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✨Dorm Room College Essentials✨
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items It’s always hard to know what you’ll need in college! Here are some items that can be used for when it comes to own room, classes, hygeine, food, etc.
Sections
9
Bed
Decor
Laundry
Shower
Food/Cooking
For Class
Bed
First time I laid on the mattress, it was hard af so getting this foam topper was essential for me! Made it more comfortable to sleep on. Usually college beds are a twin XL so that’s the size I got
Smiaoer 2 inches Mattress Topper,Twin XL Size Cooling Memory Foam ...
This was super comfortable to lay on in bed when I decided to do homework there instead of in my desk or even to just sleep on
Mainstays Faux Fur Plush Backrest Pillow, Black
I got these sheets for my bed and have worked for me, I don’t get a whole comfort set I just get this and have blankets that I have bought before.
Mainstays Super Soft Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Set, Soothing Gray, Twin-XL, 3 Piece - Walmart.com
Decor
For me it was important to have pictures of my loved ones in my room and it always made it feel homey and have a reminder of why I do what I do so I got these to have a nice collage
Mainstays 4x6 8-Opening Linear Gallery Collage Picture Frame, Black - Walmart.com
Although I already had some lighting, I liked having this set up around my bed to just have a little light when I decided to chill on my bed at the end of the day. Honestly it made it magical in some way :)
String Lights Clear White - Room Essentials™: 100 Incandescent Bulbs, Indoor/Outdoor Miniature Fairy Lights, UL Listed
I love having little plants around my room, it gives it a little life although the plants are fake. Them being fake is nice as well so I don't ever have to forget about watering them or them dying on me. Always such a cute decor to have around my win...
Der Rose Set of 6 Artificial Succulents
Laundry
It’s important to have a sturdy place to put your dirty clothes since you have to have the hassle of brining up and down from laundry room to your dorm. Many have broken on me but this one hasn’t!
Mainstays Rectangular Open Hamper Plastic Adult, White
I love the scent on this detergent, always leaves my clothes smelling amazing. This lasts me a while which sometimes lasts the whole semester or just buy 2 every semester! Can even get a bigger size to not have to buy many of them.
Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent, Moonlight Breeze Scent, 88 fl oz, 61 Loads
Beads can be expensive so I found these that are a little lower in price and worked well for me! They smell amazing and goes well with the laundry detergent. This lasts me a while too!
Purex Crystals Tahitian Breeze 21oz
I use these dryer sheets and really love them. It does add onto the scent that leaves with my clothes and seems to do its job in the dryer of having the clothes not be staticky and making them soft
Bounce Fresh Linen Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets - 240ct
A drawstring bag made it more easier to carry all of the essentials for laundry with me instead of carrying heavier by placing them on the hamper. Sometimes I have a lot more clothes in the hamper so its not easy taking the essentials in there so the...
Drawstring Backpack Bag, Waterproof Draw String Back Sack with Zip Pocket, Gym Drawstring Bags Swim Bag for Men Women
Shower
This mesh caddy holds a bunch of items and it was easy to carry around. The handles were nice too because I could hang it up anywhere that was possible since the showers in my dorm were always small and compact
Siaomo Natural Mesh Shower Caddy Portable Tote Bag for College Dorm ...
I find it easier to have a robe because the showers can be small and might not be super efficient to change there or do your whole routine in the bathroom.
PAVILIA Light Gray Women Robe Fleece Plush Soft, Fluffy Fuzzy Cozy Warm Lightweight Bathrobe, Shower Spa House Long Robe for Women, S/M - Walmart.com
I have used this one as well and has worked perfectly. I do have one note about it is that depending on your bathroom, might have to be placed down on the floor which can be an iffy thing for some people but overall it does work well and I have not h...
Mainstays Small Portable Shower Caddy Frost Plastic
Food/Cooking
Sometimes you don’t want to go to the shared kitchen space to cook so having a griddle can help with minimizing the hassle. It is like having a portable stove, can cook many things when you don’t want to eat the college food!
Durathon® Ceramic Griddle - 38521 | HamiltonBeach.com
Honestly to lessen the amount of of dishes that need to be washed, I found it very helpful having plastic utensils. The whole box lasted me a while since I usually don't eat many things outside from the dinning places on campus.
Great Value Assorted Plastic Disposable Cutlery Set, White, 96 Count Includes 32F/32S/32K
I LOVE this water bottle. It is kinda like the Owala which I have had, and both are great. I think this one is a little bit cheaper so its a good alternative! Keeps my water cool throughout the day and holds a good amount too!
Ello 22 oz Pop & Fill Pistachio Vacuum Insulated Stainless ...
I usually used this to make my noodles! It was super easy and didn't take up a lot of space. Can use if for any other things that might need hot water for!
Chefman Rapid Boil 1.2L Electric Tea Kettle with Removable Lid - Stainless Steel - Walmart.com
I have used this to cook noodles too! Did a great job and have had it for a while now, so it is durable and still functions like its supposed to!
Dezin 2L Electric Non-Stick Sauté Pan
For Class
I bought this MacBook before my freshman year and still have it as a junior! It has worked really well and got it cheaper in eBay which was a plus. A device is a need for college for homework and notes, I prefer a laptop so it has worked for me wonde...
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 chip 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Midnight MW123LL/A 2025 Model
I needed an Apple Pencil for my iPad so I got this one in Walmart for a cheaper price and has lasted me a year now. I bought alternative ones but the tips kept breaking on me so decided to just buy the Apple one
Buy Apple Pencil (USB-C)
I got this tablet a while back when I had my own money to buy it, I got it cheaper in Best Buy so it was a plus. I use it to take notes and download my readings, I do recommend both tablet and computer but that has worked for me I know others only pi...
Geek Squad Certified Refurbished 10.9-Inch iPad with Wi- ...
Although I use my electronics for school things I still like writing things on paper and I have a bunch of these pencils. They work well and they are cheap to get a bunch!
BIC Xtra Smooth Mechanical Pencil, 0.7 mm, 10 Count
I LOVE these highlighters, they always come in nice colors and always use them if I’m taking notes on paper
Zebra Pen MILDLINER Dual-Tip Creative Highlighter
I have been having these air pods for a while and have continued working well for me. I always wore these on my way to class, during studying, doing homework, eating while eating. Always had to had my music on 🎧
Restored Apple Airpods (2nd Generation) with Charging Case - White (Refurbished)
Although I do normally use my tablet for notes, there are times that I want to write down notes or need paper for specific things. I love getting only one of these notebooks every year to have a clean slate and some paper to have whenever I need it.
Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App, 5 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 11" X 8-1/2", 200 Sheets, Black, 1 Count (72081)
I have had this pencil case for 3 years now and everything is perfect condition. It hold a bunch of materials, perfect for anyone who loves to take notes and bring their pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, etc., with you. Great to travel with from ...
QCQHDU Canvas Big Capacity Pencil Case, Pink
I HEAVILY recommend, I would always get a headache and my eyes would hurt from having watching screens all day. I took the decision and bought some blue light glasses and I feel like it has worked for me and made it less straining to look at screens.
Cyxus Blue Light Glasses UV Blocking 8082
Lighting
Give your room a different kind of lighting! The overhead lights in the room are always so bright and boring. I enjoyed having LED’s and making my room unique and bearing.
DAYBETTER 100ft LED Strip Lights with App
This is a cheap light that does the job for when you don’t want the overhead lights on when your want to study during late nights! It helped a lot to have different kind of lighting in my room
Mainstays LED Desk Lamp with Catch-All Base & AC Outlet, Matte Black
Storage
When moving in and out it is easy to lose things in the process so it is important to have somewhere to store and organize your things, I personally have storage bins that have minimized the clutter and know where I have my things
Hyper Tough Large Storage Bin, 27 Gallon Plastic Storage Container with ...
I have these since my dorm comes with a piece of furniture where I can put things and have found it easier to get these cubes to have it all organized and not have everything showing. Makes the room look more organized and less cluttered.
Mainstays Collapsible Fabric Cube Storage Bins (10.5" x 10.5"), Green Boucle, 4 Pack - Walmart.com
I use these inside a drawer that is provided by my uni to organize misellenious things like face razors, hair ties, nail clippers, pills, etc. Honestly comes in handy to have everything organized and knowing where everything is, since there is limite...
LotFancy Clear Drawer Organizers, 6 x 3 x 2 in, Plastic Storage Bins for Desk, Bathroom, Utensils
I recommend this heavily since there is limited space in a dorm to put things so this clusters a bunch of things into one. I have all my makeup, skin care, hygene things here that I need to get ready in the mornings!
SUNFICON Makeup Organizer Tray Brush Holder Cosmetic Display Case Storage Box for Vanity Countertop Bathroom Drawers, 8 Compartments, Crystal Clear Acrylic
To Travel
Things to use when going back home if you are out of state/city
I LOVEEEE my 4 wheel suit case. It has made it so easy to move around when going back home from college during the weekends/breaks. I do recommend looking at other places to see if there is cheaper alternatives but definitely recommend since it has a...
Harper & Bright Designs 28 inch Hardside Spinner Luggage Extendable Lightweight Carry On Suitcases 4 Spinner Wheels, ABS Luggage Hard Side with TSA Lock, Green - Walmart.com