No—a college degree isn’t a flimsy piece of paper that tells everyone you’re well-learned in a particular field. It’s hard evidence that you have the grit, resourcefulness, and insatiable appetite for fruit snacks needed to survive a college dorm.

But even the bravest of survivalists could benefit from ideas to make the close quarters of their dorm room feel, well, not so close. Which is why we’ve created the following college checklist, so that your child, too, can thrive in an environment where bathrooms are communal and ramen noodles are currency.

Make that Cramped Room Feel More Like Home

Let’s face it. Dorm rooms tend to be stark and claustrophobic like an underground bunker—but that doesn’t mean they need to feel like one. With a few strategically placed appointments, your kid’s room can become the hangout spot on the floor. Consider the following:

* Small refrigerator. Space is limited, so it’s probably best to share one with a roommate, but a small refrigerator is a must-have for midnight snack cravings. Brains need fuel, after all.

* Microwave. Along with a fridge, a microwave can help avoid trips to the dorm vending machine. It’s a good idea to check first, though, to make sure the residence hall allows students to have one.

* Bed sheets and a comforter set. Sleep is important, especially for students who have to wake up bright and early to get to the cafeteria in time for breakfast. And since the beds are likely the most prominent pieces in the room, the dorm bedding will set the tone for the rest of the space.

* Storage bins/closet organizers. There’s only so much floor space for dirty laundry. Hampers, under-the-bed storage bins, and hanging closet organizers can help neatly stow away all of your kid’s stuff so the floors can be reserved for walking. Check out our article on closet reorganization for more ideas on how to best use closet space.

* Additional seating. Depending on the size of the room, you might be able to squeeze in a bean bag chair or even a futon so seating isn’t limited to a desk chair or the bed. Plus, extra seating can accommodate study groups and impromptu hangouts.

* Desk lamp. When the need for an all-nighter arises, a desk lamp allows students to hit the books without disturbing their sleeping roommate.

* Movie posters. A great conversation starter, movie posters help people find common ground over their favorite movies, bands, and celebrity crushes in an instant.

Germs, They’re Everywhere!

College is all about discovering yourself, and sometimes that means discovering you’re a filthy human being. Even if your child is a model of hygiene, germs are more likely to spread in tight spaces, so stocking them up with the following is a good bet:

* Shower caddy. A shower caddy makes walking to and from the communal bathroom less of a hassle by keeping shampoo, shower gel, and other bath products in an easy-to-carry container.

* Flip-flops. Hundreds of feet touch those shower floors. Hundreds. Urge your kid to wear a pair of waterproof flip-flops when they shower to stop the spread of foot fungi.

* Bath towels. These are self-explanatory. Make sure they’re stocked up with at least a few towels to last between laundry days.

* Garbage bin. Each roommate should have their own trash can so they’ll be responsible for their own garbage. Plus, they can use it to practice their jump shot from across the room.

* Small vacuum/broom and dustpan. Messes and spills happen just as often in a dorm room as they do at home. Maybe more.

Can’t Study All of the Time

Studying 24/7 is a great way to learn a lot of stuff, and slowly lose your grip on reality. At some point, it’s time to close the textbooks and have some fun. Here’s some items that can help them do just that:

* Laptop. This might be the most necessary tool for dorm room survival. Not only is a laptop essential for studying and note-taking, but also for streaming movies, playing games, checking social media pages, and hopefully emailing home.

* Bean bag toss game. Also known are “cornhole,” the bean bag toss game is easy to set up in the hallway or outside, and is one of America’s greatest pastimes.

* Flat-screen television. Again, space is limited, so a 68” HDTV might not be the best option. A smaller model around 35”–40” should be a suitable size for a dorm room. If the TV you select doesn’t have Smart capabilities, add a streaming stick so they can watch their favorite movies and TV shows.

* Gaming console. A PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or other type of gaming console can be a great way to unwind after a long day of studying and keep college kids connected with friends from home through online gameplay.

* Portable Bluetooth speaker. A Bluetooth speaker wirelessly connects to a laptop, smartphone, or any other enabled audio source, making it easy to listen to favorite playlists while studying in the student center or enjoying the sunshine in the quad.