Coming into my freshman year, I heard plenty of different stories about what I should and should not buy. After a year or so of experience, I learned the hard way that a lot of what you are told you will need is not actually necessary at all. Here’s a comprehensive list of things I bought before coming to UMass that, in all honesty, I feel like I totally wasted my money on.
- Any kind of paper planner
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This one, all I have to say is just… no. Every year I go through the same cycle of “I’m going to buy a planner and be organized this year!” and then I realize that I have never once used a planner. Ever. I think the idea of a planner is super cute and I totally get how writing things down might be helpful to some people, however, I always end up discarding my planner after week two of the semester. I also never check it for homework and then end up missing assignments.
Why I don’t recommend this: It is not very practical and it isn’t always convenient to use.
What I’d buy instead: Nothing. Save your money and just use Google Calendar.
- too many Mugs
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I know this one is probably a hot take, but just hear me out for a second. I love mugs just as much as the next guy, and I’m not saying mugs should be eradicated from college campuses at all. I’m saying this because I have a mug problem. I love mugs a bit too much and they crowd my space. I basically only own mugs, and it was a little humbling to have to use a Spiderman mug I won at an arcade 5 years ago just to drink water my freshman year.
Why I don’t recommend this: You won’t own any cups to drink anything besides tea. Or coffee.
What I’d buy instead: One of those 50-cent water cups from Target. Perhaps a thrifted glassware set. Literally anything else besides more mugs.
- a Tote bag for class
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I actually used a tote bag for the entire first year and most of last semester and it destroyed my back, so if anyone knows about this it’s me. I finally decided to be an adult and get a backpack this semester and it has changed the way I walk to class. The tote bag is super cute but it is not worth the back and shoulder pain. It also has nowhere to put a water bottle and no pocket for your computer.
Why I don’t recommend this: You will look cute… but it’s at a cost.
What I’d buy instead: A cute backpack and maybe some pins. You don’t have to wear a tote bag to be adorable on campus (you are cute already)!
- a “sit-up-in-bed” pillow
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I have never seen someone buy this and use it consistently. Maybe I just reside in a social group of sit-up-in-bed pillow haters, but it is super chunky and takes up way too much space. It is also just difficult to use, especially on a twin bed that already doesn’t have a lot of breathing room. I did not even end up bringing mine to school my freshman year because I decided I was better off without it.
Why I don’t recommend this: It isn’t as comfortable as you think it will be, it is very chunky, and it encourages you to do work in bed.
What I’d buy instead: A really soft cushion or pillow (or both!) for the awful chairs UMass provides with the desks.
- LED Light strips
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I completely understand the appeal of these. They are super cute, you can light up your room any color, and they look great if you’re going to have people over. However, I saw one TikTok about how silverfish can live in them and it completely turned me off of them. I never ended up putting them in my dorm, but I know people who did who have had the light strips rip off the paint on the wall trying to get them off. I really just don’t think that these are worth it and I don’t love the look of them when they’re turned off.
Why I don’t recommend this: It damages your walls and you might have to pay a fee. Also, bugs.
What I’d buy instead: Fairy lights you can hang up with command hooks and/or a couple of lamps such as a sunlight lamp!
Even though these are things I feel like I wasted money on, they might be a right fit for you! Take what I say with a grain of salt and buy what you want for your dorm room; everyone has a different opinion on dorm decor. Freshman year will be an awesome time for you no matter what your dorm looks like.
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