spot.

‘I think you need something to carry your cosmetics in, otherwise, your stuff would get grungy,’ said Abbey Turtinen, a senior international relations and geography major. ‘A shower caddy is essential because of its convenience and sanitation.’

Pictures of friends and family

Your dorm room should be a home away from home. White walls without anything on them doesn’t seem cozy. By adding some silly photos of friends and family, you will always have a little taste of home.

 ‘Photos make the dorm room seem more like home and less like a prison cell with white cinderblock walls,’ said Tara McFarland, a senior international relations and English and textual studies major.

Snacks and energy rich food

Balancing classes, activities, internships and a personal life can create extremely stressful situations. To prevent getting rundown or sick, you need sufficient energy to get through the day. Also, those tasty snacks are a must-have to take care of the munchies during late night study sessions and all-nighters.

‘Food and lots of chocolate,’ agrees Kristie Pena, a junior communications and rhetorical studies major. ‘You will need lots of snacks to cope with stress.’

TV

The classic free-time staple, TV and gaming consoles are an essential item in many students’ rooms.

‘I need a TV for when I have time to relax, and it gives me something to do,’ said Nicole Ruben, a sophomore television, radio and film major. The TV also gives students a convenient way to catch up on current events, stay in the loop and relax while watching the latest episode of their favorite TV show.

A good roommate

Roommate selection is random freshman year. But with a little luck, having a new roommate means a great opportunity to start a friendship that will grow and last beyond graduation. From having a buddy to share your latest shenanigans with, to being able to borrow a hair straightener — having a good relationship with your roommate can make or break your dorm room experience.

‘You either need a good roommate or a wall in between the two sides of the room,’ said Alexandra Meyers, a sophomore fashion design major. ‘Space is also essential in a dorm, and if you’re sharing it with someone you like, it makes everything so much better. It’s important to do your best to get along with roommates.’

cbidwill@syr.edu

kvdolins@syr.edu

Published on August 28, 2011 at 12:00 pm