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We asked the BuzzFeed Community (and asked again!) for the most useful product they loved when they lived in a dorm. Here are their best responses!
1. Long power strips so you and your roommates don't have to wage war over a limited number of outlets to charge all of your many devices.
2. If you're going to school somewhere that gets crazy cold in the winter, a fuzzy, warm blanket to add to your bed when the temperatures drop.
3. If you end up in the top bunk, a sturdy bedside caddy that'll tuck under your mattress to keep everything you could possibly need within arm's reach.
4. A reading pillow so you can do homework or study in bed but still be just cozy enough to concentrate.
5. A memory-foam mattress topper, because dorm room mattresses can be the most uncomfortable things you've ever laid on in an attempt to fall asleep.
6. A set of shelves that sits over your bed and gives you just that much extra storage space for your books and knick-knacks.
7. A set of blackout curtains so you can pass out after your all-nighter even if the blinds don't block all the light.
8. A white noise machine that'll save you from the background noise of roommates and loud people in the hallway.
9. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, because dorm living does sometimes mean hearing other people get it on — or just so you can study in peace or stay asleep when your roommate comes in at 4 a.m.
10. A printer, whether you go wired or wireless, so you never have to worry about paying to print and you can put your assignments off — or, um, I mean, truly perfect that assignment you've definitely been working on since Monday — until the very last minute.
11. A mini-toolkit that won't take up much storage space but will be incredibly useful whenever you or a friend does need a loose screw fixed or to measure something for a project.
12. A first-aid kit ~just in case~, plus the basic medicines you've relied on your family to always keep stocked at home.
13. A mini sewing kit so you can fix a small tear in your favorite shirt or reattach a button that just popped off.
14. A mini steamer, because it'll take half the time, effort, and space of ironing on a tiny dorm-sized ironing board, and there will actually be days that you want to get the wrinkles out of your clothes.
15. A mini fridge (if your school doesn't provide them), because if keeping cold filtered water, leftovers, ice cream, and fruits and veggies isn't a true essential, I don't know what else qualifies.
16. A humidifier-diffuser to help you relax, keep your skin hydrated through a dry winter, and maybe even help your (or your roommate's) snoring.
17. An over-the-door shoe organizer to keep everything from your shoes to your hair products both incredibly tidy and easy to see all at once.
19. A three-tier utility cart — it can store literally anything you need it to: snacks, coffee mugs, laundry detergent, books, hair brushes, blowdryers, a small bottle of vodka stashed inside an empty oatmeal container...and more.
20. An expandable drying rack so you can air-dry your clothes that call for it without hanging said clothes in every single available doorway.
21. An octopus-shaped delicates hanger with arms that fold up for easy storage, because dorm washers and dryers aren't always the gentlest.
22. An oversized beanbag that can turn almost any random dorm floor into a comfortable spot to sit, then stashes away under the bed when you're not using it.
23. A cushioned storage ottoman where you can stash all sorts of things out of sight and that'll also give you an extra seat and even work as a step-stool.
24. Or if your dorm has a little bit more space, a full-fledged storage bench — for all the same reasons you'd get a storage ottoman, just with more storage and more seating space.
25. For those mornings you crave a caffeine fix and those the nights when you just don't make it to the caf before it closes, an electric kettle that can boil water for anything from tea to ramen to easy mac at the touch of a button.
26. A microwave pasta cooker so you can upgrade from instant ramen to al dente spaghetti.
27. A personal blender that'll turn pre-chopped fruit and spinach from the dining hall salad bar (plus some yogurt!) into a breakfast smoothie certain to perk you up for your 8 a.m. class.
28. A Brita Water pitcher and a reusable water bottle from your school's store, so you can always enjoy clean-tasting water while saving money and this blue-marble planet.
29. A candle warmer and your favorite jar candle, especially if you're used to burning candles at home and really don't like that they're no-go in the dorms.
30. A set of Command Hooks to hang by your door and hold your keys, so you always know exactly where they are, no matter what you've been up to.
31. And bigger Command Hooks so you can give a few inches of empty wall a new life purpose as a towel holder, bag hanger, or coat rack.
32. A personal utility cart that folds up and stores flat, so you can tote a month's worth of dirty clothes to the laundry room in one go.
33. A lightweight hand vacuum that'll make quick work of cleaning any little messes you make, or trapping a nasty bug you really don't want to deal with.
34. A shower curtain with mesh storage pockets because tiny showers only have so much room for everyone's four bottles of personal products.
35. Some battery-powered string lights so your lofted bed has some middle ground between total darkness and the harsh fluorescent lighting. (Plus they instantly make almost any space feel cozy!)
36. A ten-foot phone charger (or y'know, an extension cord) that'll keep you plugged in even when you're perched high up in that loft bed.
37. A pack of Command Strips because hanging up art you love can really make a big difference in making your room feel like home.
38. A seat cushion — your butt and lower back will be very grateful that you give them the support they need, especially when you basically never leave your wood desk chair for nearly the entire week before finals start.
39. Some over-the-door hooks that will come in handy for quickly storing scarves, bags, towels, and hats in a convenient spot.
40. A doorstop because it absolutely will help you make new friends faster than you ever realized you could!
41. A lap desk because you’re going to use your computer for way more than homework (Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Netflix....) and won’t be at your desk all the time.
42. A set of bed risers that will open up *so* much more valuable under-bed storage space.
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