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Flickr user Mike Mahaffie
Getting ready to pack and move off to college is incredibly exciting. You can find an endless number of packing lists online, including these from Bed Bath and Beyond or Her Campus. But we’ve compiled a list of miscellaneous items that will make your first year of college much easier. Consider buying these the following items survive!
FIND YOUR COLLEGE MATCH30 College Must Haves
1. extra set of Bedsheets
One of the college must haves is an extra set of sheets. Why? You never know when someone is going to show up and want to stay the night. An extra set of sheets just might save your futon (or save your guests from your well-loved futon). And there’s always a chance that you might spill your SpaghettiOs while doing homework in bed–no one wants to do late-night laundry when they’re tired.
- AmazonBasics Microfiber Sheet Set — Twin, Navy
- Mellani Microfiber Bed Sheet Set 3 Piece — Twin, White
2. A fan…or 4
Very rarely will you have temperature control in your dorm. You aren’t granted the power to turn the furnace or AC on/off. Depending on where you go to college, a fan could potentially save your life. In fact, I’d recommend two. One of those big oscillating or box ones, and then one you can clip to your bed or desk. They even make fancy desk fans you can plug into a USB port. Bonus benefit: they are great for making white noise!
3. At least one big microwaveable bowl
What you’ve heard is true–college kids eat a lot of Ramen and soup. Sure, you can always eat in a dining hall on campus but having a meal option in your room is also nice. Thus, another college must have is at least one large microwaveable bowl.
Fun fact: You can also make macaroni and cheese in the microwave, but make sure you sneak some milk from the cafeteria if that’s the plan.
4. Noise-canceling headphones
These are 100% a necessity. You’ll need them for studying in the library, coffee shops, dorm rooms, and bus rides. Invest in a good pair and take care of them. You can use them for de-stressing, meditating, jamming out on the way to class, or lullabies at bedtime. Sometimes you just need to block out the craziness of the world.
Invest in a good pair and take care of them. You can use them for de-stressing, meditating, jamming out on the way to class, or lullabies at bedtime. Sometimes you just need to block out the craziness of the world.
- Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
- TREBLAB Z2 Active Noise Cancelling T-Quiet Headphones
5. Cleaning Wipes
6. Coffeemaker
Caffeine is a gift from above. Whether you have morning classes or late-night study sessions, it can be a huge help to have a personal coffeemaker in your dorm room.
7. Desk lamps
Dorm rooms are notorious for having terrible lighting. If you want to save your eyes, make sure you get a lamp for your room.
8. Shower Caddy
- mDesign Plastic Shower Caddy Storage Organizer Utility Tote
- Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy Portable for College Dorm Room Essentials with 8 Pockets
9. mini toolkit
A quick way to make friends is to have a toolkit. You never know when you’re going to need a screwdriver–and that cute co-ed down the hall might need help assembling something.
10. surplus of school and office supplies
And by surplus, I mean piles. We’re talking pens, pencils, highlighters, those fancy little tabs to stick on textbook pages, a 3-hole puncher, a regular-size stapler and a mini one to throw in your backpack, paper, notebooks, binders, dividers, report covers, etc.
11. Extra long TV cable
In my experience, the cable hookup is always in the least convenient location. It’s never the logical place that one might put a TV. Save yourself the frustration, and just bring a long cable.
12. cozy, colorful rug
Your dorm will either have nice drab, tan tile, or 20 year old carpet covered in questionable stains. Bring an area rug that suits you and your roommate’s style. It will instantly transform your small, boring dorm room, into your home.
13. Trash liners
You’ll be amazed how much trash you accumulate in a short amount of time, so you’ll need plenty of liners for when you need to haul it down to the dumpster. Money saving tip: save your grocery bags and use them for trash when possible!
14. First Aid Kit
- First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit
- Be Smart Get Prepared 110 Piece First Aid Kit
15. Mattress Topper
-
ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL
-
EASELAND Twin XL Mattress Pad Pillow Top Mattress Cover Quilted – Deep Pocket
16. Command hanging strips and hooks
These are a life saver. You can’t pound a nail into a brick or cinder block wall very well–nor are you supposed to. Use the strips for your posters and decorations. And use the hooks for easy hat and jewelry storage.
17. pile of pillows and blankets
You never know when unexpected guests will arrive, or when friends decide to crash during an all-nighter. If you like to study on the floor or in your bed, a few extra pillows and blankets will come in handy.
18. big calendar (desk or wall) in addition to your planner
Use a big calendar to map out when big projects and papers are due. If you can see that everyday, and continually update your planner, you’re less likely to forget that something important is coming up. A calendar to go along with your planner is one of the college must haves.
19. backpack
Accept it now, you’re basically going to be living out of your backpack for 4 years. The more pockets, the merrier. A pocket for snacks, a pocket for homework, a pocket for electronic things, a pocket for pencils, you get the point. Get a good, sturdy bag, it’s going to be carrying some hefty textbooks.
20. Reusable Water Bottle
- Opard 30oz Sports Water Bottle with Leak Proof Flip Top Lid
- Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid – Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
21. Flipflops for the shower
Non-negotiable. Foot fungus is gross. Don’t spread it and don’t get it. Just wear flip flops.
22. Storage Options
Your space won’t be huge, but you’ll have a lot of random stuff lying around. Make cleaning up quick and easy by tossing it into a cloth or canvas storage bin. Ottomans are also nice to have around if you get a sturdy one it can even be used for extra seating. Many college students choose to use bed risers that make under bed storage a good option.
- Foldable cube storage bins – 6 pack
- AmazonBasics 4 Cube Wire Storage
- Household Essentials 6 shelf hanging closet
23. Air Freshener Spray
Small space, big smells.
- Citrus Magic Natural Odor-Eliminating Air Freshener (3 Count)
- Febreeze AIR Freshener Heavy Duty Crisp Clean (3 Count)
24. ethernet cable
An ethernet cable is one of the college must haves. Wi-Fi s a great thing–just not in dorms. It’s pretty typical for every student to be using the wi-fi on multiple devices at the same time, which slows it down drastically. Plugging into an ethernet cable will usually keep you running faster, making homework and getting that project turned in at the last minute more doable.
25.Mini Fridge
- BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer
- Upstreman Mini Fridge with Freezer, Single Door Mini Fridge
26. spare phone chargers and battery
Keep a spare phone charger in your backpack, especially if you’re on your phone 24/7. You can plug-in in the library, in class, or while you’re grabbing a bite to eat. Then by the time you’re ready to move on to the next place you’ll be fully charged! You might also consider getting an extra-long charger to make your phone more accessible to different outlets.
27. flashlight and/or booklight
If you have a roomie, chances are pretty good that your sleeping habits won’t be exactly the same. On nights that you aren’t feeling the library and would rather study in your room, you’re going to need a book light. Don’t be that person who demands to have the overhead light on while your roommate is trying to get their beauty rest.
28. AA and AAA batteries
Pretty self-explanatory. Calculator. Book light. Fan. Remotes. It’s one of the college must haves.
- Energizer Combo AA and AAA Max Alkaline Batteries (24 Count Each)
- Rayovac AA Batteries & AAA Batteries Combo Pack, 30 AA and 24 AAA (54 Battery Count)
29. lap desk
Greatest invention ever. I just invested in a nice lap desk that cost a whopping $11. It has a cup holder and everything. Really though, you need to let your laptop breathe, put it on a flat surface instead of your lap.
30. Laundry Basket
All that dirty laundry has to go somewhere. Instead of tossing stuff on the floor or the end of your bed, get yourself a hamper.
Have something that didn’t make the list that you wouldn’t have survived college without? Let us know in the comments!
Mini fridge! Even if you just use it for drinks, you need one! Also under bed storage. You won’t have a lot of space if you share a room!