10 Items That I, A College Student, Definitely Recommend For Anyone Going Back To School

From me, a college senior, to you. Hope this helps!

1. A mattress topper

Kohls / Via kohls.com

Dorm mattresses are usually not that comfortable, which is why it can be super beneficial to bring a mattress topper. The mattress topper acts as another layer or bedding that goes on top of the main mattress. It provides extra comfort and fits your own preferences.

Mattress toppers can be found at many stores, both online and in-person!

Make sure that when you purchase one, it is the standard dorm Twin XL bed size, unless your college's bed sizes differ.

2. A fan

Target / Via target.com

Especially during the fall semester, dorms can be hot and you don't always get the luxury of air conditioning. That's why bringing a fan is crucial in order to help cool you down. Some are even small enough to keep on your desk!

3. A lamp

Getty Images

Similar to the temperature, you don't always know what kind of lighting your dorm will have. A lamp of any kind, but especially a desk lamp, will come in handy and provide extra light that's useful for late-night studying.

4. A surge protector

Dell

There aren't a lot of outlets in a dorm, which is why having a surge protector comes in handy. You can usually connect up to 6 or even more plugs to it so you don't have to to worry about running out of outlet space.

5. 5. A reusable water bottle

Getty Images

Having a reusable water bottle will not only save you money but also help out the environment tremendously. Many reusable bottles even have built-in filters or are able to keep your beverages at the perfect temperature.

Luckily, there are so many reusable water bottle options out there and can be found in pretty much any store, but some great brands in my opinion are Hydro Flask, CamelBak, Klean Kanteen, S'well, Yeti, Manna, and more!

6. A shower caddy

PB Teen

Even if you don't have to use a communal bathroom, you will most likely still have to share a bathroom with at least one other person, which is why a shower caddy comes in handy. It makes it easy to carry all of your shower necessities and is great for organizing.

Fortunately, shower caddies are easy to find and can be bought through a variety of stores!

7. A safety alarm

Birdie

If there's ever a time when you don't feel safe on campus or are afraid to walk back to your dorm at night, having a safety alarm can bring you a peace of mind. Hopefully, you will never have to use it, but it doesn't hurt to have one with you just in case.

When set off, they make a noise and flash a light to draw attention and can even be placed easily onto your lanyard and keychain. 

8. Something to hold your laundy

Getty Images

You never know how far you need to walk to get to your laundry room, which is having a good-quality item to carry your clothes in is important. Some people prefer baskets with wheels while others prefer hamper bags.

No matter what you end up choosing, make sure it can hold a lot of clothes and doesn't easily break.

9. Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds of some kind

Getty Images

Noise-cancelling headphones, earbuds, or AirPods of some kind will become your best friend in college, whether you have a loud roommate, you like to listen to music while studying, or you simply like to listen to music on your way to class.

10. And a planner

Getty Images

College is a time where you have more responsibilities on your shoulders than ever before. It can be hard to manage classes, classwork, club meetings, extracurricular activities, work, and other events all at once, which is why a planner can be very beneficial.

Do you have any college essentials you wish you knew about sooner? Let me know in the comments below!