In this post, we will talk about the must-haves for college students and a printable college dorm checklist. Starting college is soooo exciting, but it can also be a little bit overwhelming! You’re moving into a very small space (hello, dorm room!), meeting new people, and figuring out how to live away from home and your parents.
One of the best things you can do is make sure your dorm room has everything you need to feel comfortable, stay organized, and get through your busy school days.
I put together a really helpful Printable College Dorm Checklist (find it HERE) with all the things you need to decorate your dorm room and make it feel like home!
*This post includes my affiliate links
Must-Haves For College Students And A Printable College Dorm Checklist
I hope this list os must-haves for college students and my free Printable College Dorm Checklist helps you pack everything you need for a comfy home away from home!
Here are must-haves for college students that will make your dorm life so much easier! Let’s get started!
1. Bedding Set & Pillow Cases!
A soft and cool sheet set, pillowcases, and a warm comforter for your Twin bed is sooo important! You want to sleep comfy and be able to sit on your bed doing your college homework in total comfort.
The CGK Linens Duvet + Comforter Bundle is perfect for making your college dorm bed the coziest spot in the room. It comes with a fluffy comforter and a soft duvet cover so you can have comfort and style all in one.
The bedding feels smooth and lightweight but still keeps you warm through every season. With vibrant, fade-resistant colors and a durable design, it will look fresh all semester long. Plus, it’s easy to wash, holds up over time, and is affordable enough to fit your back-to-school budget.
I love this sheet set from Amazon! They come in a bunch of different colors and they are cool feeling! They also have just pillow cases that come in 2 or 4 packs!
2. Comfy Mattress
Some dorm rooms already have a mattress for you, but a lot of times they do not. It just depends! And, if you are like me, then you will want a NEW and clean mattress anyway, right?! So, finding the best mattress for your dorm room bed is pretty important!
The mattress we love is the JAMA 7” twin mattress from MLILY USA! You click that link and read our review of this wonderful mattress. They no longer sell this particular mattress on Amazon, but this one is the same brand and style!
3. Mattress Topper
Dorm beds are not the most comfortable if they already provide a mattress, so a foam topper can make a huge difference in whether you get a good night’s sleep or not!
Amazon sells a bunch of different brands to choose from so you can be sure you are buying the right mattress topper for your college student, but we LOVE Bedlore mattress toppers! I have one and my bed is SOOOOO soft I never want to get out of it!
4. Extra Pillows!
Extra pillows are great for sleeping, lounging, or having friends over! Nothing like a bunch of cozy pillows on your bed for those late afternoon naps after class or those late night study sessions!
I really like this pillow for sore necks, headaches, and stiffness! But, Amazon has so many different ones to choose from!
5. A Cozy Throw Blanket!
Cozy for late-night studying or watching movies with your friends or by yourself. A cozy throw blanket is a MUST HAVE!! I have so many different throw blankets and I use them all! I have one in every room (or maybe I have 4 in every room!). Amazon sells so many cozy and warm throw blankets!
6. Laundry Hamper & Laundry Detergent!
You will also need a laundry hamper and laundry detergent! Laundry bags make carrying clothes to and from the laundry room SO much easier. And, you will definitely need some laundry detergent!
7. Desk Lamp
A desk lamp is an essential and is helpful for late-night homework and studying, when your roommate is sleeping. Here are my favorite desk lamps from Amazon.
8. Storage Bins
I think storage bins are perfect for organizing under your bed or in your closet. That way, all of your dorm room stuff stays out of the way, yet it is still easy to find! Amazon has a great variety of storage bins to choose from.
9. Closet Organizer & Over The Door Organizer
Hanging shelves or racks help you fit more in a small space especially in your tiny dorm room closet! Also, an over the door organizer is SO beneficial! It not only allows you to store your things up and out of the way, but they are perfect for small dorm rooms, to help keep them organized.
Amazon sells a bunch of different ones to choose from so you can find one that will fit your closet perfectly! From clothes hangers to shoe organizers, and over the door organizers, there is so much you can buy!
10. Command Hooks And Strips
Hang decorations without damaging the dorm room walls! Command hooks and strips are essential for a dorm room if you want to decorate the walls! Grab them on Amazon!
11. Dorm Room Fan!
For me, a dorm room fan would be a total necessity! It will keep your room cool and comfortable especially if you don’t have any ac in your dorm room. I LOVE this dorm room fan! But Amazon also sells some pretty dang good ones too!
12. Dorm Room Rug
If you want to add warmth and make your space feel homier, then you will need a dorm room rug! No more walking on the cold floors in the early mornings! I love these rugs for dorm rooms from Amazon!
13. A Mini Fridge
You cannot forget about a mini fridge for your dorm room to keep your late night snacks and drinks cold! There are plenty of different sizes of mini fridges you can choose from. Amazon has them all!
14. Small Microwave
Perfect for quick meals when you are in a rush and just want a hot meal! Take a peek on Amazon for a wonderful selection of dorm room microwaves!
15. Water Bottle/Cold Cup
Stay hydrated all day (and night!) long! I absolutely LOVE my cold cup from Corkcicle! But, you can find many different kinds of water bottles on Amazon that are perfect for your college life!
16. Coffee Maker And/Or Electric Kettle
A coffee maker for a dorm room is obviously a must have for college life! And, an electric kettle is great for instant noodles (one of college students most affordable foods!). Find an assortment of coffee makers and electric kettles on Amazon!
17. Utensils, Dishes, & Paper Towels
A plate, bowl, cup, forks, spoons, and paper towels are a must have for eating in your dorm room. My niece always uses paper plates, bowls, wooden utensils, and paper towels! Amazon has a good selection of them!
18. Dorm Room Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies like small trash bags, disinfectant wipes, small vacuum, broom & dust pan, and a mop, can help to keep your dorm room tidy and clean feeling.
19. Shower Caddy
Easily carry all your bathroom items to and from the bathroom, with ease, with a handheld mesh shower caddy. Amazon has a ton of them to choose from!
20. Flip Flops
Flip flops are another must have item for dorm life, for walking to and from the shared showers. No one wants to catch something gross from other people! Amazon has a nice selection of cute, comfy, and stylish flip flops.
21. Towels, Washcloths, & A Robe!
Have at least two sets of towels and washcloths so you are never without them! I also want to add in a robe! A robe is perfect for walking to and from the showers in, instead of only a towel! You can find robes, towels, and washcloths on Amazon.
22. Toiletries
You will also need shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and all your other must have personal care items. Buy them on Amazon!
23. College First Aid Kit!
Every college student NEEDS a college first aid kit! A place you can go to and get Band-aids, pain relievers, and cold medicine for when you are not feeling well.
24. Earplugs And/Or White Noise Machine
Ear plugs and/or a white noise machine will help you to sleep better when it is noisy in the dorm! I love these little white noise machines because they also double as little speakers too! Perfect for a dorm room!
25. Humidifier
Dry air can be a problem in college dorm rooms, especially during the colder months. It can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, and even respiratory problems. That’s why it’s important to invest in a good humidifier for your dorm room! We love this humidifier for dorm rooms!
26. Lockable College Trunk
Every child going off to school should definitely have a place to store their personal and important things. Nothing is worse than having things stolen and never seeing them again.
Protect your important items in your college dorm room with a lockable college trunk. Amazon also has a good selection of trunks!
27. Snack Box!
If you don’t have a snack box in your dorm room are you really a college student??? Snack boxes are not only essential to have around for those late night studying times, but they are great to have around for some down time and relaxing too!
Make sure your snack box is always filled to the brim with healthy (and not so healthy!) snacks and drinks that you can easily grab anytime you feel a hunger pain! We love this Asian Snack Box, but Amazon also sells tons of other snack boxes too!
*Quick Tip! For holidays or your birthday, ask family and friends to send you yummy snacks so your snack box is always full of delicious treats 😉
28. Dorm Room Chair
Whether you want to relax or need to study and do your homework, you will definitely need a comfy dorm room chair! Amazon has a ton of them to choose from! From comfy and cozy chairs to study chairs too! Just be sure to grab one because you will need one!
29. Surge Protectors, Phone & Laptop Charging Cords
Think electronics! And, if you no anything about a dorm room, they really don’t have a lot of plugins! Especially if you have to share your dorm room! That is why having a good surge protector is so important!
Also, don’t forget about a phone charger and a laptop charger! These are just things that you must have with you in your dorm room.
30. Small Sewing Kit
Trust me, you WILL eventually need a sewing kit! Amazon sells a bunch of them but this one is my favorite because it is cheap, but has EVERYTHING in it you will need to mend anything!
31. Desk Organizer
Because your space in a dorm room is soooo small, you will want to use every inch of space you can and one way to do that is to use a desk organizer. These help with keeping all your things together so they won’t get lost and stay organized.
I love this one from Amazon because it is affordable and has a lot of ways to keep you organized and sane!
32. Bedside Shelf
Bedside shelves are also sooo nice to have in a dorm room. They hand on the side of your bed and you can keep your phone, notebook, pens, etc. in them! That way you have everything important at arms reach, when the lights go out in the dorm room!
33. Pens, Pencils, Notebooks, & More!
Of course you also want to have a nice supply of pens, pencils, and notebooks with you in your dorm room. Nothing is worse then losing your only pen or misplacing your notebook! Having extra ones around is essential!
34. Laptop Desk
If you are like me, I would rather sit on my bed (or in it!) then sit at a desk! That is why I am adding this must have laptop desk to my college dorm room essentials list!
A laptop desk is pretty important! Especially if you are up late and have a room mate! You can easily do your work from your bed without making too much of a disturbance to your roomie. Amazon has a ton of them to choose from.
35. Heating Blanket
If you are always cold like I am, then a small heating blanket for your bed would be so nice to have! There is nothing cozier then crawling into a warm, soft bed! Ahhhh!
36. Small Garbage Can
Of course you will also need a small dorm room garbage can! You don’t want to have stinky garbage littering your dorm room, do you? Of course not! Amazon has many to choose from!
37. Over the Door Mini Fridge Organizer
This is absolutely brilliant! A mini fridge organizer hangs on the front of your mini fridge. This is where you can store your paper plates, utensils, paper towels, etc!
38. Reading/Study Pillow for Bed
Another must have item for dorm life! A reading or study pillow for when you sit in your bed! It supports your back, and keeps you comfy! I love love love this pillow for watching television shows! But, Amazon has a ton of them too!
39. Floating Shelf Organizer For Wall
Again, dorm rooms are quite tiny! And you will need to use every little piece of space you are given. I like the idea of the floating shelf organizers for the wall. You can put it on the wall right by your bed. Keep all your important school work right where you can find it!
40. Room Deodorizers
Keep Your Dorm Room Smelling Great! Room deodorizers are a must have especially if the room is TINY and you share it with someone! No telling what funky smells might be lingering in your dorm room.
Do you really want to inhale it? Nah. And I don’t blame you one bit! I love this odor deodorizer kit on Amazon! It comes with everything you need to help your dorm room smell nice 🙂
*Tip: Though lighted scented candles are nice, I would stay away from them only because they could cause a fire (duh). Stick with scented oils and plugins or scented stick up room deodorizers.
41. Laptop & SD Card
Having a reliable laptop and SD card or storage card for all of your college school work is very important! These are two college must have that every college student needs.
I reviewed a few laptops before (Acer is a great brand!), but that was a while ago. So, browsing laptops on Amazon is where I would go to find one. They have a ton of different laptops and SD cards for every college student.
42. Book Bag/Laptop Bag
It is also important to have a nice, strong bag to hold all of your text books, folders, papers, pens, laptop, and whatever else you bring to class with you!
Here are some of my top laptop bags for college students. You can find backpacks, convertible backpacks, book bags, and totes on Amazon.
43. Basic Toolkit
Everyone needs a basic tool kit for their dorm room. I mean, would if you need to tighten a screw in your chair or something? Having a simple basic toolkit is another must have.
44. Headphones Or Earbuds
Having headphones or earbuds are also important to have when you are in college. Amazon sells so many different styles! I love these wireless noise cancelling earbuds the best though!
6 Pro Tips For College Bound Students
Tip #1: If you’re flying to college, skip buying everything at home. Instead, use Target’s or Walmart’s pickup programs. You can order all your dorm essentials online, choose the store near your campus, and have everything waiting for you when you arrive. This way, you can travel light, avoid overpacking, and grab your stuff once you’re settled in!
Tip #2: Burnout is real, and depression is real. You’ll notice it happening to some of your classmates and maybe to you as well. Make sure you take time for yourself and step away from the college grind when you need to. Taking breaks isn’t lazy, it’s necessary. And, taking care of your mental should always always be your top priority.
Tip #3: Go to as many school events as you can and make an effort to talk to people. Not everyone you meet will become your best friend, but remember everyone is a little nervous and worried about making mistakes. You’re not alone! When you push yourself to start conversations, even with people you might not expect to connect with, you could end up meeting some of the best friends you’ll ever have in college and in life.
Tip #4: Make a schedule, but don’t think of it as something that controls your life or locks you into every minute. A good schedule gives you structure and helps you stay on track, while still allowing for flexibility when things change. This will help keep you sane and on top of your game.
Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Chances are, at least 10 other students in your class are more confused than you are. They’re just too nervous to raise their hand and ask! So you be that person and ask those questions!
Tip #6: Make or attend study groups. Most people want help and enjoy studying with others. Ask if anyone wants to join a group chat on Snapchat (or whatever app you use). From there, set up study sessions. By doing it this way people can choose to join without the awkwardness of being asked face-to-face. By having a group chat, the people who want to join will, and the rest can simply skip it without pressure.
Free Printable College Dorm Checklist PDF
Below is a free printable college dorm checklist for you to print off and take with you to the store or use as a shopping list for all of your college dorm must-have products! Just click THIS LINK or click the image below to download and print off.
PIN IT!
