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If you're sending your kid off to college for the first time, you may be overwhelmed trying to figure out what they actually need. Two summers ago, I got my college student all of the dorm room "essentials"—like a mattress topper, new bedding, storage containers, and a laptop—but I also purchased many things that returned home unused.
Two years later, I have a much clearer sense of which dorm essentials she’ll actually use day to day—and which ones end up collecting dust. To round out my list, I checked in with some of her friends and fellow moms of college students for their input. My biggest takeaway? College kids can never have too many fans.
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Why it's worth it: I purchased my daughter a small clip-on fan for her bed, but she needed a bigger one. The older dorms in her building get super warm on the upper floors—even in the middle of winter.
Why we like this one: Dreo has several models in best fans roundups, and the brand won a Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award in recent years. I have this specific model in my living room right now and love that it oscillates in multiple different directions.
This specific model also glows an assortment of LED colors, so college kids can add some ambiance to their room without hanging up string lights.
Why it's worth it: Already added these to your list? Add more; they'll probably need way more than you think. Also, if they want to hang up twinkle lights, these small hooks are key.
Why we like this one: These hooks will allow college kids to hang up art (and even towels!) without putting holes in the walls. Of course, just always check the weight capacity for each hook. Also, trust me from experience, use Command hooks instead of that putty option to save yourself the damage fees or hours of removal time.
Why it's worth it: If your college kid has classes across campus during a rainstorm, they'll need an umbrella (and they probably won’t remember it until the first day it pours).
Why we like this one: It’s lightweight; plus, our team was impressed by the automatic button that opens and closes the canopy.
Why it’s worth it: According to my 20-year-old, twinkle lights are out and lamps are in. Was that just an excuse for her to get a bit of a room refresh this year? Maybe. But she says that kids love a lamp that gives off a soft glow, so they can turn off those harsh overhead lights.
Why we like this one: Aside from the adorable mushroom shape, this one doesn’t have to be constantly plugged in, which is key when outlet space is at a premium. Instead, it’s rechargeable, and they can even take it with them for camping or study sessions in the library.
Why it’s worth it: Dorm room temps can be wildly unpredictable, but they’ll feel cozy wrapped in this blanket. The trendy brand comes in more than 80 colors to match their personal style, and the super soft faux fur seriously impressed our editors.
Why we like this one: A medium size should fit the standard dorm twin bed, but rest assured they’ll want to keep it for post-grad. Plus, there’s a discount code for our readers. Save 35% off with code GoodHousekeeping35.
Why it's worth it: Their dorm probably has built-in mini blinds, but they might want to add some curtains for personality. Just make sure to get them a removable tension rod so they don’t put screws into their drywall and cause damage.
Why we like this one: This rod fits spaces from 28 to 48 inches and can be installed in less than a minute. You can get it in black, silver, and white, and there are smaller and larger lengths available if their dorm has nonstandard-sized windows.
Why it’s worth it: Don’t forget about luggage. Sure, my kid was going to school a short drive away, but a suitcase is necessary for weekend trips home for the holidays.
Why we like this one: This is our overall pick when it comes to the best lightweight luggage. In Lab testing, our team said it performed especially well in drop tests—which means it’s more likely to last through multiple trips to school and back for years to come. This pick is a carry-on size, so it is also great for kids who are flying back and forth to their school.
Why it’s worth it: That Apple Watch charger always has a way of disappearing, but this MagSafe device can sit on their desk and charge their phone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time.
Why we like this one: Since outlet space can be tricky in dorms, we appreciate that this only needs one outlet to power multiple devices.
Why it’s worth it: If they’re sharing a room, a safety box for their valuables is a smart idea. Not only can they keep their passport, cash, and expensive jewelry inside, but also any medications.
Why we like this one: I’ve been using this lock box for over a decade, so they’ll be able to keep it well after college. It uses a key that they can keep hidden away until they need it.
Why it's worth it: Having a space to sit is always a nice benefit, even if it is just so they can put on their shoes. Plus, they can store extra blankets or small items inside.
Why we like this one: Shopping Editor Jessica Dukes got this one for her daughter after she raised her bed up as high as it would go. It not only worked as additional seating, but also as a sturdy step up to the high mattress.
Why it’s worth it: Without an adult around to yell at them when they’re going to be late for school, they’ll likely be relying on their phones as an alarm. But that can be tempting for doom-scrolling, which is why an analog alarm clock like this one is key.
Why we like this one: My daughter loves the customizable features on this clock that allow her to create a healthy sleep routine. It even has a built-in white noise machine, which can be so necessary for a noisy dorm.
Why it’s worth it: We learned a few things freshman year when my daughter was on the crew team: one was that her roommate didn’t appreciate the lights being on at 4:30 a.m. when my daughter was getting dressed for practice. Small tap lights let off just enough light so you can see what you are doing, without waking up a whole room.
Why we like this one: These affordable puck lights work on batteries, so they don’t need to be plugged in. They can fit inside a drawer or a closet so your college student can easily find their items.
Why it’s worth it: My Gen Z kid says that “everyone” is turning their standard-issue desks into custom vanities at her college, and that starts with an oversized stand mirror.
Why we like this one: If they are making content or just looking for a space with some good lighting to get ready with friends, this mirror has lights built in that can change colors and even act as an extra lamp.
Why it’s worth it: A headboard and a wedge pillow are probably the things my daughter has been most vocal about “needing.” Most dorm beds have a large gap between the mattress and the hard wooden headboard, and my kid complains that their pillows, phones, and small items get lost and fall down there.
Why we like this one: This one is simple and affordable, and it can be set up quickly without the need for screws. It even has pockets for remotes or other small bits of tech they want to keep handy.
Why it's worth it: Dorm rooms, particularly the older ones, are often lacking in good ventilation and that can lead to dry skin. Helping to keep their skin moisturized is key, so stock them up beforehand with a budget-friendly pick.
Why we like this one: Our experts deemed this one the best overall body lotion because it is hydrating and quickly absorbs into the skin. Best of all, it is unscented, which makes it a perfect unisex option.
Why it's worth it: Given the state of her room at home, I wasn't expecting my kid to go through as many cleaning supplies as she did—but products like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and a Swiffer Sweeper were essential.
Why we like this one: There are fancier mops and brooms out there, but I like this one because it's compact. The dry version picks up fine dust particles while the wet version makes quick work of sticky floor messes. Plus it holds the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Why it's worth it: Dorm space is usually limited, so adding furniture is not always feasible—but if they've got a bit of extra room, a bedside table for storage is nice to have. It's a great place to keep an alarm clock, chargers, and a water bottle.
Why we like this one: This is very narrow to fit in small spots, but it’s made of solid wood so it can handle multiple moves. Plus, it includes small sliding drawers to easily access essentials.
Why it's worth it: College kids are usually walking across campus for classes and to hang out with friends, which makes it easy for them to lose things along the way (like keys, ID cards, water bottles, etc.).
Why we like this one: While our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute say you can't go wrong with either Tile or AirTags, I love that this Tile already comes with a spot to attach it to a keychain (unlike AirTags that require you to add on a hanger).
Why it's worth it: Most of my daughter's mid-semester requests were for food (a sentiment I heard from a lot of fellow moms). While her dining plan covers meals, she was after easy snacks and candy.
Why we like this one: This care package has all my daughter's favorite snacks—an assortment of salty and sweet items—which also helps prevent money being spent at the vending machine.
Why it's worth it: You might want to invest in a to-go coffee tumbler that they can take to the cafeteria for refills. Just make sure to write their name on the bottom with a Sharpie so it won't get mixed up with others on campus.
Why we like this one: When the slider of this tumbler is locked correctly, it's leakproof, according to our pros at the Kitchen & Cooking Lab. They also determined that the double-insulated construction can keep warm liquid hot for nearly six hours.
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Things I wish I hadn't bought
While we forgot to buy and pack some of the above items when she first moved into her dorm, there were some purchases I regretted. Many of them were listed on “dorm essentials” guides, but they went unused or were donated.
- A coffee maker. If your college kid can easily access coffee on campus without having to buy milk and such, they'll probably opt for that instead of the cheap pods in their dorm (I know my daughter did).
- Kitchen supplies. Unless they’re living off campus or in a suite where they plan on making their own meals, they probably won't need a ton of dishes, cups, or cookware.
- A mini-fridge. Mini-fridges can be pricey and tough to store over summer breaks. I recommend renting one to save yourself the hassle.
- A large clothes-drying rack. For those with ample space, a clothes-drying rack can be useful—but the one I bought was too big for her dorm room. I brought it back home with me.
- Hard storage containers. Plastic bins are great for moving in and out, but so are collapsible totes (like these blue IKEA-style bags)—and they are easier to store during the school year, given their soft, flexible build.
- Smart home devices. I wanted to send my kid to school with an Alexa device, but her campus policy didn't allow for any additional smart devices, like lightbulbs or home assistants. (According to her school, they can drain the shared dorm Wi-Fi.)
- Too much decor. I spent a lot of money buying art and matching items at HomeGoods, and much of it got replaced throughout the year as my daughter found items that spoke to her personally.
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