We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A sunrise alarm clock that gently wakes your body up *on time* instead of that traumatizing iPhone alarm sound (you know the one). This wakes you up to the sounds of nature with a light that gradually brightens half an hour before your set alarm time so that you can show up to those early morning classes feeling significantly less groggy.
This can be programmed with seven different light settings, seven different calming "wake up" noises, and to start gradually lighting up at 30, 20, or 10 minutes before you wake.
Promising review: "I got this recommendation from TikTok and it really has helped especially with Oregon winters where the sun is not out by the time the alarm rings. It has several peaceful alarm settings and even has night music to put you to sleep. The sunrise with the alarm piano is what I play to wake me up every morning and it is a way better way than to wake up to an annoying phone alarm." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in three colors).
2. A daily planner that's so adorably organized, you'll want to keep sneaking a peek at what your day is gonna look like. It helps you track your online meetings, goals, assignments, water intake, and even has a gratitude reminder section!
Each planner comes with 50 tear-off sheets the size of a standard piece of paper.
Bliss Collections is a small, family-owned business based in Sussex, Wisconsin.
Promising review: "I can't think of a better 'top of the morning' expression than 'You've Got This!' That got my attention. Love the visual clock graphic too. I use a weekly planner and having daily pages available as needed are great. The layout is useful, not excessively detailed while still including all the important sections. It's aesthetically pleasing." —Wynelle
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in nine styles).
3. A hydrating eye stick because looking a little more awake may just give you that extra push of motivation to get things done. This has a cooling formula to help de-puff the area around your eyes and reduce dark circles so no one in class starts asking you why you look like a Tim Burton character.
It also helps tighten eye wrinkles if you'd prefer for them not to be as noticeable. And here's a tip! It reduces puffiness faster if used after refrigeration.
Promising review: "This is definitely a miracle product. I was impressed that it worked so well, so fast, and so instantly. The packaging is silly but whimsical; I enjoy it. This is the last thing I apply before walking out the door. First day I used it, I put it on and got in my car — I looked in the rear view mirror and my heart jumped. My eyes had de-puffed on my walk down the front path!!! So impressive. It's not hydrating, it’s more tightening/brightening. If you have dry under eyes, use a creamy hydrating eye cream first, and apply this over it — problem solved. You don’t get much product, but you don’t need to use much either, and it’s not like it’s expensive. Definitely worth it if a product actually DOES what it claims it’ll do!!! Buy it!" —Joseph S.
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (also available as a collagen eye stick and in multipacks).
4. A dual hair dryer and brush — it lets you style your hair as you dry it and leaves you with shiny, voluminous results *without* having to lug several products to the shared bathroom.
Unlike other hair dryers, this one can be held closer to the roots and scalp for a higher volume and lift and helps you curl hair at the end while it dries. It comes with three heat settings and is designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2a–4c hair mentioned it working for them, and especially noted that it helps cut down on drying time!
Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it. Love this — get blow out quality straight hair every time. I've spent so much money on products that are not as easy and don't work as well. This does just what it promises. To use, I just blow dry my hair until slightly damp and then use this to finish. Make sure to use heat protectant! Fast and good results every time so far. The cool setting is not that cool but otherwise, I recommend it." —Katie Recken
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in nine styles).
5. A portable laptop desk with a pillow cushion, which you'll appreciate having with you when you want to type up your essay or watch a Zoom lecture from the comfort of your bed. Plus, it's got a slot for your phone/tablet and handy storage pockets for your pens and AirPods so that they're always within reach.
Promising review: "Got this for college while I was living in the dorms on campus. It’s perfect if you don’t have that much desk space. You can prop it up while you’re in the bed and type away on your assignments for class. It’s also comfy. Perfect for small dorm living areas." —RG
Get it from Amazon for $36.98+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
6. A mini Keurig that freshly brews up to 12 ounces of coffee in minutes, making it a total *lifesaver* for those late study nights! The best part? It's less than five inches wide, so you can basically slide it between the textbooks on your desk and enjoy a warm cup of coffee when you can't make it to a campus cafe.
Promising review: "This Keurig was the perfect size for my son's dorm room. Great for making coffee, tea, or just hot water for some ramen noodles. I've been a Keurig owner since they first launched and never had any complaints. Take care of the unit, and it will last a long time." —Mark P
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in six colors).
7. Plus, a mug warmer perfect for all those times you let your coffee go cold because you got too busy writing up that one essay you were putting off. This'll keep it piping hot long after it's brewed, and it keeps you from having to wait in line for the one microwave on your floor. 🫠
Promising review: "I love this product! Every day I love to enjoy a nice cup of coffee and several cups of tea but I’m a slow drinker and within minutes my tea goes cold. I have one right by my bed and in the office. I only drink cold tea when I want to now! 😃 I ended up buying almost 10 more for gifts over the holidays especially for all my friends and family who have to work at home during these times." —Sharise
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
8. *Or* a cold brew coffee maker to save you a BUNCH of money and trips to the coffee shop each day. All you have to do is stick your favorite ground coffee in the filter, seal the airtight lid on top, and pop it in the fridge overnight. Boom, four cups of cold brew to help you power through the marathon of Zoom calls and assignments for the day.
This pitcher is BPA free and dishwasher safe. It also locks in fresh coffee flavors for up to two weeks in the fridge. Just add ground coffee, cold water, refrigerate, and voila! My caffeine obsession will definitely be getting much worse now.
Promising review: "I have been drinking caffeinated beverages every day for half my life. Usually brewing hot then cooling it down with ice which was quite a process to do every morning. Then I came across this cold brew pitcher and thought I'd give it a try. It's great, easy to use and clean, very convenient, lasts for a couple of weeks, I love it! Making a pitcher of coffee take less time than a normal brewer and makes enough for at least one cup a day for about a week, depending on how much coffee concentrate is used. I haven't used my normal coffee or espresso machine since I got this cold brew system. The coffee seems to taste better as well, not a huge difference but it's somewhat noticeable." —Birnbaum
Check out BuzzFeed's review of this cold brew coffee maker for more info!
Get it from Amazon for $23.57+ (available in two sizes and two colors).
9. And a handheld milk frother if you spend so much money at the coffee shop, the baristas are starting to learn your name. 😬 This lets you curate your own rich, creamy foam in seconds so that you can enjoy caramel macchiatos and other foamy cups of joy from the comfort of your own dorm (and with probably twice the amount of money in your bank account than usual).
Promising review: "Best frother that I've ever used...very comfortable to use and powerful, too. Got this to replace another branded one that zonked out on me after only a couple of months. Love love this frother. I use it to 'blend' my morning coffee with coconut oil. This frother is more powerful than my last. The stand is a nice little bonus to keep the frother off the table and from rolling off the counter. The handle is very comfortable to hold. The back (if the label is facing you), has an index finger rest. I highly recommend this frother." —N Duong
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 44 styles).
10. A too-relatable crewneck sweater that you'll be tempted to buy in every color so that no one ever doubts exactly what kind of a day you're having. 🫠
Magic Printing Store is a woman-owned small business based in Texas.
Promising review: "Love the sweatshirt! Exactly as described." —Destiny Allison
Get it from Magic Printing Store on Etsy for $26.95+ (originally $49+; available in sizes S—3XL, as a sweatshirt or a hoodie, and in 10 colors).
11. Or an "I need a nap" sweater to wear to all those morning classes that you miraculously make it to after pulling an all-nighter (studying-related or otherwise).
KA Clothingg is a small business specializing in trendy and fun embroidered clothing.
Promising review: "The sweaters are so cute! I can’t wait to give them to my friends. 🥰 I did forest green with white threading, and the embroidery is so dainty and clear. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a gift for your fellow book-loving gals!" —Emily Bamford
Get it from KA Colthingg on Etsy for $35.46+ (originally $44.33+; available in sizes S—3XL and in eight colors).
12. A tiny positive potato — a little friend to help power you through your toughest of classes and finals! You're sure to ~sprout~ a smile every time you see it.
Note: It's about the size of your palm!
Promising review: "Had to have this when I saw it. It's the best motivation and SO CUTE. So cute to the point where I emailed this picture of positive potato out to my team at work, and then they went on to print the photo, name it, hang it up, and buy their own positive potato for their desk. So great. Perfect little reminder!!!" —Brooke Crump
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
13. A pair of wireless sleep headphones that you can wear as a headband so that you no longer have to listen to your roommate's snoring all night (or so you can quietly enjoy some music, a podcast, or watch Netflix after they've dozed off)!
Promising review: "Oh my goodness! Where has this been all my life?? Just a couple of days ago I was trying to sleep with earbuds in. I would wake up every time I moved because they were hard and hurt my ears. But THESE wireless headphones are the best! I can turn over in bed freely and it doesn't wake me up. I have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Now I can play sleep videos which help drone me to sleep and keep me asleep. The only drawback is that while I love the material it can be a little warm in the middle of the night. I LOVE THEM!!" —Godsinger
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 16 colors).
14. A nonstick microwave pasta cooker to make cooking pasta in the dorm microwave a total breeze. All you have to do is put water and dry noodles in it, hit the microwave buttons, and strain it right out of the container. Boom, spaghetti craving satisfied in just 12–13 minutes! Your floormates will be demanding you to tell them where you got this glorious invention.
Promising review: "I don't want to get all gushy over a pasta maker, but man...I really love this gizmo! I try to limit my monthly food expenditures and the Fasta Pasta helps me work in at least one inexpensive pasta meal every week. If not more. First of all, I like spaghetti — either with normal Prego-type sauce or sometimes just with butter and Romano cheese sprinkled on. But I'm lazy and impatient and don't like things that take a long time to make, with a bunch of steps, and a big cleanup afterward. The Fasta Pasta is perfect for me. I get the exact amount of correctly-measured spaghetti; it's faster than boiling water in a big pot then having to watch and stir the pasta; the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time; and the cleanup is a snap. No big pot; no colander; no spaghetti fork to lift out the pasta. Just the easy-to-clean Fasta Pasta and a pot to heat up the sauce. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!" —Smilin Sam
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
15. A pack of NeuroGum that gives you all of the energy you desperately need with *none* of the crash. Made with a blend of caffeine and nootropics, it's designed to give you energy five times faster than regular coffee. Plus, it'll let you skip out on all the jitters that coffee usually gives you!
Here's what BuzzFeed contributor Kayla Suazo has to say about these:
"It’s literally gum with 40 milligrams of caffeine (about half the amount of caffeine in an average cup of coffee), so it’s great to chew throughout the afternoon without having to worry about it keeping you up at night. It also has 60 milligrams of L-theanine, which is the main amino acid in green tea, so you get a natural energy boost without all the sugars that you’d find in energy drinks. THIS MEANS NO JITTERS. NO CRASHING. Just a good ole boost of energy. I was skeptical about this gum at first. I thought there was no way gum could wake me from my afternoon lull and increase my attention so I could get more work done. Guys, I was wrong. This stuff works, and works well. I even gave some to my coworkers, who said they noticed a difference immediately after chewing it. Around 2 p.m., I pop a piece in (I looove the cinnamon flavor) and I have an instant energy boost. It’s magic. There are nine pieces in a pack and I chew about one a day, so an entire box lasts me a month — which isn’t bad considering that it literally gives me life every single day. It's gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan, and non-GMO, and I think it's a way better option than energy drinks."
Get a nine-pack with six pieces of gum each from Amazon for $23.94.
16. Or for anyone looking to live on the ~edge~, caffeinated chocolate bars — not only are they super yummy, but each one is also the equivalent of one cup of coffee *and* keeps you from having to beeline for the bathroom several times throughout a lecture.
Promising review: "These are DELICIOUS and you can actually feel the caffeine. I heard about them from a friend and I can’t get over why it’s taken this long to get my hands on them. They’re a must buy and I’ve already recommended Awake to all of my friends. Treat yourself and you won’t regret it!" —Alexa
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $23.62+ (available in two flavors).
17. A chic coffee cup holder because the phrase "I've always got my hands full" applies both literally and figuratively as a college student. This helpful little thing lets you easily carry your coffee with you while you answer emails and *most importantly* look at the latest TikTok your bestie just sent you.
VIS Paradise Goods is a Florida-based Etsy stop established in 2021 that specializes in personalized and sustainable goods.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "I own one of these myself and love it for the convenience of texting on the go! These even have a holder for a straw if you happen to get iced coffee or bubble tea and don't want to stick the straw into the drink just yet. I've found this to be very sturdy and easy to use, plus they're a fun conversation starter — people always want to know where I got it!"
Promising review: "This is perfect! I constantly have my hands full and now I can comfortably carry my coffee with me everywhere I go. I will be purchasing more!" —Erin
Get it from VIS Paradise Goods on Etsy for $13.15+ (originally $17.54+; available in five colors and 25 designs).
18. A jar of internet-beloved, TikTok-famous The Pink Stuff, because apparently you're expected to keep your space squeaky clean even when all your time and energy is being used up on classes, exams, and some semblance of a social life. Behold, The Pink Stuff — all you have to do is wet a paper towel or washcloth, dip it in the paste, and watch your weirdest stains, grease, and grime ~melt away~.
Promising review: "Honestly I was very skeptical when I first purchased. Everyone on social media was talking about how amazing this product was for cleaning around the house and I just thought they were all jumping on some kind of bandwagon. Of course I caved and had to try it for myself. Needless to say I’m very impressed! It removed stubborn mold and grime from my shower tile grout with use of a hard-bristle toothbrush. It removed hard water stains from my sinks and faucets. I noticed it really does remove mineral buildup, but it takes a lot of elbow grease and repetitive applications before you start seeing progress. The texture feels similar to when you mix honey with sugar to make a lip scrub, except it’s super-fine grit and more pasty like putty or clay. It works amazing so far! No overpowering smell (barely any smell at all), easy to use, and a little product goes a long way. I haven’t tried it on rust yet so we’ll see how that goes. Over all very pleased and impressed so far. Highly recommend!" —Marissa
Get it from Amazon for $5.29 (available in two sizes).
19. A set of nonstick, reusable toaster oven bags for when you're in the mood for a melty grilled cheese — aka always. And this way, you don't have to wait to use the dorm's one stove. Look at you, making smart adult decisions.
(Psst — you can also use these to reheat french fries, pizza, and even mini tacos, and get all that glorious heat without them getting all soggy from the microwave. Leftovers just got lit.)
Promising review: "I had no idea how well these would work. You can put toast or rolls or anything that will fit in the slot — even if it has jelly or spread or anything on it — in the bag in the toaster and it doesn't hurt the toaster, and the food comes out warm." —mare36
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $4.84 (available in three sizes).
20. A "BedShelfie" you'll appreciate if you struggle with super limited space or if you just want to have all of your lounge time necessities within easy reach. You can use it to place your headphones, laptop, notes, and your second cup of coffee. This reviewer even uses it as a projector stand!
Promising review: "This product is seriously amazing. I'm a college freshman, and I needed something to serve as my bedside table, but my bed was lofted, so I didn't have a lot of options. And then I found the BedShelfie. It is super easy to clip onto your bed, and it's able to hold a multitude of things. The quality of the product is definitely worth the price. I never leave reviews but I just had to for this product/company. It's a must for any college student." —MainGdogg
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four styles).
21. Some fairy lights because although you'd rather be sleeping than studying, nothing can stop you from adding a bit of dreamy coziness to your workspace. They're great for creating the ambient lighting of your choice, and reviewers say they're very easy to hang!
Also, there are eight different lighting modes, and you can get warm, cool, or white light as well as colored options. OH — and if you love how the setup looks in the picture on the left, you can add some fake vines with the lights, like the reviewer did!
Promising reviews: "I've been looking for fairy lights for my curtains for a while. These are great and look great! I love the different settings you can use to set the right mood/ambiance. I'm currently using them in my gaming office and really like the aesthetic feel to the room now." —Charlie V.
"I bought these beautiful string lights a little over a month ago for my college bedroom and love them!! If you’re like me and are looking to spruce up your new apartment, or maybe you don’t have much room for intricate lighting, these are PERFECT. These lights are very in. I saw something like these on TikTok, and I just had to have them. As soon as I put these babies up, they fell right into place (really, like a curtain), are the perfect brightness (but can be dimmed), and fill the entire wall." —Katie Ernst
Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes and 10 colors).
22. A waterless dry shampoo *foam* you can cancel out the grease and add some volume back to your locks without worrying about having to shake out the residue of your usual powder or spray dry shampoos.
Promising review: "I have very very fine and fragile hair. It’s wavy (2b–2c with some 3a curls mixed in). My ends are dry and my scalp gets very oily quickly. When the product arrived I was on second-day hair. I worked the foam through my roots and the sides on my head. The most oily places for me. It was easy to work through and it smells so fresh and clean. My results were amazing! My roots looked clean, no residue or buildup like powder dry shampoos. My scalp does not itch and it gives my fine, flat hair a ton of volume. Also, my hair looks thicker when I use it. I usually can’t go more than a day or two without washing my hair. With this product I was able to go four days without washing my hair." —Amelia Tilton
Get it from Amazon for $6.27.
23. Plus a reviewer-beloved Mane Club 10-in-1 leave-in spray made with cannabis sativa seed oil that helps it condition, detangle, heat protect, prevent breakage, hydrate, smooth, soften, control frizz, boost shine, and strengthen your hair, and keeps it nongreasy. I meannn, can we get a round of applause for this multi-talented product??
Mane Club is a New York City-based small business established in 2019 that specializes in affordable haircare products.
It's also BuzzFeeder-approved — here's what Elizabeth Lilly has to say about it: "This stuff has become my go-to for spraying on my wet hair and then blow-drying. Normally I'd apply a heat protector and an oil treatment or leave-in conditioner before blow-drying. But this 10-in-1 treatment takes the cake! Most of the time when I use it, I don't even need to finish off my hair with hair oil (I've been doing that as an essential hair step for years now). It's really that good! Here, I have freshly blow-dried hair with just this post-shower using this Amika blow-dryer brush. This brush is fantastic on its own but this spray-on treatment has more or less doubled this brush's effectiveness. My hair comes out feeling softer, looking shinier and healthier, and stays looking good for days — which is especially great news because I wash my hair about every four days." You can check out Elizabeth Lilly's full review of the Mane Club One Hit Wonder spray for more deets!
Promising review: "I’m a hairstylist, so I’ve tried just about every leave-in conditioner out there, and I was amazed at how soft my hair felt after one use. My curls were so happy! The smell is amazing too!! I will definitely be repurchasing." —Allison S.
24. A roll-on migraine stick made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils to help you soothe away those dreadful headaches caused by staring at computer screens and pulling all-nighters.
Promising review: "I’ve had migraines all my life — I’m 31 now. I’ve been on all kinds of prescriptions that work, but make me so sleepy... I’ve been using this stick for one week now, and it’s amazing! I rubbed it on at the first hint of a headache/migraine and it takes care of it fast. I haven’t taken a prescription migraine since I started using it." —Amanda Braswell
Read BuzzFeed's review of the migraine stick for more deets!
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
25. Mighty Patch's pimple spot treatment that you'll be satisfied to peel off your skin as you see all the gunk they pulled out overnight. No picking or pinching needed. Oh, and they have over 125,000 5-star reviews! That essay may not be able to write itself, but at least your pimples are one thing that can magically disappear while you're snoozing.
Promising review: "These patches truly exceeded my expectations. They are affordable, easy to use, painless and effective. I use them primarily for cystic acne along my jawline and they are successfully drawing out most of the pimples after one to three nights. I press on the patch at the end of my evening skincare routine and wear it overnight (although the patches are so small and inconspicuous, I could comfortably wear them out in public during the day as well). The patch stays put on my face all night while I sleep and move around. When I remove the patch, it pulls off the head of the pimple without me ever having to touch the area or get the oils/dirt from my hands on the breakout. It does not hurt or tug at your skin at all. Really deep or large pimples sometimes take a couple nights before they are completely “drained.” This is well worth the price and I will be keeping them in stock from now on!" —Stephanie Bullard
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $11.97 (available in five sizes).
26. A super-soft Makeup Eraser to un-complicate your "just got back from a party very late" skin routine. This uses (you'll never believe this) water to remove even your most stubborn matte lipsticks and waterproof mascara. The best part? You can just throw this in the wash and reuse it as much as you want.
It's got two sides — one that can wipe off all your makeup with water and a light scrubbing, and another that exfoliates your skin. Plus, all you have to do when you're done using it is wet it and hang it up to dry! No more wasting money on icky washcloths that hurt your skin!!! I can hear your pores singing from here.
Promising review: "This did exactly what it claims to do, I use some warm water on a little part and my whole makeup comes off, even mascara! I used to always buy makeup wipes and this has saved me so much money. I just throw it in with the laundry and it’s perfect. I’ve been using it for over six months now and it hasn’t failed me at all, it’s worth the money!!" —Sharmin Rahman
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in 16 colors).
27. A Lay-n-Go cosmetic bag because it fans out to become a mat and saves you both the time and hassle of having to pack and unpack your beauty arsenal whenever you go back and forth from the shared bathroom.
Lay-n-Go is a small business that specializes in storage solutions for home, travel, and personal care.
Promising review: "I was tired of fumbling around in my cosmetics case and saw this. I was skeptical, but...WOW! On my recent two-week trip to Europe, with constant laying out and packing up, this item was wonderful. I could find what I wanted quickly, right away. Packing up was just a matter of pulling the drawstring. At first I wasn’t sure about changing to this bag, but now I could not do without it." —Mojosharkey
Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in two sizes and 31 colors).
28. A set of satin pillowcases to give your dorm bed a hint of ~luxury~. Not only does it look pretty, but reviewers say its soft fabric can help clear acne-prone skin and create less friction on their hair to avoid breakage! Which is great, because you're already busy dealing with the fact that it's 3 in the morning on a school night, and you are *not* in bed where you should be.
29. A rapid ramen cooker so that you can have your delicious bowl of noods (which also doubles as your emotional support food while you do some last-minute studying) in just three minutes. Just fill to the line, pop it in, and let the magic happen.
Promising review: "This thing may seem like just an ordinary Tupperware, but I assure you it will blow that thin plastic garbage out of the water. It retains heat amazingly and does not bend nor falter under extreme temperatures. I'm a college student and I have never felt such joy from making ramen in my small dorm microwave, for a 900-watt oven, I recommend five minutes. Buy this product if you live and breathe air, because it is beautiful." —Theron
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two sizes and 15 colors).
30. And a rapid egg cooker because it might just become the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning instead of hitting snooze (again). It can make omelets, poached eggs, eggs Benedict, scrambled, soft-, *and* hard-boiled eggs. No need to worry about skipping out on breakfast again when you've got your own personal little chef right here.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord says, "I've owned one of these babies and have faithfully used it every week for upward of two years, and especially love it while working from home — it simplifies breakfast because I know no matter what assortment of groceries I'm working with, there are precooked eggs to add some protein to it. (I like mine medium-boiled. 🍳) If my dinner is boring or seems like it needs a little extra oomph to it, I'll throw in an egg from this too. Some reviews note that the alarm on it is a little loud, but the new models have significantly decreased the volume and sing a little song instead!"
Promising review: "I saw someone on TikTok with this and gasped! Ordered it right away. I had no idea these things existed. Super easy and convenient and the hard-boiled eggs came out perfectly. I’m testing a batch now without punching a hole in the eggs to see how they come out. Because why not make an easy process even easier?!?! LOL." —Gina
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six colors).
31. A memory foam seat cushion because having to take a bunch of breaks due to an uncomfortable tush can get frustrating. Its ergonomic design helps promote improved posture and eases the lower back pain and discomfort in your legs and tailbone from sitting for hours on end. Also, who the heck thought it wise to pick out those hard-as-a-rock dorm chairs? I just wanna talk.
Promising review: "This seat cushion is SO GOOD. I have had a lot of problems with pressure on my tailbone and resulting back problems, and they've been getting worse. I will be honest, I have only tried the old-fashioned medical donuts, so I don't have much to compare it to. However, this cushion is nicely thick, and the cutout and contours are so perfect and they take all pressure off my tailbone. After working for a few hours, I got up and for the first time in almost a year, didn't have pain. Normally, the pressure on my tailbone becomes pretty bad while sitting, but produces an even sharper pain upon standing. Feeling so great for the first time prompted me to buy another for work so I could keep this one at home and never be without it! Hopefully, reducing the pressure on my tailbone will also help it heal, but even being free from pain is wonderful." —CSC
Get it from Amazon for $36.76+ (available in three colors).
32. A pair of blue light–blocking glasses, which might help minimize the eye strain and fatigue that come with staring at your computer and phone screen all day so that you don't have to step away from your work as frequently.
Promising review: "Love my glasses! First reason is because I get migraines and can hardly stand looking at my computer screen while at work. These glasses significantly reduce the pain and make work bearable. The second reason is because they are super cute and stylish. Lastly, they came in a cool little box with a blue light testing kit (yes I did it and these are legit), also a tool for the screws, a cloth to clean them, and a bag for one of the pairs. Definitely worth the money! Would recommend." —Dakota C. Lusk
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in seven styles)
33. A thick, moisture-wicking instructional yoga mat to help get a little re-energizing body movement in between classes, whether it's in your room or on the lawn. It comes printed with 70 different, easy-to-follow yoga poses. Whether you're experienced and want to get a quick morning session in or a beginner who's tired of looking up YouTube videos on where to start, this mat will be your new best friend!
Promising review: "This mat has a workout session built right in! I started using the mat and doing ALL of the poses except two that I’m not advanced enough to do and weeks later I have started mastering all of the moves and I am so much stronger. My pack pain is virtually gone. Highly recommend if you are motivated to do the poses." —Patricia L. Purcell
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in six colors).
34. A *super* compact 8-in-1 spiralizer that gives you a juicer, grater, shredder, and more without taking up all your precious space. Use those spiralizer blades for when you feel like getting a little ~fancy~ with your dorm snacks — all you have to do is change out one of the interlocking caps for a new function!
Just swap out the inserts to go from one function to another!
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord has to say about it: "I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I've started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it's very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you're ever portioning things out for a recipe."
Promising review: "This is the second spiralizer that I have purchased, and by far the best I have used. It's super easy to use and to clean. My other spiralizer that I had was difficult to clean properly and I want to use they as often as possible so the use and cleaning of the product is very important! Fullstar Vegetable Spiralizer is a great product and I will be purchasing more to give as gifts for the holiday season. I would definitely recommend. A+++ item." —Yvonne I
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (also available in four- and six-in-one styles).
35. Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer with a cushion applicator that makes it easy for you to conceal any blemishes or dark circles before you head out for another day of making the world believe you totally did *not* stay up binge-watching your latest Netflix obsession.
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it: "TBH, at the start of the pandemic I started using this myself (although this is former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe."
Promising review: "Throughout high school I never knew how to do makeup. But then I heard this product was the absolute best on TikTok. And trust me, they were not lying. It has really good coverage and hides my 'raccoon eyes.' And the best part is that a little bit goes a long way. So if you’re starting out or want to try something new I definitely recommend you try this out." —Liela Lee
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $7.60+ (available in 18 shades).
36. A hair thinner and cutter for all those times you've put off stopping by the salon for a trim (same 🙃). This little helper is great not only for cutting dead ends but *also* for trimming your bangs, maintaining a cut, giving yourself some natural-looking layers, or trimming and styling wigs.
The razor has two edges, a fine tooth one for thin hair textures, and a wider one for thicker hair textures. (FWIW, people also use this on their pets as a quick grooming solution!)
Promising review: "I recently got a pixie haircut, I was hesitant to get one based on the fact that I'd have to get frequent haircuts, the cost of which would add up quickly. I did some research on YouTube and found some videos using the tinkle hair cutter to trim hair in between salon visits. I LOVE this thing! It is easy to give a little trim or a drastic cut, both of which I have done since getting the tinkle cutter. I was very nervous to try it, fearing that I might mess up my hair so I just did a little bit first, but it was easy and only takes off small amounts of hair at a time, remember, I have a pixie cut — if you have long hair it will cut that off! Basically all you have to do is comb your hair in the direction it grows until you're satisfied with the cut. Seven months post pixie haircut and I have only been to the salon once to have a re-shaping done of my hair. I will say that when the cutter feels like it's 'pulling' your hair, it's time to get new razors. I still prefer my pixie cut to be pretty short and assuming I would have to go to the salon once a month for upkeep I have saved $210 since having my hair cut. TOTALLY WORTH IT!" —brandi in louisiana
Get it from Amazon for $3.89.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.