Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
discover Discover

College Dorm Freshman Must Haves
Purple Star emoji 59 items
By
Amanda Walter profile picture
Amanda Walter
3 kids with my youngest going off to college in the fall. Here are my freshman must haves
Sections
7
 
Bedding
 
Basic Storage
 
Electronics/Appliances
 
Shower Essentials
 
The medicine cabinet
 
Decor

Bedding

Standard freshman dorms have twin xl bed size
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Comforter one heavier
Twin XL Size Comforters and Sets
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A throw or twin XL blanket (not a comforter)
Twin XL Size Blankets | Shop our Best Bedding Deals Online at ...
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Get new pillows, let the old ones at home
Hotel Collection Pillows
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Wayfair has awesome prices. Even my boys loved at least one decorative pillow.
Decorative Bedroom Pillows
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A must! Those mattresses are rough 😂
Twin XL Size Mattress Pads
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
The thicker the better.
Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper | Multiple Profiles | Lucid©
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
My daughter has been there since her grad party
College Dorm Room Essentials
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
There most likely is not air conditioning and if there is, it may not work or be enough. These work ! I have them
Up To 85% Off on Bamboo Cool 1800 Series Blen... | Groupon Goods
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Amanda Walter
Bed Rest Pillow: Supportive with Arms
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For storage or even to get to the top bunk
Round : Ottomans
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
You need a mattress cover.
Allergy & Bed Bug Protector | Boscov's
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Get at least 2 sets, possibly 3.
Twin XL Size Bed Sheet Sets
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Basic Storage

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Don’t forget them! Get plenty. There aren’t much for drawer they will need to hang them.
Clothes Hangers - Walmart.com
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Get something that zips so bugs do not get in them
Underbed Storage You'll Love
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A must ! They need all the storage they can get.
Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
All dorms have a desk and chair. Get some more storage
Desktop Organization & Organizer Sets You'll Love
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
They need all of the storage they can get !
Dorm Storage Drawers
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Plastic totes with lids will be your best friends! Keep the bugs out.
Storage Totes With Lids
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
To keep their valuables. There will be kids in and out of their rooms. I have heard horror stories.
Dorm Safes
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Beach towels at least one, even if they don’t live near the beach.
Artisan Crafted Cotton Turkish Towel Beach Bath Oeko-Tex Certified
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
We love this store ! They have everything !
Decorative Boxes & Trunks | For Home Decor & Storage | At Home
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Great pricing at this family owned department store.
Storage Baskets | Boscov's
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Electronics/Appliances

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Will last them a well after a 4 year degree. We have had ours for 10 plus years
MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
These are great for science majors and business majors. They have different programs that work better with a PC than a Mac
Lenovo ThinkPad: Business Laptops Designed for Performance
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
The newest version allows you to turn off the noise canceling which is good in places where you need to hear what’s going on around you
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones & Earbuds
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
This was wonderful! It saves room.
TV Stand For Dorm Room
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
I know this sounds bougie but usually the schools ice machine is either broken or gross.
Costway Portable Ice Maker Machine Countertop 26Lbs/24H Self-cleaning
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
They have good prices for mini fridge
Mini Fridges
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
This may or may not be necessary. They have meal plans (especially freshman) they may not need this until the next year.
Dorm Room Microwaves | Compact, Easy to Use
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
This has become a must 😂
Shop Coffee Makers
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
If there is room… this will be so useful for your college kid. My son loves his!
Prepology 26-lb Countertop Bullet Ice Maker
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
My daughter loves this ! She sticks her photos on the wall with putty.
Polaroid
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Sales and bundles with easy pay !
Apple MacBook Air 13" Laptop M2 512GB with Voucher and Accessories
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A must !!
Fans
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Shower Essentials

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Shower essential for freshman year
Mesh Shower Organizer
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A must !! Kids are gross. 😷
Best Shower Shoes
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
At least 2 sets
Bath Towels
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
This is useful for any gender.
Lighted Makeup Mirrors with LED & Magnification | Best Options
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Everyday essentials
Shampoo + Body Wash
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Depends on what the bathroom situation. My son needed it but my daughter didn’t
2 Piece Ultra Soft Non-Slip Chenille Bath Rug Set - Quick Dry, Machine Washable - 17”x24” & 20"x32"
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
I love this brand and it’s expensive! Buy a large so they have it for a while.
Up To 42% Off on Pureology Large Shampoo Or Co... | Groupon Goods
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
I sent 4 towels and beach towels to with my son. I think I will send more with my daughter
Soft Embrace Solid Bath Towel Collection
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

The medicine cabinet

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For when they are sick
Advil Cold And Sinus
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For aches and pains
Ibuprofen 600 Mg Tabs
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For allergic reactions
Benadryl
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For eczema outbreak
Products for Eczema-Prone Skin
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Just in case.
Cortizone-10 products at Target
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Keep their immune system up.
Vitamins Gummies For Women
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
These actually work! They will need all of the help they can get
Elderberry Gummies in Immune Support(332)
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Decor

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
To hang decor
Duck PTY-2 Removable Mounting Poster Putty
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Pick things that do more! Lamp, phone holder
Dorm Room Desk Lamp
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
They have everything at a great price and fast shipping.
College Dorm Room Art
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Great for the back of the door! Don’t forget push pins
Cork Board - Memo Boards
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
So my son’s girlfriend who is going into her senior year of her undergraduate degree shared a sweet with 4 girls. They decorated with neon signs all over!
Up To 81% Off on Custom Neon Signs from Justyling | Groupon Goods
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
A rug for everything but we got my daughters here ! Love love this store.
5' x 8' Area Rugs for Every Room
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

Laundry Day

 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Laundry day !
Tide Pods Free & Gentle HE Laundry Detergent Pacs
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
To keep the dirty laundry until laundry day.
Laundry Hamper You'll Love
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
For stains
Shout Stain Remover
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Amanda Walter profile picture
Sometimes the machines are not in the same building.
Easy to Carry College Laundry Bags & Dorm Room Hampers
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder