This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.
There are so many things you need to pack for college so it’s easy to forget about some of the last-minute sort ofitems. These items aren’t necessarily essentials, but they’re great to have. I use the term “essential” kind of loosely, which, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while you can probably tell. I think a lot of things are essential because I feel as though I need a lot of things, you see.
A few of these items on the list came in my “Campus Shevival” BabbleBoxx package. Isn’t that a fun play on words? I’m a sucker for cute titles. Hopefully these last minute things to pack for college will help you find a little bit of inspiration and ideas for what to purchase when you’re preparing to head to college!
TECH & ACCESSORIES
Yes, I am holding the camera the wrong way. I realized after the fact. I’m only HUMAN.
1. A Camera: FUJIFILM Instax Mini 70
Capture your memories! You guys know I’m already a huge fan of FUJIFILM (Exhibit A: FUJIFILM Wonder Photo Shop NYC) and I was more than thrilled when they sent me a The Instax Mini 70 in Island Blue! For the longest time I had been back and forth on whether or not I wanted to purchase one of these little cuties because the price of film had deterred me, but after playing around with this I definitely think it’s worth it.
I mean, these tiny photos are so cute. I’m excited to hang them around my dorm room. This is perfect for capturing all of my college experiences and I love the instant gratification of being able to just have a picture in my hands, you know? No one has time to take photos, bring them to a store and have them printed. That’s not true but I’m ~lazy~ so.
2. A wallet that actually fits everything
Time to upgrade! Treat yourself to a nice wallet because you’re now an adult with lots of adult things in your wallet. You’ll have to make sure it fits your student ID, driver’s license, cash, loyalty cards, credit cards, gift cards, etc.
3. A reliable pair of headphones
You’re going to be using these incredibly often in college whether it be to listen to the new One Direction album or to block out the sign of your neighbor’s fornicating in the next room (you wish I was kidding). Actually, a new One Direction album is probably never happening, sorry to open up old wounds.
Get a pair that works well and can easily be transported. An aside: Please don’t get a pair of beats and be that kid that walks around wearing them like an accessory everywhere you go. It’s not as cool as you think.
BEAUTY/SELF-CARE
4. Lip balm: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula FlipBalms
Making sure your lips don’t get chapped is key. I love keeping one of these at my desk and one in my backpack. I received two of these cuties from Her Conference and have been really liking them. The packaging is so colorful, cute and practical. Juicy Watermelon, Creamy Coconut and Ripe Mango are the three flavors these come in–Mango is my favorite!
5. Makeup Remover
Stock up on these! This is the one item I will always bring to college with me in bulk. Even if you’re someone who wears small amounts of makeup, you always have to remember to take it off each night. Buying these in bulk from a wholesale store is a good way to save cash and make sure you don’t run out.
6. Moisturizer
I love putting this on every morning, especially because my moisturizer has SPF. I don’t know if you know this but I’m really fair. By “fair” I mean white as hell, like a piece of computer paper and snow. The sun isn’t allowed to penetrate my skin and moisturizer is an easy way to keep my skin moisturized and safe from enemy number one: Donald Trump the sun.
7. Cleansing Cloths: Simply Sensitive Summer’s Eve® Cleansing Cloths
These are a great way to stay fresh and clean. I love that you can toss them in your gym bag or backpack for when you’re on the go! They’re hypoallergenic and alcohol free, which is great for sensitive skin. They’re also available in scents Island Splash®, Sheer Floral®.
8. Little Packs of Tissues
You know those small travel size tissue packs you can just toss in your bag? They’re perfect for keeping in your backpack or even coat pockets. I have a pack of these in almost every purse I have, not because I’m on top of things, mostly because I’m too lazy to clean out my purses. There’s also most definitely gum wrappers, bobby pins and lipstick in all of these bags, too. Actually, if you’re reading this, please clean out your purses.
9. Medicine for headaches, cramps, etc.
Don’t pack your entire medicine cabinet but do pack the medicines you know you’ll probably need. It’s good to have some of these most-used medicines alongside some bandages and peroxide! You never know what you’ll need, but it’s good to be a little bit prepared.
10. Nail polish remover
I bought a huge bottle of this from Sally’s Beauty and it’s been an MVP. I’m not sure if you paint your nails every week like I do, but if you do, make sure you have plenty of nail polish remover.
ORGANIZATION/OFFICE
11. Permanent Markers
These are ridiculously useful! I recommend buying a pack of black ones to use throughout the year.
12. Drawer Organizers
I picked up a few of these before my freshman year and I’ve been using them religiously ever since. They’re great for organizing your desk and dresser drawers, I like using these to sort my desk supplies and ridiculous amount of makeup.
13. Colorful pens & highlighters: Zebra
Gel pens are so fun to write with. They glide so smoothly and look so pigmented but usually they smudge, which makes notes and study cards look like a mess. Luckily the Sarasa Gel pens have Rapid Dry Ink technology, so no more smudges! I’ve enjoyed the Z-Grip Plus Ballpoint pens, H-301 Steel Highlighter and F-301 BCA.
14. Dry erase markers
I feel like these are often forgotten but often needed. If you have a dry erase board for your door, as most college students do, or a dry erase calendar, these are key! It’s good to have an assortment of colors to help color code everything.
FOOD & DRINK
15. Small cookware: GreenPan Mini Ceramic Non-Stick Square Egg Pan
In college you’re usually cooking for one and you don’t have much space to do it. A small pan like this is perfect for when you’re cooking for yourself in a tiny dorm kitchen! It’s also a great excuse to not have to share food with your housemates/friends.
I’m so excited for this pan. One of my go-to meals in college is a scrambled egg with cheese. I literally cook one egg for a quick breakfast and this pan is the perfect size. It’s nonstick, perfect for frying and easy to clean. I hate washing dishes (don’t we all?) so I’m excited to be able to use this pan to cook one of my favorite dishes. I’m also excited that it’s easy to clean so I won’t have to mess up my nail polish whilst scrubbing pans.
You can buy this pan with a Back To School Promotion Discount Offer valid 8/14 – 9/4. It’s 20% and free shipping with the code SCHOOL20.
16. Filtered water bottle
This is good for your wallet and the environment! Water bottles are really popular at college’s although many of them don’t filter the water. Filtered water bottles allow you to turn sink water into clean drinking water, so you’ll never have to worry about refilling. This is one of the key things to pack for college, especially because the water at my school supposedly comes from the nearby river and in said river you’re supposedly allowed to dispose of waste in certain months. Um, ew. Also, the river is probably radioactive so you can bet I’m filtering my water.
17. A coffee mug
It’s up to you whether it’s travel, regular or both. Personally I hate travel mugs because I end up burning my tongue. Honestly, do you need an excuse to buy some cute coffee mugs? Absolutely not. Hoard them like I do because you can and they’re actually useful. In terms of things to pack for college, it’s really easy to overpack so don’t pack a ton of mugs like I did last year. You really only need one, maybe two.
18. Nonstick cooking spray
You’re going to use this whenever you actually decide to cook something. You won’t need this for nonstick pans like the one mentioned above, but if you’re baking or using other pans, this is great to have!
Pro tip from mom: If you have olive oil cooking spray and you spritz it on top of something before cooking it, it’ll give it a nice crispy golden color.
For more items to pack for college be sure to check 10 College Essentials Under $10 and 12 Things You’ll Forget to Pack For College.
