As a student with low vision and chronic illness, my dorm room looks slightly different from a typical room. I live in a single room, meaning I have no roommate and share a bathroom with one to three people instead of the entire hall. I have been very fortunate to have this housing arrangement and cannot recommend it enough for students with chronic migraines. Because of this atypical arrangement, I brought a couple of “weird” things to college with me to help me both inside and outside the classroom. Here are ten of the items:
Bed rail
My first morning at college, I rolled out of bed, literally- I fell from three feet in the air and landed on my face. My parents bought me a toddler bed rail for me to use at night so this experience wouldn’t happen again. I found it also keeps all of my blankets from falling on the floor. A bunch of my friends even went on to buy bed rails for their own dorm bed.
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Desktop computer
I have a full post on why I chose to bring a desktop computer, but here are the simple reasons- about 50% of my classes are virtual, I rely on digital tools for school, and I type all of my assignments due to dysgraphia. My specific computer also has a built-in 3D scanner, so I can easily enlarge items.
Related links
- Why I Brought A Desktop Computer to College
- HP Sprout For Low Vision Accessibility Review
- Why Take Virtual Classes in College
Contact paper
Having low vision means I’m more prone to spilling things and knocking them over-. It happens so often; my mom called to tell me she saw a child with glasses knock over a cup and thought of me. I decided to cover my dresser, desk, and closet doors in contact paper to protect against water that will inevitably knock over or other messes. It cleans up very easily and doesn’t damage the furniture. I used about 7 rolls total to cover everything.
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Blackout curtains
I have severe sensitivity to light when I have migraines and require a completely dark environment to recover. Lightning storms, or as I call them, nature’s strobe lights, can also affect my recovery. My family purchased these blackout curtains from Target that block out all light when they are closed, and I had them fireproofed for free at a college event on campus, as curtains are required to be fireproofed in the dorms.
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Google Chromecast
There’s a full review of the Chromecast here, though I have used this device often. I stream videos, use it as a second monitor for my computer, screen-cast my phone, and more. It was a little difficult to set up, but my post explains how I did it.
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Rolling backpack
Starting my senior year of high school, I would use a rolling backpack for my school supplies. I can carry all of the materials I need for class without throwing out my back or shoulders. While there are some days I have to use a backpack (like when I have to bring my E-Bot Pro or musical instrument to class), it has saved me on many days.
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Video camera
While my college has video cameras for students to borrow, I chose to bring my own video camera to school. I had purchased my camera about a year prior for mentorship and enjoyed doing videography in high school. I have often used the camera, from doing class projects to practicing lectures to entering contests and helping many friends with film projects. Also, I brought a tripod that fits in a bag stored underneath my bed and a camera bag. My camera has been discontinued, but it is a JVC shock, drop, and freeze-proof camera with a touchscreen.
Tons of stuff for my bed
I probably brought way more items for my bed than the average student, mostly because I spend a lot of time in bed recovering from migraines. As a result, I probably have one of the coziest beds on campus.
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Urbio
The Urbio Perch is a wall storage system that uses command strips and magnets. I use Urbio boards on both my walls and on furniture- I attach pens and highlights to the side of my desk, toiletries to the side of my dresser, and four boards on my wall containing my hairdryer, chargers, winter items, and important papers. Stay tuned for a post on how they look in my dorm room.
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Echo Dot
This is a new addition to my electronics collection, but it has been an amazing tool. I wrote a full review on it, but some of the many things I use for inclusion are a talking clock, timer/alarm, weather forecasts, calculator, news source, and music.
Related links
- $30 Echo Dot on Amazon
- 6 Ways Amazon Alexa Can Help With Homework
- How Amazon Alexa Can Help You Read
- Using Amazon Music With Vision Impairment
While these are definitely uncommon items to pack for college, I have gotten a ton of use out of them and am glad I didn’t have to have my parents mail me these items later.
