The Ultimate Survival Kit For College Freshman | 25+ Items That Will Save You In Your Freshman Dorm

Looking for everything you need to survive in your dorm this year? Here is the ultimate survival kit for college freshman.

Moving out of your childhood home and into a college dorm is a huge step. It can be easy to forget things that are essential to living on your own simply because you were so used to having them at home.

After living in my dorm for about a week, I specifically remember realizing I didn’t have basic essentials like bobby pins, medicine, or even just things like scissors and tape. I was totally used to my parents providing everything so I didn’t even think to bring those things.

Bringing a college survival kit is essential to surviving your freshman year in the dorms so I put together an entire list of everything you need to bring.

This post is all about the ultimate survival kit for college freshman

ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR COLLEGE FRESHMAN:

1. Medicine

Advil Liqui-Gels minis Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer, Pain Medicine for Adults with Ibuprofen 200mg for Pain Relief - 200 Liquid Filled Capsules

Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Day & Night Caplets for Fever, Pain, Cough & Congestion Relief, 24 Count

TUMS Extra Strength Antacid Tablets for Chewable Heartburn Relief and Acid Indigestion Relief, Assorted Fruit Flavors - 330 Count

Bringing all kinds of medicine is my number one suggestion when it comes time to move into your freshman dorm. Dorms have pretty bad air filtration systems and when one person on your floor gets sick, you probably will too. Sharing community bathrooms and a dorm room with someone else is pretty much a guarantee that you will get sick at some point while living in the dorms.

I pretty much lived on Mucinex whenever I got sick and Advil after a night out. I also highly recommend having a pack of Emergen-C on hand during your time living in a dorm room. Anytime you start to feel bad, mix a pack in with your water to prevent getting sick.

2. Tool Kit

40-Piece All Purpose Household Pink Tool Kit for Girls, Ladies and Women - Includes All Essential Tools for Home, Garage, Office and College Dormitory Use

Having a tool kit is super important to have when you move into your first apartment but it also is super useful to have in your dorm room! Having a hammer, screwdriver, and Exacto knife is super helpful when moving into your dorm or fixing up a couple of things throughout the year.

Even if you don’t end up using your tool kit a ton in your dorm room, you will definitely be using it in your future college apartment.

3. Tide To Go Pen

Getting a stain on your clothing right before going out is one of the worst things am I right? Having to change out of the outfit you just spent time putting together is so frustrating.

Keep a Tide to-go pen in your dorm for easy and instant stain removal. I recommend keeping on in your survival kit for freshman, purse, and bathroom bag.

4. Command Hooks And Extra Strips

Command Variety Pack, Picture Hanging Strips, Wire Hooks and Wall Hooks, Damage Free Hanging Clear Variety Pack for Up to 19 Christmas Decorations, 1 Kit

Command Large Refill Adhesive Strips, Damage Free Hanging Wall Adhesive Strips for Large Indoor Wall Hooks, No Tools Removable Adhesive Strips for Christmas Hooks, 20 White Command Strips

You most likely can’t use nails in your dorm room so Command hooks are your best option to hang things up. These literally changed the game when it came to my wall decor and were surprisingly so sturdy. I used them to hang up all of my wall decor and even used them as coat and purse racks.

Make sure to keep different size hooks around as well as extra strips in case you run out or want to move your wall decor around.

{RELATED POST: 15 Genius Dorm Wall Decor Ideas That Are Insanely Cute}

5. Portable Charger

Miady 2-Pack 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger, USB-C Fast Charging Power Bank, Backup Charger for iPhone 15/14/13, Galaxy S23/22, Pixel and etc

Keeping a portable charger in your college survival kit is pretty much a necessity. Having your phone die during a night out is so frustrating and inconvenient especially if you use your phone to get into your dorm.

Keeping a portable charger around will ensure your phone never dies while out and about and will be a lifesaver when the power goes out.

6. Tape

Invisible Tape Bulk & Stainless Steel Scissors Set - 8 Pack Gift Wrap Tape for Christmas Gift Wrapping- 0.7x800 inchesTafomega Gift Tape Roll for Office School Home

Tape is one of those things that I forgot to bring but ended up needing all of the time. I would 100% recommend keeping it in your college survival kit!

I suggest bringing regular Scotch tape for general use, masking tape for an easily removable option, and packing tape for packages.

7. Scissors

Scissors were one of those things I forgot about but always needed to cut tags off clothing, open packages, and cut loose threads.

You will be needing scissors all of the time while living in your freshman dorm room so make sure to keep a pair or two around. Why not get a gold pair of scissors while you’re at it?!

{RELATED POST: 31 Best Graduation Gifts That Show Her How Much You Care}

8. Chapstick/Lipbalm

I am one of those people who loses their chapstick 24/7 but always end up needing it. Make sure to keep a pack of chapstick or lip balm around for the cold winter months. Your lips will thank you!

9. Tampons

L. Organic Cotton Tampons, 20 Regular 10 Light (30 Compact Tampons Total) with BPA-Free Plastic Applicators

Don’t forget feminine products! The worst thing ever is starting your period and being out of tampons. These organic tampons are the best around. Plus, the packaging is super cute.

10. Nail Polish Remover

Pronto 100% Acetone Gel Nail Polish Remover - Gel Polish Remover for Nails | Acetone Nail Polish Remover & Gel Remover For Nails, Glue, Gel, Acrylic & Dip | Pure Acetone, 16 Fl oz

LASSUM 200ml (7 oz) Push Down Empty Pump Dispenser for Nail Polish Remover Liquid Bottle, Black and Clear

Nail polish remover is essential if you paint your nails often. I highly suggest buying pure acetone nail polish remover and filling a push bottle with it. These bottles are so much more convenient and prevent spilling. I have also found acetone nail polish remover already in these bottles at the dollar store if you want to save plastic!

{RELATED POST: 31 Best Graduation Gifts That Show Her How Much You Care}

11. Nail Clippers And File

Revlon Mini Nail Clipper, Nail Care Tools, Curved Blade for Trimming & Grooming, Easy to Use (Pack of 1)

Nail File - Glass Nail File with Case - SEA COLOR - Premium Fingernail Files for Professional Manicure Nail Care - Crystal Nail File - Nail Files for Natural Nails

Nail clippers and a nail file are two more nail products that no one should leave out of their survival kit for college freshmen. No matter if you are a guy or a girl, you will definitely need them while living in your dorm room.

12. Bandaids And Neosporin

Band-Aid Hydro Seal All Purpose, 10 Count(One Size) Each(Pack of 2)

Neosporin + Pain Relief Dual Action Cream, 1 Oz

You are inevitably going to get a couple of cuts or blisters in college that you will need bandaids for. Keep a first aid kit around full of different-sized bandaids, Neosporin, and these blister bandaids. These blister bandaids are my all-time favorite and protect your blisters from getting worse.

To bolster your first aid arsenal, consider exploring www.e-firstaidsupplies.com, a reliable source for a comprehensive selection of first aid kit supplies and kits. Having such a resource at your fingertips ensures that you’re well-prepared to tackle minor mishaps swiftly, allowing you to focus on the more important aspects of your college journey.

PS. I just learned you can use blister bandaids (hydrocolloid bandaids) for pimples too?! Leave them on your pimples overnight and you can literally see the gunk from your pimple on the bandaid the next morning. I tried it out the other day and it actually works!

13. Bobby Pins

Super Grip Bobby Pins - Black (Approx. 400 Count) - Womens Bobby Pins 1.9 Inch - Easy, Secure, All Hair Types - Handy Reusable Tin

Bobby pins are essential for anyone with medium-length to long-length hair. I constantly lose these so having a ton around is a great idea.

14. Hair Ties

Goody Ouchless Womens Elastic Hair Tie - 27 Count, Black - 4MM for Medium Hair- Hair Accessories for Women Perfect for Long Lasting Braids, Ponytails and More - Pain-Free (Packaging May Vary)

GOODY Ouchless Womens Polyband Elastic Hair Tie - 250 Count, Clear - Fine Hair Accessories to Style With Ease and Keep Your Hair Secured - Perfect for Fun and Unique Hairstyles - Pain-Free

Make sure to bring regular hair ties as well as small elastics. I’m sure any girl can relate to constantly losing these so having a large pack around is always a good idea.

15. Sewing Kit And Safety Pins

Safety Pins Assorted, Hiidayy 350PCS Nickel Plated Steel Large Safety Pins Heavy Duty, 5 Different Sizes Safety Pin, Safety Pins Bulk (Silver)

I can’t tell you how many times I would have to ask my roommate or a girl down the hall for a safety pin. Keeping safety pins in your dorm is great if you’re in a pinch and need to quickly fasten a strap or make your clothes tighter. Keep a small and simple sewing kit on hand in case a strap breaks or you need to sew a button back on.

16. Lint Roller

Flint Retractable Lint Roller, Refillable, 30 Sheets, Black

Lint rollers are great to have in your freshman survival kit for when you’re in a pinch and need to clean hair, dust, or lint off your clothing. These lint rollers are the best and come in two sizes that are easy to keep in a purse or small bag.

Plus, they are retractable so they wont lose their stickiness or get dirty while in your bag.

{RELATED POST: 13 Target Dorm Organization Products To Keep Your Room Looking Spotless}

17. Batteries

Duracell Coppertop AA + AAA Batteries Combo Pack with Power Boost Ingredients, 20 Count Double A & Triple A Battery with Long-Lasting Power, Alkaline Battery - 40 Count Total

You are going to need batteries at some point for calculators, lights, and other items in your dorm room. I recommend keeping both AA and AAA batteries on hand just in case!

18. Sleeping Mask

LULUSILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye Mask & Blindfold with Elastic Strap/Headband, Soft Eye Cover Eyeshade for Night Sleeping, Travel, Nap(Pink)

There are going to be times while living in your dorm that your roommate has to stay up late working on homework or when it is just too bright in your room. Keep a sleeping mask around so you can always get that beauty sleep you deserve!

19. Mini Deoderant

Secret Antiperspirant and Deodorant for Women, Freshies On-the-Go, Invisible Solid, Waterlily Scent, Travel Size 0.5 oz, 3-count

Secret freshies are my all-time favorite portable deodorants. They fit perfectly in any purse, makeup bag, or in this case, survival kit! Keeping these around is great if you don’t want to carry around a large sized deodorant.

20. Clorox Wipes

CloroxPro Disinfecting Wipes, Healthcare Cleaning and Industrial Cleaning, Clorox Disinfectant, Bleach Free Cleaning Wipes, Fresh Scent, 75 Count - 31430

Your dorm room is inevitably going to get dirty so you want to make sure to keep Clorox wipes around. Using these to clean frequently will also kill germs and bacteria and help prevent you from getting sick.

{RELATED POST: 18 Dorm Cleaning Supplies Every Single College Freshman Should Have}

21. Wrinkle Releaser Spray

If you watch my Instagram stories, you have heard me rave about Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray. It basically is the next best alternative to a steamer or iron and takes no time to fix wrinkles.

Bringing an ironing board to your dorm room is pretty much impossible and most of the time not even allowed. Keep these mini wrinkle releaser spray bottles around to fix wrinkled clothes in minutes.

22. Thermometer

Thermometer for Adults, Oral Thermometer for Fever, Medical Thermometer with Fever Alert, Memory Recall, C/F Switchable, Rectum Armpit Reading Thermometer for Baby Kids and Adults

Like I said before, you are most likely going to get sick at some point while living in your freshman dorm so having a thermometer around is a good idea. You don’t want to be going to class with a fever so keep a thermometer around for the times you aren’t feeling well.

{RELATED POST: 27 Dorm Essentials You Can’t Forget}

23. Super Glue

Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Minis, Clear Superglue, Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Instant Glue, Quick Dry - .03 fl oz Tube, Pack of 3

I used super glue for anything and everything and my dorm room so it is one item you don’t want to leave out of your college survival kit for freshman dorm living.

Super glue is great to fix things in your dorm or if you are anything like me, glue nails back on. ?

24. Cough Drops

Ludens Deliciously Soothing Throat Drops, Wild Cherry Flavor, 90 Count

The worst thing ever is being stuck in your dorm room with a sore throat. Keep couch drops around to ease your pain and coughing until you can get to a doctor.

25. Tissues

Kimberly-clark Corp 11975 Kleenex White Facial Tissue (Pack of 16)

You don’t want to have to run to the bathroom every time you need to blow your nose so keeping tissues in your room is a good idea. I recommend having a box by your bed as well as mini packs to keep in your purse or backpack.

26. Dry Shampoo

Living proof Full Dry Volume Blast, 3 oz

We have all been through those days where we just do not feel like washing our hair. I highly recommend keeping a bottle of dry shampoo in your college survival kit. Keep a full-sized bottle in your dorm as well as a mini-sized bottle to keep in your bag to use when you are on the go.

27. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is great to have in your dorm room for when you are in a pinch and don’t have time to go to the community bathroom to wash your hands. I recommend every freshman keep a couple of bottles around to help prevent you from getting sick as well!

{RELATED POST: The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist For Your Dorm That Every College Girl Should Know}

28. Ear Plugs

Flents Foam Ear Plugs, 50 Pair for Sleeping, Snoring, Loud Noise, Traveling, Concerts, Construction, & Studying, NRR 33, Purple, Made in the USA

If you are a light sleeper, earplugs are going to be a must-have in your freshman survival kit.

My dorm was next to a train track that ran every hour so you bet I kept these around my freshman year. You can buy a large pack like this one for cheap from Amazon that will last you the entire year. These are also great if you are trying to sleep while your roommate is watching TV or playing music.