Determine the amount of space you have in your dorm room and review your college's rules for bringing electric appliances.
Contact your new roommate or roommates and discuss whether you will share appliances or use your own.
Go online to an appliance e-store, such as dormbuys.com or dormroomfurnitureguide.com. Here you can browse for ideas and pictures and comparison shop. College friendly retailers, such as Target, also offer a nice selection of back to school appliances.
Consider the appliances you use every day. For example, a mini refrigerator is probably a good buy for any college student. But if you don't drink coffee or tea, you won't need a coffee pot or hot kettle. On the other hand, single serve coffee makers are cheap and handy. If you have trouble breathing, humidifiers are available in a dorm room size. A toaster is also an inexpensive purchase that can be used frequently and stored easily.
Hit up garage sales, vintage stores, consignment shops and your older siblings and cousins. Chances are, one of them has a gently used mini- fridge, a hand me down hot plate or an oscillating fan.