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8 Dorm Room Essentials for Your 'Back to School' Checklist

Dorm rooms. Yes, they're small. But with a little elbow grease, a well-organized dorm room really can feel like a home away from home for students fresh to the college scene.

Of course, it helps if students arrive prepared with everything they need to feel settled, secure and geared up for success. That's why we've gathered eight items, all of which can be found at Costco, that any college student (and their roommates) can appreciate.

1. Noise-cancelling headphones

From on-campus events to phone-happy roommates, college can be noisy. Students can cut down on the clamor with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for distraction-free studying.

2. Portable stow-away safe

Students sharing space can breathe easier on the go by securing valuables in a safe that's large enough for a laptop.

Pro-Tip: Attach the safe to a bed frame using a wire-braided security cable.

3. Mattress topper

A solid sleep routine is key to academic success, but dorm beds aren't exactly known for comfort. A supportive mattress topper means more zzz's for a better start to any day.

Pro-Tip: Students who snooze a little too well can combat chronic oversleeping by positioning an alarm as far as possible from the bed so a short jaunt is required to turn it off.

4. Mini fridge

Warning: Students can and will get hungry after the dining hall has closed. A compact fridge stocked with nutritious foods will help late-night snackers avoid unhealthy alternatives.

Pro-Tip: Plastic magazine files stacked horizontally create makeshift shelves for organized food storage. Create DIY shelf liners using plastic placemats that can easily be removed for cleaning.
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