The Ultimate Summer Shopping Guide for College Freshmen: 15 Must-Have Items To Kickstart Your First Semester
After years of studying, extracurriculars, and stressing about standardized tests, you’ve finally made it. It’s time for your freshman year of college!
This is the exciting start of a whole new chapter in your life. You’re about to embark on a grand adventure and get your first taste of true independence. There are so many new things to experience, from all-night study sessions with your best friends and navigating life in a dorm room to learning who you are in the world away in an entirely new environment.
But before you dive headfirst into the whirlwind of lectures, lab reports, and dorm life, there’s one essential task you need to complete: setting up your home away from home!
Now, where do you start? What do you need? Well, that’s where we come in. Here’s a curated list of the must-have items to kickstart your first semester and ensure you’re living the dream — college-style!
1. Catch Some Zzzs on Your Z Gallerie Loveseat Sofa
When it comes to dorm rooms, freshmen tend to come in with high expectations. In reality, most dorm rooms are tiny, simple, and not really designed with your comfort in mind. Especially if you’re in a dorm room with no common area, making space for you and your roomie to chill out, relax, or even entertain friends without involving your whole floor in a larger common room is key. So, you’re going to need a sofa.
Now, you might be thinking, “A sofa? In my shoebox-sized room?” But hear us out. Your Z Gallerie loveseat sofa is the Swiss army knife of furniture. Not only does it provide a comfy place for you to catch up on some much-needed sleep when you haven’t sorted your laundry and it’s taking over your bed, but it also serves as a convenient gathering spot for your newfound friends or even as a cozy reading nook for those long study nights.
The beauty of finding a place for a small sofa like this is that it doesn’t take up much space, yet it adds a whole lot of function and style to your room. Plus, it means you can say goodbye to those stiff dorm chairs and hello to the intersection of comfort, style, and function.
2. Bring Special Memories From Home With Pictures on Gold
Next up on our ultimate summer shopping guide is something a bit more personal: the locket necklace. Moving away to college is a thrilling adventure, but it can also bring a twinge of homesickness. That’s why the Pictures on Gold locket necklace is such a must-have. This piece of jewelry is a wearable memory box where you can put your best friend, sibling, parents, or even your pet.
While we’d all love to be immediately well-adjusted and at home, it’s an inevitability that you’ll miss what you left behind at some point in the semester. Keeping a personalized locket with you is a sweet, discreet reminder of home that you can carry with you wherever you go. And, of course, it makes for a unique, stylish accessory that’s bound to catch a few admiring glances!
3. Stay Fresh With Miracle Brand’s Antimicrobial Sheets
Remember when we mentioned your laundry piling up on your bed earlier? It’s not because we don’t believe in you — it’s because adjusting to college life can be a lot, and one of the first things to go by the wayside is chores that maybe your parents helped you out with a little bit at home.
Because getting behind on laundry, and more specifically neglecting to wash your sheets and towels as much as you should, is a virtual inevitability, you need Miracle Brand’s revolutionary, silver-infused antimicrobial sheets and towels to help keep things fresh between washes. Let’s be real: juggling classes, assignments, social events, and laundry can be a monumental task.
They’re designed to resist bacteria and odors, meaning they stay fresh for longer, even if you can’t get to the laundry room for a few weeks. Not only do they help you cut down on laundry time, but they also promote a cleaner, healthier living space.
4. Be Prepared for Anything With Vitamins From Ritual
Stepping into college life, you’re thrust into a world of responsibilities, one of which is taking care of your health. Trust us when we say that you’re going to want a first aid kit. Stock it with the basics, like Band-Aids, disinfectants, painkillers, and cold medication. You may think you won’t need these things, but you’re probably used to living in a house your parents kept stocked, and you’ll regret not being prepared if you need them.
Another crucial part of taking care of your health is ensuring you’re getting all the vitamins you need. That’s where Ritual comes in: helping round out your dining hall diet with any nutrients you may be lacking. But part of managing your own health is knowing the answer to important questions, like “Do vitamins expire,” and Ritual can help you with that, too.
5. Show Off Your Style With Johnny Was
College is the perfect time to reinvent yourself, especially if you’re venturing far from home. This goes double when it comes to trading in your letterman jacket and high school pride swag for a wardrobe that feels more “young adult” than “really, really young.”
Step up your style game with Johnny Was embroidered clothing. Colorful, unique, and trendy, these pieces allow you to wear your personality, quite literally, on your sleeve. Bringing in new statement pieces like the embroidered items from this collection is a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe for the new semester. After all, why blend in when you were born to stand out?
6. Keep It Classy With Lapel Pins and Coins
Staying on that theme of expressing your style and individuality, it’s always a good idea to elevate your look with small details that define you. And that’s why we love lapel pins from Lapel Pins and Coins. Small, stylish, and brimming with personality, these little accents are the perfect way to showcase your passions and interests without uttering a word.
Are you a music lover? An animal enthusiast? A bookworm? Whatever it is that makes you, you, there’s a lapel pin that speaks to it. Pin them to your bags, jackets, hats — anywhere you’d like. Every pin is a conversation starter, a representation of the unique you. And, who knows, they might even help you find your tribe among the sea of faces on campus.
7. Sweeten Up Your Scent With Snif’s Cherry Perfume
Let’s be real. Most high schoolers’ idea of a signature scent is a vanilla-flavored body spray or too-strong musky deodorant we’d rather not name. Now that you’re a college freshman, it’s time to elevate things a little bit by finding a signature scent that feels like you and makes an impression when you walk into a room.
One of our favorite fragrances is Snif’s cherry perfume. The delicate yet unmistakable scent of cherry infuses every spritz, wrapping you in an irresistible aroma that’s as sweet as a summer’s day. It’s distinctive and classy while remaining fun and youthful.
We all know that first impressions count, and nothing leaves a more memorable impression than a person’s scent. So, as you navigate your way through the throng of freshmen, let your scent do the talking. Cherry perfume is a reflection of your personality, a signal of your presence, and an echo of your uniqueness. Every whiff will have heads turning your way!
8. Quench Your Thirst With Olipop’s Healthy Soda
Stay refreshed and guilt-free with Olipop’s healthy soda! We know what you’re thinking: Healthy and soda in the same sentence? It might sound like a contradiction, but hear us out. Olipop has managed to crack the code, blending the fun and fizz of soda without the truckload of sugar that usually tags along.
There’s nothing wrong with weight gain as long as you feel healthy and confident in your skin, but that classic freshman-year weight gain is so common because freshmen aren’t used to being in charge of their diets. When the convenience shop in your dorm or dining hall offers you free, unlimited soda, it’s hard to say no! Stick with a healthy option like Olipop to keep all the flavor you want while feeling good about your dining decisions.
9. Stay Cool With Your Own Personal Beverage Refrigerator From hOmeLabs
Speaking of beverages, there’s one perk you can’t go without in your dorm room: a hOmeLabs beverage refrigerator. This is your one-stop solution for keeping all your drinks chilled and ready for enjoyment. After a long day of classes and study sessions, there’s nothing quite like coming back to a cold drink waiting for you.
Whether you’re stashing away healthy sodas, energy drinks, or just some good old water, your personal beverage refrigerator has covered you. It’s the perfect way to ensure you’re always a step away from refreshments. Plus, it saves you the trek to the communal kitchen … or from losing your favorite drinks and snacks to roommates who are a little too comfortable helping themselves.
10. Create Your Sanctuary With Artizen Essential Oil Sets
College life can be a whirlwind of classes, assignments, social events, and more. Amid all this, creating a peaceful space for yourself, a sanctuary where you can unwind and rejuvenate is crucial. Enter Artizen’s essential oil sets. These are not just oils; they are your ticket to tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of college life.
Imagine coming back to your room after a long day and being greeted by the soothing scent of lavender or the invigorating aroma of citrus. When paired with a diffuser of any variety, this is what essential oils can do for your space. Whether you need to buckle down for a study session or just want to relax, there’s an essential oil to set the perfect mood. It’s like having your personal spa right there in your dorm room!
11. Show Off Your Style With Marleylilly’s Personalized Tote Bags
Next on our list of college must-haves is one of Marleylilly’s cute yet spacious personalized tote bags. A stylish tote bag is as much a practical accessory as it is a style statement. It’s time to say goodbye to your high school backpack or childhood clutch.
Tote bags are perfect for those library trips, grocery runs, or even a day out at the beach. Roomy, durable, and personalized to your taste, these totes are designed to cater to your needs and showcase your style. With a Marleylilly tote bag on your shoulder, you’re not just carrying your essentials but also showing off your sensational sartorial instincts.
12. Enhance Your Eyes With Lashify’s Natural Lash Extensions
Stepping into the world of beauty, let’s talk about Lashify’s natural lash extensions. Whether you’re all about the glam or prefer a more natural look, these lash extensions are just what you need to accentuate your eyes without the fuss of daily mascara.
Wake up with lashes that are ready to seize the day, no makeup required, and while that might not sound like such a win now … trust us, after your second week of brutal freshman 8 AM classes, you’ll appreciate saving a few minutes of sleep.
These lash extensions blend seamlessly with your natural lashes, giving you an effortlessly beautiful look. Whether you’re heading to class, a party, or a simple hangout with friends, your Lashify lash extensions will make sure your eyes are always ready to steal the show.
13. Get Your Finances in Order and MPOWER Yourself
Navigating the world of college finances can be daunting, especially when you know your parents either don’t have the means to support you or don’t have the credit to co-sign your loan. It can leave you in a tricky situation, making your freshman year much more stressful. This is where MPOWER comes in with their ability to help you get a student loan without cosigner.
This allows you to take control of your college journey without burdening others. It’s a step toward independence and a move that shows you’re serious about your education. That said, be sure to do your research before signing on to any loan so that you can be sure you understand the terms and how student loan payments will fit into your future, whatever it holds.
14. Study Anytime, Anywhere With a Newhouse Reading Lamp
We know that your college schedule can get a bit hectic, and sometimes you need to squeeze in study time when and where you can … even if that means a late-night cram sesh while your roommate is trying to get some shut-eye. When keeping the overhead light on to study isn’t an option, a Newhouse clip-on reading lamp can be a lifesaver. This is your faithful companion for those late-night study sessions, lighting your way through textbooks and notes without disturbing your roommate.
With an adjustable, clip-on reading lamp, you have the freedom to study anytime, anywhere, no matter what’s going on in the world around you. So go ahead, flip that switch, and let the learning continue!
15. Stay Organized and Save Space With BedShelfie
A stylish bedside shelf from BedShelfie is the handy space-saver and organizational life-saver you need to round out your dorm decor. It keeps your essentials within arm’s reach, be it your phone, glasses, books, or even that midnight snack.
Because while you want to fill your dorm room with everything you need to be comfortable, it’s important not to take up too much room and infringe on your roommate’s space. When it comes to your freshman year necessities, be shelf-ish while considering others with this essential piece of room decor.
From Freshman to Fresh, Man
You have two hundred things to do when it comes to getting ready for your freshman year of college, so we’re happy to make things a little easier for you with our ultimate summer shopping guide for the next big step in your life. These must-have items are more than just products, they’re your companions as you navigate the uncharted waters of college life.
From maintaining your health, expressing your style, smelling great, and staying refreshed, to creating a peaceful sanctuary, toting around in style, accentuating your eyes, managing your finances, studying at your convenience, and staying organized — it’s all covered.
As you gear up for your first semester, just think about how quickly your high school years seemed to fly by. It’s easy to take exciting periods of your life for granted, so always remember to live in the moment. Don’t let the little things get you down, and make sure you’re enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime experience. With the right essentials by your side, you’re ready to survive and thrive in this exciting new chapter.
McClatchy newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
