Few experiences are as exciting and nerve-wracking as that first day in the dorm room. Will you and your roommate get along? Will they share your taste in music and television shows? Will you be able to make that 8 a.m. class you regret having scheduled? Will you be able to concentrate on studying in such a small, shared space? For the next two semesters, your dorm room will be the place you call home. And transforming it into a cozy, well-organized dwelling/study space is easier than you think. It all comes down to having the right dorm room essentials.

Dorm Room Essentials: Desk

Desk Lamp

A desk lamp is nice to have for those late night study sessions when you don’t want to wake up your roommate with having the main room light turned on.

Dry erase board

Staying organized is essential to making the grade and adjusting to life on your own. Your schedule and to-do list will be wildly different from what you’re used to, so stay on track by displaying your tasks front and center.

Power strip

Between your laptop charger, phone charger, lamp, speakers, TV, etc. it’s a good idea to plug in all your chargers into one central power hub.

Storage cart

Keeping all your school supplies and desk accessories together in a storage cart or extra drawers will help save space in your dorm room.

Dorm Room Essentials: Bed

Blankets

Dorm rooms are notoriously cold, so pack a few fleece blankets to bring a little warmth to the room.

Extra pillows

A few strategically placed pillows will help add instant style and comfort to your bed or even study chair. Vary the patterns, shape and color for a look that truly feels like home.

Reading light

A small light near your bed is nice to have if you want to read or if your roommate is asleep and you don’t want to disrupt them with having the main dorm room light on.

Eye mask

An eye sleep mask is an essential item to have around in case you desperately need to fall asleep with no light or TV distractions.

Dorm Room Essentials: Bathroom

Shower caddy

The last thing you want is your roommate using your loofah or soap! Keep your shower items together in a shower caddy so it’s easy to grab and go every time you shower.

Shower shoes or flip flops

This item is a must for those who have communal showers and bathrooms. While it might feel weird to shower with shoes on, it’s important to be safe when coming into contact with others’ germs and bacteria.

Towels

From a monogrammed bath towel to a hand towel and washcloth, showers and your daily bathroom routines are easier when you can easily identify your own set.

Bathrobe

Complete the bathroom checklist with a cozy bathrobe. Dry yourself off with a towel and bundle up in a bathrobe as you make your way back to your dorm room.

Dorm Room Essentials: Closet

Shoe organizer

Shoes can take up a lot of space, especially in a shared dorm room. Place your shoes in a shoe organizer and hang it in your closet for easy access.

Hangers

Save space in your drawers by hanging up jackets, button up shirts and pants. You can even go the extra mile and organize them by how often you wear the item.

Laundry Basket

Don’t leave your dirty clothes out. Put your laundry basket in your closet and throw in any soiled clothing in there and keep them out of sight.

Storage Bins

Placing storage bins in the back of your closet is a good way to store important things like extra toiletries or cleaning supplies. Stuff you might not want laying out in your room could be put in these bins.Don’t think of your dorm room and its empty walls as a boring, bare-bones space that makes you feel like the newest inmate to join the cast of Orange is the New Black. Instead, think of it as a blank canvas that’s just begging for a creative college student like you to unleash its full potential. Choose a theme that expresses your personality, hobbies or long-term goals. It could be travel, music, inspiring quotes or something that reflects your major of choice, whether it’s science, fashion or fine art. Match your theme with these dorm room essentials for a successful, fun school year!