These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (2023)

You've been working on your dorm decor Pinterest board since freshman year of high school. But as strings of twinkle lights danced through your head, you might have spaced on the somewhat boring, but still really important everyday necessities. Of course, dorm decor like photos, posters, and bedding are key to personalizing your space and making it feel your own, but dorm essentials such as a shower tote, laundry bag, and extra storage cubes should definitely not be overlooked and will help you seamlessly adjust to small-space living. Thankfully, your fairy god RAs (hi, that's us! 👋) are here to save the day with a packing list filled with all the best dorm room essentials.

You might rather daydream about your new college wardrobe, but trust us, every single thing on this list will help you survive and thrive in your first year at college. Forget the last-minute Target runs or expedited Amazon purchases, because come move-in day, you'll be more than prepared with this stock of dorm room essentials. Ahead, shop Seventeen's top dorm room picks aka every can't-live-without item you need to have in your new space.

DormCo The College Cube Desk Bookshelf

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (1)

DormCo The College Cube Desk Bookshelf

Now 12% Off

All that open space above your desk is just waiting to be filled with text books, picture frames, and lots of beauty products. This shelf will help you pull it off.

Dormify Lexi 7 Pocket Shower Tote

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (2)

Dormify Lexi 7 Pocket Shower Tote

All we have to say is: do not buy a shower caddy without a mesh bottom. Seriously, don't. It'll get filled with mold and dirt, so not at all something you'd want near you while you're trying to get clean.

Urban Outfitters Printed Sherpa Throw Blanket

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (3)

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (4)

Urban Outfitters Printed Sherpa Throw Blanket

Now 29% Off

Dorm rooms can get drafty, and you'll be happy to have a cozy throw blanket at the end of your bed for those cooler nights or late-night study sessions.

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House Ur Home Bamboo Bedside Shelf

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (5)

House Ur Home Bamboo Bedside Shelf

$40 at Amazon

(Video) The Classes I Took My Freshman Year of High School #shorts

How many phone chargers is too many? The limit does not exist! Add two more USB ports to your collection with this functional clip-on night stand. The tray is 14" x 9" — plenty of space to store your glasses, phone, journal, remote, and your preferred midnight snack.

Aerie Smoko Heated Potato Slippers

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (6)

Aerie Smoko Heated Potato Slippers

These potato slippers protect your feet from those chilly tile dorm floors, but if you’re looking to get super cozy, plug them into any compatible USB port (like your computer or laptop) to heat them up in seconds. And, we don't know if we made this point clear, but they're slippers shaped like potatoes. Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

DREAMCARE Twin XL Sheets

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (7)

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (8)

DREAMCARE Twin XL Sheets

For some reason they make dorm beds much longer than your average twin, so you've got to buy specialty sheets to match. Along with the extra inches, this set also comes in a ton of different colors and it has a built-in pocket for your phone.

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Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag 4-Pack

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (9)

Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag 4-Pack

Let us be clear, we are NOT taking single-use plastic with us into college. You'll save the planet (and some money too) with these squishy baggies you can use for years and years. Pack them with fruit, cookies, chips, lipstick, and pencils – they'll hold any and all school essentials.

Impressions Vanity Touch Pro LED Makeup Mirror With Bluetooth & USB Charger

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (10)

Impressions Vanity Touch Pro LED Makeup Mirror With Bluetooth & USB Charger

Turn your desk into a glam station with this ring light mirror (which, btw comes with a charger and Bluetooth speaker for hands-free phone calls).

Dormify Multicolored LED Strip Lights

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (11)

Dormify Multicolored LED Strip Lights

(Video) How to Get Better Grades Without Studying More

You probably already have a set of these LED lights strung around your bedroom at home, so invest in a second to keep those exact vibes in your dorm room.

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JanSport Surplus Laundry Bag

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (12)

JanSport Surplus Laundry Bag

TBH, lots of your time in college will be spent doing laundry. You need a sturdy, roomy bag that can fit like a month's worth of dirty clothes. This option from JanSport, made from surplus materials, does all that and more. It features a handle, adjustable shoulder straps, a zippered mesh pocket and a drawstring outer pocket to hold your money, keys, and fabric softener sheets. Plus, it comes in five cute prints and colors.

Bissell FeatherWeight™ Stick Bagless Vacuum

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (13)

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (14)

Bissell FeatherWeight™ Stick Bagless Vacuum

You probably never even thought to add this to your shopping list, but between study seshes and 2 am trips to the vending machine, a vacuum cleaner is a requirement. This under-$40 mini has a full portfolio of 5-star reviews to rival the $250 versions. You can use it as a standing cleaner or break it down into a handheld vacuum.

Linenspa 2-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (15)

Linenspa 2-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

By the time you sit down on your mattress come moving day, it's probably already been slept on by years worth of students, and tbh, usually isn't very comfortable. Soooo yeah, you're gonna want to get a mattress pad. This version combines the best options: memory foam infused with a cooling gel (and it's a #1 bestseller on Amazon). Believe me, this thing will make your dorm bed more comfortable than your bed at home.

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Amazon Basics Non-Slip Clothes Hangers

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (16)

Amazon Basics Non-Slip Clothes Hangers

Luckily, you won't have to stuff all of your clothes in drawers and storage bins. You'll likely have some hanging closet space in your dorm room, so take advantage with these slim, no-slip hangers that can hold your most precious items in place all year long.

Dormify Sutton Charging 3-Drawer Cart on Wheels

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (17)

Dormify Sutton Charging 3-Drawer Cart on Wheels

You need all the storage space in your college dorm for clothes, books, and other necessities. With three drawers and two shelves this is the perfect addition. Place it next to your bed for easy access to the built-in USB ports and outlets, or wheel it over to a more convenient spot for you and your roomie.

UncommonGoods Bedside Essentials Pocket

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (18)

UncommonGoods Bedside Essentials Pocket

Now 25% Off

Just like your favorite dress, those tiny dorm beds are so much better with pockets. This felt version will hold your iPad, notebook, phone, snacks, and more.

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Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (19)

Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones

Now 15% Off

AirPods are great, but you'll be glad you invested in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones when your next door neighbor is bumping house music at 1 am on a Tuesday. Just don't wear them to bed, because the fire alarms will go off like all the time.

Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (20)

Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth

$30 at Hydro Flask

(Video) The Worst School Supplies

Did you know Americans us 35 billion single-use plastic bottles a year? Well, this reusable bottle will help you lower that number. All Hydro Flask bottles come with their insulated, no-sweat design that keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot up to 12, but we picked this bottle specifically, because of the cute neon color.

Urban Outfitters Ivy Vine String Lights

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (21)

Urban Outfitters Ivy Vine String Lights

Cozy up your dorm room with a cottagecore aesthetic, made complete with these ivy-accented fairy lights. These are remote-controlled, and offer eight different settings.

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HOLDN’ STORAGE Bed Risers with Power Outlet and USB Ports

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (22)

HOLDN’ STORAGE Bed Risers with Power Outlet and USB Ports

Between your phone, laptop, TV, speaker, desk lamp, straightener, curling wand, and tablet – you need all the outlets you can get. Add two more to your room (plus two USB ports) with these bed riders, which come in 5-inch and 7.25-inch height. These will offer a little extra lift, so you've got more storage room under your bed because let's face it, the closet will not be big enough.

Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (23)

Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

Now 14% Off

You probably already have a cute backpack on your school shopping list, but we're drop this baby on here anyway. For the 2023-2024 school year, the Kanken pack remains one of the trendiest option.

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (24)

Kelsey Stiegman

Senior Style Editor

Kelsey is Seventeen.com's fashion expert and resident Harry Potter nerd. At the office, she spends her day writing about style, beauty, and literally every move Kylie Jenner makes. On the weekends, you can find her sifting through vintage shops and hunting for the perfect burger. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.

These Items Will Make Your Freshman Year of College SO Much Easier (25)

Leah Campano

Associate Editor

Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.

(Video) the ultimate dorm packing guide // what to bring & what to leave at home

FAQs

What to expect freshman year of college? ›

New experiences, new friends.

You may also experience homesickness. To gain a sense of belonging, attend freshmen orientation activities, get involved in extracurricular activities, and find a part-time job. It's important to stay busy and meet new people.

Why freshmen year of college is so hard? ›

Freshman Year Can Be Hard for Many Reasons

While there are rules in college, suddenly you have to figure things out for yourself. No one makes you do your homework during freshman year. Assignments are rarely daily during freshman year, and it's unusual to have to sit quizzes on the previous night's reading.

Is first year of college hard? ›

You may be surprised to learn that many students fail academically in their first year of college. One-third of freshmen students don't make it to their sophomore year. That's a huge number, and it worries everyone concerned with higher education.

What do college freshman struggle with? ›

Depression. The stress and anxiety you may face as a college freshman may lead to the development of depression. Developing depression is common among many freshmen. The stress from balancing both academics and your social life may lead to feeling extremely overwhelmed.

Why is the freshman year of college so important? ›

Your freshman year can account for a significant portion of grades that matter to starting your career. Top companies can have early recruitment programs that begin identifying prospective students and looking at grades as early as your sophomore year.

What to expect when you go to college? ›

In college, you will be expected to understand and remember what you read. You will also be asked to draw conclusions, form opinions, and evaluate the ideas of others. Follow Your Syllabi Carefully! Often your class grade will depend heavily on tests and key assignments.

What is the best way to prepare for college? ›

How To Prepare For College — College Readiness Guide
  1. Start Planning for College Now!
  2. Take the Right High School Classes to Prepare for College.
  3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities.
  4. Keep an Extracurricular Record.
  5. Get to Know your High School Guidance Counselor.
  6. Build Relationships with Mentors.

Is it common to fail a college class? ›

Failing a class in college is common. At The Ohio State University, around 10% of undergraduates retake a failed class every year. That means more than 1 in 10 undergrads fail a class (since not every student repeats a failed class).

What happens if you fail a class in college freshman year? ›

GPA consequences

Generally speaking, if you fail a class in college, you'll receive an “F” on your transcript. That “F” will negatively affect your GPA (grade point average) for the semester as well as your CPGA, or cumulative grade point average.

What is the hardest class in college? ›

Here 12 Of The Toughest College Classes:
  • Calculus.
  • Quantum Mechanics / Physics.
  • Philosophy / Metaphysics.
  • Thermodynamics.
  • Statistics.
  • Theory.
  • English Literature.
  • Psychology.
Apr 19, 2023

How stressful is freshman year of college? ›

Leaving home for college can stressful for first-year college students. Feelings of depression, isolation, homesickness and loneliness are quite common among freshman. Research shows that as many as 75 percent of college freshman reported feelings of loneliness their first two weeks of school.

Is it normal to feel overwhelmed freshman year of college? ›

It is completely normal to feel lonely, maybe even depressed, and overwhelmed as you head back to school, but you don't have to sit in those feelings for too long,” said Parsons. “To ease the stress of heading to college, get familiar with the resources your campus has to offer and use them.”

What year is usually the hardest in college? ›

Although junior year often holds the most challenging classes, it is not always the most difficult. Students are able to take what they have learned from their previous two years of schooling to better prepare themselves for the more strenuous classes.

What is the biggest challenge for college freshman? ›

So it is best to try to notice minor mess-ups early on and catch them before it becomes a bigger issue.
  • Roommate Issues. Every college student will have to deal with roommate issues sooner or later. ...
  • Staying Healthy. ...
  • Time Management. ...
  • Never Enough Money. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Resources That Can Help.

How can I help a struggling college freshman? ›

Here are my 5 tips that you can share with your student who is struggling with that one tough class.
  1. Talk to the Professor. UVicLibraries. ...
  2. Talk to an Academic Advisor. ...
  3. Seek Help at the Tutoring Center. ...
  4. Form a Study Group. ...
  5. Practice Better Time Management.

Why do students struggle in college? ›

Not Adequately Taking Responsibility. College freshmen, when facing poor academic results, tend to look for places they can deflect the blame. They may cite poor instructors, noisy dorms, lack of time, or not being graded in a fair manner. Poor grades, in hindsight, could generally have been avoided.

What is the average GPA after freshman year of college? ›

The average college GPA is a 3.1 – or B average. This number has increased over time because of grade inflation. So, if your GPA is higher than that number, it could be beneficial to include on your resume as means to set you apart from the competition.

Is a 3.5 freshman year good? ›

What Is a Good GPA in High School? The average high school GPA is around 3.0, or a B average. This also happens to be the minimum requirement for many college scholarships, though a 3.5 or higher is generally preferable. GPA plays a key role in college admissions.

How many hours should a college freshman have? ›

While it might seem strange, for many students it's better to take about 15 credits in their first semester. This is recommended because 12 credits are usually the minimum to be considered a full-time student at the college.

Are college freshmen lonely? ›

Loneliness is a common problem among college students, especially those who are beginning their first year. But that does not make it any easier to cope with.

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