Back-to-School Essentials for College Students

“The days are long, but the years are short.” ~Gretchen Rubin

I’m not one for cliches, but nothing feels truer when you’re sending one of your babies off to college. I’m holding onto the moments left of summer before our oldest moves out in August. We are so excited about this new chapter, but it’s a roller coaster of emotions. And it’s not just hard on us as parents either, I can feel it from his brothers too! He’s going to be missed by each of us.

In preparation for the big day, we have spent a lot of time planning and prepping for everything he’ll need in his new space. I’ve quickly discovered that boys need the same items as the girls do but care FAR less about the aesthetic. No matching or wall art required (his girlfriend and I are managing that on our own) 😂

Here’s a list of our ‘must haves’ so far (ill be updating as we go); I think a few will surprise you!

Dorm/Apartment Must-Haves

Gear

One of the first things I recommend adding to your cart is a wagon! I’ve loved having one throughout all the years for my kid’s sports and activities, but your college student will appreciate it just as much! We love using this for unloading things when moving into the dorm, then your student can hang on to it to make bringing groceries in easily throughout the school year! You’ll also want these moving bags with zippers for moving in and out!

Bedding

For bedding, start with these sheets! They are by far the best sheets without breaking the bank. Pro Tip: grab 2 sets so they’re more likely to get washed – you’re welcome.

I love the look of both of these Pottery Barn comforter sets. This plaid one is great for the guys; gals will love the soft white and pink duvet cover set. Pottery Barn makes the best bedding – it’s fluffy, lightweight, and so comfy.

If you’re not providing your own mattress, you’ll want to grab a mattress protector. This is a must! It’s of great quality for a great price.

Lastly, make sure to grab a bed skirt. This extra long one will hide all of the storage underneath the bed!

Furniture

For some extra touches in a dorm room, I love to add seating that will be cozy hang-out spots or comfy study essentials. This bean bag chair is the perfect addition to any dorm room or even this mini rocker with built-in speakers! Don’t forget a lap desk so they can take their homework anywhere in the dorm! They’ll also need a light that is reliable even when electricity is out – this LED Night Light is perfect for just that. Don’t forget to stock up on some batteries – I don’t know a single college student who can’t use these.

I also love a good rug; it helps to cozy up the place. This Herringbone one is a perfect neutral option for the bedroom or living room; this washable traditional rug is also a great choice.

Some kitchen essentials include, of course, a Keurig – this is a must for all late-night study sessions. This compact size is perfect for even the smallest of kitchens.

All college students need a mini-fridge with a freezer. It’s perfect for holding your student’s favorite snacks and sodas.

Lastly, this microwave is a great size and has an off button for sound, too! It’s small and lightweight, so moving it isn’t too much trouble.

Organization

College students need all the organizational help! In compact spaces, it can be tricky to keep things tidy. As I mentioned above, a long bed skirt can help with that issue by allowing the space under the bed to hold lots of things. These under-the-bed storage bags come in packs of 4 and can contain everything from seasonal clothing to blankets and linens. You can also use these stacking drawers to either hold socks/undergarments or even school supplies or accessories. If space allows, these three-drawer dressers can also help.

Dorm rooms typically have tiny closets, which is where these organizing hangers can help! You can essentially stack clothing while hanging them so you won’t run out of room.

I like to send my student with some things that will help with their showering situations – whether they have shared restrooms in the dorms or their own. These rubber totes can be useful if they’re having to carry their shower essentials to a shared room. They can also be great for under-the-counter storage in both the bathroom and kitchen. A great shower caddy is something that everyone needs – this one has 8 hooks and comes in a set of 2 for under $30!

Clothing for Back-to-School

Let’s start with backpacks! My son loves this Lululemon backpack, which can hold both school supplies and his backpack. I also love this The North Face option; it comes in several colors!

Next, all the comfy clothing! I’ve shared my love for Lululemon before. My boys are obsessed with these shorts – they’re linerless and a great length. For going out and game days, these Commission Classic-Fit Pants are a must. They last forever and can take a beating. A big win for those college guys!

This is my favorite cropped sweater – every girl needs a go-to sweatshirt and this Scuba Oversized Funnel Neck one does not disappoint. Your girls also need these in every color – the best shorts!

Don’t forget to prepare your kids for those rainy days! An umbrella will go a long way and your student will be thankful they have one! I also love these rain jackets for spring showers!

Misc.

When it comes to miscellaneous items your student might need, here’s a comprehensive list.

First, prepare them with all the essentials in case of an emergency. This DormDoc contains 175 First Aid Pieces. Another safety essential is the Birdie. I’ve seen amazing reviews on these personal alarms. It has a strobe light and siren built in, so you can rest assured that your student feels safe while walking across campus alone, especially near nighttime.

My last security essential – this Security Safe. It comes with an electric keypad and can hold all of your student’s valuable personal belongings, especially if they’ll be living with others. It’s under $60 and is portable and doesn’t take up too much space.

You’ll also need to “hook up” your college student with anything that makes it easy to make the space their own. These Command Strips will come in handy as your student hangs their favorite decor throughout their dorm room. They won’t damage the walls and are easy to put up/take down.

Your student will also probably be using multiple power sources, so these strip towers are so helpful! They hold up to 8 plugs and 4 USB ports, so your student can charge absolutely everything, plus still have a mini fan blowing by their side! Those are great for blocking out noise and cooling down rooms.

And speaking of power sources, this portable power bank is the perfect backpack accessory. They’ll help keep charge to any device while on the go!