Do you have a kid heading off to college this year? If they will be staying in the college dorms, you need to discover the dorm room essentials that kids want.
My son is heading to college, and we have been busy shopping for dorm room items. My son did extensive research on the college dorm room essentials, and at first, his list was huge. My son's college shopping list had some unique items that I vetoed, like an air purifier, an air fryer, and a coffee maker. Those are items that he would not use, and we only have so much space in the car.
College dorm rooms are not that big, so we made his shopping list for college smaller. The end list for items for his dorm had items that I knew were important for college. Below are some of the items that made my son's list of dorm room essentials that college kids want.
Dorm Room Essentials That College Kids Need
These are some of the items that were must-haves items that my son wanted for college. They are items that we have purchased for my son to take to college.
1. Mattress Topper with Straps
Dorm room mattresses are not the best to sleep on, as most are uncomfortable. A mattress topper is a must for the dorm room. Sleep is important, and your child needs a comfortable bed. A mattress topper will make any hard mattress feel more comfortable. When shopping for a topper for a mattress dorm bed, do not go cheap. The cheaper ones will not last all four years.
Another must for buying a mattress topper is to make sure it has straps. Most college mattresses are encased in vinyl, so the straps will keep the topper from moving around. Another thing to consider is the mattress topper size. Get the twin XL as that is the standard bed size for college dorms.
We went with the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex 201 Cooling Mattress Topper as I liked that it had natural antimicrobial properties that help protect against bacteria, allergens, and odors, ensuring a healthier sleep space. Dorm mattresses are reused every year, so the copper-infused memory foam made perfect sense. I also liked that it had a removable cover.
The Brooklyn Cooling Mattress Topper also has advanced airflow technology, so it stays cool all night. This topper is also made with high-density memory foam, which contours to the body. This is a mattress topper that will not only make the dorm room bed more comfortable, but it will last all 4 years of college.
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2. Bed Organizer Caddy
College kids are always connected to their phones, and many of them use their phones as an alarm. So my son wanted something to attach to the bed for his phone. So a bed organizer caddy was a good option for his phone, especially since he was going to have his bed lofted.
This bedside storage bag holds daily essentials like books, phones, tablets, snacks, glasses, and more. Simply hang it on the headboard or any preferred spot to save space and keep your items neatly organized. Since the caddy has pockets, the phone will not fall from the bed. This bed organizer is super easy to attach to the bed and has many pockets in different sizes.
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3. Shower Tote
Most college dorms have shared bathrooms down the hall from the dorm room. So kids will need to bring all their personal care items with them when they take showers or get ready for bed. Having a shower tote to carry all of their items is a must. Look for one that can hold several bottles and other items.
This 2-in-1 Shower Caddy for dorms includes multiple compartments and a single caddy that fits inside the compartments to help you save space. The removable mini caddy is great if you only have smaller items to transport. Both caddies are plastic with built-in handles and have numerous drainage holes to help remove excess water. The durable plastic construction is strong enough to hold shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, and more. It can carry everything you need for your bathroom trip.
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4. Hanging Closet Organizer
College dorms lack storage space for clothes and shoes. So a hanging closet organizer is a must for dorm rooms. Look for one that folds up for easy transportation to college. While those wooden cube storage organizers are nice, they can be too big to fit in the car to take to college move-in day.
The closet hanging storage allows you to have more space in your closet. It has six shelf units that can hold items like clothes, shoes, and more. I like that it folds up when not in use for easy storage. If space allows, buy two of these organizers for maximum storage.
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5. Electric Toothbrush
College kids will love this electric toothbrush as it will help them with their dental hygiene. Having clean teeth is important for overall health, and this toothbrush will encourage college students to brush their teeth.
The Brushmo Super Sonic Electric Toothbrush has 5 customizable brushing modes. College kids can choose from Clean, White, Sensitive, Gum Care, and Deep Clean. The toothbrush has 33,600 brush strokes per minute, which is superior for plaque removal and surface stain reduction. The product also has a built-in 2-minute timer to help kids for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.
The device has 30 days of battery life on a single charge. The best part about this toothbrush is that it is waterproof, so college kids can use it in the shower, for great multitasking. The toothbrush comes with 4 replaceable heads, and it is available in many colors at an affordable price of under $40.
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6. Protein Bars
After a long night of staying up late studying, college kids may oversleep and not have time for breakfast before class. Send them to college with plenty of nutritious grab-and-go breakfast items. Make sure that they are shelf-stable.
My son loves Nugo Dark Chocolate Nutrition Bars for on-the-go breakfast meals. His favorite flavors are the dark chocolate pretzel and the dark chocolate peanut butter cup. These bars are loaded with protein and other healthy nutrients. The bars are gluten-free and vegan.
Grab 12 Nugo Bars for $15 with free shipping
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7. Instant Meals
There may be times when your college kid is too busy with homework and doesn't have time to visit the cafeteria for a meal. The cafeteria may even be closed with hunger strikes. So make sure to pack complete meals that they can quickly make anytime of day.
Huel has many options for complete meals that can be made in under 5 minutes. From a hot and savory meal, cups that just need hot water, to delicious meal replacement drinks, Huel is a complete meal that is loaded with plenty of protein and nutrition.
My favorites are the chili hot and savory meal that cooks in five minutes and the salted caramel meal drink that only needs water. Huel is a complete meal that is loaded with vegan protein and perfect for when you are pressed for time. These delicious meals come in a huge variety of flavors.
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8. Unscented Laundry Packs
Your students will have to start doing their own laundry at college, so send them off to college with plenty of laundry detergent. Make laundry day easier by packing laundry sheets or laundry packs. That way, they don't have to lug around a heavy detergent bottle.
Charlie's Soap Laundry Packets are perfect for college dorms. The concentrated fragrance-free laundry is packaged in small pods that are easy to toss into the washing machine. Kids won't have to measure or worry about messes. The pods clean all fabric types and also help prevent color fading.
Charlie Soap Laundry packs are made from natural ingredients and are safe for the environment. The fragrance-free formula is ideal for those with sensitive skin and fragrance issues. Since dorm laundry rooms are a shared space, this is an ideal detergent. Choosing fragrance-free products helps create healthier indoor air, cleaner water, and a less polluted planet for everyone.
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9. Storage Containers
Storage containers are perfect for college dorms. They can be used for packing for college and then once your child gets to college, they make great storage containers. These containers can store out-of-season clothes, snacks, and extra personal care items.
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10. Portable Lockbox
College kids need a way to store and secure items like cash, credit cards, and other items. While a safe may be the best idea, it can be too big for a dorm room. A portable lockbox is the perfect size for items that need to be locked up.
This durable metal cash box features a reliable key lock with 2 entry keys for maximum security. While it is made for cash, it can hold other items. Its small size is also perfect for hiding it in the dorm room. This locking portable safe is durable and has a carry handle.
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These are just some of the many items that my son is bringing to school with him. Other items that need to be on the college packing list are first aid supplies, cold medicine, school supplies, a desk lamp, chargers, and so much more. My advice to parents is don't overpack. If they forgot something, you can always send it to them from the many online shopping services.
What college dorm essentials would you add to this list?
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