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College Dorm ESSENTIALS 📓
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items The ULTIMATE dorm checklist for freshmen! 🎓
Tired of scrolling for ideas? I’ve got you covered. These are all the essentials I had (or wish I had) my first year. From the dorm room and bathroom essentials, this is a one stop shop for all things dor...
Sections
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Bedroom Essentials 🛏️
Bathroom Essentials 🛁
Dorm “Kitchen” Essentials 🍽️
Academic and Tech Essentials 🖇️
Bedroom Essentials 🛏️
I used a bedding so similar to this one in the twin XL size. It’s perfect for college students who love nature or neutral tones. I found it went super nicely with everything in my room and I even got some decor to go on theme.
MKXI Twin XL Beige & Green Floral Comforter Set
I loved soft blankets like this to make the space more cozy. You can choose your favorite color, but mine’s green! 💚
Plush Solid Blanket | Home | T.J.Maxx
Please please please splurge on this! Do a 3” mattress topper, not any less. I swear I loved my college bed more than my bed back home! It will make your bed so comfy and the transition a little easier.
Sleep Philosophy Hypoallergenic 3" Gel Memory Foam Mattress Toppers (Twin XL) White: Microfiber Cover, OEKO-TEX Certified
I absolutely live for my silk pillowcase. It does wonders for both my face and my hair, plus it’s super relaxing at night. Please don’t make my mistake and buy one with a zipper because I swear I’m fighting with mine every day. 😭
2 Pc Standard - Zipper White Satin Pillowcase Set by Bare Home
If you buy anything for a dorm, make sure you get an air purifier. I can’t even tell you the amount of times I got sick my freshman year and it was awful, plus having to live in such close quarters with another person. I’d like to think this helped m...
Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier Gray: 3 Settings, Captures Mold & Pet Dander, Carbon Filter, 100-300 sq. ft., 2-Year Warranty
I splurged and got myself one of these mirrors and I loved it for getting ready at my desk! It really helped me for the times my roommate and I were trying to get ready at the same time, plus the lighting was awesome.
VANITII 14''x18'' Vanity Makeup Mirror with Lights Tabletop Metal White
One thing I didn’t get last year was an over the door mirror for my closet. It was an immediate regret and this one is perfect for checking outfits and extra storage🔥
Over-the-Door Mirror Metal Brass - Threshold™: Modern Full Body, Space-Saving Design
I had an ottoman just like this one and every college student will say you need one for the storage. I used mine to get on my bed because it was lofted, so I was glad not to be jumping all the time.
18in Quilted Storage Ottoman | Home | T.J.Maxx
I have this exact fan and every college student will tell you to splurge! This fan has some kick with high enough speeds to keep my dorm pretty cool. The sound was pretty quiet too so no loud fan noises!
Woozoo 5 Speed Oscillating Globe Fan
My roommate brought one of these and I loved it! We used it for food, but it really has so much use in a small dorm space. I will def be purchasing for next year too.
SONGMICS Rolling Cart, 3-Tier Storage Cart, Storage Trolley with Handle 2 Small Organizers, Plastic Baskets, Utility Cart, Easy Assembly
If you have a tall bed I used these drawers as a nightstand and place to put my fan. It was so convenient and it’s a college staple. So much storage too!
ALEX Drawer unit with 9 drawers - white 14 1/8x45 5/8 "
Please get some sort of desk lamp, bonus points if it has extra functions like this one. You will hate the harsh overhead lighting and always opt for something chill like this.
15.3" Tall Modern Rectangular Bedside Table Desk Lamp with 2 USB Ports and Charging Outlet White - Simple Designs: ETL Listed, Linen Shade
Command hooks. My holy grail for hanging anything. If you have picture frames to hang look into the photo ones. Put some painters tape down behind them or pull them off really slow because your dorm paint is probably super thin. Pro tip: if you rip a...
Command Medium Sized Decorative Hooks Clear: Adhesive Hooks for Wreaths, Outdoor Use, 2 Pack, 2 lb Capacity
These drawers saved me! Storage was so bad in my dorm between the small closet and three drawers I was given. I think using these my clothes fit better in my dorm than back at home. I put this under my bed and it was a game changer.
3 Drawer Wide Tower Light Gray - Brightroom™: Plastic Storage Drawers, Portable Universal Storage, No Assembly Required
If you get a laundry basket, please get one with wheels. You don’t want the shame of a laundry backpack or having to haul and heavy load down the hall.
Laundry Hamper with Wheels and Lid - 100L Rolling Clothes Basket with Bamboo Handle, SpaceAid Large Laundry Organizer for Bedroom, Bathroom, Dorm
This is my exact vacuum! I was gifted this and I’m so grateful. For everyone saying you don’t need a vacuum at college, the tumbleweeds of hair that would appear on my floor beg to differ.
BISSELL Featherweight Lightweight Stick Vacuum - 2033M: Bagless, Electric, Multi-Surface, Washable Filter, 15ft Cord
Make sure to get a couple extension cords! These saved me with only two outlets on my side of the dorm.
Philips 6-Outlet Surge Protector with 6ft Extension Cord, White: 1080 Joules, 500 Clamp Voltage
I purchased a big pack of these velvet hangers and they really helped me hang my insane amount of clothes in my closet!
Hanger Central, 50 pack Space Saving, Heavy Duty Slim Velvet Hangers, Ridged Non-Slip, 360-Rotating Chrome Swivel Hook, Black
I got a 6 pack of these and they really made my life so much easier with moving! I needed about 3 or 4 just for my clothes, but I wouldn’t have done it without these.
Behome 6 Pack Moving Bags Heavy-Duty Extra Large, Blue Moving Totes with Zippers Handles for Space Saving, Family & Dorm Room Moving Supplies
You’d be surprised the amount of times you’ll use tools. I love having mine on hand even just in case. Plus they’re pink!
39 Piece Tool Sets All Purpose Household Tool Kit, General Basic Home Tool Set Case with Toolbox Great for Girls Ladies and Women, Household Hand Kit for Home Garage Office College Dormitory, Pink
Bathroom Essentials 🛁
I’ve heard mixed reviews between plastic and mesh, but my plastic one lasted me all year. Big plus if you have a communal bathroom!
Shower Caddy for Dorm Ivory - Room Essentials™
To be honest, if you aren’t using shower shoes I’m scared of you. The dorm showers are nasty, even if it’s your own. Please buy cheap ones they WILL get gross.
M Shower Flip Flops Black - Room Essentials™
Get a pack of towels like this from TJ Maxx because it’ll end up being cheaper than target or even amazon sometimes! I used white so I could bleach them, but they did get some makeup stains…
6pk Performance Towel Set | Home | T.J.Maxx
If you have communal or even a connecting bathroom like I had, you’ll want a rope considering you live in a shared space, plus it’s super cozy!
Just Love Womens Plush Solid Robe | Ladies Bathrobe 6311-Cream-M
One of my favorite parts of the bathroom was a filtered shower head. The one they give you will have horrible pressure and the dorm water will make your hair disgusting after a couple weeks tops.
VXV Filtered Shower Head, 9 Modes High Pressure Shower Head with Handheld, with 71" Shower Hose & Adjustable Bracket Filter Shower Head, Remove Chlorine & Hard Water, Chrome
This shelf was so convenient if you have a suite style bathroom! You aren’t going to want to put all your belongings on the toilet lid trust me.
Costway Over-The-Toilet Storage Shelf Space Saving Metal Bathroom Organizer Hooks Brown
Dorm “Kitchen” Essentials 🍽️
If your school doesn’t provide a mini fridge, you’re going to want one 100%! Invest in one with a freezer because if you want to bring home ice cream or other frozen treats, you will need the space. I loved having one in my dorm because I had one of ...
Mainstays 3.2 Cu. ft. 2-Door Refrigerator with Freezer, Stainless Steel Look
Getting a small, dorm approved microwave like this one is great for late night snacks! 🍿
Mainstays 0.7 Cu ft Countertop Microwave Oven, 700 Watts, Black - Walmart.com
Call me basic, but I love this water bottle. I still use it every day. I loved my larger Stanley, but I’m sure you know the struggles of it leaking every time it tips over. I’ve never had any problems with this one, plus it fits in my backpack water ...
Stanley 30 oz Stainless Steel Ice Flow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler Frost
I missed my fridge at home so much, and making some ice for my water or drinks made me more sane 🙏
Silicone Cube Ice Tray with Lid Green - Room Essentials™
Having a few little glass containers like this was great for food storage and less microplastics is a win! Plus I used these in the microwave to make ramen allll the time 🍜
Pyrex® Simply Store® 6-pc 4-cup Round Glass Storage Set with Assorted Color Lids: Small Glass Containers, Dishwasher-Safe
I loved having a little, easy to store cutting board like this. You typically don’t eat too well as a freshman in college, but I was using this to chop up some much needed veggies!
9"x13" Recycled Poly Essentials Cutting Board Vintage Cream - Figmint™: Reversible, Dishwasher-Safe
In the dorm, you’re not going to cook much, but if you do find yourself wanting to chef it up, one solid knife like this one will do the trick!
Zyliss Chef's Knife with Sheath Cover - 7.25 inches
I had to take out the trash so often! Getting a bigger trash can like this with a lid would’ve been so helpful.
30L Soft Square Step Trash Can Black - Brightroom™
Let’s be REAL! No college kid is washing dishes. Just get paper plates, bowls, etc.
Great Value Everyday Disposable Paper Plates, 8.5", 100 Count
Academic and Tech Essentials 🖇️
Are you really a college freshman without this backpack? Everywhere you look someone has one of these, but they’ll get you through thick and thin!
THE NORTH FACE Borealis Backpack Tnf Black One Size - Walmart.com
There’s so much debate on Apple vs Windows for college students. If you have to run extensive programs, maybe look into a windows computer, but this MacBook has done me wonders as a business student!
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: M4 w/ 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 256GB SSD - Midnight - MW123LL/A (2025)
If you already have an Apple ecosystem, an iPad is a great addition! I have one and it’s amazing for taking notes while wasting less paper, plus playing cozy little games when you’re bored. It works super cohesively with a MacBook and iPhone, and can...
2025 Apple 11-inch iPad A16 Wi-Fi 128GB - Silver - Walmart.com
I have been wanting one of these so bad for my iPad. It is truly so much better than any generic stylus. A must for note taking.
Apple Pencil with USB-C Adapter (2022, 1st Generation)
I purchased these slightly after the start of my freshman year. My og ones started dying every 3 seconds, but these last me forever. I love the noise cancelling as it’s a must for me, and it’s easier to use these when I want to be semi-present over u...
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
These headphones are my favorite thing for library study sessions, braving the college gym, or even walking to class. The toggle between transparency mode and noise cancellation is super easy too!
Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth Wireless Headphones - Sandstone
I used one of these in all of my math classes because for some reason the $100 one I bought in high school is banned in all my classes 😐
Texas Instruments 30XIIS Scientific Calculator - Lightning Blue: SAT & ACT Approved
I’ve used these pencils since middle school and I rebuy them every year. I think that says it all.
Paper Mate Clear Point 3pk #2 Mechanical Pencils with Eraser & Refill 0.7mm Black: Led Pencils, Rubber Grip, Retractable
I love these notebooks because they are so sturdy. Everything that goes into my backpack enters an immediate black hole, so how these come out in good condition amazes me.
Five Star 1 Subject 100pg College Ruled Spiral Notebook (Colors May Vary): School Supplies, Perforated, 3 Hole Punched