31 Unexpected Things to Bring to College
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- Do you find yourself asking the question, “what do you bring to college?” Our list of 31 unexpected things to bring to college has all the good things to bring to college as you go back to college or even for the college freshman who is about to step into the world of college. You will find things that everyone needs for college such as cool things to bring to college, a college must have list, things to buy for a college freshman, and a list of college dorm must haves.
It’s back to college time and you are wondering what college student necessities and things you need in college are. We’ve got you covered. In this helpful list of 31 unexpected things to bring to college, we help you with all the helpful things you’ll need for college.
If there are things you forgot to bring to college, this list will be a good reminder and prompter in the right direction.
In this list, you will find things that everyone needs for college as well as all the best things to take to college to make college life easier and smoother for you.
To help you navigate all the gift items, we have divided the gifts into 4 categories as follows:
- A college must have list;
- Cool things to bring to college;
- Fun things to bring to college; and
- List of college dorm must haves.
You may also like this cool related article on 35 Creative care package ideas for college students.
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Quick Overview: Unexpected Things To Bring To College
A college must have list – 8 List of things college students need.
In this list you will find all the things you need in college, a college must have list if you like, of all the college student necessities you will need as you go back to school. Be sure to buy all these college necessities before going back to school.
1. Large Laptop Backpack.
Every college student needs a sturdy and quality laptop bag that can withstand daily usage and also protect the laptop and any other items put inside it. And this laptop backpack is as good as it gets in being large and roomy and offering the needed cushion and protection to every college student’s laptop.
Pros:
- It is very roomy with several compartments.
- It can also be used for traveling.
- It comes with a USB port.
- The laptop compartment can unzip from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.
- It is adjustable and easy to lug around.
- It is durable and made of high-quality material.
- The laptop compartment can take a 17-inch notebook.
- The bag is sturdy and does not fall over when stood up.
Cons:
- One customer complained about the smallness of the water bottle holder.
- One customer wished it came with more anti-theft rings.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Overall, the customer satisfaction with this bag is over the roof and all the customers who gave it glowing reviews commend its versatility and strength/durability. For the college student who would also be doing a bit of traveling, this bag is a must-have.
2. Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle.
As you juggle from one class to another and in getting through each day at college, hydration is super important. And you need a good water bottle that will be able to keep your water at whatever temperature you want it to stay in. And this stainless steel water filter bottle will do just that for you. Not only will it do that, but it will also filter the water and make it clean and safe for your daily consumption.
Pros:
- It has a carry-on handle on the cap for easy carriage.
- It can retain the temperature of the contents for at least 24 hours.
- It filters the water to make it clean.
- It is easy to carry around.
- It is easy to clean.
Cons:
- There are several complaints about how difficult it is to drink from.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The only complaint with this bottle is the difficulty to drink from it. Several customers that have navigated this difficulty have said that the solution is to not tighten the lid but loosen it before trying to drink from it.
3. Super Sticky Notes Combo.
This awesome combo has enough sticky notes and other materials to last you the term. Every college student needs sticky notes to make it easier to keep track of important information and also stay organized and on top of things in your reading materials. It has different sizes of sticky notes in different colors for ease of reference and use.
Pros:
- It is a combo of different styles and colors of sticky notes.
- The sticky notes stay on.
- They come in small boxes to keep them together.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
For timely reminders and staying organized a sticky note is another must-have. And with this combo, you don’t have to worry about running out of sticky notes for the term, especially if your college is far removed from stationery stores.
4. Oxford Stone Paper Notebook.
And of course, you can’t have college necessities that do not include notebooks. With this notebook, you are assured of your notes remaining in good condition. The hardcover also means you don’t have to worry about your notes getting dog-eared.
Pros:
- It is a durable notebook with a sleek hardcover.
- It is wire-bound meaning that it is easy to turn the pages.
- The paper is high-quality and the ink does not bleed through it.
- It has 60 sheets of paper and is a pack of 2 notebooks.
Cons:
- Some customers have said that the paper quality is only meant for ballpoint pens and not for gel or fountain pens.
- Some customers have also complained that ink does not dry quickly from the paper.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Overall, this is a good notebook for a college student because chances are you will be using a ballpoint pen. However, if you use fountain pens then perhaps consider another notebook.
5. Portable 25 Sheet Capacity Stapler.
A stapler is another college student necessity that every college student needs because papers will need to be kept together. This sturdy and durable stapler will last you some time and is easy to handle.
Pros:
- It is sturdy and easy to handle.
- It can staple up to 25 sheets.
- It can also be used to tack items on a corkboard or bulletin board.
Cons:
- It does not come with staple pins.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a sturdy and good-quality stapler to have for college. Be sure to buy a set of staple pins to go with it. You can find good Swingline staple pins that are compatible with the stapler here.
6. Canon All-in-One Printer.
When you have an assignment deadline looming and need to print off your work quickly, you appreciate the need to have your own printer. The convenience of having your printer means you don’t have to run around like a headless chicken when you need to print off study materials and assignments. This Canon printer has it all – the perfect size for your college dorm and the ability to print, copy and scan all rolled up in one.
Pros:
- It has wireless connectivity.
- It can print both documents and photos.
- It can print, copy, and scan.
- It is reasonably priced.
- It comes with 2 bonus black ink bottles.
Cons:
- Some customers were not pleased with how difficult it is to set up and use, especially for printing pictures.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This printer seems designed for moderate use and not heavy-duty use and should therefore be perfect for college purposes for one or two college students.
7. 3 Ream Case Printer Paper.
And of course, you can’t have a printer without paper. This ream of paper comes in 3, with 500 sheets in each ream. The papers are also compatible with the Canon printer on this list.
Pros:
- Customers have complimented the paper as being “ultra white”.
- Each ream has 500 sheets of paper.
- It is reasonably priced.
- It is compatible with most printers.
Cons:
- Some customers complained that it was delivered in bad condition.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Given the glowing reviews on the quality of the paper and how well it comes out when used, this is a good paper for the printer in this article.
8. Waterman Allure Fountain Pen.
Going to college without a pen is like a farmer going to the farm empty-handed. You must have a pen for college and fountain pens make for smooth writing. This sleek pen is simple and yet powerful. It doesn’t bleed through paper and it is smooth to use.
Pros:
- It is smooth and sleek.
- It writes well and does not bleed.
- It comes in a gift box.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a pen every college student will enjoy writing with.
4 Things to buy for college freshmen.
For the college freshman, these 4 gifts will mean the world to them and make the first year of college smooth sailing.
9. 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop.
Nothing like a great quality laptop to get every college student started. And this MacBook Air is the best gift you can give a college freshman. This ultra-thin beast is exactly what a college student needs when it comes to being lightweight and still packing a punch. The battery can last for more than 10 hours after a full charge and the speed of the processor is matchless.
Pros:
- It has a long battery life (at least 15 hours on a full charge).
- The processor is very fast.
- It is very lightweight and easy to carry around.
- The color resolution is remarkable.
- It is noiseless.
- The RAM size is 8GB and the internal memory is 256GB.
Cons:
- Some customers have complained about the low quality of the webcam.
- It has only 2 USB ports.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The MacBook Air will make any college student very happy to have. It is super-fast and ultra-thin therefore making it easy to carry along to every class.
10. 2 TB Slim External Hard Drive.
It’s never a good idea to entrust saving all their school work on a computer. A backup is always important and this is why hard drives are another absolute college student necessity, especially for a college freshman. And with the compact size of this external hard drive, there will be no excuse of always having it handy for saving stuff as the need arises.
Pros:
- It is compact, ultra-slim, and easy to carry around.
- It is super fast.
- It comes with a 1-year warranty.
Cons:
- This product has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Every college student will love this external hard drive because it is very compact and easy to carry around and not to mention how super fast it works.
11. Cork Board with Aluminium Frame.
Corkboards are great for staying on top of tasks and things that shouldn’t slip through the cracks. They help with reminding a student of the important things they need to stay on top of. This perfectly sized cork board can hold paper and pictures and help the college freshman stay on top of their tasks.
Pros:
- It is easy to mount up/set up and use.
- The cork is a “self-healing cork” that snaps back from pinholes.
- Sticky notes stay on it and do not fall off.
Cons:
- Some customers had shipping complaints about the condition it arrived in.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Despite the shipping challenges some customers had, overall, this is a corkboard that will be loved by any college student.
12. Magnetic Dry Erase Whiteboard.
Not everyone is a fan of cork boards and that is where whiteboards come in handy. A whiteboard is great for making notes outside the notebook and thinking through concepts quicker.
Pros:
- It has a magnetic writing surface.
- It comes with helpful accessories such as a magnetic eraser, 2 whiteboard pens, a detachable marker tray, and 6 magnets.
- It is easy to mount/set up.
- It wipes off easily and doesn’t smudge.
Cons:
- One customer complained that it didn’t arrive in pristine condition.
Product summary and our recommendation.
A great writing board to keep track of things and use as an idea board.
You will find more helpful gift items for college freshmen in our helpful article on 21 Useful gifts for first year college students.
7 Cool things to bring to college.
Who doesn’t want to be cool on campus? Check out these 7 cool things you could bring to college and enjoy your time in college a little more.
13. JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker.
Since you cannot blast music too loudly on campus, this Bluetooth speaker is just what you need. It keeps the sound at acceptable levels and still gives you that amazing sound quality that JBL is known for. It is small and compact and that means you can easily carry it along with you anywhere you want to take it to.
Pros:
- It is not too heavy and easy to carry around.
- The sound quality is great and not excessively loud.
- It connects easily to devices wirelessly.
- It can connect up to 3 devices at the same time.
- It has relatively long battery life.
Cons:
- It is a little pricey.
- Some customers wished it could be louder.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The sound level for this speaker is just perfect for your college environment. And it can be used to answer calls when you want to be hands-free. Given the quality, the price is worth it.
14. New Beats Studio Buds.
Whether it’s for having music while out on a jog, or maybe blocking out noise while waiting for lectures to commence in class, or just to listen to music on the go, this is a cool gadget to have with you in college. With the Beats guarantee of quality, these Buds are top of the range when it comes to noise-canceling and amazing sound quality.
Pros:
- It comes with a pocket-sized charging case.
- It can last for up to 8 hours after a full charge.
- It is comfortable to wear.
- It is noise-canceling.
- It has a transparency mode as well as a noise-canceling mode.
- They are compatible with different types of devices.
Cons:
- It’s a little pricey but worth the dollar spent on it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
These are long-lasting and deliver value for money. It is a worthwhile investment for college especially if you like using earbuds a lot.
15. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker.
You will be that cool kid that everyone wants to come to his/her room with this super cool and nifty coffee maker. The size is just perfect for any college room space, whether super small, small, or big. And it doesn’t require rocket science to work; it is easy to use.
Pros:
- It is small and can fit anywhere.
- It makes great coffee.
- It is easy to use.
- It has an auto turnoff feature.
Cons:
- Some customers complained that it doesn’t make very hot coffee.
- Some customers complained that it wasn’t so easy for them to use.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Generally, the reviews on this coffee maker suggest that it is a good purchase. What makes it particularly attractive for college is the size which can fit anyway and save a college student space.
If you like your coffee cold-brewed, then check out this awesome Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
16. Hand Knitted Cotton Braid Cord Cable Style Floor Ottoman.
This classy and beautiful ottoman is a must-have in your college dorm. The color and design will lighten up your room. Just be prepared to have your friends stay over a little longer because they can’t get over the chance to sit on it. The cable-style finish makes it a truly eccentric piece to have in your room.
Pros:
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
- It is sturdy.
- It is hand-made and therefore durable.
- It can be used as a beanbag chair or footrest.
Cons:
- It will show dirt easily because of the color.
- It cannot be used near the open fire because of the material it is made with.
- Some customers complained that it lost its allure after 3 months.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a beautiful decorative piece although, given the not-so-great reviews about losing allure after 3 months, it may not be a good purchase if you intend to sit on it a lot.
17. Modern Accent Velvet Leisure Lounge Chair.
For a lounge chair that screams awesomeness and drips class, this is the chair for you. This is another dorm accessory that will stand you out in college as a cool kid.
Pros:
- It is a beautiful decorative chair.
- It is ergonomic and comfortable.
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- It is sturdy and can support any weight because of the metal legs.
- It is easy to assemble.
Cons:
- The back support isn’t too great for prolonged use in one sitting position.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a chair that should be more for lounging and relaxing than for sitting in one posture for prolonged periods like when studying. It is however beautiful and should definitely be around the room for when you are tired of staying on the bed.
For female college students, they may also like this Faux Fur Saucer Chair.
18. Small Round Bedside Side Table.
This is another cool accessory that will be useful to have by your bedside to hold your lamp and any other items you like having by your bedside. The size is perfect, especially for small rooms. It has a vintage classy look that will also accentuate your bedside in a good way.
Pros:
- It has a removable tray that can be used anywhere else.
- It is made of metal and sturdy.
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
- It can fit anywhere.
- It is easy to assemble.
- It has multipurpose use.
- It comes in different colors.
Cons:
- Might be a little too small for a bigger space.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This table has only glowing reviews and ratings. And the fact that it can be used for just about anything makes it a cool item to have in your college room.
19. Mirror Jewelry Cabinet Wall-Mount.
This mirror jewelry cabinet will be loved by a female college student. Not only does it have enough compartments for storing both clothes and jewelry, but it is also very chic and will add a touch of sophistication to the room. It also comes with a full-length mirror and that means you don’t have to worry about buying a separate mirror for the room.
Pros:
- It is foldable and will therefore not take up too much space.
- It has several compartments.
- It can be mounted on the wall or hung on the door.
- It has a full-length mirror.
- It has several hangers for jewelry.
- It is easy to set up.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
If you want to be able to see all your jewelry at one glance, then this is the gift item to go for.
2 Fun things to bring to college.
Check out these 2 fun things to bring to college to liven up your college dorm and give it a funky vibe.
20. Ceramic Aloe Ring Holder with Decorative White Dish.
A one-of-a-kind beautiful dressing table tray with a life-like succulent plant ring-holder. All your friends will always comment on it whenever they come around.
Pros:
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
- It is a ring holder and tray in one.
- It does not take up too much space and can fit anywhere.
- The ring holder can hold several rings
Cons:
- Customers have only great things to say about it.
Product summary and our recommendation.
You won’t be able to get over this cute and superfine jewelry keeper, and all your girlfriends will also have a thing or two to say about it.
21. Funny Sloth Coffee Mug.
Want to have your coffee with a smile on your face all morning? Then you want to have this as your college coffee mug. Be careful though, it might just tempt you into having a lazy day every day haha.
Pros:
- It is microwave and dishwasher safe.
- It can be used as a beautiful decorative piece.
- It has a large comfortable handle.
Cons:
- Some customers complained that the sloth gets soaked up easily making it difficult to use for a long time.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Whether you want to drink from it or just have it decorate your room, this is a fun mug to have for college.
10 good things to bring to college – A helpful list of 10 college dorm must haves.
Your college dorm cannot but have this college dorm must haves. Check them out.
22. Mini Fridge With Lock.
You will always want a cold drink or cold beer and sometimes may not want to go out to get it. With this fridge, you can have a cold drink whenever you feel like it. And the size is so perfect that it can sit just by your bedside.
Pros:
- It is small and compact and can fit in any space.
- It comes with a lock.
- It comes with a 12-month warranty.
- It works very well in keeping things cool.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a freezer.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The absence of a freezer is no reason not to get this nifty and great working mini-fridge.
23. Small L Shaped Desk with Storage Shelves.
This is a good gift if you don’t have a spacious study table in your college dorm. The storage shelves are an added advantage with this shelf because you have the books and materials you want to use while working handy.
Pros:
- It is sturdy.
- It is easy to assemble.
- It has adjustable storage shelves.
- It is not too long and can fit well even in small spaces.
- The table is spacious.
- It is made of high-quality wood.
Cons:
- This gift item has only positive ratings and reviews at the time of writing.
Product summary and our recommendation.
This is a desk that looks fly after being set up and serves the purpose you need it for.
24. Adjustable Desktop Shelf.
Every college student needs a bookshelf for their books and this adjustable bookshelf is both chic and functional. It is easy to assemble and can take as several of your college books as possible.
Pros:
- It is sturdy.
- It is easy to assemble.
- It is made of high-quality wood.
- It can take several books.
Cons:
- One customer complained that it was bigger than the picture.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The size of this bookshelf is what makes it ideal for a college student. And the positive ratings and reviews on its quality leave no doubt that it would be a good purchase. If however, your room space is very small, then you will like this Small Bookshelf for Small Spaces.
25. Air Purifier with Alexa Voice Control.
This helps especially if you have a shared space in your college dorm. It will help keep the air always pleasant. The cool thing about this purifier is that you can control it with your smart device.
Pros:
- It has smartphone connectivity.
- It purifies the air well and enhances air circulation in a room.
- It is easy to clean.
- It also has wifi connectivity.
- It is noiseless.
Cons:
- It is not meant for a big room.
Product summary and our recommendation.
With the many positive ratings and reviews about how well this works in keeping the air in the room clean, we highly recommend this purifier for keeping the fragrance in your room pleasant.
26. Air Purifier with Alarm Clock and Night Light.
This purifier combines a night light and alarm clock meaning that you don’t have to worry about buying an alarm clock and still keep the air around you smelling great while you sleep.
Pros:
- It is noiseless.
- The purifier works very well.
- It comes with an alarm clock and night light.
- It is nifty and will fit in any space.
- It has color indicators that tell the temperature of the room.
Cons:
- It is a little pricey.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The many positive reviews on this item and how well it works leave no doubt that it will be money well-spent for a relaxing room.
27. Under Bed Clothing Storage with Adjustable Dividers.
This comes in handy to help if you have too many clothes that cannot fit into the wardrobe in your college dorm.
Pros:
- It is a set of 2 storage dividers.
- Each unit can take up to 40 t-shirts, 5-8 winter jackets, or 2 queen summer comforters.
- It doesn’t take up too much space.
- It is easy to clean.
- It can work like an under-bed drawer.
- The top part is see-through making it easy to see what you need quicker.
Cons:
- Customers love this item very much.
Product summary and our recommendation.
With this item, you can say goodbye to a cluttered and overflowing wardrobe.
28. Round Upholstered Storage Ottoman.
Class plus storage, beautiful decorative piece, and something to sit on, are all the adjectives to describe this cool room accessory. The size is perfect for any room size and won’t take up much space.
Pros:
- It can be used to store items.
- The storage space is very roomy.
- It is sturdy and can be sat on.
- It is a beautiful decorative piece.
Cons:
- This gift item has excellent ratings and reviews.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Customers are very pleased with the quality and aesthetics of this gift item and you will also love it very much.
29. Surge Protector Wall Outlet.
This is another dorm room must have. It would protect your devices; from your laptop to phones and fridge.
Pros:
- It is compatible with all devices.
- It protects against unexpected electricity surges.
- It has 7 ports.
Cons:
- One customer complained that the screw hole did not align properly with the hole on their wall.
Product summary and our recommendation.
The customer satisfaction on this surge protector leaves no doubt that it will come in handy for you too.
30. Luxury Plush Shaggy Duvet Cover Set.
Of course, you can’t go off to your college room without a duvet cover. And you want a duvet cover that makes you feel like you’re sleeping on soft skies. And that is exactly what this duvet cover will do for you. With this super plush super comfortable duvet cover your only worry will be how not to oversleep.
Pros:
- It is super soft/plush and comfortable.
- It also comes with a pom pom fringe pillow sham.
- It is machine-washable.
Cons:
- Customers have nothing but good things to say about this gift item.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Customers cannot get over the awesomeness and softness of this duvet cover and you will also not be able to get over it.
You may also like this Ultra Plush Yellow Sherpa Fleece Blanket.
31. 10 Inches Wall Clock.
Most rooms in college won’t have their clock and you don’t want to lose track of time in college. This affordable clock that still looks very pretty is all you need.
Pros:
- It keeps time accurately.
- It is easy to install.
- It is battery-operated.
Cons:
- It does not come with batteries.
Product summary and our recommendation.
Stay on top of your time with this simple yet chic timepiece in your room
Frequently asked questions.
1. What are some last minute college packing lists?
All the gift items listed in this article can be bought as last minute college items.
2. What are some things every girl needs for college?
All the gift items in this article will come in handy for a girl while in college.
3. What are some things every college guy needs?
All the gift items listed in this article will also be useful for a guy while in college.
Conclusion.
All the gift items listed in this article will be perfect for every college student. And if you are looking for boxes to help pack your stuff to college, then these Classic Moving Boxes are just the right item for you.
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