It’s easy to forget things when you’re packing for college—until you actually need them.
Some stuff doesn’t seem important at first, but once you’re in your dorm, dealing with classes, and figuring out daily life, you’ll wish you had it.
This isn’t just another list of ‘college essentials.’
These are things students regret not bringing. Pack smart now so you don’t end up stuck later
At the end, they’re 6 extra items you may want to get as well.
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39 Things You'll Regret Not Taking to College as a Freshman
1. A Power Strip with Surge Protection
Dorm rooms never have enough outlets, and they’re always in the worst spots.
A power strip lets you charge everything in one place, and surge protection keeps your stuff safe from random power surges.
2. A Long Phone Charger (At Least Six Feet)
Dorm beds are often lofted, and the nearest outlet might be across the room.
A long charger means you can use your phone in bed without hanging off the side like you’re in an action movie.
3. Shower Shoes (Trust Me, You Need Them)
If you have a shared bathroom, do not step into that shower barefoot.
It doesn’t matter how clean it looks. Flip-flops or cheap rubber slides will save you from whatever bacteria is lurking there.
4. A Laundry Hamper with Wheels or Straps
You might think, “I’ll just use a regular basket.” That’s cute—until you’re carrying a heavy pile of clothes down three flights of stairs.
A hamper with wheels or a hamper with backpack straps makes laundry day less of a workout.
5. A Mattress Topper (Because Dorm Mattresses Are Trash)
College mattresses are thin, stiff, and have been used by who-knows-how-many people before you.
A good mattress topper turns your bed from “prison cot” to “actually comfortable.”
6. A Small Fan (Even If Your Dorm Has AC)
Dorms get stuffy, AC doesn’t always work, and some buildings don’t even have it.
A small fan keeps your room cool and helps block out noise from your loud neighbors.
7. A First Aid Kit (You Won’t Think About This Until You Need It)
You will get paper cuts, blisters, or random headaches at 2 AM.
Having Band-Aids, pain relievers, and cold medicine ready will save you a miserable trip to the store when you’re sick.
So, get that first aid kit.
8. A Clip-On Bedside Caddy (If You Have a Lofted Bed)
If your bed is raised, you won’t have a nightstand.
A clip-on caddy holds your phone, water bottle, glasses, or whatever else you need within reach.
9. Noise-cancelling headphones or Earplugs
Dorms are loud.
Whether it’s your roommate playing music, people in the hall screaming at 2 AM, or construction outside, you’ll need a way to block out noise when you’re studying or sleeping, and noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
LYSIAN Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
10. A Mini Vacuum or Handheld Broom
Dorm rooms collect dust and crumbs fast. A mini vacuum or handheld broom keeps things clean without taking up much space.
11. A Brita Water Filter (Because Dorm Water Tastes Like Rust)
Most dorm water is questionable at best. A small Brita pitcher or water bottle with a filter makes sure you’re drinking clean, fresh water.
12. A Small Tool Kit (Yes, Really)
At some point, you’ll need to fix something—whether it’s assembling furniture, tightening a loose screw, or opening a battery compartment.
A small toolkit with a screwdriver and some basic tools will save the day.
13. A Lint Roller
Your clothes will get covered in lint, hair, or dust. A lint roller keeps you looking presentable before class or an interview.
14. A Foldable Drying Rack
Some clothes shrink in the dryer, and some dorms don’t have enough machines. A foldable drying rack lets you air-dry clothes in your room without draping them over every chair.
15. A Small Safe or Lockbox
Your laptop, passport, or other valuables need a secure spot. Roommates and visitors come and go—having a lockbox gives you peace of mind.
16. A Door Stopper
Propping your door open is the easiest way to make friends in the first few weeks. A simple door stopper keeps your door open without breaking the hinges.
17. Extra Long Shower Curtain and Tension Rod
If you have a suite-style bathroom, the shower curtain they provide is usually *too short*, meaning water gets everywhere. Bring your own longer curtain to avoid a flooded floor.
18. Dish Soap and a Sponge
Even if you only have a few dishes, they need to be washed. Don’t wait until your room smells like spoiled milk to realize you should’ve brought dish soap.
19. A Mini Sewing Kit
You will rip a shirt, pop a button, or have a loose thread at some point. A basic sewing kit saves you from having to replace perfectly good clothes.
20. A Heated Blanket (For Freezing Dorms)
Dorm buildings are either too hot or *way too cold*. A heated blanket keeps you warm without needing to blast the heat and dry out your skin.
21. Command Hooks and Strips (Lots of Them)
Dorm walls are terrible for hanging things. Command hooks and strips let you hang decorations, towels, or bags without damaging the walls (or losing your deposit).
22. A Small Steamer (Instead of an Iron and Board)
Wrinkled clothes make you look sloppy, but dorms don’t have ironing boards. A small handheld steamer gets rid of wrinkles *fast* and takes up way less space.
23. A White Noise Machine (Or an App)
If you’re a light sleeper, a white noise machine (or a free phone app) can drown out hallway noise and help you sleep better.
24. Extra Socks and Underwear
You’ll run out faster than you think, and laundry isn’t always convenient. Bring more than you think you need.
25. A Full-Length Mirror
Some dorms don’t have them, and trying to check your outfit in a tiny bathroom mirror is a struggle. A cheap, over-the-door mirror fixes that.
26. A Laundry Stain Remover Stick
Spills happen, and you won’t always have time to do laundry right away. A stain remover stick can save your favorite shirt from permanent damage.
27. Ziplock Bags (For Literally Everything)
They’re useful for storing snacks, organizing small items, or keeping toiletries from leaking in your bag. You won’t realize how much you need them until you do.
28. A Reusable Grocery Bag
Plastic bags are annoying, and you’ll need something to carry groceries or random items around campus. A reusable bag folds up small but comes in handy often.
29. A Portable Phone Battery Pack
Your phone will die at the worst possible times—during class, on the way to work, or at an event.
A portable charger saves you from being stranded with no battery.
30. A Quality Umbrella
You might not think about it until you’re running to class in the rain, completely soaked.
A small, sturdy umbrella is easy to keep in your bag and will save you from spending the day in wet clothes.
31. A Light Quality Raincoat
Some days, an umbrella isn’t enough—especially when it’s windy or you’re in a rush.
A light raincoat keeps you dry without the hassle of carrying anything. It’s also useful for quick walks across campus when the rain isn’t too heavy.
32. Insulated water bottle
You’ll be out for hours, running between classes, studying, and trying to find time to eat.
A regular water bottle won’t keep your drink cold (or hot), and you’ll end up spending way too much on campus drinks. Get one that actually keeps your drink the right temperature all day.
33. Fabric refresher spray
Dorm rooms trap smells. Clothes, blankets, furniture—it all starts to smell stale after a while. A quick spray helps keep things fresh when laundry isn’t happening anytime soon.
34. Electric kettle
If your dorm allows it, don’t even think twice. Instant coffee, tea, oatmeal, ramen—you’ll use it more than you expect, especially when it’s late and the dining hall is closed.
35. Microwave-safe cooking containers
You’d probably want to get a regular bowl because , “Why not?” And there’s nothing wrong with that—until it’s scalding hot, flimsy, or straight-up melts.
Get containers that can handle the microwave without turning into a mess.
36. Basic cooking tools
You don’t need a full kitchen setup, but a mini cutting board, a decent knife, and a can opener? Non-negotiable.
You don’t want to be the person stabbing a can with scissors because you didn’t bring an opener.
37. Reusable food containers
If your dining hall lets you take food to go, this will save you from throwing out leftovers.
It also keeps your snacks from spilling everywhere in your room.
38. Shelf-stable snacks
You’ll be starving at midnight at some point, and campus options will be closed.
Have snacks that don’t go bad—granola bars, trail mix, crackers, whatever you like.
39. Desk lamp with multiple settings
Dorm lighting is either too dim or straight-up blinding. A desk lamp with different brightness levels keeps your eyes from getting tired and lets you study without annoying your roommate.
Extra Items
Some students may not see these as essentials, but they’re helpful regardless.
40. Sleep mask
Your roommate may most likely have different sleep habits than you.
They’ll be on their laptop at 2 a.m., they’ll leave the lights on, and the streetlights outside won’t help. A sleep mask makes sure you actually get rest.
41. Lapdesk or bed tray
Sometimes you just don’t want to sit at your desk, but balancing your laptop on your legs gets uncomfortable real fast.
A lapdesk makes studying (or eating) in bed way easier.
42. Heating pad
If you think you won’t need this, you will. Sore muscles, cramps, cold nights—it’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you do.
43. Multivitamins
College food isn’t exactly balanced, and you’re not going to be eating vegetables at every meal.
A multivitamin helps keep your energy up when your diet isn’t great.
44. Air fresheners/odor eliminators
Dorm rooms don’t get a lot of airflow, and with multiple people in one small space, smells build up fast. A small air freshener keeps your room from getting musty.
45. Backrest Pillow – Don’t Lean on the Wall
You’ll eat, study, or watch movies in bed—trust me. Without a backrest pillow, you’ll be stuck leaning on the wall or stacking pillows that just sink down.
Get one with armrests so you’re actually comfortable and not constantly shifting around.
Blissful Diary Reading Pillow
These are what make dorm life easier. And if you get 80% of the stuff here, you’ll thank yourself later.
Save this list now. Don’t wait until you’re standing in a dorm room realizing what you forgot.
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