About a year ago I began searching Pinterest for the best college packing list. Once I found the perfect one I felt like I had to buy everything on it or I wouldn’t be prepared for college. But buying all that stuff didn't help me prepare, it just cluttered up my dorm. Here are four trendy dorm purchases you shouldn't buy, and what you should bring instead.
| Velcro Towel |
When I first saw my Velcro towel at Target I thought it was perfect. I was so afraid that living in a coed dorm would mean some guy would rip my towel off on the way to the bathroom. This fear made me purchase this Velcro towel.
I used it for about the first month until it got kind of cold and I used my bathrobe instead. That was the last time I ever used the trendy Velcro towel. If you're trying to decide between the Velcro towel and a bathrobe, or if you're planning on taking both, then consider just bringing the bathrobe.
A bathrobe serves the same function as a Velcro towel but I wear mine so much more than just to take a shower. I love sleeping in shorts and sports bras, but if I need to go to the bathroom I can throw on my robe. I wear It when I'm hanging out with my friends in the dorms, when I drink my coffee in the morning and scroll through Instagram, and when I'm just cleaning or getting my mail.
You're going to use a bathrobe a lot more than a Velcro towel.
| Jumbo Sized Supplies |
It seems like a no brainer right? You're on your way to college so you have to stock up. What better way to do that then with the supersized bottle of conditioner or that giant container of Clorox wipes. Wrong. It's a lot harder to find a place to store things that are used regularly when they're over sized.
Instead of buying the oversized, look for the two-for one packs. That way you can use one regularly and keep it accessible while storing the extras under-bed bins.
| Extra Large Shower Caddies |
If you're a girl who loves her beauty products, you may think you need the giant shower caddy with three compartments, but steer clear. The only things you need in the shower are: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a loofa, face wash, and a razor and shaving cream. This may seem like a lot of stuff, but it's not that much.
Having a large shower caddy will take up about half the space in the tiny showers, and will be tough to store in your room. You have to remember that the caddy will be wet so you can't just put it anywhere in your room. I keep mine on a small shelf in my closet with a hand towel underneath.
I use the Quirky Shower Caddy (available at Target during there Back to College season). It’s the perfect size, but it also comes with handy straps to organize all of your supplies.
| A Brita Water Purifier |
You may think I'm crazy for saying this but just wait. Brita water filters are great, but they take forever to fill up, leak everywhere, and don't hold that much water at a time. But I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy a water purifier at all, you definitely should! But instead of a Brita, invest in a Camelback version.
The filter in the Camelback is more efficient, so it takes up less space in the tank leaving more room for water. It's virtually leak-proof, and fills up at the same speed as your faucet.
Packing for college can be stressful, but don't get caught up in all the trends of college packing. You'll end up with a lot of junk you don't use and not enough storage.
Do you have any items in your dorm you don't use? Or have ay questions about something you want to buy?
xoxo
AME
