Ultimate 2025 College Shopping List

Written By Colin Wiseman

🎒 The Ultimate 2025 College Shopping List (That’s Actually Useful)

Overwhelmed by what your teen needs for college? 😩 You’re not alone — but don’t worry, we’ve got you.

We pulled together the Ultimate College Shopping List for 2025 based on real student needs, not Pinterest dorm fantasies. Think: practical, modern, and “they’ll actually use it.”

Here’s a few things to know before you get started (and a few extra notes are at the very end!):

  • No, you can’t use anything but tape/command strips on most dorm walls. Leave the drill at home.

  • Think about creative storage solutions: backs of doors, suction cups to windows, bed-attachable storage, in-closet storage hacks

  • ALWAYS coordinate with your roommate on the largest items. Be clear with each other about who will bring/pay for what.

  • Some items - are worth waiting for until the day you move in since you’re not always 100% certain about the configuration of your room or,
    sometimes, its exact size. Some things you see in photos of a dorm actually aren’t movable. Thus, local box stores typically have dorm-room essentials on sale during move-in day. We recommend setting up a shared google doc to coordinate.

🛏️ Dorm Essentials

  • Twin XL sheets (2 sets)

  • Comforter/duvet + cover

  • Pillows (2–3)

  • Twin XL Mattress topper (memory foam or cooling gel)

  • Twin XL Mattress protector

  • Bed risers (with outlets/USB optional)

  • Under-bed storage bins

  • Clip-on reading light

🪞 Room Setup & Decor

  • Full-length mirror

  • Command hooks/strips (LOTS)

  • Desk lamp with USB/USB-C ports

  • Power strip (surge protected, flat plug)

  • LED strip lights or fairy lights

  • Area rug (adds major coziness)

  • Mini toolkit (screwdriver, tape measure, scissors)

  • Fan (box or clip-on, depending on space)

  • Small humidifier (dorm air = dry skin)

🧺 Laundry & Cleaning

  • Pop-up laundry hamper or sturdy basket

  • Detergent pods (easy & spill-proof)

  • Stain remover pen/spray

  • Drying rack (especially for delicate stuff)

  • Disinfecting wipes

  • Paper towels + sponge

  • Mini vacuum or handheld sweeper

  • Air freshener (plug-in or spray)

🧼 Bathroom Stuff (if sharing)

  • Shower caddy (With drainable mesh bottom)

  • Show Flip flops (trust us, this is non-negotiable)

  • Towel sets (2–3 bath, 2 hand, 2 washcloth)

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc.). Toilet paper is typically provided, but
    it depends on how high your standards are for your tush.

  • Hair tools (blow dryer, straightener, etc.)

  • Razor + shaving cream and/or electric razor

    • Guys, for easy clean up we recommend this ultra-useful, time-saving over-the-sink
      shaving net.

  • Nail clippers & tweezers

  • First-aid kit (Band-Aids, neosporin, ibuprofen, rubbing alochol cold meds, etc.)

  • This over-the-door drying rack (doubles as a coat rack!)

🍕 Kitchen & Snacks

Be sure to coordinate with your roommate on this so you don’t double up! 🚨 Many items are not allowed in dorms such
as open-burner, open coil, or open-flame items Send us an email if you have a question about the rules at your school.

  • Mini fridge (check dorm rules!)

  • Microwave (if allowed)

  • Coffee maker or electric kettle

  • At least 2 reusable water bottles.

  • Tight-Sealing Travel Mug

  • Reusable utensils + dishware (bowl, plate, cup, fork/spoon)

  • Microwave-safe containers that can easily fit into a mini-fridge

  • Zip-loc bags or beeswax wraps

  • Favorite snacks: here’s a few of our favorite suggestions

    • Ramen, the classic. But try out the good stuff.

    • Go Macro High-Protein Bars

    • Kodiak Oatmeal, Pancake, and/or Muffin Cups

    • Chomps Beef Jerky Sticks

    • Target Brand Trail Mix (multiple varities)

    • Microwavable Popcorn

  • Perishable Fresh Foods: We’ve found it’s best to to leave perishable, non-refrigerated fresh foods (like fruits and others) to
    grab-and-go campus places like the campus convenience store or dining halls.

  • This Book: The College Dorm Microwave Cook Book

📚 Desk & Study Supplies

  • Laptop + charger

  • Wireless mouse

  • Laptop stand or riser

  • Notebooks or digital tablet (iPad, Remarkable, etc.)

  • Pens, highlighters, sticky notes

  • Headphones (noise-canceling if possible)

  • Printer + paper (if needed, or know your campus options)

  • Utilitarian Backpack or tote bag. We like the website Carryology for smart bag selection.

📱 Tech & Gadgets

  • Phone charger that stays in the room + a 3’ foot cord and a 6 foot cord

  • Phone charge that travels with you + a 3’ foot cord

  • Slim Power bank + a short cord

  • External hard drive or cloud storage such as Apple Cloud.

  • Bluetooth tracker (AirTag, Tile, etc. for keys/luggage). Tip: leave one in your backpack so you’ll never lose it!

👚 Clothing Must-Haves

  • Categorize your clothes: Casual Week Day, Lazy Evening, Work Out, Going-out Outfits, Formal Wear (yes, you’ll
    need something formal sooner than you think you will)?

  • Then, think seasonally: Warm, Mild, Cold, and Hot. Two core questions emerge:

    • What is the climate of your school?

    • Where might you travelto without necessarily going home? For example, your school offers trips to NYC every
      December but you go to school in Miami, FL.

  • Then, think about how it may be hot outside but a classroom, theater, space you’re in might be freezing so be
    prepared with layers: hoodies, flannels, light jackets, scarves)

  • Finally, think about the weather: do you live somewhere where it snows often or rains often? You may need snow
    shows or a rain coat.

  • Pajamas/loungewear you don’t mind people seeing you in

  • Workout gear

  • Special outdoor gear if your campus/campus area allows like swim suits, rock climbing shoes, or hiking boots.

  • Undergarments + socks (lots)

  • Shoes: sneakers, slides, boots, shower shoes

🧠 Mental & Emotional Wellbeing

  • Comfort item from home

  • Photos of family/friends/pets

  • Pre-made List of things that you like to do when you’re feeling down

  • Deck of cards, favorite board games, or outdoor games like work-out gear, frisbee, basketball, etc.

🗂️ Important Docs (physical & digital)

  • Student ID

  • Health insurance card

  • Bank account info + debit card

  • Any prescriptions (with refills arranged)

  • Passport (if studying abroad possible)

  • Emergency contacts list

  • Course Schedule

  • Car Insurance

  • Parking Pass

✨  “Nice-to-Haves” That Become Lifesavers

  • Door stop (great for making new friends)

  • Attachable Dorm Bed Storage/Organizer (particularly useful if you have the top bunk!) | Try This One

  • Spotify Subscription

  • Audible Subscription (Why not listen to your books?)

  • Headspace Meditation Subscription (for chilling out)

  • Smart Speaker such as Google Home/Amazon Alexa (great for setting timers without pulling out a phone and answering those random questions" like “what is 3,900 x 88”!)

  • Noise machine

Two final notes about shopping:

  • Think SMALL, think PORTABLE, think FOLDABLE, think COLLAPSABLE, think SPACE SAVING. This isn’t suburbia - and you have to split this space 50/50 with a roommate. As you shop, always do a little extra searching to see if there’s some way to save a little extra space with your choices.

  • Be Frugal: It’s hard to see it now but some of this stuff will get used all four years of college and some of it you’ll never see again after the first year so don’t think you have to break the bank for the most expensive items. A good approach is this: ask yourself “Could I reasonably see myself still using this still after I graduate college?” If the answer is yes, buy what you want. If there answer is no, don’t break the bank for it.

Colin Wiseman