What to Buy and What Not Buy For College

If you have an incoming college freshman or want to get a head start on college shopping for next year, then you’ll need to know what to buy. Summer can be a good time to find sales and deals before school starts. Plus, if you have an extra year, it may be a good idea to spread out the purchases, so you don’t have to buy it all at once and strain your budget. Here are the items you’ll need to buy and some items that may not be necessary to get for college.

What to buy for college

• Bedding items. You want to make the bed as cozy as possible, since college mattresses are pretty thin. Here’s what you need from bottom to top:
  • Zippered encasement for the dorm mattress. This will help protect against bed bugs or any allergens.
  • Mattress topper. There are many options such as memory foam, gel, or pillowtop. Look for at least a 3 inch topper for comfort. 
  • Mattress pad. This covers the topper and protects it from any tears.
  • Fitted sheets. While your student may just wash their sheets (hopefully) and put them back on after they are dry, it’s a good idea to have two sets.
  • Pillow or two depending on preference. 
  • Blanket. Most college dorms tend to run hot as you may not have control of the temperature and there may not be air conditioning, so pack blankets of varying warmth to change based on the season.
• School supplies
  • Laptop. Most schools don’t have a specific requirement whether it’s a PC or Mac unless it’s major-specific. Typically students just need access to programs such as the Microsoft Suite. If a student is a design or art major, a Mac with the Adobe suite may be needed. Check with the school or department if they provide the software before you purchase.
  • Supplies and tools. Unlike grade school, you will likely not need to buy so many notebooks, paper and other supplies since everything will likely be digital, but post-it notes, pens, a ruler, index cards, a pair of scissors and one or two notebooks and folders are probably sufficient. If you’re taking a math class like calculus, you’ll need a calculator as well.
  • Backpack. Since you’ll be carting the laptop and books all around campus, you should look for a good quality backpack. Also make sure there is a side pocket for a water bottle. 
• Personal items
  • Toiletries. It’s a good idea to have extra soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and tissues as those tend to run out quickly. Purchase a shower caddy to allow you to hang these items near or in the shower and to make carting it back and forth from the dorm room easier.
  • First-aid kit. You can easily put together your own with various sized band aids, pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine, cough drops, antacids, eye drops and any personal prescriptions and purchase a clear box to hold it all. 
  • Laundry supplies. Find a laundry bag that’s easy to carry like one that can roll or strap on your back. Instead of purchasing a large bottle of detergent, use laundry sheets or a small bottle that you can refill. Many schools who are environmentally conscious do not want students to use laundry pods. 
  • Towels. It’s a good idea to have two sets of towels and a closet or door hook to hang them dry.
• Other essentials
  • Plugs. Make sure you have extension cords, power strips, USB plugs and extra connections to charge your electronics by the bed and also at the desk. 
  • Lock box. You don’t know who may be in and out of your room, so it’s a good idea to keep valuables safe such as a car or house keys, wallet, credit card, passport or gift cards. 
  • Storage bins. These can be used for snacks, to store clothes or any other extra or seasonal items.
  • Personal fan. As mentioned above, the temperature in dorms can vary, so a fan is essential. It can also serve as white noise.

What not to buy

• Excess clothing. You don’t need your whole wardrobe, nor will you have room for it and you can easily switch seasonal clothes out during Thanksgiving break or between semesters. 
• Sentimental items. Bringing too many sentimental items such as stuffed animals, pillows, etc. can make your space too cluttered and you also may run the risk of losing something irreplaceable.
• Bulky furniture. Colleges typically provide a desk, chair and dresser. If you want to add something else, make sure you know the dimensions as rooms are typically small. Look for narrow pieces that you could use for an end table. Otherwise, you really don’t need to buy furniture. 
• Prohibited items. Many schools have rules on items you can’t bring such as toasters, hot pots, candles, or coffee makers. Check with your school before you purchase or buy any of these items to bring to campus.
• Expensive items. Don’t bring pricey jewelry or fancy designer clothing or accessories that run the risk of getting stolen or ruined. Keep those items safe at home.

What you should coordinate with your roommate

Before you shop, coordinate with your roommate on shareable items such as a microwave and refrigerator, an area rug, a garbage can, and a vacuum. You don’t need two of them, so split up the costs and choose who will be responsible for what.

Final thoughts

• Try to label bags and boxes so it will make unboxing easier.
• Place hanging clothes on hangers and cover with a garbage bag for easy unpacking.
• Bring command strips, tape, hooks and a tool kit for hanging decorations or putting together furniture.

Many schools have a specific time frame to unpack, typically an hour or two, so make sure you are organized to make move-in as seamless as possible. 

Check out this Pinterest board for Amazon links to many college necessities.