Shopping for the first years of college can be tricky for students and parents as there are so many essential items to remember to buy. Many students choose to live on campus for their first few years of college and describe the transition from living at home to campus a pretty major change.
To help ensure a smoother transition, we came up with a handy checklist of back-to-school essentials that will help your student take on their first year(s) of college with ease.
Bathroom Essentials: Whether your student has suite style living or community bathrooms for each floor, these items are necessary for keeping things clean and organized.
- Shower Caddy
- Towel and Wash Cloth Set
- Small Shower Mat
- Broom & Dustpan/Mop & Bucket
- Soap
- Soap Bar Holder
- Lotion
- Cleaning Supplies (Shower Cleaner, Lysol Disinfectant, etc.)
- Toothbrush
- Air Fresheners
- Travel Toothbrush Holder
- Face Wash
- Shower Shoes/Slippers
Kitchen/Dining Essentials: A typical dorm room may not have a kitchen, but for those who live in on-campus apartments, we added a few dining basics to get them through the years.
- Pots/Pans
- Serving & Cooking Utensils (Spatula, Ladle, Tongs, etc.)
- Drinks, Food, and Snacks of your choice
- Mini Fridge
- Microwave
- Cups
- Silverware (or plastic)
- Cups (Glass or Plastic)
- Tupperware
- Ziploc Bags
- Mini Trashcan
- Trash Bags
- Dish Detergent & Sponge
Bedroom Essentials: Prepare your student for a good night’s sleep (and an organized closet) with these bedroom basics.
- Bedding Set (usually Twin or Twin XL)
- Pillows (&cases)
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Surges (similar to extension cords) & surge protectors
- Hangers
- Command Strips (For hanging pictures, boards, etc.)
- Desk Lamp
- Personal Fan
- Storage Bins
- Mini Vacuum Cleaner
- Laundry Detergent & Dryer Sheets
- Laundry Basket
- HDMI Cord (for computer)
- Cable Cord
- Television
In the Classroom: Get prepared for classes with this list of essentials plus some ideas to help keep your student on their “A” game each semester.
- Laptop & Charger
- Alarm Clock
- Dry Erase Board & Markers
- Calendar
- Weekly Planner
- Notebooks (plenty)
- Pens/Pencils
- Highlighters
- Flash Cards (The best for finals & midterms)
- Sticky Notes
- Binder
- Permanent Markers
- Stapler
- Tape
- White Out
- Calculator
- Book bag
- Printer
- Ink Cartridges
- Printer Paper
Textbooks: As obvious as textbooks might sound, many families are not aware of the costs associated with buying college textbooks. Look for deals on Amazon for textbook rentals or purchases.
Gift Cards: Consider giving a variety of gift cards. Check Raise or Gift Card Mall for gift card deals at 100s of merchants or purchase some pre-paid gift cards so your student has a little extra padding for emergencies.
These stores are a great place to start for discounts and cash back on all your back to school purchases:
Walmart, Target, Kmart, Office Depot/Office Max, Lenovo, AT&T, American Eagle Outfitters, Sears, Aéropostale Macy’s JcPenneys, Kohl’s & Bed Bath & Beyond
With the right tools in hand, your students will be prepared to take on challenges. What is your favorite store to shop for dorm-room essentials?