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Use these dorm desk products to organize the workspace in your dorm room and become more productive.
Dorm Desk Essentials
1. Desk Shelf
A desk shelf can do wonders for maximizing desk space by increasing your vertical storage space!
You can use it to store books, pencils, pens, index cards, and other stationery. You can also use to add some decorative items such as a small cactus or photo frame.
2. Task Lamp
Dorm rooms usually have very poor lighting. This can cause eye strain when trying to read or study, particularly late at night.
Using a task lamp makes such a difference in a dorm room by brightening up the space and reducing eye strain.
This particular task lamp has the added benefit of a USB charging port, perfect for charging your phone while keeping it nearby when studying.
3. Compact Power Strip with USB
This power strip has 3 outlets and 3 USB outlets. It is really compact, so it won’t take too much space on or near your desk.
4. Desk Organizer Set
A desk organizer set will help keep all your stationery organized. It’s compact but, at the same time, it’s big enough to fit your iPad and even your Chromebook or MacBook.
5. Stationery
While on the topic of stationery, don’t forget to get all the essentials:
- Sticky Notes
- Index Cards
- Pencils & Pencil Sharpener
- Eraser
- Pens
- Dry-Erase Pens
- Highlighters
- Notepads
- Binders
- Scissors
- Paper Clips
- Scotch Tape
- Envelopes
- File Box
- Stapler
6. Planner/Journal
A planner is an absolute must-have for college students! College life is packed with so many activities – from the mandatory ones like class assignments to the fun ones like pancake saturdays! And if you don’t write them down, you might miss them (I know I did).
After missing a few important events and various calendar systems now working out for me, I got into bullet journaling and that did the trick! My favorite planner is this dotted journal, and I plan using the bullet journal method. But you should pick one that works for you!
7. Bluetooth Speaker
A Bluetooth speaker is the perfect dorm desk item whether you want to play music that helps you focus and study or helps you relax! This Bluetooth speaker is also very versatile. You can also take it on camping trips and beach getaways (as it’s waterproof).
If you have a roommate, be considerate and invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones to use instead of the speaker for when they’re around and don’t want to be disturbed.
8. Whiteboard & Cork Bulletin Board
Dorm rooms are quite small, so one way to maximize space is to go vertical! You can hang a whiteboard/bulletin board on the wall or, if you can’t hang things up on the wall, you can set it up on your desk or nightstand or chest of drawers next to your desk.
You can use the board for reminders of important events, create a vision board, or even just to leave memos for your roommate.
9. Printer
While most universities give you printer access, it can be inconvenient to walk all the way across campus or realize the printer access is not 24/7 when you need just a one-quick urgent one page printed.
Having a printer in your dorm room will come in handy more than once!
10. Coffee Mug
A coffee mug that is portable and keeps your coffee (or tea) just the right temperature is essential. I didn’t even use to like coffee before college but I don’t know if I would have survived college without the caffeine!
Perhaps, unlike me, you won’t need the coffee but it would still be nice to have an insulated travel mug that keeps tea hot or your smoothies cold.
11. Lap Desk
So technically not a dorm desk item, a lap desk is one of the best purchases I’ve made. It allows me to work on my laptop from anywhere, whether from the couch, in bed, or while traveling. It’s like taking your dorm desk on the go, even if that’s just to the couch in the student lounge.
12. Hand Sanitizer
And, because it’s 2021 (but really we should have been doing this before), make sure to have a bottle of hand sanitizer or some antibacterial wipes on your desk and on the go.
These were my 12 favorite dorm desk essentials! Are there any that you love that weren’t on the list? Leave a comment below.