Before my freshman year of college, I fell down the rabbit hole of college supplies checklist. I would look at lists that had anywhere from 30-100 items that I “needed” for college.

I ended getting to college with a crap ton of stuff and then only ended up using less than half of it.

After getting to college with more stuff than I could ever really need I started to think more consciously about my shopping decisions. With such little space and so much stuff, I was forced to really take inventory of the things I got a lot of use out of and the things that were considered “essentials” but I hardly used.

After two semesters of college living, these are the products that I actually got the most use out of

3-inch memory foam mattress topper $60

My bed was like a cloud with this mattress topper. I got it on sale for under $100 and it's the best money I’ve ever spent! It's even more comfortable than my bed at home and i’ve had several friends fall asleep on my bed because it was just that comfy. It’s really durable and because it’s so thick it adds extra height to your bed so you don’t have to loft it too high.

Candle warmer $7

This candle warmer was magical. It heats the candle really well and my room just always smelled like a bakery and it made happy to be in my dorm room. It safe for most college because it not an open flame and its a great compromise you want some ambiance in your room without setting of the fire alarm.

Storage Bin $17

This bad boy holds up pretty well and looks a lot more put together than similar bins that are clear. Both my roommate and I had one and it was perfect for organizing miscellaneous items and it fits perfectly under a lofted bed. It’s great because of it easy to organize things and put away in a discrete area like under your bed or in the closet. Six is also the perfect amount if you need a lot of storage but don’t want everything to look crowded.

Shower caddy $7

I got this mesh shower caddy my freshman year and I didi’t regret it. It dries well and its machine safe so whenever it’s starting to look a little worn out, I throw it in the washer and its brand new again. I prefer it over a plastic one because it saves more space and it's easy to hang up in the shower and get all my stuff. It also seems more hygienic to me because it doesn’t trap water like a plastic one does. I’ve had several friends switch from the bulky plastic one to the mesh one so its the better deal in the long run.

Storage ottoman $20

I got this grey storage ottoman and I absolutely adore! It grey so it fits seamlessly into whatever theme I chose year to year and its super practical. This one is really sturdy and it fits into most small areas without being bulky. The material is perfect because of its doens’t stain easily and I use it as a stepping stool and a place to store extra items such as Tupperware or utensils.

Clip-on fan $17

My college dorm had AC but sometimes it could be a bit unreliable and I was always glad I had this handy dandy clip-on fan. It's really sturdy and surprisingly good quality. It comes in black and white and its discrete enough to move around the room without you without taking up too much space. It small so it won’t keep your whole room cool but its a great supplement for when the central air just isn’t enough.

Mattress cover $35

I highly recommend getting a mattress cover! Dorm beds are gross and you can’t imagine how many people have done unspeakable things in your dorm room bed. Getting a mattress topper won’t be enough to protect you from bed bugs and the likes. You should get a mattress topper that’s waterproof and bed bug proof.

This mattress topper from amazon is great deal and it provides lots of protection so you can rest assured your sleeping in a clean bed and its slight pad so it adds even more comfort!

Oil diffuser $20

I initially got a cheap one from Tj Maxx that broke in a month and then I went back and bought this one. It's an absolute game-changer!

The oil diffuser is medium-sized so it doesn’t take up too much space on your desk but also it packs a powerful punch. It fills up my whole dorm room in minutes and my dorm room is pretty spacious. It also has a light show that’s really cool and fills up the room without being too overwhelming. It has an auto shut off mode so I never have to worry if I left it on while i’m in class.

It’s more pricey than some other ones you can get at Walmart or TJ Maxx but the quality is worth it.

Backpack $60

I got this Anello backpack because I saw it on Tumblr and fell in love. This backpack is amazing because it opens up super wide (perfect for getting things in and out) and it's very functional and cute. It has a secret zipper in the back from getting out a cellphone or charger on the fly. It also has a lot of space for a bulky water bottle and any other small items you carry around.

I got the leather one because I wanted it to be easiest to clean and I don't regret it. Getting a backpack that’s functional is super important for college and i’m glad I chose this one.

Felt hangers $40

I got mine from Ross but amazon has them for a really good deal! These bad boys made my closet look way more put together than it was and it actually saves a ton of space.

I really like them because they don't slip and the look so put together. Felt hangers are great investment because your college closet will fit a ton more stuff and look like everything was placed intentionally

After really taking notice of the things that I used my freshman year I realized that the biggest flaw in the onslaught of college shopping advice is that it prioritizes style over functionality. While there's nothing wrong with wanting your dorm room to feel homey, trust me I wanted that too! it's usually not worth (for your wallet or mental health) it to fill a tiny space with things that you’ll never use.

Always think of the functionality of how items will fit into your space. Your dorm room is your first time having a space that is completely your own and you want to be intentional and love all the things you fill it with.