Without the Fluff

Discover the must-have Amazon essentials for college students in 2024. From dorm room essentials to stationery, get ready for campus life!

As the new academic year approaches, it’s a great time for college students to plan ahead. Understanding what you need for college is key to prioritizing your needs and managing your time well. This guide covers everything from dorm room gear to stationery items and more.

Looking for ALL featured product links? SCROLL DOWN 🙂

7 Less discussed Amazon products for college:

1. Dry Erase White Boards 

• Great for studying, planning, outlining, etc.
• An alternative to flashcards and a means to utilize other studying strategies (e.g., active recall, pomodoro, and more!).

2. The Five Minute Journal or Creating your own Journal

• Try to create or utilize a journal with a low-time commitment that can help you stay in the moment and accomplish your daily goals.

3. Upright, Backpack-friendly Folders

• Easily fits into a backpack and has several dividers to separate documents by course.
• Eliminates the need of numerous folders or binders for coursework.

4. Portable Monitor (or Second Display) for Laptop/Tablet Users

• A second screen may be helpful when typing papers, preparing presentations, conducting research, and multitasking.

5. Soft Lighting Options

• Avoid the harsh overhead lighting of dorms and create a more comfortable space.

6. Laundry Detergent Sheets

• A lightweight and simple alternative to liquid laundry detergents.
• Fragrance-free options are available.

7. Reusable Notebooks

• An alternative to purchasing several notebooks or a tablet for notetaking.
• Some (not all) professors do not permit laptops in class (even for notetaking), so you should consider carrying at least 1 notebook or some paper with you.

Additional Pinned Products

• Transparent Sticky Notes (Click here to view) – Ideal for textbook reading!
• Bulk Packages of College-Ruled Notebooks (Click here to view)
• Laundry Bag (Click here to view)
• Bedside Shelf (Click here to view)
• Rolling Cart for Storage (Click here to view)
• Shower Caddy (Click here to view) (another option: mesh shower caddy with zip-up compartments (Click here to view))
• Water Bottles (Click here to view)

Other Products to Consider

• Surge Protectors & Extension Cords (e.g., this GE surge protector)
• Good Quality Ballpoint Pens (one of my favorites: Muji 0.5 or 0.38 pens)
• Small tabletop or floor Fan (such as a compact fan like this portable desk fan)
• Laptop Stand (ideal for long term laptop usage without neck strain, check out this stand)
• Portable Door Locks (may be useful for dorms with low security, e.g., this door lock)
• Lap Desk (one option: LAPGEAR Home Office Lap Desk with Device Ledge)
• Command Hooks
• Cleaning Supplies (ideal to purchase some antibacterial supplies to stay healthy)
• Small Vacuum (a very popular option: the Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum)
• Scissors, Tape, & Permanent Markers (simple but easy to forget!)
• Noise Reduction Ear Plugs or Headphones (I personally love the Loop Earplugs!)
• Electrolyte Powder Drink Mixes (stay hydrated – especially after walking to your classes on a hot summer day! Liquid IV and LMNT are quite popular.)

Need additional inspiration or looking for more?

Check out these guides:

• University of Michigan’s Essential College Packing Guide
• MyBaggage’s Ultimate Packing List
• Explore Packing Lists on Pinterest
• Hear from Tiktok Content Creators about College Must-haves
• Recommendations from the New York Times
• Hear from Recent Graduates, An NBC News Article

Shopping for decor, kitchen items, bedding, furniture, and other items?

• Walmart or Target dorm products
• Inspiration for decor by Dormify
• Affordable decor and items featured by Tjmaxx
• IKEA dorm essentials

Best of luck with your future semesters at college! I hope you find this information helpful from a recent grad!

Don’t forget – Amazon also has textbooks!

Please note: This blog post includes Amazon affiliate links for the products mentioned and the poster is eligible for commission. None of the product photos are mine. All rights reserved to the original product companies and sellers on Amazon.com. Thanks!