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Between picking out classes and meeting new roommates, there's a lot on your mind when you're a college freshman. Chances are, it's your first time living away from home, and the chaotic shared space of a dormitory is all-new territory for you. It's both exciting and extremely daunting.
A good college packing list can make the adjustment to dorm life so much easier. To compile this list of essentials and to keep you well-equipped, we surveyed recent graduates and pulled affordable options from our buying guides. From the best dorm shower caddy that makes carrying toiletries back and forth to the bathroom a little less tedious to the best mattress topper to make your bed a little cozier to the best cooling products for hot dorm rooms, we've thought of all aspects that will help make your room feel like home. We also handpicked some fun things to brighten up and personalize your new space.
Your college most likely has provided a basic packing list and included information on what you can't bring to your dorm. Make sure to keep that list in mind while you're shopping. A great place to start getting ready for school is to utilize some student discounts on useful subscriptions, like Amazon Prime and Instacart+.
Organization essentials
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A plethora of Command hooks, strips, and caddiesCommand's fleet of hooks and strips make it easy to customize your dorm room without damaging walls. The brand's line of Heavy Duty hooks and strips can hold up to 20 pounds, so you can even hang framed art. -
Under the bed storage for no underutilized space.Ample closet space is a luxury not typically found in dorm rooms. Having a few bins that fit under your bed maximizes storage without taking up extra space. Bonus points if they roll.
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An aesthetically pleasing storage binThese baskets are great to put on your bedside wall to hold your water bottle and phone as it's charging overnight, or perfect to put next to your desk to showcase picture frames or plants. These do require nailing into your wall, however.
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A multi-purpose ottomanA storage ottoman creates extra seating, hidden storage, and can give you a leg up to climbing on to your extra tall bed.
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Raise your bedWhile not the most aesthetic, bed risers help maximize the storage space underneath your bed. This set lets you add 3, 5, or 8 inches.
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A utility cart for extra storageThe uses for a tiered rolling cart are seemingly endless. Create a snack station, corral makeup, or stash extra school or cleaning supplies.
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A little wastebasket to keep your room cleanMany dorms have trash and recycling bins scattered throughout, but don't have anything in the rooms. These are small enough that they can be hidden in the corners, but they actually hold a good amount of trash. Share this set with your roomie or designate one for recycling.
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A personal safe for valuablesI tethered this small safe to my bed and kept it out of sight to store anything of value, like jewelry, medications, extra cash, or important documents. If you have shelving above your closet, you can also secure it to the clothing rod. It has keypad so you don't have to keep track of a key.
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Some additional hanging space attached to your doorAnother great space-saver, these hooks fit right over your door and are flat enough so your door can actually close. Use these to hold your towels, jackets, and bags.
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Our pick for the best drying rack for small spacesIf you have any clothing that is too delicate for the dryer, one of these racks will come in handy. The best part is, you won't even notice it once you put it away.
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Space-saving hangersWhen every square inch of hanging space counts, these slim velvet hangers are my go-to for maximizing my closet. The velvet design ensures clothes don't slip off either.
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An affordable pop-up hamper for laundry dayDepending on your laundry situation, you might be lugging your hamper up flights of stairs or to another building on campus. This hamper also collapses flat for storage, making it a useful space saver.
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An adjustable shelf for your deskYour desk may be the only tabletop you have in your room, so it's key to make it as multifunctional as possible. This organizer comes in two parts that you can position vertically or horizontally.
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A string of lights with photo clipsIt wasn't until I was already moved in, with all the practical items, that I realized I had nowhere to display my memories. I ordered string lights to decorate my small dorm with all of my favorite faces.
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A planner for tracking assignments, events, and habitsWe love Day Designer planners, since they give you lots of room for jotting down the day's to-dos, as well as tracking habits and self care.
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A reusable notebookForget buying new notebooks every semester. Digitize your handwritten notes with the Rocketbook Everlast, then clear the page with a damp cloth for a clean slate.
Kitchen essentials
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A mini-fridge to stock when you're over the dining hallHaving a fridge this big might be considered a luxury, but if you live with more than one other person, you'll be extremely glad you made the investment. I kept mine for all four years of college.
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Our favorite value microwaveThis compact microwave is perfect for heating up leftovers or late-night popcorn. If your dorm lets you have personal microwaves, this one costs under $100.
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A Keurig for a quick caffeine fixEarly morning classes and late night study sessions make caffeine a college student's best friend. This speedy, single-serve coffee maker is extremely easy to use and clean... plus it can brew over-ice.
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Our pick for the best electric tea kettleIt heats up water rapidly and automatically turns the kettle off once the water is boiled. For dorm-life, this is just as useful of an appliance for quickly heating water for tea, oatmeal, or a personal favorite, easy mac.
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A travel mug to carry to class or the libraryThis travel mug is great for keeping your drinks hot, but it also has an autoseal that keeps your drinks from leaking and spilling. So, you can throw this in your backpack without worrying it could damage electronics.
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A monogrammed mugInstead of swiping them from the dining hall, bring your own mug to college. A mug that you love is a little thing that can help make a dorm room feel more like home.
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A set of reusable snack bagsWhether you need a grab and go sandwich or want to keep leftovers fresh, Stasher bags are reusable, microwave ready, and dishwasher safe. The flexible storage bags are perfect for tucking into your backpack or totebag.
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A colorful water bottleStay hydrated with an Owala water bottle. We love the bright color options and sip straw. It locks, too, so you toss it in your backpack without worrying about spills.
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Stay hydrated with a Brita filterNot all dorms have fancy water bottle fillers. Having a Brita filter in your room means you have access to fresh, filtered water at all times.
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Make your own kitchenThis nifty storage rack maximizes every inch of your small dorm. It is perfectly sized to stack your mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and other kitchen essentials in one place.
Sleep essentials
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Our #1 dorm room must-haveIf you're going to buy one thing for your bed, a mattress topper is our essential non-negotiable. A memory foam mattress topper instantly makes your bed 10 times comfier. This version is cooling and infused with bamboo charcoal to regulate odors.
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A set of Twin XL sheets that are cozy and coolThese cozy yet breathable cotton sheets are available in numerous colors. They're soft and wrinkle-resistant, too. Make sure you get at least two sets so you don't have to wait to swap sheets on laundry day.
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Fun throw pillows to liven up your spaceTo make your dorm feel homey, add some decorative pillows to your bed. T.J.Maxx has a range of throw pillows to fit every aesthetic, and they're so affordable too!
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Staff Pick
The coziest throw blanketFrom dorm movie nights to chilly nights, it's always good to have an extra blanket on hand. We love cozying up with this affordable and plush L.L.Bean design.
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A comforter that feels like your favorite t-shirtMost likely, you won't be able to control the temperature of your dorm room, so having a warm comforter is essential. This Room Essentials comforter is the best budget option we've tested, with moderate thickness and a soft outer shell. It's machine-washable too.
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The best mattress encasementProtect against bed bug infestations and the unknowns of what your dorm-issued mattress experienced before you with a full encasement. Trust us, you need this.
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Staff Pick
The best pillowOff to college is the perfect time to upgrade your pillow. The adjustable fill lets you find your perfect comfort combo.
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The best sleep maskWhen you're sharing a room with roommates, an eye mask ensures you still get a good night's sleep when they're up late studying or gaming. This mask from MZOO is plush and comfortable with an adjustable band.
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For blocking out annoying soundsThe Loop earplugs are perfect when sharing a room, so you can sleep soundly without being disturbed by your roommate's snoring.
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A dorm-safe way to keep your space smelling freshMost dorms don't allow candles, which makes an essential oil diffuser perfect for college-sanctioned scent and ambiance. The Urpower diffuser is under $20, has a six-hour run time, and saturated our tester's room with scent.
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A candle warmerBut if you can't resist giving up your favorite candles, we understand. This candle warmer lamp heats the wax to unleash the aroma without a fire hazard.
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A small, but mighty fanIf you don't have air conditioning in your room, a fan can be a lifesaver. The best small fan we tested will keep your space cool without taking up a lot of space. Clip it to your desk or the edge of your bed for a constant cool breeze.
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A tapestry to liven up dull dorm room wallsDorm room walls can be dull, but you can easily cover them and add some intrigue to your room with a tapestry. Society6 has tapestries with lots of unique designs to make your room feel a little more like your own.
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A plush rugStepping out of bed in the morning on to this plush shag rug will make getting out of bed just a little bit easier, and cozy up the space. It's available in tons of sizes whether you want a little mat or a full area rug, plus in tons of colors.
Bathroom and cleaning essentials
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Staff Pick
Our top pick for shower caddiesThe shower caddy is a college staple, allowing you to carry toiletries from bathroom cubbies or your room to the shower stall. We appreciate the drainage holes and multiple color options to choose from.
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A towel that won't fall for womenA towel wrap is a great substitute for a regular towel. These are just as comfortable and drying as your average towel, but the added Velcro strap ensures that your towel will stay put on your trek from your room to the shower.
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A towel that won't fall for menSharing a bathroom with a hallway full of peers can be a bit intimidating. This towel wrap with a velcro strip helps ensure you won't get caught with your towel falling as you're carrying all your bathroom essentials.
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A quick-drying towelFluffy towels that dry quickly can keep your room from smelling like mildew. Plus, these can be monogrammed.
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A pair of shower shoesShower shoes are a must if you're using communal showers. These Havaianas are simple, comfortable, and you won't be horribly embarrassed if you accidentally wear them out of the shower and into class.
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Detergent for laundry dayTide Pods made laundry super easy when I was in college. Just pop a couple of pods into the washer, pick your cycle, and you're good to go. They'll also keep your clothes smelling fresh.
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Stain remover pensYou may not be a laundry-pro like you mom just yet, but these stain remover pens are going to be your new favorite secret weapon to spot clean stains on clothes and bedding.
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Clorox wipes for easy cleaningNobody is cleaning your room for you once you get to college, so you should have some basic cleaning supplies on hand. Clorox wipes are great for wiping away crumbs, dust, and any other grime that accumulates in your room.
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A collapsible SwifferYou're likely familiar with the ease of a Swiffer to give your floors a quick sweep over, but this deluxe version has a collapsible stick for easy storage in compact spaces.
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Odor eliminatorsDorm rooms are known for getting a little ripe. These all-natural sachets help absorb odors to keep your room smelling fresh.
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Just in caseOne of biggest shocks of moving to college was not having access to my parents' seemingly endless medicine cabinet. This first aid kit will keep you safe and healthy in the case of emergencies.
Tech essentials
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A mini-speaker that is college-proofThis shockproof, waterproof speaker can survive all of the antics of a college party. The fun colors are also a plus.
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Our best budget desk lampSave yourself from studying under glaring overhead lighting and get a versatile desk lamp. It has a swivel head and adjustable body.
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A power strip for all of your devicesMany dorm rooms are not set up so outlets are in the most accessible locations, plus you have to share what is available with your roommate. A power strip is an easy, cheap solution to make sure all of your devices can be charged simultaneously and safely.
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A streaming stick for movie nightsSome of my most treasured memories from living in the dorms were movie nights. An Amazon Fire Stick gives you endless options of content to choose from, and is extra handy if your dorm doesn't offer a cable hookup.
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An extra long charging cableThis phone charger comes in three-foot and six-foot options. The extra length is super useful if there is no outlet near your bed, but it's just as good as a regular phone charger.
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A Kindle for reading in your free timeWith all the reading you have to do for class, you'll have enough books taking up space on your desk and in your backpack. This Kindle has a Paperwhite surface, so you can read outside with no glare, and a built in light.
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The best noise-canceling headphonesCan you put a cost on minimal distractions? Though pricey, a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones will serve you well when your roommate is facetiming their partner and you don't want to hear the conversation or to get in the study zone.
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Our tech team's favorite portable chargerKeep devices charged for the long days on the go when you're running from class to club meetings and then intramural sports. Its juiced with a 20,000mAh cell capacity to provide up to five full charges.
Clothing essentials
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A pair of comfy leggingsWhen your day starts with an 8 a.m. class and ends with homework, your outfit needs to be comfortable as well as cute. We suggest adding a few pairs of Colorfulkoala leggings to your wardrobe — they're inexpensive, but durable and opaque.
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A pair of comfy joggersA pair of joggers is another college essential. This retro pair from Champion comes in 10 colors and will quickly become your favorite pants for staying comfortable on the go.
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Staff Pick
Versatile footwearThe versatility of the Tasman slipper is ideal for college students. With a plush lining and durable outsole, you can slip into them from bed and wear them straight to class. These slippers made it on our lists of the best women's and men's slippers.
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A rain jacketBad weather doesn't mean class is cancelled. A rain jacket will keep you mostly dry as you traverse campus to get to the dining hall or class.
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