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 room ESSENTIALS
Purple Star emoji 26 items
By
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
Madelyn O’Brien
Take it from a girl who overpacks, I'll help you avoid the hassle by recommending things you absolutely NEED
Sections
5
 
the "kitchen"
 
tech needs
 
the wearables
 
medicine
 
hygiene!

the "kitchen"

more than likely, you won't have an actual kitchen… but these items can help with that

 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
a mini-fridge will be your best friend, keep energy drinks, snacks, and fun items in here!
Mini Fridges
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
save yourself, get a brita. dorm water does not taste good!
Home | Brita™
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
tea will help you sleep, when you're sick, i reccomend getting a kettle!
Electric Kettle Auto Shut Off
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
there will be nights you just want take-out, get some plastic dishes to add a “fancy” touch
Plastic Dinnerware Set
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
I am two semesters in and I still have almost a full bottle, this gets the stains GONE
Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray, Fresh Clean
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
the scrub mommy has a rougher side and a spongier side, makes washing dishes very easy!
Scrub Mommy
placeholderplaceholder

tech needs

everyone feels differently about what you need tech-wise, so take this section with a grain of salt. 

 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
the ideapad 5x2 in 1 is my current laptop, and i have had no problems. battery life is insane, and it has a touchscreen!
Lenovo IdeaPad Laptops | Versatile, Reliable Laptops & 2 ...
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
macbooks are great for photo editing, especially if that's something you know you will be doing a lot of!
MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
the ipad a16 is the only ipad you will ever need! you do not need a super expensive one! great to take notes on, watch shows on, or read books for class with!
Why the cheapest iPad (A16) is the BEST iPad in 2025!
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
the usb-c apple pencil is the one that works with your new ipad a16! works so well and the battery life is great for a long day of class
NEW Apple Pencil USB-C | Comparing ALL Apple Pencils : r/apple
placeholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
i recommend a magsafe wallet for your phone case, especially if your campus is heavily guarded by your student id
MagSafe Compatible Wallets
placeholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you will want to go on walks, runs, or just study, do yourself a favor, get headphones with noise cancellation
AirPods Pro 3
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

the wearables

the clothes i wish i knew i'd need… especially for adverse weather

 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
it will rain, it will be muddy, get yourself a pair of GOOD and cute rainboots!
Women's Rain Boots
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
my columbia jacket keeps the rain out, keeps me warm, and it goes with everything i wear!
Women's Rain Jackets
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you will be walking outside a LOT, get a winter coat!
Women's Winter Coats & Insulated Jackets
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you will need good walking shoes, your feet will thank you!
On Women's Cloudnova 2 Shoes
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

medicine

the freshman flu is real! here's how to take care of it!

 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you will have a random stuffy nose and need it cleared up, sudafed saved my life.
Head Cold & Sinus Congestion Relief | SUDAFED®
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
your body will thank you when you have an odd flu, cold, some odd illness.
Severe Cold & Flu Effervescent Tablets | Alka-Seltzer Plus®
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you might have an odd allergic reaction to the dorm air, you will want allergy medicine!
Allergy medications: Know your options - Mayo Clinic
placeholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
headaches and other odd pains are the WORST!
Ibuprofen
placeholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
your cramps will feel so much worse away from home :(
Midol® Complete
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
you'll feel oddly bloated, do yourself a favor and grab some!
Nausea, Upset Stomach & Diarrhea Relief | Pepto Bismol
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder

hygiene!

there will be days where you cannot go to your dorm between classes, the mini products listed here will save your life… 

 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
it's small enough to fit in your backpack, and while i do not regularly use native, having this as a backup is great!
Native Aluminum-Free Mini Solid Deodorant - Travel Size
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
the tinier daise perfumes last so long and fit so well in a bag!
DAISE | Award-Winning Fragrance & Body Care
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
get a mini brush! on hotter days frizz might be uncontrollable and you will thank yourself!
Mini Detangler - Frost Purple
placeholderplaceholder
 
Madelyn O’Brien profile picture
dry shampoo will be your best friend, especially on hot days!
Dry Shampoos : Mini & Travel Size Products
placeholderplaceholderplaceholder