The best part of a new academic year is decorating your dorm maintains Kayla Raynak, a rising junior at Slippery Rock University.

However, according to Natalie McCosby, a recent graduate and former community assistant for residents at the university, students tend to focus on items that are actually necessary a little less.

Raynak and McCosby offered tips to create a list of five dorm essentials to bring personality and practicality to a student’s living space.

“Everybody forgets a trash can,” McCosby said.

Some schools provide them, but most do not, she said. Plus, it’s unlikely they have more than one per room.

A trash can is useful in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, and they are especially useful during move in. They can also be decorated with stickers and purchased in a variety of colors.

Whether it’s snack wrappers, tissues or old homework, all students need a place to put waste.

“This one might seem obvious but I’ve seen a lot of kids walk around in the rain without an umbrella,” Raynak said.

Water poses a threat to notebooks, laptops and freshly-fixed hair, so students may find an umbrella more necessary than they would expect.

Raynak said she prefers a small umbrella that can fit in her backpack pocket so she never goes without it.

“Sometimes I wear pink when I know it’s gonna rain so I can match mine,” she said.

“I got so many residents asking me for Band-Aids or Tylenol,” McCosby said.

Schools typically have health services, but some wounds can be patched up at home. Pain killers, bandages, ointment and gauze come in handy more often than one might think.

Other students may also ask to use items from a kit, which can be a great way to make friends.

Dorm lighting is sterile and harsh, Raynak said. She prefers softer, warm lighting, and is pretty sure most people agree.

A floor lamp will light the entire room, unlike a desk or bedside lamp. It also makes an environment more comfortable and inviting, Raynak said.

White, overhead ceiling lights will be there if needed. Yet, it’s nice to have other options.

Raynak also recommended fun string lights to elevate your decoration game.

A load of laundry costs around $3 and takes about an hour-and-a-half to finish in the Slippery Rock dorms, McCosby said.

But what if you don’t want to spend the full amount for just one pair of pants or spill coffee on your white shirt right before class?

Tide sells portable, instant stain removal sticks for just that reason. This is another item students can loan out to new friends or neighbors.

“That thing saved my life a few times,” McCosby said jokingly.

5 often-forgotten dorm essentials

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1. Trash can and trash bags

2. Umbrella

3. First aid kit

4. Floor lamp

5. Tide pen