5 Dorm Item Don'ts

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- With August fast approaching, students who recently graduated are surely trying to figure out what to bring—and what not to bring—for their freshman year living in the campus dorms. As a college student fresh out of my first year living in a dorm, here are a few items that may seem essential, but are really better off left at home:

1. Silverware and Plates: While it may seem smart to bring washable utensils and silverware, the hassle of cleaning them after use is way more trouble than it’s worth. Between having to scrub a full size plate underneath a tiny faucet with no water pressure and food bits getting stuck in the drain, it ended up being easier to buy disposable paper plates and plastic forks and spoons.

2. Iron and Mini Ironing Board: Let’s be honest, how often does a college student wear something that needs to be ironed? In my case, I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I needed to iron something this past year. Instead of taking up precious closest space, find out if your dorm’s front desk loans out irons to students, and there is usually a full size ironing board located in the dorm’s laundry room.

3. Laptop Desk: Having one of these seems like a great idea, but a laptop desk is just not necessary. While it can serve as an extra way to help accessorize your room, when its late at night and you’re doing homework in bed (ok, watching Netflix) you’ll realize that having your laptop lying on your bed or on your lap is fine, and a laptop desk is just an extra item taking up space in your room as it collects dust.

4. Candles/Scentsy’s/String Lights or Lanterns: These items can all help add warmth to a dorm room and make it feel more “homey,” but in reality most schools don’t allow you to have these in your room due to fire hazards. Instead, try a scented plug-in air freshener and desk or floor lamps to add softer lighting and counteract the harsh fluorescent ceiling lights.

5. Over-the-Door Shoe Rack: The hooks rarely fit over the width of the bathroom or closet door. Even with modifications, the shoe rack may not be steady. Dorm regulations usually do not allow permanent fastenings such as screws so you may also encounter shoe avalanches every time you open the door. At the end of the year it may be one of the first items to hit the dumpster. Instead, try a shoe rack with little cubbies that hangs inside of your closet—saving space and your sanity!

Don't let the allure of store advertisements make you think certain items are absolutely necessary. Oftentimes the things you think you cannot live without while at college turn into the worst purchases you brought along.

For a list of items you should take to college view Top 20 Dorm Room Essentials. For more information about college preparation view 8 tips: How to prepare for college this summer.