SEMO’s dorm essentials: everything new students need to know

Transitioning from home to a dorm room can pose challenges without the right necessities.

SEMO provides students with an “ultimate packing list” on its website. This list contains everything from electronics, to kitchen supplies and even a couple of tips from an RA.

The list comprises various categories such as clothing, toiletries and cleaning supplies. Under each of these categories is where the suggested items lay. All-purpose cleaner, a shower caddy and a mattress pad are just a few of the items on the list.

Senior Exercise Science major Mckayla Ragle, said that she feels as if SEMO’s list is accurate in terms of what items to expect to bring to a dorm.

“I feel that the list is overall pretty accurate compared to what I used in my dorm,” Ragle said. “There were a few items on there that I felt I didn’t need, like a printer since the University provides students with multiple locations to use printers.”

According to Senior Corporate Communications major Maddie Nevins, one of her must-have dorm items would be a water filter.

“I feel like my own personal must have and recommendation would be a Brita water filter,” Nevins said. “It can be hard to get clean water that is not coming from the sink so having my Brita in my dorm made it very convenient for me.”

Nevins also said that while SEMO’s list was helpful, most of her sources in terms of searching for dorm items came from social media.

“I would look at TikTok and social media a lot to see what people recommended mainly because it was coming from students who had lived in dorms in the past couple of years.” Nevins said.

One factor that SEMO emphasizes on is communicating with student’s roommates when planning what to bring.

According to SEMO’s website it advises students to embrace the differences that various roommates may bring into the dorm life as well as communicate in order to avoid duplication of items.

Assistant Professor of Interior Design Denise McAllister echoes that keeping roommates in mind is a key factor to consider when planning for a dorm move-in.

“Coordinate with their roommate, consider degrees of privacy as well as being concerned with your own study habits, as well as your roommate’s study habits.” McAllister said.

According to McAllister, students should consider their dorm layout and personal habits when coordinating with roommates.

“If you study behavior in the library, students don’t sit side by side,” McAllister said. “Look at a layout where you can each have a desk area in a separate part of the room.”

SEMO’s ultimate packing list tells students to prioritize what they really need but also to leave room for their own personal touches.

Instructor of Interior Design Meghan Wilson says that it is important to bring a few essential personal items from home but not to bring everything one owns in order to avoid clutter.

“Don’t overdo it, try to stay as minimal as you can, but with a few really special pieces that remind you of home,” Wilson said. “There is actually research that says too much clutter or things in your space makes it a lot harder for you to focus.”

One dorm item that McAllister says is often overlooked is items in terms of lighting, such as curtains or dorm-safe lamps.

“There are a lot of problems with glare when seeing your computer screen, privacy or light just shining in your eyes,” McAllister said. “Think about your window and lighting treatment. There are a lot of temporary, pleated fabrics on the market that can just stick up with a double sticky tape and they will last you that year.”

According to Ragle, what students bring to their dorm can truly enhance their experience within the dorm.

“It is a huge change going from your parent’s house to a random dorm room. No matter what, it is definitely essential to make your dorm as comforting as possible and as unique as you are.” Ragle said.