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Every year, back-to-school department store sales claim that they can give you the best deals on dorm essentials. But these stores lump everything into a so-called “dorm must-have” category, including things like unnecessary furniture, rugs that will definitely shed within the five minutes of move-in, and shelving, for some reason.

Thankfully, six DU juniors and seniors are here to share their most-used dorm items, highlighting the true essentials of dorm life. These often-overlooked items make the transition from home to campus easier—and are sure to earn a top spot on your dorm shopping list!

Back to the basics

Sleep is crucial for well-being and success, and a rock-hard bed can make a full eight hours difficult to get. Tatiana Peccedi, a rising senior majoring in environmental science with minors in GIS and environmental chemistry, says her mattress topper came quite in handy.

“The most-used item in my dorm was probably my mattress pad, which I had brought on move-in,” she says. “It was definitely a necessity, something I realized after noticing it was something my roommate did not have.”

A mattress topper is a large purchase but, in the end, well worth it. “I used it every day, and it made a huge difference in my comfort level in my own bed,” Peccedi says. “And it’s an investment you can use for at least two years!”

This next item is something that you might already have at home: a clothing steamer. Kendall Welborn, a rising junior with a major in public policy and minors in international relations, history, and business ethics and legal studies, uses hers all the time. “It's great if you have a corporate job or internship and wear clothes that wrinkle easily, or anytime you have a formal event,” she says. “I use it constantly, and people always ask to borrow it.”

Luckily, the large closet space in DU’s dorms makes keeping freshly steamed clothing wrinkle-free easy.��

Let there be light

Overhead lighting can be rough on the eyes—and a nuisance if your roommate is ready to sleep but you have to stay up to finish an essay.��

Vidhi Jain, a rising senior majoring in accounting with a minor in business ethics and legal studies, recommends that students get a desk light to help with this concern.��

“It helped to brighten up the room when needed and allowed me to do homework after my roommate had gone to sleep without casting too much light.”

Owen Mantelli, a rising junior with a major in political science and minors in leadership studies and media, film, and journalism studies, agrees.

“My lamp by my bedside was great. When the sun went down,, it provided the perfect amount of light before bed. My roommate and I would also both turn on lamps by our beds, which made for a very cozy environment.”

Sometimes it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference!

Keep it cool

������ tends to stay pretty warm during late summer and early fall. To beat the heat, check out these items to keep cool.

Aidan Cullen, a rising senior with majors in psychology and marketing, thinks that hydration is everything.��

“I think the most-used item in my room was my Brita (filtered water pitcher),” he says. “No matter the time of day, having fresh ice-cold water ready to go in the fridge was the best.”

All of DU’s dorm rooms also automatically come with mini fridges, perfect for keeping that Brita water crisp and refreshing.

Shivani Durvasula, a rising senior majoring in strategic communications with minors in writing practices and marketing, seconds this—and also thinks students should definitely get a fan to keep the room at a comfortable temperature.

“I kept my mini fan by my bed when I was sleeping and when I was sitting at my desk doing work. I have zero heat tolerance, so if you're coming from a state with a colder climate, I would highly recommend it.”

Not to worry—the majority of DU’s dorms are equipped with air conditioning, but a fan can go the extra mile and doesn’t take up a large amount of packing space.��

Recommended by DU pros, these items are essential for adjusting to dorm life. Figuring out what you really need can be tricky, but this list makes that first step of college life easier—and a lot more exciting!