Why Every College Freshman Should Pack a Digital Camera

As a senior who’s lived in the dorms for years, I can tell you that a digital camera belongs on your college essentials list. While smartphones are convenient, a dedicated camera captures those spontaneous midnight study sessions, dorm room decorating adventures, and campus memories in much better quality.

When planning your dorm room essentials, consider that dorm lighting is often challenging for phone cameras. A digital camera with manual controls and better low-light performance will document your first-year experiences without the grainy, dark results you’d get from a phone.

The camera also becomes invaluable for:

• Creating content for class projects
• Photographing whiteboard notes
• Documenting room condition during move-in
• Capturing roommate memories
• Building a portfolio for campus photography clubs

Plus, having a dedicated camera means never worrying about phone storage or battery life when those unexpected memorable moments happen.