thePULSEBy Steph Moore
Let’s face it ~ you’re getting a bed, a desk and chair, a dresser, and four walls. That’s it…and that’s not exactly a lot. You’re going to want to ~ and need to ~ add a whole bunch of stuff to those basics to make your space comfortable ~ somewhere you can relax, be productive, entertain, and just plain live for an entire academic year. Here are a few fun-n-functional items that you might want to consider.
From DormCo.com:
Bunk Pocket ~ Keep your cell phone within arm’s reach your bed ~ for those late night calls (you know the ones!) you don’t want to miss. You can also store your remotes, glasses, and, um, other small items in the Pocket.
Clothes & Go ~ Packing for college is not a one-time deal. You need to pack to go to school, pack to come home for breaks, pack up at the end of the year and pack again to go back for the fall semester. So get the fastest and easiest solution to avoid boxes and taking clothes off hangers.
Wizard Wall Static Cling Dry-Erase Sheet ~ Gone are the days of needing clunky dry-erase boards that are too small and require mounting strips. Wizard Wall clings to your wall and is available in rolls as long as 40 feet and uses traditional dry-erase markers. You can load up an entire dorm wall with dry erase messages, reminders, schedules, quotes from friends, threats to your uber-messy roommate, etc.
EZPort ~ This Foldable Laptop Desk is a must have if you have a laptop ~ and who doesn’t? Lapdesks have been around for a while, but they all lie on your lap at a less than ideal angle (stop it, I know what you’re thinking!). EZPort is 100% portable and rests on a desktop area that stands 12-16” off the ground ~ makes it much easier to get work done on your (or a friend’s) dorm bed, futon or floor. 
Napper ~ Ah, naps. Gotta love ‘em…and gotta love an alarm clock that was created specifically for making napping easier. Napper is the fastest and easiest-to-set nap alarm, combined with the essential standard alarm clock and time.
Dorm Fire Blanket ~ “Safety first” can apply to sooo many parts of college life (wink wink) ~ but on a serious note, every year the news is filled with university residence halls that catch fire. Accidents happen, so be prepared with the Dorm Fire Blanket that can smother and put out fires before they get out of hand.
College Mini-Futon ~ Sure, your room may be small, but you still want a place where friends can sit ~ and the floor or your bed aren’t exactly the greatest options. The Mini-Futon is the only guaranteed to fit dorm furniture item that can seat more than one person (next to each other, not on top of each other). It’s like having a mini living room.
Phototrax Dorm Wall Photo Hang ~ Don’t even pretend that you’re too cool to plaster pix of all your friends and your crazy college antics all over your wall…and Phototrax will make sure they don’t get ruined ~ because no tape or sticker residue ever ouches your pictures. It also keeps them in a straight line, which makes for a less cluttered look (balancing out the two weeks of dirty laundry at the foot of your bed).
Featherbed Mattress Pad ~ A flimsy, 8” thick mattress with no box spring ~ welcome to your new dorm bed! It’s not surprising that most students would rank dorm beds a 1 out of 10 for comfort (and wake up feeling nearly crippled). The Featherbed Mattress Pad is a budget-saving 2 in 1 dorm bedding essential. It provides your university bed the featherbed topper comfort you want and the mattress pad you need all in one cost saving college item.
All DormCo.com items are sold exclusively at www.dormco.com.
From Telebrands (the “As Seen On TV” giant!):
Supreme 90 Day ~ Looking for a new sans-gym ways to work out during college? Since money and time are likely at a premium, you could probably use aworkout that’s more conducive to your lifestyle. Supreme 90 Day is a workout package that includes 10 workout DVDs by award winning producer Cal Pozo ~ the choreographer of “The Biggest Loser” and “Dancing with the Stars” exercise DVDs.? Pop it in to your laptop for a no-fail workout. www.Supreme90Day.com and Walgreens, Target, CVS, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath and Beyond. 
Pasta Boat ~ No time to cook, no kitchen space or supplies, no money, and no love for your meal plan. Sound familiar? The Pasta Boat is a 5-in-1 kitchen gadget that cooks, strains, steams and serves pasta (the best friend of anyone on a budget!) in approximately 18 minutes. ?The Pasta Boat also includes a steamer rack which can be used to steam potatoes or vegetables right in the microwave. www.PastaBoat.com and Walgreens, Target, CVS, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath and Beyond.
From GRIPSTIC
The GRIPSTIC ~ A modern (and much snazzier) take on the “chip clip,” the GRIPSTIC offers a simple, space-saving way to seal your bags of chips, veggies (ha!) and more, keeping food fresh longer. Since most college kids are strapped for cash, make your dorm food (or whatever you smuggle from the dining hall!) last by using the GRIPSTIC ~ which comes in various sizes and slides onto almost any bag. www.GRIPSTIC.com and Walgreens, Target, CVS, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath and Beyond.
