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10 College Essentials For The First-Generation Student

I have officially survived college for 3 weeks and it's all thanks to these 10 things.

Maggie Atkins

Sep 14, 2020

Pennsylvania State University

Woman laughing while standing beside Gatorade bottles.

Photo by Arren Mills on Unsplash

As the oldest in my family, I didn't get a bunch of tips from any older siblings or friends so I was really on my own. But I have survived almost a month in college thanks to these 10 things that I truly cannot live without!

Brita water filter

A Brita is a game changer.

https://tidymom.net/brita-filtered-water-pitcher/

Let's be real: college water is nasty. You truly need a Brita unless if you want to drink grey water which no one does. And it is a really cheap ($20). It also will fit in your mini fridge in your dorm room!

Mattress topper

A mattress topper is the key to getting a good nights sleep in college.

https://www.amazon.com/HOFISH-Inches-Infused-Mattress-Topper-Twin/dp/B072C4S2NH

I'm not going to lie, I was a little lenient to spend my money on a mattress topper. I ended up getting mine on Amazon and let met tell you it was worth every penny. Whenever someone comes in my room and sits on my bed one of the first things they mention is how comfortable it is.

Drying rack

Especially if you are a girl and have clothes that do not go in the dryer a drying rack is the way to go.

Photo by Joes Valentine on Unsplash

My roommate found the greatest foldable drying rack that she keeps under her bed and pulls out every week when we do laundry and it has been amazing. College dryers are not very forgiving with clothes so if you have anything that you don't want to shrink I highly recommend investing in a good drying rack that you and your roommate(s) can share.

Reusable water bottle

blue and red sports bottle on green grass near body of water during daytime

Hydro flasks are the best water bottles!

Photo by Shrey Gupta on Unsplash

I will say this once and only once you need a Hydro Flask. They are truly the best reusable water bottles that can keep anything cold or hot for multiple days. They also come with a lifetime guarantee.

Fan

Desk fans are life savers.

Photo by Toshi Kuji on Unsplash

Since I live in an un-airconditioned room a fan is a must. I have a box fan and a personal desk fan and they are the only things that get me trough the gross summer heat.

AirPods

AirPods are so important to have in a zoom dominated

images.google.com

I was a little uneasy to spend a large amount of money on some headphones but they have been so worth it. I use them every single day for at least 5 hours. I have gotten my money out of them and have only had them for 3 months. Also, Apple has a deal where if you buy a Mac you get AirPods for free so make it happen!

Restaurant gift cards

Gift cards are truly getting me through the disgusting dining hall food.

Olive Garden Restaurant Gift Card, 1/2015, by Mike Mozart … | Flickr

Having restaurant gift cards is so important. The dining hall food is already horrible and now with Covid causing things to be shut down and have less choices you get tired of eating gross food fast. So, having some gift cards or extra cash to treat yourself to some good food is really nice.

Chair cushion

gray and white throw pillow on black leather armchair

A seat cushion makes sitting in a chair for a long time bearable.

Photo by Juan Burgos on Unsplash

With the amount of time you will be sitting in your dorm room chair a seat cushion is truly a necessity. And, you can find them pretty cheap anywhere.

Bathrobe

Also something I never thought I would rely so much on: a bathrobe

images.google.com

A bathrobe is one of my must haves. I would die without this. I wear it every night to and from the communal showers and it saves me from accidentally dropping clothes or flashing someone. It is truly a life changer. Once you have one you can never go back.

ALL of the snacks

Sometimes you just need some candy.

images.google.com

Never underestimate the power of a good snack. It can be healthy or not. And it makes you feel good!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

North Carolina State University

1200

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

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Recommended for you

10 College Essentials For The First-Generation Student

I have officially survived college for 3 weeks and it's all thanks to these 10 things.

Brita water filter

Mattress topper

Drying rack

Reusable water bottle

Fan

AirPods

Restaurant gift cards

Chair cushion

Bathrobe

ALL of the snacks

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures.

1. Sun showers

2. Smiles

3. Tight hugs

4. Discovering new foods you like.

5. Laying in bed after a long day.

6. And being completely relaxed

7. "This reminded me of you"

8. Breakfast foods

9. Over-sized clothes

10. Contagious laughs

11. Car rides with that one person

12. Random (I miss you/ I love you) texts

13. The city at night

14. Surprises

15. Blanket cocoons

16. Good hair days

17. Really good coffee

18. Days where you're in a good mood naturally and for no particular reason

19. Conquering a fear

20. When they give you a lot of guac at Chipotle

21. Being so comfortable with someone that you can literally talk about anything

22. Home-cooked meals

23. Tattoo stories

24. Leaves changing color in fall

25. Butterflies in your stomach

26. Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches

27. When you can't stop laughing

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Want to know more about beer?

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

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Newsletter

1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)