Freshman Year Essentials

Going into freshman year can be extremely overwhelming. Especially when it comes to trying to figure out what to buy and bring to what will most likely be a tiny box of a dorm. Luckily, I’ve surpassed that time of my life, and now have the knowledge to help you brainstorm some ideas of the essentials you should bring!

1. Shower Caddy/shower shoes

These may seem like very simple items to bring, but trust me, these are an absolute must to bring to college. Let’s just say college communal showers aren’t the cleanest places in the world. You definitely don’t want your feet or your shower products to be touching that floor, so these provide that extra barrier. They are probably the most used item out of what I brought, and what I found to be the most helpful. Specifically, for the shower caddy, I’d recommend a plastic one, as it doesn’t get moldy like the mesh ones can. Both of these items are relatively inexpensive and can be found at very basic stores like Dollar Tree or Target. 

2. good walking shoes

This was most definitely something that I didn’t think would be that big of a deal, but my mother heavily emphasized. So glad I listened to her. The number of steps you take in college is absolutely nothing compared to what you get in high school. I used to be an avid converse wearer, but my heels quickly learned they just were not sustainable for this amount of walking. So investing in a good pair of shoes can be really helpful for coming into college. Personally, I’d really recommend New Balance or any gym shoe. 

3. desk organizers

I found these to be extremely helpful. At least where I go to school, the desks are moderately spacious, but when you take into consideration lamps, makeup, decor, and pen holders, it really takes up a lot of space. So these really helped everything look much neater and allowed for more space for me to work.

4. Hanging closet shelves

I absolutely loved these. I believe I found them on Amazon. They’re great because they lie vertically and you can just hang them up in the closet. They provide extra storage, which is always a must in those tiny dorms. 

5. laundry backpack

As silly as these look when you wear them, I found them to be very helpful. They hold a pretty large amount of clothes and fit relatively well wherever you put them. I still use them now as a sophomore. Overall, they hold up well and are good for traveling back and forth. 

Obviously, there are a ton more things to bring for your freshman year. These are just some of the top things that I thought were crucial for mine. Hopefully, this brings you some inspiration for your lists!