Entering college can be a scary thing. Having a roommate for the first time, making new friends, and being in a whole new environment can add a lot of stress to your life. Let me help you! Save yourself some time and stress and follow this guide to college essentials. Here are 15 college essentials that EVERY student needs to have.
Having a planner in college is one of the most crucial college essentials. Starting college classes can be super stressful, and it’s always important to stay on top of deadlines. Professors can sometimes tell you about an exam weeks in advance. It’s always good to make a note of it in your planner so you don’t forget about it. It’s also a great place to keep the locations of all of your classes, especially if you go to a big school with a huge campus! Shop this Kate Spade planner from Barnes and Noble below.
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I cannot emphasize this one enough. If you ask any alumni from any college, they would tell you that comfortable bedding is one of the most important college essentials ever! Having a mattress topper is huge, as mattresses in college dorms can be worn out and hard. On top of that, buying bedding that fits your vibe and keeps you comfortable is crucial in feeling “at home” in your new home!
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This one might seem obvious, but a lot of people forget, including myself! Shower shoes are one of those college essentials that are quite literally essential. You do NOT want to walk into the communal showers barefoot. You have no idea who could have been there before you. As much as you want to assume the best in people, you can’t always do that! Better to stay safe and keep your feet clean of any germs lingering on the shower tile floors.
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Shower caddies are one of those college essentials that’s pretty obvious as well, but so necessary. No need to carry all of your stuff in your hands to the shower. Make it easier for yourself and get a plastic shower caddy.
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Now it might seem crazy, but it’s a really good idea. Sometimes when you’re out at parties you could end up alone, or walking home from the library after a late night of studying. You have absolutely no idea who or what could be out there, and it’s best to protect yourself. This pepper spray key chain is perfect in instances where you feel you could potentially be in danger. Better to be safe then sorry!
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Colleges do NOT supply your towels, so be sure to buy some before you go! I recommend buying four or five, and washing them weekly. Try to keep up a routine with your laundry so your things don’t get gross!
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Of course a list of college essentials would include a laptop. Investing in a nice working laptop, like the MacBook Pro imaged below, is totally worth your while. You will use it for the rest of your college experience and keep all of your schoolwork on it.
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Dorm rooms have lights, but they aren’t exactly ideal. It’s usually one or two bright strip lights that can light up an entire room. What about when your roomie wants to sleep but you have to do homework? What about when you want a cozier vibe? Lights are some awesome college essentials that you should invest in. You can get string lights anywhere, as well as desk lamps and standing ones. Definitely do not miss out on the opportunity to put some more warm lighting in your life!
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I’m not sure if a lot of people are aware of this, but dorms have a strict no open flame policy in dorms due to it being a serious fire hazard. This can stink, how are we going to make our rooms smell amazing?! Well, think again. This makes scent diffusers that plug into a wall one of the best college essentials EVER! Say bye to bad odors in your room and hello to a candle replacement.
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College dorms can get super stuffy in the warmer seasons. Most dorm rooms have built in heaters, but not air conditioning. This makes buying a fan one of the most important college essentials you need! Trust me, nothing is worse than a stuffy dorm room. You will sweat and barely be able to feel comfortable. This is your new home, you need to make it livable! Shop this Amazon Basics fan below.
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Having a mini fridge in college is one of those college essentials that you will regret not buying. They’re perfect for keeping perishable snacks cold, waters cold, and I also kept cold brew coffee in mine! It saves you a lot of money rather than buying coffee on campus everyday. This mini fridge was on Amazon for a reasonable price, but you can really get them anywhere such as Target, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
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Umbrella’s are college essentials that everyone forgets about. But, what if its pouring rain one day and you have to walk to class across campus? You don’t want to sit in a lecture for an hour or so drenched in water! Trust me, an umbrella will help you out so much for those dreadful rainy days.
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Having a snack bin at school is a great way to keep all of your non-perishable snacks in one organized space. You and your roomie can share it and it takes up minimal space!
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Obviously one of the college essentials listed here was going to be a backpack. But be sure not to buy a random, cheap backpack. It’s worth an investment to buy a nice, durable backpack especially if you want to use it for more than just one year. You will use it literally every single day, you don’t want it to get worn out and dirty after only a month!
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Considering going to college might be your first time away from home, it’s important to kill the homesickness by bringing something with you to remind you that what you left behind, is still going to be there when you go home. College essentials don’t have to be things to keep your dorm organized and clean, sometimes they can be memories. Buy this adorable picture frame of collaged pictures of your choosing on Shutterfly, imaged below.
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