{"id":17990,"date":"2025-08-12T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinghelpblog.uhaul.net\/?p=17990"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:11:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T16:11:47","slug":"college-essentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movinghelp.com\/move\/college-essentials\/","title":{"rendered":"15 College Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Picture this: You\u2019re preparing to move into your college dorm or apartment. A whirlwind of packing lists and to-dos surrounds you. Still, what if you\u2019re forgetting something crucial?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, Moving Help\u00ae<\/a> has thought of everything for you. With this list of 15 college essentials you didn\u2019t know you needed, you\u2019ll be set up for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15 College Essentials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to see how each of these college essentials will improve your college experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Air Purifier<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Vacuum<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Laundry Hamper Backpack<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Doorstop<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Whiteboard<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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            1. Storage Ottoman<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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              1. Water Filter Pitcher<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                1. Electric Kettle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                  1. Comfort Food Snack Box<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                    1. Small Bedside Fan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                      1. Dark Colored Bedding<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                        1. Bed Sheet Straps<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                          1. First Aid Kit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                            1. Tape and Superglue<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                              1. Scissors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                                Dust-Busting Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                Keep your room fresh and clean so you have a safe space to relax after a long day. Use these college essentials to address the mess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                1. Air Purifier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Dorms often suffer from poor air circulation. Avoid the congestion and cough that comes with a dusty dorm and breathe easier with an air purifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Choose an air purifier size that\u2019s suitable to your dorm\u2019s square footage. For the best results, replace the filter every few months according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                2. Vacuum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                A dorm vacuum is a minor investment that will make a big impact, whether you make a big spill or need to upkeep your space. Conveniently, some of the most affordable vacuums on the market are also compact, lightweight, and multi-purpose. Look for a stick vacuum that can transform into a handheld vacuum to access hard-to-reach places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                3. Laundry Hamper Backpack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Finding the time and motivation to do laundry in college can be difficult. Make the laundry process feel one step easier with a fabric laundry hamper that has backpack straps for ease of use. Use it as your main hamper or use it as a lining for a standing hamper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Social Starter Pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                The truest college essential is a good group of friends. Use these products to transform your room into an inviting hangout spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                4. Doorstop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Not sure how to find friends? Prop your door open with a door stop and let the friends find you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                An open door works best for making friends during move-in. People are making frequent trips up and down the halls bringing supplies to their rooms, and they\u2019re particularly eager to meet new people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                5. Whiteboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Hang a whiteboard inside your dorm room to leave messages for your roommate<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                To spark a bigger conversation, put a whiteboard on the outside of your door with polls and questions for people in your hall to answer. This small gesture can build a sense of community, and you\u2019re guaranteed to see responses that\u2019ll give you a good laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                6. Storage Ottoman<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Not keen on having your friends sitting on your bed to hangout? Not everyone has the space or budget to add a small couch to their dorm room. A storage ottoman<\/a> is a compact, affordable solution to bring extra storage and seating to your room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                                The Key to a Killer Kitchenette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                The dining hall won’t always be open, and sometimes it feels nice to cook for yourself. Make your dorm feel more like home with these food and drink ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                7. Water Filter Pitcher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Dorm water is not always the tastiest, and you may not have a drinking fountain near your room. Keep a Brita filter in your room to quench your thirst any time of the day or night.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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                                8. Electric Kettle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Electric kettles are crucial for \u201ccooking” without a microwave. Heat water for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, ramen, mac and cheese, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                9. Comfort Food Snack Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                College is a petri dish, and you\u2019re bound to get sick. To prepare for illness, fill a small bin with saltines, ginger ale, applesauce cups, and any other shelf-stable comfort foods that help you feel better when you\u2019re sick. Tuck this box away and reach for it when you\u2019re ill and don\u2019t have the energy to get food immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                A Better Bed Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                As you settle into your routine, you may not have the longest nights of sleep. With these college essentials, you guarantee that every hour of sleep \u2014 however few or many you get \u2014 is high quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                10. Small Bedside Fan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Dorm rooms can get stuffy, and your building\u2019s A\/C may be unreliable. Sleep better with a cool breeze from a small bedside fan on your nightstand. If you don’t like direct airflow on your face while you sleep, try an oscillating fan. A globe fan, like the Woozoo, is a fancier option that rotates up, down, left, and right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                11. Dark Colored Bedding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                The bed is the centerpiece and primary seating area in most dorm rooms. As such, food spills, grime, and natural body oils will stain a light-colored comforter or duvet cover, even with frequent washing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                A dark colored comforter or duvet cover is essential for anyone who wants their bedding to hold up for more than one semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                12. Bed Sheet Straps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Although you may not struggle with this at home, your fitted sheets at college may be prone to lifting off the mattress overnight. Between a thick mattress topper and the constant motion of you getting on and off your bed, your sheets don\u2019t stand a chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Use bed sheet straps to secure your fitted sheet to your mattress and avoid the frustration of constantly readjusting your sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Mending Must-Haves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                Be ready to encounter minor bumps and bruises. These college essentials will help you mend yourself when you get sick and your belongings when they break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                13. First Aid Kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Convenience stores near college campuses often have higher prices than elsewhere. To save yourself the money and stress of finding bandages and medicine in a pinch, stay prepared with your own first aid kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Buy a premade first aid kit or personalize one with your preferred supplies and over-the-counter medicines. Even if you don\u2019t need the kit, a friend likely will. To prepare for any scenario, include the following in your first aid kit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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