Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: Aggielife

Media Credit: Chad Stoermer [Click to enlarge]

Microwave

A microwave is a definite must when it comes to dorm life. You might be a little skeptical at first, because heating up leftovers isn't really a common occurrence in dorm rooms. However, there is a new world to be discovered: the world of microwavable meals. I'm not just talking Ramen noodles, I'm talking full courses: panini sandwiches, spinach lasagna, chicken teriyaki - the possibilities are endless.

One of my personal favorites, as simple as it may be, is Easy Mac. Something about having instant Kraft triple cheese macaroni and cheese when I'm far away from my hometown, stuck in a dorm room on campus makes me feel at home.

Also, all grocery stores are completely stocked with delicious and even nutritious meals such as Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers. So when it's raining outside and Sbisa is just too far of a walk, take out a frozen dinner and start that baby up.

Command hooks

Take advantage of these seemingly flimsy plastic hooks - they can be a real lifesaver. Hammering nails into dorm room walls is typically a big no-no, but that is no reason to keep your walls bare and wanting of picture frames and other wall décor.

Command hooks come in all different shapes and sizes, depending on what you're wanting to hang. Whether they're keeping up a huge, heavy bulletin board or a thin string of lights above your bed, they are a great asset to any room. You do have to be careful when taking these hooks down at the end of the year since they have a really strong adhesive on the back that can remove paint from walls.

Storage boxes

Storage is a necessity when living in a dorm. There are all those little things that you need to bring but don't want people to see. That's why investing in some sort of storage bin is important. The best kind of storage for a dorm room is the boxes that come with movable drawers. It's almost like having a little dresser to stick under the sink. You can organize what goes in which drawer, so not only are you cleaning up your room, but you're organizing your life!

A great trick that I've learned to make these storage boxes fit into a room's color scheme is to get a piece of fabric and cover the top with it. Now, you have a great piece of matching furniture along with a place to stash your random belongings.

Water packets

One of the worst things about dorm life is the limited beverage choices. It seems like a waste to get anything but bottled water, but that gets boring. That's why it's important to always have a stash of the flavored water packets. They are cheap, and they come in any flavor you could imagine. You can choose what you want based on what kind of a mood you're in that day. Say you're feeling healthy and you just finished your yoga class. Get out a water bottle and a green tea packet and you're set. A personal favorite is raspberry lemonade.

Along with awesome flavors, you can get some essential vitamins from these packets. One thing that saved me my freshman year was Airborne. It comes with 1000 mg of vitamin C, keeping us college students free from colds and coughs of all sorts.

Rain boots

It may sound silly to go out and buy rain boots when you're a college student, but in all sincerity, it's all the rage. College Station has a tendency to be a little inconsistent when it comes to weather. What starts off as a perfect day can suddenly become full of torrential rain and flooding - that's why having rain boots is essential.

Ok, so maybe the guys can make do with their tennis shoes because sporting rain boots around campus might give them a different image than they want to portray. For the girls, however, these necessary accessories are a perfect addition to any outfit. I occasionally look forward to rainy days so I can get the chance to show off my brown and pink-patterned boots. You can find a cute pair for a pretty good price, so why resist the trend?

Mini fridge

The wonders of a mini fridge are endless. Whether it's for milk with your cereal, lunch meat for sandwiches or keeping water bottles cool for those hot days, a mini fridge is a great investment when it comes to dorm life. Non-refrigerated foods are easy and convenient when you're in a dorm, but after a while you really start feeling like you're living in a temporary space, far away from a real kitchen with a supply of typical foods.

When shopping for a mini fridge, be sure to look out for the ones with a freezer attached at the top. The freezer, although extremely small, makes a world of difference. On that smoldering September day, you're going to need a popsicle. Or when you're down and nobody in the world can comfort you, it's good to know that Ben and Jerry are safe inside your mini fridge.

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