PROMO: Preparing for Ball State? Here's What You'll Need to Survive Dorm Life

 

    Editor's Note: This story contains products that have been personally used by VBN's Vivian Bostick. As an Amazon Associate, VBN earns from qualifying purchases. This promotional article helps fund VBN's independent journalism while keeping it free for all. Read our Sponsorship Disclosure.

    MUNCIE, Ind. - As the fall semester approaches at Ball State University, new students are preparing to move into on-campus housing. If you're wondering what to bring, you're not alone.

    As a first-year student required to live on campus, I thought I had packed everything I’d need--but I quickly learned otherwise. Looking back, here's what I wish I had bought before move-in day.

    Every item in this article was chosen by me--not Amazon--based on my own experience. I reviewed all of my past Amazon orders (many) to create this list of everything that helped me get through dorm life.

    By ordering through the links in my article, you're directly supporting VBN's ongoing mission of delivering independent, high-quality journalism to the Muncie community at no cost. VBN is Muncie's student-owned, locally operated news source.

Shower Shoes

     Whether you call them shower shoes or sandals, before you step foot in a dorm shower, you need to put them on. After your first few days when people start using the showers, there will be hair and buildup all over the floor and walls. Even after the showers are cleaned, let less than a day pass and the grime is back.

 

    I bought a pair of these Adidas shower shoes, and I still wear them--even after moving out! They're reputable, soft and dry quickly, so you can avoid the grime when you shower. I got mine on sale for $10, but at the time of publication they're $24.50.

Keychain

    When you move in, you'll get a small packet with a loose key. While you could just carry the key loosely in your pocket, if you lose it, that's a major risk.

    It's worth paying the $5.99 (at the time of publication) for a keychain. This keychain acts as a wristlet, but it also clips to backpacks and belt loops on pants. No matter how you use it, you shouldn't lose track of where your key is. 

Twin XL Sheet Set

    Your dorm bed comes without any bedding, so if you don’t bring or order sheets, you’ll be sleeping on a bare mattress. 

    The beds in Beyerl Hall are Twin XL size. I purchased this sheet set, which is on sale for $12.08 at the time of publication. It’s simple, comfortable and gets the job done. 

Basic Over-The-Counter Medicines 

    Unless you own a car or can afford to get a rideshare off-campus to a pharmacy, your only in-store option for medications is the dining halls. 

    While the dining halls do sell select over-the-counter medicines, they're typically priced at $4 and only come in travel-size packets of three to four (mostly four). For comparison purposes, assuming all packets contains four doses (remember, some only contain three), that's $1 each. Furthermore, the dining halls don't accept your meal swipes for medicine purchases.

     Here are some basic over-the-counter medicines you can stock up on right now, as well as the cost savings over the dining halls at the time of publication...

• Allergy Relief (100 Doses) - At the time of publication, you can get 100 doses of allergy medicine for $4. That's $0.04 each--a $0.96 savings per dose from the dining halls.
• Acetaminophen (Generic Tylenol, 200 Doses) - At the time of publication, you can get 200 doses of Acetaminophen for $5.39. That's $0.03 each--a $0.97 savings per dose from the dining halls.
• Pepto Bismol (Chewable, 90 Doses) - At the time of publication, you can get 90 doses of Pepto Bismol (shipped as three boxes of 30) for $15.84. That's $0.18 each--a $0.82 savings per dose from the dining halls.

Bandages 

    Despite dining being the in-store medicine option for on-campus students, when I visited the Atrium Café last November, they didn't carry bandages.

    You can order a box of 100 for $5.94 at the time of publication--that's $0.06 each.

Trash Bags

     Do the dorms already provide trash bags? Yes. Will they get full after you eat just two meals? Also yes. Will they break when you try to tie them? Also yes.

 

    While the dorms provide trash bags for free, they're rather small, have no handles and are prone to break when you try to tie them. These trash bags can hold up to 13 gallons each, minimizing the times you have to walk to the trash areas. I've been able to eat a few days' worth of meals before needing to take one of these trash bags out. And for $10.28 at the time of publication--21 cents a bag--they're a big help and worth the cost.

Durable Jeans

    Please, don't bring your favorite pair of pants to your dorm. I've had numerous issues with the laundry machines, which have torn up a number of my jeans, socks and shirts (mostly jeans).

    When I went to order replacements, I used the Measurements app on my iPhone. The number was four inches too long, but the waist (measure where you put your legs through, then multiply that number by two) was correct, so take that into consideration. If you know your pants size or have a physical tape measure, that's your best bet, but subtracting four from the height in the Measurements app has worked for me.

    The jeans that fit me were these, from Rustler. While they're advertised as men's jeans, they fit everyone--just check the length and waist! They're durable, haven't been damaged by the laundry machines, and are surprisingly affordable compared to store options. I got mine for $13.98 a pair, and at the time of publication, the price hasn't gone up.

Why Order Before Move-In?

    While same-day and next-day Amazon delivery is common around the Indy area, from my experience, it isn't available for the dorms at Ball State.

    Packages sent to the dorms are handed off to USPS, usually routed through a hub in Hebron, Kentucky. The fastest shipping option available is two days.

    That means if you order something to your dorm on or after move-in day, expect to wait at least two days--potentially longer--for it to arrive. That's why I'm recommending, before move-in, order everything you need to your home address. That way, you already have what you need and can take everything with you when you move in.

    You can absolutely have items sent directly to your dorm after you move in, but make sure to order early so everything is ready when you need it. That way, if you need something, it's already there, and you don't have to wait for shipping.