1. Can Opener

As a college student, you'll be using a lot of canned goods. If the cans don't have lids you can lift up, you're going to have to use a can opener. Can openers are pretty cheap too. You can even get fancy with it and have an electric one, but honestly, a regular small one will be fine.

2. Pots & Pans

This one is definitely an obvious one. Without these, you're not going to survive. You need at least a few saucepans (big or small), an iron skillet for frying, one big pot for stews, and a few small pots for pasta, soups, rice, sauteing, and overall anything hot. You don't have to get overboard with these, but just know that they are the basic items. I have five pots and pans at the most and other items are just extra. It honestly depends on how much you'll be cooking.

3. Eating Utensils

This is an obvious one. Whether you're a metal or a plastic utensil kind of person, you're definitely going to need them. I recommend using metal utensils because they are washable and you save tons of money. Plus, if you're going to be cutting and eating hot foods, plastic lets you down. Believe me. I got a whole cute set of cutlery for $20 and it was the best decision I've ever made. If you have a problem with washing dishes, then you shouldn't be in the kitchen.

4. Colander

The average college student eats a lot of pasta, so of course, you're going to need one. You have to strain your noodles somehow. Colanders are also essential for cooking unless you want to suffer the consequences with wet and soggy noodles.

5. Measuring Cup

Of course you're going to need one! If you aren't experienced in the kitchen and you want to follow exact directions, you can't just eyeball it and hope it comes out right. Just save the trouble and buy one. This also applies to measuring spoons and cups.

6. Mixing Bowl(s)

Yes, this is essential for making salads, mixing meat together, making dough, whisking eggs, making a cake, and anything else you can think of.

7. Dinner plates for eating

Whether you call it a lunch plate or a dinner plate, a plate is a plate! When you were living in a dorm, you were probably using a paper plate. But when you live in apartment, you're going to need REAL plates because that saves money. Same thing as the utensils in #3. My best friend was nice enough to give me some too.

8. Cutting Board(s)

Instead of using a plate to cut your food, just invest in a cutting board. The really cheap ones are 88 cents and never gave me any problems. Some people use two cutting boards, one for meat and one for veggies. I personally use one cutting board and wash in between when I'm switching from meat to veggies to keep things sanitary.

9. Kitchen Knife

When it comes to dicing onions, tomatoes, veggies, potatoes, and meats, you're going to need one. This is also a staple cooking item. Cut at your own risk, since people are always accidentally cutting their fingers since they're so sharp.

10. Kettle (preferably electric)

If you use a regular kettle, it's totally fine! I use an electric kettle because it gets hot within minutes. This is perfect for making hot tea, coffee, and porridge, etc. I can take it anywhere and it doesn't take up too much space.

11. Storage Containers (for leftovers)

Trust me, as a college student, you'll definitely need these. If you want to meal prep or have some leftover food from cooking, these are perfect. These are also important for when you come home for breaks and want to steal some of your mom's home cooking. If you're one of those who likes to sneak food from dining halls, well, I guess this one is for you too!

12. Frying Mesh + Lids for pots & pans

The frying mesh is used for frying eggs and bacon and prevents spatter. It might be called something else but I just call it a frying mesh. And as for lids, they help speed up the process of cooking foods because the heat traps it inside. If your pot doesn't come with a lid, then you should definitely get one!

13. Peeler

For those who like to eat vegetables or cut potatoes. It saves you time from using a knife and you might accidentally cut yourself. It's less injuries too.

14. Ladle

If you're a soup person, it makes things easier to pick up. I'm sure you don't want to spend hours fishing for broth out of your pot.

15. Spatula

I mean, obviously. This is like a saucepan's best friend. Using a fork is not going to work so I would definitely invest in one. (If you like to bake, a batter spatula is cool too!)

16. Mixing Spoon

You can get a wooden one or plastic one! I use this for making cakes or mixing my iced tea. You can use a wooden spoon for basically everything!

17. Strainer

I use this for salads and washing my rice. Sometimes, I use this to get rid of hard clumps in flour or sugar. You can also use it for purees to get rid of lumps. You can use this for other things too, if you'd like.

18. Rice Cooker

This one is actually optional. If you don't like standing over your stove to watch your rice, you can just use a rice cooker. Also, I know people who don't know how to cook rice either, which is nothing bad.

I actually like a rice cooker because it does the work by itself. Yes, I'm lazy. They're just as cheap as $20 too! I heard you can use rice cookers for steaming, pastas, soups, slow cookers, and much more. Once again, this is totally optional!

19. Crockpot/Slow Cooker

Another item that's totally optional but also beneficial! I personally like slow cookers because they hold in all of the flavor and you don't have to worry about them. It's also perfect because you can start it before you go to class and then come back after a long day of lectures to warm, ready-to-eat food! You can make soups, pot roasts, and other meats.

20. Baking Sheet

This is for when you make cookies or roasted vegetables. A baking sheet its a baking sheet! I have a square one for when I make cornbread and stuff.

21. Oven Mitts

This is important for when you touch hot surfaces and stuff. I didn't think I would need one when I bought it, but trust me, I did...A LOT! Don't go rogue and try to grab it with your bare hands unless you want like third degree burns.

22. Toaster Oven

This is one is also optional if you won't use it a lot. I noticed my roommates use it for French toast sticks, toast, or just to quickly warm things up. I want to buy one for myself next year because I've been using it often.

23. Tongs

I use this for grabbing things after sauteing or frying them. You can use a fork if you want, but I personally like my tongs! I use them for almost everything I cook!

24. Soup/Cereal Bowls

I used to use containers for them, but now that I have bowls, they're beneficial. And college students like to eat a lot of cereal, that's for sure!

25. SEASONING

Now THIS is what I call essential. Even though it isn't an appliance, seasonings sure are a cooking necessity!

Let me tell you one thing about seasoning. Having just salt and pepper is NOT a seasoning. You need to have at least garlic, onion, parsley, seasoned salt, chili flakes, and so much more! I came from a cultural background where we use a lot of seasoning. I have items like curry, bouillon powder, ginger, thyme, turmeric, red and white wine, and other spicy seasonings because I take cooking seriously. You should see my cabinet, I'm obsessed. AND NO, SEASONING IS NOT OPTIONAL!

26. Juice Pitcher

This one can be optional as well! I make a lot of iced tea and lemonade back home, so of course, I was going to do it at school. It saves juice and is really good!

27. Aluminum Foil

If you use the oven a lot, this is a need! I sometimes use it to cover up opened cans if I'm not finished.

28. Paper Towels

You are going to have a lot of spills, so it's important to have paper towels on deck.

29. Dishwasher Soap & Sponge/Scrub

You should definitely have these. I added a scrub because I'm sure there are tough stains even a sponge can't handle. The scrub works perfectly for me when I accidentally burn sauces or have seasoning stuck to the pot.

30. Drinking Cups

Yes, of course you need these! What are you going to drink out of? Paper cups only last so long, you're going to always have to buy new ones. Like I keep saying, washing dishes won't hurt.

31. Plastic Wraps

For those meals you want to leave out and put a cover over. Or if you open a can of something and don't use all of it, this is perfect for preserving the liquid.

32. Hand Towel

Just for some hand-drying! Using too much paper towel will waste.

34. Sink Strainer (Mesh)

These are also called "food-stoppers," meant to prevent bits of food from clogging your sink. The one that came with my kitchen was terrible, I bought one for the apartment.

35. Blender

I personally don't have one, but if you're into quick meals and smoothies, then this will come in handy. You can use those little personal blenders I've seen on TV. But if you're blending something, please don't do it in the morning when your roommates are sleeping because...well, do I really have to explain?