Going to College: 10 Things You Should Not Leave Home Without

Here's our list of dorm room must-haves.

Pack Right - You are such a big deal: We’re super-excited that you’re headed off to college this month. But do you know what you should take with you? Read on to find out what every new student should pack for her first year of undergrad. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel   (Photo: Sasha Gulish/Corbis)

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Pack Right - You are such a big deal: We’re super-excited that you’re headed off to college this month. But do you know what you should take with you? Read on to find out what every new student should pack for her first year of undergrad. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Sasha Gulish/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Sasha Gulish/Corbis

Lamp - Many dorm rooms don't have overhead lighting, which you won’t realize until you’re sitting in the dark still trying to unpack your things. You’ll need a lamp to brighten up your space and get work done at night.  (Photo: Don Mason/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Lamp - Many dorm rooms don't have overhead lighting, which you won’t realize until you’re sitting in the dark still trying to unpack your things. You’ll need a lamp to brighten up your space and get work done at night. (Photo: Don Mason/Blend Images/Corbis)

Shower Caddy - Sure, you have all your toiletries. But how do you think you’re going to take them all to the communal bathroom? Pick up a lightweight, quick-drying shower caddy to corral all your stuff and keep it from touching the sink.   (Photo: Mark Burstyn/Radius Images/Corbis)

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Shower Caddy - Sure, you have all your toiletries. But how do you think you’re going to take them all to the communal bathroom? Pick up a lightweight, quick-drying shower caddy to corral all your stuff and keep it from touching the sink.  (Photo: Mark Burstyn/Radius Images/Corbis)

Cheap Flip-Flops - Speaking of the bathroom, the last thing you want to do is start your day by putting your bare feet on the shower floor. That’s like begging for athlete’s foot. A pair of foam flip-flops or other shower shoes will get you through.   (Photo: Old Navy)

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Cheap Flip-Flops - Speaking of the bathroom, the last thing you want to do is start your day by putting your bare feet on the shower floor. That’s like begging for athlete’s foot. A pair of foam flip-flops or other shower shoes will get you through. (Photo: Old Navy)

Noise Blocking Headphones - Those white earbuds won’t do you any good when you’re roommate is snoring her way through your all-nighter. Block out distractions and listen to your fave playlists to get you through.   (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

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Noise Blocking Headphones - Those white earbuds won’t do you any good when you’re roommate is snoring her way through your all-nighter. Block out distractions and listen to your fave playlists to get you through.  (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Hero Images/Corbis

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Earplugs and Sleep Mask - Soon, there will come a day when you finally get a moment to grab some sleep after being up for 24 hours and your roommate will be wide awake. Or you’ll try to steal some Zzzs between classes and the sun will be streaming into your room. An inexpensive set of earplugs and a sleep mask will help you block out the world and sleep like a baby.   (Photo: John Wilkes Studio/Corbis)

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Earplugs and Sleep Mask - Soon, there will come a day when you finally get a moment to grab some sleep after being up for 24 hours and your roommate will be wide awake. Or you’ll try to steal some Zzzs between classes and the sun will be streaming into your room. An inexpensive set of earplugs and a sleep mask will help you block out the world and sleep like a baby.  (Photo: John Wilkes Studio/Corbis)

Proper Bedding - Yes, you really do need extra-long twin sheets. The regular ones won’t fit. And take at least two sets — you’ll be glad you did, trust us. Also consider a bed bug proof cover and a foam mattress pad — dorm room beds are notoriously hard and you’ll want to get your beauty rest. A big pillow with a backrest can help for the days when you want to study in bed.   (Photo: Elliott Kaufman/Corbis)

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Proper Bedding - Yes, you really do need extra-long twin sheets. The regular ones won’t fit. And take at least two sets — you’ll be glad you did, trust us. Also consider a bed bug proof cover and a foam mattress pad — dorm room beds are notoriously hard and you’ll want to get your beauty rest. A big pillow with a backrest can help for the days when you want to study in bed. (Photo: Elliott Kaufman/Corbis)

Disinfecting Wipes and Other Cleaning Supplies - You’re going where thousands of other ladies have gone before. Perhaps you should clean the place up a bit, huh?   (Photo: Clorox)

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Disinfecting Wipes and Other Cleaning Supplies - You’re going where thousands of other ladies have gone before. Perhaps you should clean the place up a bit, huh? (Photo: Clorox)

An Umbrella - Eventually, it’s going to rain. And you’re going to have to trudge to class anyway. Bring a quality umbrella big enough to cover you and your backpack. While you’re at it, buy a pair of rain boots — who wants to sit in class with wet socks?   (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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An Umbrella - Eventually, it’s going to rain. And you’re going to have to trudge to class anyway. Bring a quality umbrella big enough to cover you and your backpack. While you’re at it, buy a pair of rain boots — who wants to sit in class with wet socks? (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

Small Garbage Can - Trust us, you will quickly realize you need some place to dump non-food items without having to wander out into the hall to find one. Food waste should be thrown away elsewhere, unless you just like living with bugs.   (Photo: AID/amanaimages/Corbis)

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Small Garbage Can - Trust us, you will quickly realize you need some place to dump non-food items without having to wander out into the hall to find one. Food waste should be thrown away elsewhere, unless you just like living with bugs. (Photo: AID/amanaimages/Corbis)

Power Strip and Extension Cord - Chances are, between all your stuff and your roommate’s stuff, you’re going to run out of outlets very quickly. And, of course the outlets that are there will not be conveniently placed. Bring a power strip with a surge protector and an extension cord and you’ll always be able to plug in.   (Photo: Eekhoff Picture Lab/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Power Strip and Extension Cord - Chances are, between all your stuff and your roommate’s stuff, you’re going to run out of outlets very quickly. And, of course the outlets that are there will not be conveniently placed. Bring a power strip with a surge protector and an extension cord and you’ll always be able to plug in. (Photo: Eekhoff Picture Lab/Blend Images/Corbis)