I compiled this list of college essentials that I discovered I needed as I started school. The IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond College checklist was helpful, but it forgot some of the essentials that I personally need e.g. snacks and plenty of comfy clothes.

A TV- Trust me, there will be days when you don’t want to watch Netflix. All you’ll want is to watch HGTV or Say Yes Saturdays.

Pictures of family and friends- If you live on campus, it’s likely you don’t see your family all the time. Having pictures in your room will make it seem that home isn’t too far away.

Snacks- Always have snacks in your room. There will be many days where you’d rather have rice cakes for dinner than have cafeteria food.

Any type of rain gear- Walking in the rain is never fun, especially if you have a long walk to your classes.

A fan- You’ll be grateful for this when the dorms are 100 degrees, but also it will help drown out noise when you need to catch some ZZZs.

Books- No, not just your textbooks, but books you enjoy to read for fun. I started reading my own books, and it is so nice to get a break from college- level reading.

Brita filter- I personally cannot drink my school’s water, which is why I got a Brita. Also, it’s great to have if you don’t have a water fountain in your dormitory.

Lamps- The lighting in dorm rooms are typically fluorescent, which is so bad for your eyes and overall health. My roommate and I have three lamps and Christmas lights, and they light up the room perfectly.

Chocolate- Sometimes just a piece of Dove chocolate can get you through the rest of the school day.

A hat- For those bad hair days.

Lots of comfy clothes- By the time it’s Friday, all you’ll want to do is stay in sweatpants and oversized sweatshirts all weekend. I say this with confidence because that is me every weekend. No shame.