Surviving the College Grind After the First Month (with Some Hilarious Essentials)
Congratulations, you’ve officially survived the first month of college! You’ve navigated the chaos of move-in day, bonded with your roommate (or avoided them like the plague), unpacked your life into a room the size of a walk-in closet, and realized that textbooks cost roughly the same as your firstborn child. Now, the welcome events are over, classes are in full swing, and campus no longer feels like a confusing labyrinth.
But let’s be real: you’re tired. Your dorm room, once full of optimism and scented candles (contraband, I know), is now looking a little less Pinterest and a lot more “someone help me, I live in a pile of laundry.” You’ve entered the college grind, my friend. And it’s time for a dorm room revamp to help make this next phase of college life a little more bearable.
Whether you’re a parent wondering how to support your kid through this stressful time or a student seeking some well-deserved self-care, here’s a guide to dorm room upgrades that will make life a little less chaotic, and a lot more cozy. And yes, I’ve got you covered with Amazon links for some dorm-worthy items that are equal parts practical, fun, and just plain weird (we’ll get to the Emotional Support Pickle, don’t worry).
Step 1: Clean Up That Disaster Zone (It’s Time)
Alright, take a deep breath. I know dorm rooms are small, but somehow they get messy fast. You’ve probably got laundry spilling out of baskets, textbooks you’re pretending to read stacked in precarious towers, and a suspicious pile of… what is that? Cheeto dust? We’ll never know.
The first step to your dorm glow-up is a good ol’ fashioned tidy-up. I know, I know, you didn’t come here for cleaning advice, but trust me on this. Throw on some music, grab a broom, and tackle that chaos. Once you’ve cleared the clutter, you’ll actually be able to see your space—and that’s when the magic happens.
Step 2: Get That Cozy Fall Vibe Going
It’s no longer scorching hot outside, and soon enough, you’ll be bundling up to get to class. The weather is changing, and so should your dorm room vibes. It’s time to swap out that fan and iced coffee for cozy blankets and hot cocoa.
Pro Tip: A warm, soft blanket is going to be your best friend as the temperature drops and you find yourself binge-watching Netflix between midterms. May I suggest the following?
1. BEDSURE Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $19.99 (35% Off)
Check it out on Amazon
This ultra-soft faux fur blanket is the definition of comfort. It’s perfect for those chilly nights when you want to cocoon yourself and forget that midterms exist. Plus, it’ll make your dorm feel a little less like a prison cell and more like a cozy retreat.
Review: “This blanket is softer than my will to live during finals week. I use it for naps, studying, and general emotional support.”
Step 3: Let There Be (Better) Light
College dorms are notorious for having the worst lighting known to man. We’re talking harsh, headache-inducing fluorescent lights that give you flashbacks to high school gym class. It’s time to switch things up and create a more chill atmosphere.
Enter: LED lights. Not only do they make your room look cool, but they can also be dimmed or brightened depending on your mood. Party? Bright colors. Study session? Soft white light. It’s the multi-tasking lighting solution you didn’t know you needed.
2. LED Strip Lights
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $11.98 (25% Off)
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These LED strip lights are a dorm room staple. You can control the colors with a remote, they’re super easy to install, and they instantly make your room feel like you have your life together (even if you’re still living off ramen). They’re also perfect for late-night study sessions or Netflix marathons with a calming glow.
Review: “These lights made my dorm room go from ‘institutional lighting hell’ to ‘vibey chill zone.’ They’re also great for TikToks. 10/10.”
Step 4: Find Some Storage Solutions (So You Can Finally Find Your Socks)
At some point in the last month, you probably realized that the storage in your dorm is… lacking, to say the least. There’s just never enough room for all your stuff, and things like socks, snacks, and chargers seem to vanish into the abyss. It’s time to invest in some storage hacks to save your sanity.
3. Bedside Caddy
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $12.55 (52% Off)
Check it out on Amazon
A bedside caddy is the ultimate dorm room hack. This thing hooks onto the side of your bed, giving you a place to store your phone, headphones, books, snacks, or anything else you need within reach. No more knocking your phone off the bed at 2 a.m. (we’ve all been there).
Review: “This caddy changed my life. I used to lose my phone in the sheets every night, but now it has a home. Plus, it holds snacks, which is obviously the most important feature.”
Step 5: Plants for Vibes (and a Little Oxygen)
Look, dorm rooms can feel a little sterile. Add some life to your space with a plant or two! Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you start a jungle (although that would be epic). Even a low-maintenance succulent will make your room feel more homey and less like a closet.
If you’re not great at keeping things alive (except yourself, and even that’s debatable), a fake plant will do the trick just fine. No judgment here.
4. 3-Pack of Mini Potted Fake Plants
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: $25.99 (37% Off)
Check it out on Amazon
The lifelike desk plants can bring green life and freshness to your living space.We adopt a unique design to imitate the frosty gray-green leaves of eucalyptus, and flock the surface of each potted plant. The gray-green leaves make them look more realistic
Step 6: Block Out the World with Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Dorm life is noisy. Between the sound of your roommate snoring, the people in the hall discussing their latest existential crisis at 1 a.m., and the fire alarms that go off every time someone burns popcorn, it’s a miracle if you get any peace and quiet. You need noise-cancelling headphones in your life.
5. TOZO Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $49.99 (17% Off)
Check it out on Amazon
These noise-cancelling headphones are a lifesaver in a loud dorm. They’re affordable, comfortable, and the sound quality is great. Whether you’re trying to study, watch Netflix, or just block out the world, these will do the trick.
Review: “I live in a dorm with paper-thin walls and loud neighbors, so these headphones are basically my sanity. I use them for everything—music, movies, and pretending I can’t hear my roommate’s loud phone calls.”
Step 7: Coffee on Demand (Because You Need It)
Early morning classes are the worst, and the walk to the campus coffee shop? Even worse. Why not save yourself the trouble and invest in a personal coffee maker? That way, you can fuel your caffeine addiction without leaving the comfort of your dorm.
6. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $59.99 (40% Off)
Check it out on Amazon
This mini Keurig is perfect for dorm rooms. It’s small, easy to use, and will save you time (and money) on trips to the campus coffee shop. Plus, you can make your coffee exactly how you like it—no judgment if it’s 90% sugar.
Review: “I’m not a morning person, but this Keurig makes getting up for 8 a.m. classes a little more bearable. It’s compact, works great, and I can make coffee in my room, which is a huge win.”
Step 8: A Warm Pick-Me-Up (Emotional Support Pickle Alert)
Okay, hear me out: Emotional Support Pickle. You’re stressed, things are hard, and sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up that’s as weird as college life itself. That’s where this guy comes in.
Our favorite emotional support pickle is here for only $9.95!
7. Yodelling Pickle
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $24.99
Check it out on Amazon
Yes, this is a yodelling pickle. No, you don’t need it. But trust me, you’ll want it. This quirky little gadget yodels when you press the button, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh (or confuse your roommate, which is equally fun).
Review: “I didn’t think I needed a yodelling pickle in my life, but here we are. This thing is hilarious and weirdly comforting during study breaks. 10/10 would recommend for a laugh.”
Step 9: Stay Warm with a Desk Heater
Dorms are notoriously either too hot or too cold, with no in-between. When winter rolls around, you’re going to want a space heater to keep your feet from freezing while you’re trying to study. But don’t worry, I’ve found one that’s small and dorm-safe.
8. andily Compact Heater
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Price: $23.99
Check it out on Amazon
This mini space heater is perfect for warming up your dorm on cold nights. It’s compact, safe, and does the job without taking up too much space. Just don’t forget to turn it off when you leave the room (safety first, folks!).
Review: “I live in an icebox of a dorm room, and this little heater has been a lifesaver. It’s small enough to sit on my desk, but powerful enough to keep me warm while I study.”
Step 10: Snacks on Snacks on Snacks
No dorm room is complete without a snack stash. When you’re up late studying (or procrastinating), you’ll need some fuel to keep going. Enter: the snack tower of dreams.
9. Ultimate Snack Care Package
Rating: ★★★★★ | Price: $26.99
Check it out on Amazon
This snack box is loaded with all your favorites—chips, cookies, candy, and more. It’s the perfect care package for yourself (or your kid) when the dining hall just isn’t cutting it. Plus, it’s way easier than scavenging for crumbs under the bed.
Review: “This snack box is a life-saver during late-night study sessions. It’s packed with a variety of snacks, so there’s always something to munch on. Highly recommend for dorm life!”
Final Thoughts: Dorm Life Doesn’t Have to Suck (But It Can Be Funny)
College is hard. Dorm life is weirder than you expected. But with a few key upgrades—and a sense of humor—you can turn your cramped, chaotic space into a cozy, functional home-away-from-home. So go ahead, treat yourself (or your kid) to some of these dorm essentials, and remember: when all else fails, there’s always the yodelling pickle.
Good luck out there, fellow dorm warriors! You’ve got this.
