Get a Head Start on Back-to-Campus Shopping With These College Essentials

Laura Ashley Cotton Percale 200 Thread Count 3Pc. Sheet Set, Twin XL ($60)

A new semester calls for a new sheet set. Blanket your twin XL mattress with these floral sheets that are cooling and breathable. If "coastal grandmother" is your aesthetic, Laura Ashley has plenty of dreamy and colorful options for you to take home that will fit the bill.

IENJOY Home Collection Premium Bed Bug And Spill Proof Zippered Mattress Protector, Twin XL ($34)

You're most likely sleeping on a bed hundreds of other students have slept on before you, which makes a mattress protector not a want but a need. This waterproof and breathable option protects your mattress — and you — from spills, mold, allergens, odors, perspiration, and bacteria.

Brooklyn Loom Marshmallow Sherpa Twin/Twin XL Blanket ($39)

You'd be shocked by how comforting a cozy blanket can be when you're feeling homesick, actually sick, or just sick of your roommates. It's a cure-all for any bad mood.

IENJOY Tranquil Sleep Patterned Duvet Cover Set by The Home Collection, Twin/Twin XL ($27)

Odds are this duvet will follow you year to year, so keep it simple and choose yours wisely. We love these duvet cover sets because the designs are subtle without feeling boring — or childish.

Chefman Personal Mini Fridge ($50)

Use it for your skin-care products or for snacks, this mini fridge will be a godsend when you're too lazy to leave your room.

Delsey Raspail 28" Rolling Duffel ($144)

Luggage isn't meant to be sexy — it's meant to be practical. This 28" rolling duffel will fit everything you own (or close to it). It being on wheels just sweetens the deal.

Serta Essentials Ergonomic Computer Task Chair ($104)

Whether you're in a dorm or off-campus housing, a new desk chair is essential. This ergonomic chair is so comfortable you might find yourself inspired to actually use your desk this year.

Baggu Puffy Laptop Sleeve ($32)

There are only two things you'll have to keep on you at all times: your school ID and your laptop. Considering the latter is fragile, you'll want a laptop sleeve to keep it safe. Leave it to Baggu to make something as mundane as a laptop sleeve cool.

TZUMI ionvac ZipVac, 3-in-1 Corded Upright/Handheld Floor and Carpet Vacuum Cleaner ($33)

Be that roommate who gets the "boring" essentials your entire suite will need at one point or another, like when someone spills crackers all over the floor in the middle of the night or when an almost concerning amount of stray hairs coat your bathroom floor. By the end of the year, you'll all be fighting over who gets to keep this lightweight, portable vacuum (spoiler: it's you).

Girlfriend Collective Plum Scoop Unitard ($88)

If someone tells you that you can't wear athleisure to class, block their number. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and on time for your next seminar. This Girlfriend Collective unitard cuts your get-ready time in half — plus it's actually cute.

Furbish Love That Journey Needlepoint Pillow ($110)

Don't forget to decorate your room, too. You want your space to feel like yours when you come home from a long day cramming at the library, so why not adorn it with cheeky details that feel like you. Furbish makes dozens of needlepoint pillows etched with sassy sayings, like "Love That Journey For Me" and "Everything is Fine," which are sure to be fan-favorites among friends and roommates.

NESTL Shredded Memory Foam Reading Backrest Pillow, Petite ($25)

At school your bed is your sanctuary, and if you tend to spend most of your time on it studying, doing homework, or watching TV, a backrest pillow should be on your checklist.

Home Design Quick Dry Cotton 2-Pc. Bath Towel Set, Created for Macy's ($11)

New dorm, new towels. These don't need to be fancy, but they do need to be soft. These $11 quick-drying cotton towels at Macy's will make you — and your parents's bank account — happy.

Jansport Cross Town Backpack ($30)

Freshman-year you wanted to look chic — you wanted to try hard — but by now you're a campus vet and know that nothing can beat an understated classic, like a Jansport backpack. It's simple, carries everything you need, and will probably last you years after graduation.

Chefman 1.7 Liter Precision Control Electric Kettle Plus ($60)

If you're trying to ease up on your coffee intake, consider replacing your usual latte for tea. This electric kettle can heat up two cups of water in just three minutes, so you can steep a cuppa for you and your roomie at the same time.

The Cellar 2-Pc. Frypan Set, Created for Macy's ($50)

Your mother is right: a frying pan will come in handy. On the days that the dining hall is closed, or it's too late to venture out for a snack, this two-piece set will give you the ability to make whatever you're craving without having to leave your dorm.

Droplet Pretty Bright 12 Pack ($72)

At the first sign of stress, you might find yourself latching on to sugary energy drinks for strength. But if you're having trouble focusing or staying calm about the mountains of homework on your plate, consider a caffeine-free, adaptogenic alternative instead. Droplet has three flavors you can choose from based on your needs, whether you've got a tight deadline or need a post-essay pick-me-up.

Ellen Tracy Women's Shawl Collar Long Robe ($46)

Sharing a bathroom with so many people — and potentially having to go into the hallway in order to get back to your room — means a robe is a must. This one is so soft and warm, you probably won't want to take it off.

Crocs Classic Crocs Slide ($22)

Ah, shower shoes: a necessary evil, some say. You can't share a bathroom without them, so you might as well make them cute — or at least as cute as shoes dedicated to communal showers can be.

Kleen Kanteen 12 oz TKWide Insulated Water Bottle with Twist Cap ($30)

Don't underestimate how little you'll be in your room when classes are officially in session. Sometimes you have to run from the library to the printing center to a lecture without taking a break. Whether you use it for coffee or for water, an insulated bottle will be your new best friend.

Elama 100 Piece Velvet Slim Profile Heavy Duty Felt Hangers ($60)

100 hangers seems excessive, but without fail, every year, you forget just how many clothes you own. And think of all the clothes you're going to buy while away! 100 suddenly seems like a quaint number. When you shop around for hangers, opt for ones made of velvet. They help save space and offer friction wooden hangers can't, so clothes won't slip so easily.

Dormify Over the Door Vanity Organizer, Versatile and Convenient ($39)

Speaking of space saving, this over-the-door organizer adds space to a room that isn't nearly — and never was — big enough to fit more than one person. Use it to store shoes, makeup, scarves, literally anything you want that doesn't have a home anywhere else.

Papier Have Fun Spiral Academic Year Planner ($32)

If you've never had a planner before, you have no grounds to pooh-pooh it. This Papier planner offers dedicated space for tracking finances, weekly timetables, and big-picture goal setting, all of which you'll find helpful when those syllabi deadlines start to creep up.

Quay Wired Blue Light Glasses ($55)

When you spend most of your time staring at a screen, be it a tablet, computer, or phone, blue light glasses are necessary. Don't overlook their power – these lightweight oversized frames uses blue light lenses that can help save you hours of eye strain and headaches.