Ultimate List of College Essentials For 2021

This post is about all of the college essentials you will actually use.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the disclosure here.

Ever look at a college packing list and wonder what exactly are the most important items on this list!?

Well I know my friends and I have and because of that, I thought this ultimate college essentials list would be super beneficial to any incoming college freshman or college student that is looking to get more organized.

I worked super hard on this list to make sure that it has EVERYTHING you actually need and will use in college.

This post basically has every college essential I wish I knew about before my freshman year of college. I hope that this post helps you!

REAL QUICK… If you’re looking for some really good and free college printables check out my most popular ones below which you can download here. The middle picture below is this post in list form! 🙂

College Bedroom Essentials:

There are a ton of bedroom things on my ultimate college packing list that aren’t essentials but that will make your room look even cuter! Make sure to check it out so you don’t miss anything.

*** means that these products should be bought in a size Twin XL to fit standard dorm beds.

***Mattress Topper:

This is one of the most IMPORTANT college essentials because dorm room beds are not comfortable. I promise a mattress topper will make your bed super comfy!

The mattress topper that I used for my freshman year was nice but not my favorite.

This mattress topper is actually recommended by one of my favorite bloggers, Sophia on bysophialee.com (definitely go check out her blog when you have a second!)

Remember to buy a size twin XL to fit most dorm beds!

***Mattress Protector:

A mattress protector is great to have because it will give you a little extra protection from your dorm room mattress. Make sure to buy the size Twin-XL

***Sheets:

Super soft sheets like these (disclaimer: I have not actually tried these sheets but the reviews are fantastic!) are the best because they will make your bed extra cozy! Don’t forget to buy Twin XL Sheets.

***Comforter/Bedding:

I got this white comforter (size twin XL) for my college dorm room. I liked the idea of having a white comforter and then being able to add other accent colors with a fuzzy blanket and other decorations.

This comforter is very fluffy and super inexpensive for the quality!

Pillows & Pillowcases:

My roommates and I brought way too many regular and decorative pillows to college. My pillows looked really cute on my bed during the day but when I went to bed I had nowhere to put all of them.

If you have a more room you may be able to get away with having a lot of pillows however, I recommend only bringing two regular pillows.

P.S. If you’re looking for a pillowcase that is really soft and great for your hair and skin my roommates swear by their satin pillowcases. This satin pillowcase from Amazon is inexpensive and has great reviews!

Full-Length Mirror:

You will definitely want a full-length mirror for your dorm room! I lived in a quad and we still had 3 full-length mirrors in our room.

I think it is nice to have your own mirror however, if your room is super small you can totally share one with your roommate!

Mirror Tip! My freshman dorm room was pretty small, considering it was for 4 girls. We were still able to fit 3 body mirrors in our room. We put 1 on the back of our room door and 2 on the front of our closet doors. It worked great and didn’t take up a lot of room at all!

Buy your mirror from Target, they are WAY cheaper than Amazon and good quality.

Fan:

Make sure to pack a mini fan in case your room is hot. You should still bring a fan even if your building has air conditioning just to be safe!

College Decor Essentials:

This is tricky because decor is my favorite part about college packing but it’s not essential. I decided that I’m just going to list my favorite/most important dorm decor items!

(Related Popular Post: 22 ABSOLUTELY STUNNING DORM ROOM IDEAS)

Fun-Tak:

Trust me, this stuff is magical and is a dorm room decor essential! Thank goodness my college roommate brought a lot because we used a ton of it freshman year.

I hung up so many photos on my wall with it and they never fell down! Fun-Tak will not damage any walls either so it is perfect for college dorm rooms. The best part is, it’s so cheap!

Command Hooks:

Command hooks are so handy to have in college! Make sure to buy them in multiple sizes (large & small).

Tapestry:

I love tapestry’s so much! They make rooms look so cute in such an easy and affordable way!

Above is a picture of my bed and tapestry from freshman year. I really like how bright and positive my tapestry was!

The best part is, my tapestry and some other really cute ones are on Amazon for less than $20!

Photos:

I used a ton of photos in my dorm room decor this year! I created a photo wall behind my bed and put photos all over the door of my dresser.

Pictures are a great way to make your new space feel like your own and will remind you of the people you love the most!

Photo Wall Tip! Use Fun-Tak to stick pictures to the wall. I tried using washi tape and it wasn’t sticky enough. Fun-Tak works really well and won’t damage walls.

(Related Post: ALL THE DECOR YOU NEED FOR COLLEGE!)

Battery Lights:

String lights are very cute and will brighten up your room. College dorm rooms can get pretty dark so it is nice to have extra lighting!

College Electronics Essentials:

Wondering what the college tech essentials are!? Keep reading this list! Related Popular Post: 6 Essential College Technology Items

Cell phone:

I know this is super obvious but I wanted to include it since it’s so important!

Long Phone Charger:

Make sure to pack a long phone charger (10 feet or more) for college. Usually, the outlets in dorm rooms are not conveniently located.

A long charger will allow you to use your phone while it is charging!

Laptop & Charger:

A laptop is one of the most important pieces of technology that you will need in college! I do so much work on my laptop in college.

If you’re looking for a perfect college laptop, I recommend this ASUS laptop. It is the one that I used during my freshman year of college and still use today.

I have the Core m3 version which works great! To help show why this computer is so amazing I wrote this pros and cons list. I hope it helps!

Long Surge Protector:

Extension cords aren’t allowed in most dorm rooms because they are fire hazards. An easy replacement is a long surge protector or power strip.

I used this Belkin power strip my freshman year and it was amazing! I still use it and it’s great!

Airpods/Earphones:

Earphones are super helpful in college, especially if you’re living with roommates.

If you’re living with roommates you won’t want to disturb them at night. Earphones will allow you to listen to music or be on your phone without bothering others.

(I have these air-pods and used them during my freshman year as well. I still use them all of the time and they make life so much easier!)

Calculator & Charger:

If you have a graphing calculator don’t forget to bring it to college! If you need to buy one make sure to check with your college to see which version they recommend.

Portable Speaker:

If you want to play music in your dorm room bring a speaker. I have this OontZ speaker and it’s awesome! The sound is super clear and it’s a pretty inexpensive speaker.

Portable Charger:

A portable charger like this one is super helpful on really busy days! I definitely recommend bringing a portable charger if you struggle with phone battery life like me, haha.

College Bathroom Essentials:

Wondering what the college bathroom essentials are!? This list is full of the bathroom essentials!

IMPORTANT NOTE: The bathroom section on my Ultimate College Packing List (download here!) is one of the biggest sections.

Make sure to refer to it because the list below are only the essentials (which means some of the more glamorous products are being left out!)

Towels & Wash Clothes:

Make sure to bring a couple of body towels like these to college.

I also recommend bringing some hand towels to dry your hands and wash cloths to remove makeup and to wash your face.

Bath Robe:

A bathrobe like this one is super nice to have in college, especially if you’re using community bathrooms.

I didn’t use a bathrobe in college because I didn’t use community bathrooms but if you think you will get use out of it, definitely bring one!

Shower Caddy:

A shower caddy is one of the most useful college bathroom supplies ever! It will help you keep all of your shower supplies so much more organized!

I recommend buying one like this shower caddy with straps in case you want to hang it on a hook.

Makeup:

Make sure to pack any of your essential makeup products. This includes a makeup bag or organizer, sponges, brushes, and remover.

Most days in college, I only wore my favorite Glossier skin tint and some mascara. L’Oreal Paris’ Telescopic Mascara is the best! Make sure to try it if you haven’t yet, it will make your lashes look super long and beautiful!

I also bought this makeup/jewelry organizer for my sophomore year and it has been working great! It has a ton of room for all of my makeup and organizes everything nicely.

Hair Appliances:

If you have any hair appliances that you can’t live without like a hairdryer, straightener, curler, etc. don’t forget to pack them!

I LOVE my Infinitypro Conair flattening iron and practically use it every day in college!

This limited edition rose gold version is the same brand/model of mine and is adorable! If you need a new flattening iron, I promise this one is the best!

Shampoo & Conditioner:

Shampoo & conditioner are obviously super important college essentials. Pantene shampoo and conditioner is my favorite brand!

Dry Shampoo:

Dry shampoo is a necessity in college because sometimes you’re super busy and your hair may not look as fresh as you would like.

I used to use Batiste dry shampoo but it never really worked for me.

My favorite blogger, bysophialee.com recommended this IGK dry shampoo. She uses it all the time and loves it!

Body & Face Wash:

If you’re looking for a really good and inexpensive body wash, Aveeno body wash is one of my favorites! It is perfect for sensitive skin and leaves my skin feeling super soft.

I have super sensitive skin and Cetaphil is the best facial cleanser that I could find. It is very gentle and recommended by dermatologists. This two-pack on Amazon is a great deal too!

Shaving Cream & Razors:

I usually use Pure Silk shaving cream, but it is much more expensive than this one, and I know how amazing Aveeno products are! Aveeno products are very gentle on the skin and dermatologist recommended.

I brought a pack of disposable razors to college and they worked great!

Shower Shoes:

Shower shoes are super important in college because bathroom floors are nasty! I used cheap Old Navy flip flops as shower shoes and they worked great!

Lotion:

A Thousand Wishes is my favorite Bath & Body Works smells! I have this scent in a lotion and body scrub and it really is the best!

Chap-Stick:

It’s the worst feeling when your lips are super chapped and you don’t have any chap-stick.

Try to keep one in your pocket, backpack, and desk drawer so that you always have one.

My favorite chap-stick is Vaseline Lip Therapy because it works the best for my super dry lips. I also love Bert’s Bees Pink Grapefruit flavor and Glossier balm dotcom.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste:

An electric toothbrush is the best kind to use, especially in college (with all the unhealthy food you’ll eat, haha)

This is my favorite toothpaste because it cleans and whitens your teeth at the same time!

Retainers, Case & Cleaner:

If you have retainers make sure to remember them and their case. Retainer cleaner is also a good thing to bring to college so that you can clean your retainers every couple of weeks.

Deodorant:

This deodorant is supposed to be really good for your skin because it is paraben and aluminum-free. (I haven’t been able to try this one yet, but the reviews are fantastic!)

Also, it is a smart idea to keep an extra deodorant in your backpack in case you ever need it.

Sunscreen and Aloe:

I burn super easy so sunscreen is a necessity for me. It’s always smart to have some sunscreen and aloe handy in case you need it!

Tampons & Pads:

U by Kotex is by far my favorite tampons and pads brand! The wings on the pads actually stick which is so nice! If you are going to stock up on anything for college, definitely choose these products.

Genius Storage/Organization Idea! My college roommate stored hers in such a smart way! She bought a box of pads, tampons, and liners and filled a memory/photo box up with them. It took up a lot less room and was very organized.

Make sure to keep some in your backpack as well!

Floss:

Personally, I like using floss picks so much better than regular floss. I think they make it so much easier to floss!

Cotton Swabs:

Cotton swabs like these are handy to have!

Hair Ties & Scrunchies:

Don’t forget to pack some quality hair ties like these!

Also, if you like scrunchies, this pack of scrunchies from Amazon is super cheap for the quality. I bought this pack a couple of months ago and was pleasantly surprised that they are so nice!

Hair Brush:

I LOVE my Wet Brush! It detangles my hair so quickly and is a very gentle brush.

Glasses & Case:

If you have glasses, don’t forget to bring them and their case.

Contacts, Case & Solution:

Don’t forget your contacts, their case, and solution as well!

Opti-Free Replenish Contact Solution is my favorite solution! It is gentle on my eyes and keeps my monthly contacts intact

College Clothing Essentials:

Face Masks:

If we are still wearing face masks when you’re packing for college, make sure to bring a lot! It’s good to bring a lot of neutral ones to college so that they go with your outfits.

Bras & Underwear:

Bras and underwear are obviously the most important clothing items to pack for college! Don’t forget to bring some sports bras too.

Shirts:

Depending on where you’re going to school, bring some long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirts.

You can also pack some tank tops, undershirts, t-shirts, athletic tops, pajama shirts, and a couple going out shirt depending on your style.

You can also bring a couple of going out tops. Of course, You don’t have to go out in college (I know I didn’t, haha.) However, it’s still nice to have a couple of go-to shirts in case.

The shirts below are so cute! I bought the red shirt, and it’s adorable! I got a size medium, and it fits really well.

Sweaters, Cardigans & Sweatshirts:

If you’re going to school somewhere chilly make sure to pack some sweaters and/or cardigans!

Sweatshirts are always nice to have no matter where you’re going to school so I would definitely recommend packing a couple!

Bottoms:

This depends on where you’re going to school (climate) and your style but you can pack some shorts, skirts, jeans, lettings, sweatpants, pajama pants, etc.

I will say, I wore leggings A LOT in college and a ton of other college students do too! Leggings are definitely a college staple!

My favorite leggings are aerie chill high-wasted leggings by American Eagle! I wear a size medium, and they are perfect.

My friend’s favorite leggings are Lulu Lemon! They always say that even though they are expensive they are really good quality and last for a long time!

You will probably wear leggings a lot in college so it’s not a bad idea to invest in a super nice pair like these!

Jackets:

Make sure to bring a rain jacket to college! Even if you don’t think it’s going to rain, it’s best to have one.

(A quality rain jacket like this one was literally a lifesaver for me in college!!)

You should also bring a winter jacket if you’re going somewhere cold! My Eddie Bower winter jacket kept me super warm on reallllly chilly days!

Dresses:

It’s a good idea to bring one dress in case your school throws a dance or there is a special occasion.

Swim Suits:

This completely depends on where you’re going to school. If you will get use out of swim suits at your college bring a couple.

Jewelry:

You don’t need to pack a lot of jewelry. The jewelry that I wore the most in college was my pearl earrings, bangles, and choker/simple necklaces.

I have a star chocker like the one below that I wear all of the time! I love jewelry that’s dainty and that I can wear with anything.

Socks:

10-15 pairs of regular socks, a couple pairs of boot socks, and 3-5 pairs of fuzzy socks should be a good amount.

The absolute BEST fuzzy socks are Earth Therapeutics Aloe socks. They are so soft and cozy!

Shoes:

I get the most use out of my sneakers, waterproof boots, moccasins, and shower shoes (I use Old Navy flip flops) in college.

These black converse high tops are the shoes that I get the most use out of!! I use L.L. Bean boots as my rain boots but these Sperry boots are cheaper and will do the trick.

The shoes you really need in college depend on where you’re going to school (climate) and your unique style.

Related Post: Complete List of Shoes To Pack For College The list below are all of the shoe categories you could possibly need for college.

College School Supplies Essentials:

These are the best college school supplies that you’ll actually use! All of these school supplies help me so much in college.

Backpack:

It’s essential to bring a super spacious and quality backpack to college! Chances are you will be using it a lot, so make sure that it’s comfortable and has a lot of room!

I use a North Face backpack in college and love it! It has a lot of room for all of my books and is really good quality!

One of my college friends swears by this Vera Bradly waterproof backpack. She LOVES it because she never has to worry about her books getting wet if it rains. It’s also big enough to fit everything, but not so big that it’s too heavy.

Planner:

College students are super busy which is why a planner is essential! A good planner will keep you organized and on top of all of your assignments.

I also buy these stickers packs to decorate my planner and laptop. The stickers are really pretty and motivating!

Textbooks:

Text Book Tip! Wait to buy your textbooks until after your classes meet for the first time.

I was so worried that if I didn’t but my books before my classes started I would be the only student without them. I promise a lot of students wait to buy their textbooks, and it’s completely acceptable.

It’s a good idea to wait because sometimes professors change the material needed for their classes. It is the worst feeling (and a big waste of money) to buy a book and then find out that you don’t actually need it.

I also recommend renting your textbooks from Chegg or Amazon. I have used both sites to rent books and they have saved me so much money!!

Pencils, Pens & Highlighters:

I feel like my pencils are always disappearing on me! Because of that, I like to pack extras. Mechanical pencils are nice because you don’t have to worry about sharpening them. Make sure to bring some pens and highlighters too!

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens are my favorite because they are really nice quality and don’t bleed through paper. Because of that, they are perfect for writing in planners with!

Zebra double-ended highlighters are my favorite! One side is like a marker-pen and the other side is a highlighter. They are great for doodling and writing in your planner! I absolutely love these markers!

Notebooks, Binders & Folders:

Make sure to pack notebooks, binders, and/or folders depending on what you like best. Personally, I like using notebooks and folders for all of my classes.

Stapler & Staples:

It is very handy to have a stapler and staples in your dorm room! This clear-gold stapler from Amazon is adorable and would look so cute on your desk!

Tape & Dispenser:

For some reason, I had the hardest time keeping track of my tape in college! I definitely recommend keeping it in a cute dispenser on your desk so that it’s more accessible.

This dispenser is so cute and matches the stapler above!

Scissors:

Make sure to bring some quality scissors to college. The ones above are so pretty!

Sticky Notes:

Bring quality sticky notes to college! Cheap sticky notes don’t stick and are super annoying. Post-it is the best sticky note brand!

Index Cards:

Index cards are super important to bring to college, especially if you like to make flashcards to study.

College First Aid Essentials:

Here are the best first aid essentials to pack for college! You can always buy a standard first aid kit but make sure it includes these items! These are the only first aid products my roommates and I have found useful in college.

Band-aids:

I promise Band-Aid brand bandages are the best quality and actually stick! Most importantly, they are affordable as well!

Neosporin:

Neosporin is my favorite antibiotic ointment. It is good to have in college in case you get a cut or injury.

Hydrocortisone:

Hydrocortisone is handy to have in case you get a rash or bug bite.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

I actually didn’t bring hydrogen peroxide to college but I was so happy that my roommate did. It is good to put on cuts to prevent infections!

College Medicine Essentials:

It is smart to bring common medicines to college so that if you get sick you don’t have to scramble looking for medicine. These are the medicines that I’ve found the most useful.

Ibuprofen & Tylenol:

It’s smart to have these in case you don’t feel good or have a headache. I like to keep a travel size Advil container in my backpack as well in case I ever need it and I’m not in my room.

Allergy Medicine:

If you have bad allergies make sure to bring some allergy medicine. It is best to bring daytime allergy relief so that you can get through your day without feeling terrible.

Cold Medicine:

NyQuil and DayQuil always work the best for me when I have a cold. It’s smart to bring some common cold medicines in case you ever need them.

College Cleaning Essentials:

These essential cleaning supplies are super helpful and will help you clean your dorm so easily.

Laundry Detergent:

I think Tide Pods are so much easier to use and more convenient. Definitely buy laundry detergent in bulk because you will need a lot and get a better deal that way!

Dryer Sheets:

Bounce is my favorite dryer sheet brand because they soften my clothes and control the static on them!

Trash Can:

Definitely bring a mini trash can for your room! In my opinion, keeping it by your desk is the best place for it!

Isn’t this rose gold one adorable!?

Trash Bags:

Don’t forget to pack trash bags! These small trash bags are the ones I use in my dorm room. I just buy them from Amazon and they work really well (they are a great price too!) They are also scented so they keep your trash smelling better.

Hamper:

My #1 hamper tip is to buy one that is very spacious and has straps so that it is easy to carry! I have trouble knowing what hampers to recommend because it’s hard to find one that fits all of my criteria.

I like hampers like this one because they are spacious, stay open, and have handles. However, they are difficult to clean and my hamper freshman year got so dirty.

Now (during my sophomore year) I use a hamper that is made out of fabric. I like it because I can easily throw it in the wash with my clothes but it is flimsy and doesn’t stay open in my closet which is kind of annoying haha.

As long as you have a hamper that is spacious and has straps, it will work great for college!

All-Purpose Cleaner:

Dorm rooms can get pretty germy! It is smart to bring an all-purpose cleaner to clean your room throughout the week.

Lysol Wipes/spray:

Lysol wipes or spray is a good way to kill germs in your room!

Hand Sanitizer:

Hand sanitizer is super important to have in college! I like to keep some on my desk and a smaller bottle in my backpack. It is just a smart way to prevent germs from spreading!

Hand Soap:

I lived in a suite with 8 girls my freshman year and we went through so much hand soap super quickly. If you have your own bathroom make sure to pack extra hand soap!

Dish Detergent:

A small amount of dawn goes a super long way! Because of that, you don’t need to bring a lot of it to college.

My roommates and I used it to clean our dishes and water bottles. It always works really well!

Small Vacuum:

My roommate brought a small vacuum for our room and it was really nice to have! This vacuum is the vacuum one of my college friends has and she loves it! She let my roommate and I borrow it and it’s amazing!

You definitely don’t need multiple vacuums in your room so make sure to coordinate with your roommate.

Broom & Dustpan:

A broom is one of the most important college cleaning supplies. My roommates and I used ours almost every day!

(This broom and dustpan set has excellent reviews on Amazon and is definitely a college essential!)

Tide-To-Go:

I use so much tide to go in college! It is literally a lifesaver! It’s so easy to use and will get a lot of stains out.

Sponge:

My roommates and I had a cool soap dispensing sponge brush like the one below and it worked really well!

Our only problem was that we never had anywhere to put it. Make sure to buy a sponge holder or dish of some sort.

College Kitchen Essentials:

These are all of the most important kitchen college essentials! These will definitely come in handy during college.

Related Popular Post: Every kitchen/food item you could need for college!

Microwave:

It’s so nice to have a microwave in your dorm room! Make sure to coordinate buying dorm appliances like this with your roommate so that you don’t have two of everything.

Also, check your school’s rules about what type of microwave you’re allowed to have.

Mini Fridge:

It’s also so nice to have a fridge in your room! The one below is a standard mini fridge size that is usually allowed in dorm rooms!

Microwavable Dishes:

For some reason, I didn’t bring a set of microwavable dishes to college when I first moved in which I regretted.

You don’t need a lot of dishes but should bring a plate, bowl, and mug that can all be microwaved. Having dishware makes it much easier to make tea/hot chocolate, eat take out, or make some ramen.

Water Bottle:

Every college girl needs a good water bottle!

My favorites are the Hydro Flask and Super Sparrow water bottles. Both of these bottles come in super fun colors, keep your drink hot or cold for hours, and are just super good quality!

Lots of Snacks & Snack Clips:

Make sure that you have a lot of snacks for your dorm room! I recommend having a lot of granola bars and fruit snacks in case you wake up late and need something to eat super quickly on the way to class.

You should also stock up on all your favorite snacks! Some of my favorites are popcorn, ramen noodles, mac & cheese, cheez its, chex mix, goldfish, etc.

My roommates and I had popcorn bowls similar to the fourth image below. They were perfect for movie nights!

Also, keep a couple of extra snacks in your backpack in case you ever get hungry.

College Organization Essentials:

There are a ton of organizational items that I’m not putting on this list because they aren’t essential. Check out the post below!

Related Popular Post: Every Organizational Item You Could Need For College!

Under-bed Storage:

Under the bed storage will be your best friend in college, especially if you have a small room! I recommend raising or lofting your bed so that you have maximum storage.

After raising my bed, I was able to fit the wooden dresser my school provided me with, a plastic drawer unit (1st picture below), a snack bin (second picture below), my hamper, and a couple of other random items under my bed.

I used the plastic three drawer cart below (1st pic) to store extra clothes and random essential items.

The only problem is that it will get unorganized very quickly, especially if you’re using it for random items. Try to buy smaller bins that fit inside the drawers to help you organize your things better.

The white cube storage organizer and fabric bins (last two pictures) are a great way to organize your things. I also like that others won’t be able to see your stuff because the bins aren’t clear.

I like this drawer cart because it is similar to the one I used freshman year (first picture above) but not see-through.

Extra containers:

Cute extra containers that you can stack and put under your bed are super helpful! I really like the bins below because they come with a lid and are really cute.

Random College Essentials

Id & Cards Holder:

I used this pop-wallet throughout my freshman year of college (still use it today) and it’s a lifesaver! It is the perfect place to put your student ID card and other important cards.

I am able to fit up to 4 cards in my pop-wallet and it’s very secure.

If you are going to college this pop-wallet is seriously a great place to put your important cards. Trust me it will make your life a million times easier!!

Cards, Envelopes & Stamps:

If you like writing notes to your friends and family, make sure to bring note cards like these to write on.

Bring general cards so that you can easily use them to write cards for different occasions. If you plan on sending mail, bring envelopes and stamps too!

Umbrella:

I like the umbrella above because it is super compact and won’t take up a lot of space.

Hangers:

I used the hangers in the first picture below my freshman year and they worked really well!

My roommate used velvet hangers like the ones in the second picture and she really liked them. Velvet hangers will take up less space in your closet as well.

I have never used the magic hangers (fourth pic below) but I hear they can save you a ton of room! I recommend bringing 20-40 hangers to college. You can always buy more later if you need them.

Iron:

I hate ironing, especially in college. I think it takes too much time and I am also just not good at it, haha. Because of this, I basically never used my iron at college and it was always in my way.

If you don’t mind ironing and think you will use it, definitely bring one. Bring one like the iron below that doubles as a steamer.

If you don’t think you will use an iron, you can always use a handheld steamer or wrinkle releasing spray to get out wrinkles.

Ironing Board/Mat:

I think that part of my problem with ironing in college was that I did not have a ton of space. I had a small ironing board but it was kind of a pain to use.

My mom bought me an ironing mat like the one above and I am so excited to use it! It’s such a smart product because it doesn’t take up a lot of room and allows you to iron anywhere!

Wallet:

Bringing a wallet wrist-let to college is smart because when you need it you can either carry it on your wrist or in your backpack.

Sunglasses:

Bring a pair of sunglasses to school, especially if you are going somewhere with warm weather.

Heating Pad:

A heating pad is nice to have in case you don’t feel well. I have a sunbeam heating pad very similar to this one. It heats up really fast and works great!

Quarters for Laundry:

If you need quarters to do loads of laundry, don’t forget to bring extra.

Beach Towels:

I feel like sometimes students bring bath towels to college and completely forget about beach towels! If you are going to school by the beach or a pool, make sure to bring 1-2 beach towels.