We built our college dorm shopping checklist to help students save time and money. Our team went shopping for you and compiled a list of awesome products at affordable prices. The dorm guide also includes our need vs. want rating system and commentary which help students and parents decide what items to bring to college.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the free 6-Month Amazon Prime Student Trial!
Colleges usually have Twin (39” x 75”) and Twin XL (38” x 80”) sized beds in the dorm rooms. Mattresses are normally provided for on-campus students but mattress toppers and pads are not included.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found a direct correlation between students quality of sleep and their grades. If you’re worried about not getting great sleep on the college provided mattress, then you should consider investing in a memory foam mattress topper and/or mattress pad. Placing a 2-4 inch topper on your mattress is a cost effective solution to getting better sleep.
The checklist is broken down into 12 categories and you can click on any item or section button to view our recommended products, need rating, and in-depth student commentary.
Essential items are indicated by a check mark, but some may differ or be worth bringing depending on your budget, preference, and living situation. For example, students who share a communal bathroom with their entire floor have different needs than those with their own.
Our top pick for saving money this back to college season is Amazon, which offers student’s access to nearly any brand or product and a free 6 month trial of Amazon Prime Student! Students who sign up get free 2 day shipping on all prime eligible products and access to a wide range of services including Prime Video and Music, Amazon Channels, Prime Reading, Exclusive Discounts, and more! Amazon also helps students save money through their warehouse section, which features open box returns on top products at reduced prices.
Another great place for students and parents to shop this back to college season is Target. Signing up for the free College Registry gives you 15% off your entire online order! The service also gives students the ability to add products to their registry by scanning barcodes in Target stores, set custom order pick up dates, and select a location near their college.
Another great way to save this back to college season is Ebates.com, a cash-back shopping website with dozens of top retailers. You can shop at places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Overstock.com, Kohl’s, jet, and many more. Ebates also offers a free $10 signup bonus when you make a free account and make a purchase over $25. When you’re on the website just select the store you want to shop at and it will redirect you to the retailers website. Alternatively, you can download the Ebates cash back button browser extension so you don’t have to visit the main website every time.