29 College Essentials You'll Be So Glad You Bought

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6 days ago

A Brita water dispenser because let's be real, blowing your fun money on packs of plastic water bottles? Hard pass. Getting one of these early in the year is a total game-changer. It filters out contaminants from your dorm's tap water, making it taste way better and actually drinkable.
A gel-infused memory foam mattress topper since the cardboard-like mattress the school gives you really puts the board in room and board. This cooling topper will add a plush layer of comfort — basically, it's your best shot at recreating the cozy, cloud-like feel of your bed back at home.
And, a set of internet-famous Mellanni sheets if you wanna make sure you have some really good "bed chem" for the year. These are super soft and are made from moisture-wicking microfiber fabric for all you hot sleepers. Just take a look at the 250,000 5-star reviews if you need more convincing.
And a set of Beckham Hotel pillows since you're probably gonna buy new pillows for college and you may as well get the best of the best. These fluffy, yet supportive, pillows will have you excited to go to bed every night, even if you are living in a 60-year-old dorm rather than a 5-star hotel. Plus, they're machine washable!
The iconic BedShelfie in case you get stuck with the top bunk or have a lofted bed and want to keep your necessities close by without having to jump out of bed to get them. This easily attaches onto your bed frame and can hold up to 35 pounds of stuff.
A classic Herschel backpack because you want to have a reliable backpack to get you through your packed schedule. It's roomy enough to hold up to a 14-inch laptop, has multiple zipper pocketed sections, and has padded shoulder straps so you'll be comfy heading from class to class.
A chic laptop tote bag if you're the type that wants to strut on the way to the library, get in a good study sesh, and then slay your midterms. Reviewers love how much you can fit into this bag, and say it looks just like the one from Béis!
A durable mesh shower caddy — just because you're sharing a communal bathroom doesn't mean that you've gotta let up on your everything shower routine. It's got plenty of pockets for all your hygiene necessities, and the mesh ensures excess water won't cause any mold or mildew.
And, a pair of slide-on shower shoes because 🚨 news flash 🚨 that communal bathroom you're sharing with a bajillion other people is not the place to be going barefoot. These feel like you'll be walking on clouds and wearing them protects you from accidentally stepping on the ball of someone else's hair that's left in the shower.
Plus, a pair of fuzzy slippers with a memory foam footbed and slip-on design so you can have at least one thing to look forward to as you slip out of bed for your 8 a.m. class or when you're dead tired after a long day of classes.
A huge backpack laundry bag that's spacious enough for all your dirty clothes every week (or two if you're a serial procrastinator). And when the dreaded laundry day comes, you can throw it over your shoulders and mosey on down to the laundry room, making your dorm mates think, "Wow, I should've gotten THAT instead!"
A Dreo oscillating tower fan since housing, albeit expensive, does not come with the air conditioning you loved back at home. It's got six speeds and cools up to 30 feet of space making it super useful even when it's tucked in the corner of your tiny dorm room.
A 50-pack of velvet hangers so it can feel like your closet is your own lil' boutique instead of a cramped storage space when you're choosing your perfect OOTD. These are super thin, so they take up less space than your collection of random mismatched hangers, and the grippy material prevents clothes from constantly slipping off.
A pack of space-saving hangers that'll come in real handy when you realize that you went a little wild at the university bookstore and got a ton of extra swag. These fit nine hangers in one and free up a bunch of space in your closet since they organize all your going-out tops, jeans, and other clothes vertically rather than horizontally.
A set of seven Command hooks perfect for hanging up your most used items like your keys, fave hoodies, or tote bags. These are easy to apply, but most importantly, easy to remove without damaging the walls.
A pair of noise-cancelling AirPod Pros in case you want to listen to your fave tunes on the way to class or just block out your roommate who loves to FaceTime their mom while you try to catch up on homework. You can also switch them to spatial awareness mode to hear your surroundings, like any hot gossip spilled at the library.
A clip-on lamp if you find yourself participating a late-night study sesh, but don't want to subject your roomies to the overhead light. This can clip onto the side of desks, tables, and bed frames, AND lets you choose from warm or cool light depending on your mood.
A handy power strip since your dorm or apartment probably doesn't come with a whole lot of outlets and your chargers, lamps, fans, and other tech accessories need some place to be plugged in. It's equipped with two USB and USB-C ports for extra convenience and even has overload surge protection — safety first!
A compact mini Keurig so you can enjoy a cup of joe or hot tea before hitting the dining hall, in case your morning routine could be described as "But first, coffee." It won't take up a lot of space, but will be a total lifesaver for any early mornings.
An Owala FreeSip to keep you hydrated throughout the day and give you peace of mind that your water bottle won't spill all over your laptop since it's got a leakproof design. It keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and comes in so many colorways, you'll be sure to find one that's your vibe.
A pair of blue light–blocking glasses because with the amount of time you'll be staring at your computer, monitors, and projectors, you'll be so glad that you snagged a pair of these. Reviewers report that they've dealt with less eye strain and fewer headaches after using them.
An 18-pack (!!!) of colorful fine point pens that'll finally make note-taking something you actually look forward to. You'll be color-coding your way through lectures, meetings, or to-do lists, and doing so might even help you remember information better. Plus, reviewers say these don't bleed through so you can get the most out of your notebook's pages!
A three-tier rolling cart, perfect for storing books, school supplies, and any other miscellaneous things you collect throughout the school year. It's slim enough to store next to your desk and can roll around easily for any spontaneous room rearrangements.
An LED mirror so you can get ready without having to wake up your roommates who don't have class until 11 a.m. (lucky them 🥲). It comes with three magnification levels and even has a little tray near the base to hold some of your most-used products.
A handy-dandy desk organizer that'll keep all your important files, school supplies, and trinkets organized to a T. School can already be overwhelming enough — you don't need more clutter and mess in your life.
And, a makeup organizer so you can have all your fave GRWM products at your convenience and in one compact place. It's got six different compartments and will beautifully display your beauty products, which is much neater than just keeping them in your messy makeup bag.
A small, but mighty air purifier to get rid of any contaminants and funky smells that may have been sitting in your dorm room the summer before you moved in. It's got an auto-shutoff capability and is super quiet so it won't disturb your shut-eye every night.
A laptop stand so you can work on your computer at eye level and avoid slouching in your already uncomfortable desk chair. Your neck and shoulders will thank you.
A hanging closet organizer — perfect for storing everything from T-shirts, jeans, and pretty much anything else you are too lazy to put on a hanger. It simply hangs on the closet rod and it even has extra pockets on the side for smaller things like socks and underwear.