Your freshman year of college is coming up quick, so here are a couple tips. One, take your keys everywhere, including the shower. There's nothing worse than getting locked out in a towel. Two, don't procrastinate—tomorrow comes sooner than you think. And three, learn to cook your own meals, because the dining hall is going to get old fast. Like, real fast. You might be kinda limited as to what you can cook in your dorm, but you'd be surprised as to what you can make in such a small space. You just need the right tools.
Amazon Prime Day starts today, so this is your time to stock up on everything you need to eat and cook on the cheap. Login to yours (or more likely your parent's Amazon Prime account) and check out these Amazon Prime Day deals. You'll be happy you did when you're eating a homemade Greek Couscous Salad and your friends are eating dining hall stir-fry for the third night in a row.
Brita Water Filter
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Brita 5 Cup Metro Water Pitcher with Filter, BPA Free for $13.99
Not only are disposable plastic water bottles wasteful, but they take up a ton of space in your mini fridge. Get yourself a reusable water bottle and a Brita Water Filter for good, clean, free water. You can easily fill up your filter from the sink in the dorm bathroom (no shame, everyone will do it). They'll go for $13.99 for a limited time; they're normally $19.99.
Contigo Travel Mug
Deal Time: All Prime Day
Get the Deal: Get 30% off Contigo Travel Mugs (like the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mugs, 16 oz, Stainless Steel & Matte Black, 2-pack)
Take your coffee, tea, juice—whatever—to go. These mugs lock, so putting one in your backpack won't accidentally get your midterm paper or your new $200 Spanish textbook soaking wet. And, they'll keep your drinks hot for up to 5 hours and cold up to 12. Check out the silver and matte black 2-pack and use one for hot drinks and the other for cold, or make nice with your new roomie and pass one along to them.
Rubbermaid Food Storage
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Get 20% off on Rubbermaid Food Storage (like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, BPA-free Plastic, 5-pack)
Use plastic food storage containers to pack your lunches, to take your dining hall meal to-go, or to even stock up on things like fresh fruit and veggies at the dining hall. Hey! When you have the one-swipe, all you can eat type of meal pass, make it count. These Rubbermaid containers are plastic, so they're light and easy to carry, and have a locking lid so they won't spill out in your bag. Win-win.
Clear Food Containers
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Save 30% on OXO Pop Container Set
Get inspired by Khloe Kardashian's organized pantry and get yourself some clear food containers. You can stock up your dorm room with snacks like trail mix and Goldfish, but keep them lasting even longer in these air-tight containers that take up minimal space.
Chip Clips
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Save 30% on OXO Bag Clip Set
If you prefer to keep your snacks in their OG packaging so you can always peep the nutrition info or whatever, that's cool too. Use these chip clips to seal the packaging back up when you're not eating it, and store the clips you're not using on your mini fridge with their magnetic backing.
Microwave
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Save 20% on Farberware Microwave Ovens (like this Farberware Classic FMO07ABTBKA 0.7 Cubic Foot 700 Watt Microwave Oven)
Most dorms don't come with a microwave; it's more of a "bring your own" type of situation. Check with your hall to see if there's a limit in wattage, but tbh, the more compact the better. You can make everything from steamed veggies to eggs to rice crispy treats in the microwave. And of course, you can always reheat the late night pizza you didn't finish for breakfast, too.
Blender
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: Magic Bullet Blender, Small, Silver, 11 Piece Set
With a blender, you can make yourself a smoothie or a smoothie bowl to jumpstart your day. This Magic Bullet Blender is compact, easy to clean, and comes with lids that make your creations easy to go.
P.S. You can also make guacamole in a blender. Just throwin' that out there.
SodaSteam Soda Maker
Deal Time: July 16, 10 pm est - July 18, 9:59 am est
Get the Deal: SodaStream Sparkling, No Carbonator Included, Black/Silver for $39.99
If you're addicted to drinking LaCroix or even Diet Coke, you're not alone. But your mini fridge will hardly be able to hold a 12 pack. You can make your own sparkling water or soda with a SodaStream that takes up minimal space and doesn't need to be plugged in. SodaStream uses a small CO2 tank to blow air into water that you can then mix with SodaStream syrups or your choice of flavoring, like Chrystal Light. ProTip: Don't forget to buy yourself a carbonator, the thing that holds the air. These do not come with the device.
ProTip: Don't forget to buy yourself a carbonator, the thing that holds the air. These do not come with the device.
Aside from Amazon Prime Day Deals, having an Amazon Prime account can come in handy throughout the school year. You can use Amazon Pantry to have all kinds of snacks and food delivered. They will even deliver stuff from Whole Foods in some areas! Keep this in mind if you don't have car, or feel like bribing the one person in your hall who does. Your first year of college and living in the dorm might not be super easy, but at least your food and snack situation can be.
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