Top 10 Things You Should Bring to College that Nobody Thinks Of

This will be a lifesaver if you find yourself thirsty. Don't just drink the tap water. It's probably fine to drink, but it also probably has chemicals and other things that you probably shouldn't drink. You can get a pitcher filter or a faucet attachment. Both will cost somewhere around $20.

I recommend this over buying bottled water because it saves you money in the long run. Those constant trips to Walmart for bottled water will add up quickly. An ice cube tray is also worth investing in for under $5. This will help with those nights you wake up dehydrated at 3 AM and need a glass of water.

I don't care how clean you think you are, just get one of these anyway. It's a good way to keep your room smelling nice. Sometimes, you might get some funky smells from that leftover McDonald's bag, or the leftover food in your refrigerator, or you have a roommate who hasn't showered in a week and doesn't believe in deodorant.

This will solve most of those problems because, let's face it, some roommates just don't know how to take care of themselves. Especially football players and freshmen boys, who generally smell gross.

These things make a world of difference for everybody.

Definitely a good idea to bring some Easy Mac, ramen, or other easy microwave-ready food for when the cafeteria is closed and you don't want to run to McDonald's. This is a good way to get some energy for those late-night study sessions or just as a snack to hold you over until the morning.

If you're still hungry, just make sure you only get what you're going to eat. Otherwise, you'll end up throwing away a lot of expired food at the end of the semester.

You can bring regular silverware, but sometimes it can be a hassle to clean the leftover Easy Mac gunk off of it. So, it's just easier to have something more disposable so you don't have to worry about cleaning it. On that note, it's probably a good idea to get some plastic plates and bowls just so they're microwave safe. You don't want to be that person that sets off the fire alarm at 1 AM because you put aluminum foil or styrofoam in the microwave!

Your dorm room probably has like three outlets total, if that, and if you have a roommate, you'll both need extra outlets to charge your phones, laptops, and other devices. These are a lifesaver to have and will save a whole lot of arguments over the outlets.

Typically, you can find some at Walmart for around $10 or less.

This is useful for when it's a downpour and you realize you have to walk to class. It's not a big deal but will save you from being soaked on your way to biology class after walking half a mile. Parking anywhere on campus is a pain, and everyone will have the same idea and try to drive to class so they can park closer.

Get an umbrella and trust me, you'll thank me later. Also, on that note, some rain boots wouldn't hurt to protect your regular tennis shoes from getting soaked and worn out. Of course, this only applies in places where it commonly rains.

I can't stress this enough, but your dorm is pretty small, and unless your desk is right next to your bed, it's going to be hard to place your phone, AirPods, and water bottle at night. These things literally just fit right under your mattress and will cost maybe $15-20 for a nice little makeshift nightstand. It actually works well.

These are good to have, especially if your roommate has an 8 AM class. Don't believe them when they say they're trying to be quiet in the morning. No matter how hard they try, they will make noise, and it will irritate you.

Also handy to have when some kid named Kyle plays music a little too loud or yells at the TV because of a video game or something. It's 1 AM, and you've got a big presentation tomorrow. Long story short, these can help you stay calm and focused by reducing the noise levels from your roommate or other people in your hallway.

Price ranges vary wildly. You can get a solid pair for $50-100. Well worth the investment, if you ask me.

This one seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget about. Always a good idea to have one close by for any food waste. It'll help keep your room clean.

Just make sure you take it out when it's full, before it overflows and stinks. Also, if you partied too hard the night before and you are starting to feel a little hungover, it's better to vomit in the trash can or toilet than on the floor!

Always a good idea to have them if you have a communal shower on your floor. You can find them for $10, and they're good to protect against any fungus, bacteria, or anything of that nature. A bathrobe might not be a bad investment if you have a communal shower space.

This is always handy to have on hand. Just some general over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol and ibuprofen for headaches, and some general DayQuil or NyQuil will go a long way when seasonal allergies hit you like a freight train. This will help you fight back and help keep those allergies at bay.

This might be a bit unnecessary, but those mattresses the dorm rooms provide are not the most comfortable. You can find a decent mattress topper for under $100. Trust me, sleep is valuable, and you'll want to make sure your bed is as comfortable as possible.

Your future self will thank you when you have a big presentation or exam coming up.

Things will break from time to time, and you'll be the hero with a small toolkit to fix most problems you'll potentially come across. You can get a small kit with everything you'll need for under $20.

You won't have room for an iron or ironing board in your dorm room, and you don't want wrinkles in your clothes. Some of this stuff will solve that problem. A steamer isn't a bad route to go either. Both options are relatively cheap and will keep your clothes wrinkle-free.

Sure, your classmates probably won't care because everyone is lazy, but if you have a date, you will definitely want to make sure your clothes look nice.

Your dorm isn't going to be like a hotel. Towels are not provided for you. That's your responsibility to bring. I recommend bringing multiple towels and washing them at least once a month to keep them clean.