Do: A water filter pitcher
Residence halls don’t always have the cleanest water, as they are filled with many unnecessary contaminants, so purchasing a water filter pitcher for a dorm will be extremely beneficial towards the taste and cleanliness of your water. Staying hydrated is so extremely important for your well-being, which a water filter pitcher would contribute heavily to with it being easily refillable. The good news is that these water filters are extremely cost-efficient and last quite a while, helping cut back on the ill-use of plastic bottles.
Do: A drying rack
A cheaper, more eco-friendly option to drying clothes is purchasing a foldable drying rack. Some clothes aren’t meant to be cycled through the dryer, thus comes in the handy drying rack to help preserve those types of clothing. Plus, most residence hall dryers are not free, so essentially you will be saving money. In addition, if the laundry room has no open dryers at the moment, having a drying rack on hand is helpful in those scenarios. If you invest in a foldable rack, they are simple to put away and take up little to no space. There are many amazing benefits that drying racks bring whether it be by increasing your room’s humidity or decreasing your own carbon footprint by skipping the dryer once in a while.
Do: Your own cleaning products
Nothing is more gross than a dorm room that is unkept and uncleanly. Becoming an adult and living on your own accounts for taking care of yourself and your environment, which some might not be used to. There will be many cases of unexpected spills and the impromptu dust and hair covering your belongings, so be prepared for those unfavorable cleanups every now and then. Whether it be a broom, sanitizing wipes, or paper towels, having these products on hand will be a blessing in the long run. Eventually, cleaning up your room will become easier after cleaning on a regular basis, and will avoid having to clean it all up at the end of the year.
Don't: Printer
It seems like this would be a necessary item, but in reality it's one of the worst. There will most likely be printers everywhere you go, whether it’s the library, the residence hall, or in the classrooms. It’s better to use a school printer, which will be more high quality than a cheap printer brought from home. Paying for all the supplies going into the printer is way more than what you would spend on school printer use, too. As technology in academics evolves, printing is hardly even necessary in college anymore, so there may be a chance you won’t use a printer at all.
Don't: Television
These big screens take up a lot more space than one might think. So if you’re wanting to utilize your limited space wisely, a TV is one item that should be left behind. Watching your favorite shows and movies on your computer or laptop is a better option, with less cords and easier accessibility. Besides, hauling this sizable product back and forth is not worth bringing.
Don't: School Supplies
The need for school supplies in college has sufficiently dropped, mostly because almost everything you will do academically will be on your laptop. So, the abundance of pens and pencils you usually buy at the beginning of the school year are not needed unless you’re an avid notebook user. Other supplies like a schedule planner can be replaced easily with an app, like Google Calendar.
Ultimately, getting notifications for future tasks and events is more necessary than all the hassle of flipping through a paper planner. Wait to buy school supplies until after classes start, that way it’s easier to know what items are necessary and which ones are not. But as an eco-friendly reminder, try your best to cut down on paper as much as you can. Your wallet and the Earth will feel much appreciated.