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What you ACTUALLY need to bring to college...
39
items Heading to college for the first time? Let me, a senior, help guide what is vs. isn't necessary!
Sections
6
Laundry Solutions
Bedding Essentials
Bathroom and Cleaning
Furniture
Study Solutions
Decor
Laundry Solutions
Mom can't do your laundry anymore.. Time to get saavvy!
Small and sturdy laundry baskets like this are my favorite, no lugging unwieldly bags or broken wheeling hampers.
1.5bu Plastic Square Laundry Basket - Brightroom™: Medium White Clothes Hamper with Built-In Handles, Portable Storage
Another good laundry basket option!
1bu Flexible Diamond Round Laundry Basket Gray - Brightroom™: Polyethylene, 35.2L Capacity, Built-In Handles, Multipurpose
You won't be doing more than 2 loads a week at max, so a small bag of tide pods is a great solution.
Tide Pods Laundry Detergent Pacs - Original - 25oz/31ct
Bedding Essentials
College dorm beds suck. Here's how to make yours better!
My own dorm comforter is from this brand and it's lasted 3+ years and is super easy to wash in any washer!
Intelligent Design Twin/Twin XL Colette Floral Paisley Comforter Set Pink: Hypoallergenic Dorm Bedding, OEKO-TEX Certified
MATTRESS TOPPERS ARE WORTH THE SPLURGE… spend the money, cause college mattresses SUCK. Don't get a cheap 1 in of foam, get at least 2/3in.
Subrtex 3" Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Cooling Removable Cover, Queen
Gel foam toppers are so elite
SUBRTEX 3 Inch Twin XL Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper With Removable Fitted Cover, Cooling Soft & Breathable
Your back will thank you..
Vibe 3” Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Twin XL
These pillow loungers are excellent for sitting in bed on your laptop, esepecially if you don't have a headboard.
Faux Shearling Bed Rest Pillow Cream - Room Essentials™: Supportive Backrest for Dorm, Hypoallergenic Fill
Reading pillows like this are so comfy.
Milliard Reading Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam, White
A cute throw blanket makes your bed so much cozier
Ribbed Plush Throw Blanket White - Room Essentials™: Cozy, Sensory Friendly, Machine Washable, 50x60"
These chunky knit blankets are ADORABLE!
Chunky Knit Throw Blanket Braided, Soft & Cozy - Becky Cameron, Blush, Throw
Nothing wrong with a plain comforter, you can decorate with a patterned throw!
Twin/Twin Extra Long Box Stitch Puffer Comforter Twin/Twin Extra Long - Room Essentials™
A good mattress protector helps get rid of the squeaky plastic sound of a plain college mattress
Twin/Twin XL Waterproof Quilted Mattress Pad - Room Essentials™: Microfiber, Stain Release, 180 Thread Count
Bathroom and Cleaning
No housekeeping in dorms. You're on your own, kid! Make a chore chart with your roommate to split responsibilities.
A toilet paper rack to hold extra rolls is a great way to make sure you never run out.. BTW most dorms provide single ply toilet paper for free!
Toilet Paper Holder Chrome - Bath Bliss: Freestanding, Iron Construction, 14.57" Height, 5.71" Depth & Width
A swiffer is the perfect solution to cleaning your room quickly.. It's great for mopping, a weekly dusting, on your walls, etc.
Swiffer Deluxe Sweep + Mop
Most dorms provide a trash can, but that sometimes isn't enough. Bring a cheap one to keep right by your desk or bathroom.
3gal Open Vanity Waste Basket Black - Brightroom™: Compact Matte Plastic Indoor Trash Can, Small Size, Bathroom Use
You don't need a huge bottle, but having some lysol bathroom cleaner is a must. You're responsible for cleaning your messes now!! Wipe down the sink at least weekly.
Lysol Bathroom Trigger Power - 32 fl oz
Trust me, you'll want toilet cleaner…
Lysol Power Clinging Gel - 24 fl oz
A small tool kit is actually a lifesaver.. If you ever buy something that needs assembled, you'll be glad you have this.
Blue Ridge Tools 40pc Household Tool Kit: Screwdriver, Dorm Tool Kit, Small Hand Tools, Rubber & Steel, Carrying Case
Windex for cleaning your mirrors is the best option. Use a roll of paper towels for no streaks!
Windex Glass Cleaner Original Blue Refill Bottle - 26 fl oz
Get yourself a bunch of lysol wipes; they are the best for the laziest weekly cleaning.
Lysol Lemon and Lime Blossom Disinfecting Wipes- 80ct
Furniture
Dorms usually come with a wardrobe, dresser, bed, desk, and chair. That's usually enough, but a few extra bits can help make it more homey and practical.
These storage ottomans are fantastic for added storage, an extra seat for guests, or putting your feet up!
Single Storage Ottoman (FA) - Room Essentials™
A small area rug really helps the coziness, cause most dorms are plain hard tile!
Nuloom Gena Medallion Indoor Area Rug for Living Room Bedroom Dining Room Entryway Hallway Kitchen, Light Grey/Ivory
Wait until you see your dorm before you buy a full length mirror in case they already have one, but it's definitely super helpful to have in your room
13.5" x 49.5" Framed Door Mirror Black - Room Essentials™: Modern Style, Polystyrene Frame, No Assembly Required
Big Joe chairs are really comfy, easy to refill, and space saving ways to get some comfy seating in. Don't bother with a full futon or couch.
Big Joe Milano Bean Bag Chair, Nylon Polyester Blend, Black
This is the exact one I have in my dorm.
Big Joe Dorm Bean Bag Chair with Drink Holder and Pocket, Durable Polyester Nylon Blend, Two Tone Gray
A foldable chair like this or a circle chair is a great way to have temporary comfy seating for having friends over.
Butterfly Dorm Chair Cream Faux Shearling - Room Essentials™
Foldable chairs make it super easy to transport too!
Emma and Oliver Cozy Faux Fur Oversize Folding Moon Chair with Metal Frame-Black/Black
Study Solutions
Don't forget, college isn't all about partying. Time to hit the books!
Bring your own dry erase markers for studying! Whiteboards are often in dorms or libraries and they are my favorite place to study.
Expo 6pk Dry Erase Marker Starter Set with Eraser & Cleaner Multicolored: Bold & Fine Point, Low-Odor, Whiteboard Use
Underrated study tool is a tiny dry erase board for writing out problems!
U Brands 11"x14" Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board - White: Small Wall Mount Presentation Board, Steel & Plastic
Keep a physical calendar to help keep track of deadlines!
U Brands 16"x20" Dry Erase Calendar Board Gold
I really liked having lots of lined paper on hand for doing homework that gets turned in.
Emraw College Ruled Filler Paper, 3-Hole Punched, 100 Sheets/Pack, Lined White Paper for Binders – Office & Student Use, Pack of 2
Don't cheap out on notebooks. A Five Star notebook will last you multiple semesters!
Five Star 1 Subject 100pg College Ruled Spiral Notebook (Colors May Vary): School Supplies, Perforated, 3 Hole Punched
Colorful pens were my personal favorite way to study.
Paper Mate Ink Joy 10pk Gel Pens 0.7mm Medium Tip Multicolored: Retractable, Quick Drying, Multicolor Ink, Stationery Set
Decor
My personal favorite stage of moving in to my dorm is decorating… Get yourself some cute things for your space to make it feel like home.
Bring fake plants only, there is rarely enough light for real ones
Succulent Multipack Plant Pink - Room Essentials™
Greenery makes a space so much more pleasant!
Core Plant Multipack in White Pot - Room Essentials™
A simple curtain does WONDERS for the cozy levels of the room. Easy to put up with command strips and a light curtain rod
60"x84" Sheer Window Curtain Panel White - Room Essentials™: Recycled Polyester, Energy Efficient, Rod Pocket
FAIRY LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS CUTE!!!
String Lights Clear White - Room Essentials™: 100 Incandescent Bulbs, Indoor/Outdoor Miniature Fairy Lights, UL Listed
I like these curtain string lights for either a plain wall, or across my windows.
5' x 3.5' LED Curtain String Lights Warm White - West & Arrow: Indoor Twinkling Miniature Decor, USB or Battery Powered