College Essentials and Advice According to 9 University It-Girls
David Ruff
As I am in the thick of college applications, feeling equally nervous and excited, I couldn’t help but wonder what I need once I am in college. I am a firm believer in crafting an environment that speaks volumes to who you are—a home away from home, essentially. At times of heightened stress, *ahem* college applications, I look for solace in my own personal space. Countering stress from classes and home sickness, your dorm room will be your own oasis away from the pressures of your first chapter of adulthood.
From dorm essentials to closet essentials, these college it-girls fill me in on the items that brighten their day, outfits, and dorms. Keep reading to find out what you will be adding to your shopping cart, or if you are like me, what you will be purchasing in a year from now.
Brynn Buonocore, University of Michigan
Fashion essentials: Lululemon Align leggings; oversized distressed denim jacket; Madewell skinny jeans “seriously the most flattering jeans ever - I prefer the 9” mid-rise cropped”; Project Social T Wearever Tee; Windsor Smith Racer Black Leather/White Platform sneaker
Beauty essentials: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and Exfoliating Skin Perfector Solution “I literally didn’t believe in skin care until I tried this duo.”; Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation “aka the holy grail”; Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara and Bare Minerals Lashtopia “I layer them.”; Too Faced Sunny Bunny Natural Bronzer
Dorm essentials: An extension chord with multiple outlets; Tem-purpedic Mattress Topper “ It is so worth the money—I liked it more than my real bed at home.”; string lights “As basic as that sounds, the harsh fluorescent lighting in dorms is not ideal when watching Netflix late at night".”; UE Boom 2 Waterproof Speaker; slippers “For when you wake up in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom the last thing you want to do is have to put on sneakers.”
Class essentials: Keep an extra phone and laptop charger in your bag at all times; Snacks “I overestimated how much time I would have between classes and how late I would be stuck at the library.”; 1 notebook “Even though I almost always took notes on my laptop some teachers have no-electronics policies and if your laptop dies you’ll need to still be able to take notes.”; always have at least 1 pack of gum or mints in your bag; headphones
Advice for Freshmen: “The best advice I can give to incoming freshmen is to embrace that starting college is simultaneously one of the most exciting and nerve-racking times in your life. There will be great days and there will be terrible days, but I promise, by the time you graduate, the good times will far outweigh the bad. The next 4 years will be full of growth in an inexplicable number of ways, so really dedicate this time to understanding who you are and where you want to be—academically, socially, career-wise it doesn’t matter; Use this time to really get to know yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Mary Elizabeth Goode, Fordham University
Fashion essentials: SoulCycle leggings; Loeffler Randall Starla Ankle Wrap Sandals; Tanya Taylor Blaire Dress; Madewell Flair Denim Jeans; Roxanne Assoulin bracelets
Beauty essentials: “I’m not really into beauty products that much; however, I get all my makeup and face wash from Follain in the West Village (and you can shop online)! I record their Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash and love all their makeup—it’s all clean and toxin-free!
Dorm essentials: “I love my Kate Spade bedding, shower curtain, and toothbrush holder. I also love rugs from Anthropologie and Society6 for posters!”
Class essentials: “I recommend Kate spade for cute organizational supplies; a good planner is key to success.”
Advice for Freshmen: “Just be yourself! Stop worrying about how things “should” be and don’t compare your college experience to anyone else’s (especially other people on social media) just keep showing up and know that everyone’s experience is unique—that’s what makes college so special. And have fun!”
Maggie Langer, University of Pennsylvania
Fashion essentials: A good belt; Rag and Bone Cigarette Jeans; sneaker; ;a jacket; Zara white tees
Beauty essentials: Glossier Balm Dot Com; Moroccan Oil; Malin and Goetz Face Oil; Hourglass Bronzer; Aquaphor
Dorm essentials: Urban Outfitters Soft Fleece Blanket; fluffy mattress pad cover; a happy lamp; hanging shoe organizer; Clorox Wipes
Class essentials: Laptop; Swell Water Bottle; fun pens; a planner; goldfish
Advice for Freshmen: “Meet people outside of your bubble.”
Katie Leigh, Tulane University
Fashion essentials: Lululemon Align Leggings; comfy sweatshirts; basic t-shirts; school spirit clothing; pajama shirts that remind me of home
Beauty essentials: Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant; Dermalogica Calm Water Gel; Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel; Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara; Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray
Dorm essentials: “You will need lots of storage bins, desk organizers, a full length mirror, a step stool, cleaning supplies, pictures, and fun decorations.”
Class essentials: “You will need snacks, colored pens, highlighters, water bottle, computer, and an umbrella in case it rains between classes.”
Advice for Freshmen: “Freshman year is going to be one of the craziest, weirdest, most amazing years of your life. Be open to all the changes and new experiences you’re going to have and make the most of every moment because you have no idea how fast the year is going to fly by.”
Libby Meland, University of Michigan
Fashion essentials: “A jean jacket to throw over absolutely anything, sweat sets so you can be comfy and still look somewhat put together, and cozy beanies for the winter.”
Beauty essentials: Minimergency Kit “Keep this in your backpack at all times!”; Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask; Origins Active Charcoal Mask; “When you're in a hurry and don’t want to run across campus to class with wet hair (mainly because I go to a freezing school) you need a blow dryer! You also need a good moisturizer; I can’t live without The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid and Olehenriksen Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer.”
Dorm essentials: “This nightstand was great because my dorm room was too small to fit a table.”; “ I use this hair towel so I don’t have to run through the dorm hall with soaking wet hair and so I don’t have to use two towels.”; “You need some sort of photo display.”; “ I love a cozy throw blanket that makes you never want to wake up from your nap.”
Class essentials: “First of all: go to class! Bring your laptop charger because you never know when your computer will decide to die; a comfy sweatshirt because classrooms are cold; any system to keep you organized: planner, iCalendar, etc.”
Advice for Freshmen: “ Take every opportunity to meet new people and try new things! Attend everything that interests you (that you can) and get involved! The people you can meet are incredible, and the resources available around you are unparalleled and invaluable. Lastly, push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
Kristina Mullen, University of Pennsylvania
Fashion essentials: Barbour Classic Beadnell Wax Jacket in navy “The perfect fall transition jacket that has
a touch of British prep.”; Steve Madden Gills Grey Suede Platform Slides “The best shoes to slip on when I’m in a morning rush for class that match with pretty much everything.”; “A high waisted jean skirt is one of the few pieces of clothing that can transition from class to going out with friends!”; American Eagle Farrah Skinny Jean “I have these jeans in multiple washes—they are definitely apart of my ‘college’ uniform.”; Lululemon Align Leggings “The most comfortable leggings for long library sessions or SoulCycle.”
Beauty essentials: Neutrogena Oil Free Face Moisturizer with SPF; Kjaer Weis Mascara “I typically don’t do a full face of makeup for class but if I’m looking especially sleep deprived I like to pop on a bit of mascara.”; & Other Stories Canvas Perfume Oil “I love perfume and enjoy switching up my scents regularly.”; Vaseline “Nothing glamorous but it keeps my lips from getting chapped overnight in the dry-air dorm rooms.”; NARS palette “All the shades I need for a natural look.”
Dorm essentials: Clorox Wipes “When everyone on your hall is sick, you will be grateful for these!”; Tempur-Pedic Mattress Topper “Your bed at school will rival your bed at home with this mattress topper.”; Mini-Vacuum “Even small dorm rooms can collect a lot of dust.”; Shower Caddy “The easiest way to transport all your shower and bathroom essentials (p.s. towel dresses are life savers for girls!)”; Full Length Door Mirror “Much needed for last minute outfit checks.”
Class essentials: Hand Sanitizer “Again, the germ thing!”; Portable Charger “Your laptop or phone is bound to die and you may not be seated near an outlet during lecture.”; Planner “I would be so lost without mine! Even with online schedules, I still rely most heavily on my physical planner.”; Binders and Looseleaf Paper “I prefer to take my notes by hand and certain professors have a no-technology policy so I use a binder system to stay organized.”; Swell Water Bottle “Definitely need to stay hydrated through a long day of classes!”
Advice for Freshmen: “The first weeks of freshman year are exciting yet overwhelming. My biggest piece of advice would be to remember that everyone else is in the same boat. In many ways, freshman year of college is like kindergarten all over again—a sea of new faces in which everyone is searching for their new best friend. Do not be afraid to strike up conversation with the person sitting next to you in your writing seminar or sit down with strangers in the dining hall. Simply saying hi and introducing yourself is all it takes to break the ice. Similarly, do not worry if you don’t you’re your “people” right away. Friendships take time and friend groups evolve a lot during your first year. As cliché as it sounds, be yourself because you will be able to find your niche!”
Sydney Weber, Lehigh University
Fashion essentials: “When I go to class, there are days that I choose to dress nicely and days that I choose to dress more comfortably. Therefore, there are five essential articles of clothing that I always make sure to bring with me to college. I always bring a few comfortable sweatshirts to wear to bed, to class, or to the library. I try to bring some simple pieces and some trendy pieces so that I can mix and match sweatshirts with leggings, but also wear the more simple sweatshirts with jeans to wear a casual yet nice outfit. Secondly, I always make sure to bring black leggings to college because they match with everything and are very comfortable. I can wear leggings to class, the gym, the library, and even out to dinner. I also make sure to always bring a bathing suit— you never know when it will be nice out to relax in the sun or nice out to run through the slip ’n slide at a barbecue on campus! I also make sure to bring a jean jacket. Jean jackets can make any outfit look put together, and when I want to wear more comfortable clothing, yet look more presentable, I always make sure to throw on a jean jacket. I always get complements on how put together I look! Finally, I always bring a few graphic tee shirts to college because I can wear them with leggings, jeans, shorts, and even skirts. Most tee shirts are cotton, and therefore are comfortable, so I make sure these are always in my closet.”
Beauty essentials: “I am a beauty guru—I love makeup. At college, it is essential to me that I bring my favorite beauty products so I can leave my dorm feeling clean, put together, and confident. The first beauty essential that I bring to college is tinted moisturizer. I love tinted moisturizer because it has SPF, covers up small blemishes without being too heavy on the skin, and is easy to put on and to take off. I also always bring lip gloss to college because it is the finishing product to every makeup look, and can also be worn both during the day and at night. I also make sure that I bring a face wash that works both as a cleanser and as a makeup remover. Having the benefits of both makes it easy to get ready for bed at night, especially after a night of going out and wearing makeup for a long amount of time. Another essential beauty product that I bring to college with me is mascara. When I put mascara on, I instantly look more awake. This is important, especially since I wake up early for class during the week! Finally, I always bring highlighter. I love to highlight the high points of my face. I love highlighter because if I decide not to wear face makeup one day, putting highlighter on accentuates my facial features and allows me to look dewy despite not wearing a lot of makeup.”
Dorm essentials: “To keep me comfortable and satisfied in this cozy space, I must always have five essential things in my dorm. The first is a mirror. Without a mirror, I can’t properly do my makeup, get dressed, or even brush my hair. Having a mirror is essential because most dorms only have small mirrors hung up on walls with barely any space to see below the neck. Secondly, I always make sure that I have a multiple-outlet cord. There are very minimal outlets in dorm rooms, so having this allows me to plug in a phone charger, computer charger, flat iron, blow dryer, lamp, and speaker all at the same time! It’s also important to decorate the walls to feel comfortable and cozy and to make yourself feel at home. It is essential that I have at least one poster or mural to hang up. I also always make sure that I have a soft blanket at the end of my bed to use when I nap (naps are always necessary in college!). Finally, the last dorm essential for me is a cube that can open and fit items. I keep this cube next to my bed and use it as a step stool, bench, and storage unit! It has a gray and white marble pattern so it matches my gray and light pink theme. I got mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.”
Advice for Freshmen: “One piece of advice I would give to incoming freshman is to learn to manage your time as soon as classes start. It is important to have fun, but it is also important to work hard. Plan out a schedule that includes when you will study, nap, do busy work, and even begin to get ready for a night out. Write out the times and activities on a calendar or in an agenda to stay motivated and organized. It is important to develop good time management skills because without them, it is difficult to stay on top of work and succeed while also enjoying time out at school.”
Alexa Weil, Cornell University
Fashion essentials: Aquatalia Gabriella Speed-Laced Hiker Sneaker “These high top sneakers are not only super cute and versatile, but they’re also weatherproof. I go to school at Cornell, in Ithaca, NY, where the snow never stops falling, so it’s absolutely necessary to own a few pairs of boots. But for days when there is snow on the ground and you don’t want to lace up bulky boots, these sneakers are the best.”; Forever 21 Stretch Ribbed Solid Beanie in Neon Pink “Once again, Ithaca is FREEZING! It’s imperative that students here bundle up, but I always like to stand out among the herd of black Canada Goose jackets. This neon pink hat is for sure a statement piece that will simultaneously keep you warm!”; JBrand Natasha Sky-High Super Skinny Jeans In Galactic Black “These jeans are my favorite pants to wear out! They look good with everything and since they aren’t real leather, I’m less stressed about getting them dirty.”; Nike Air Force 1 '07 Women's Shoe “Okay, I know that almost every girl on the planet owns Air Force 1s, but they actually are the most resistant shoes. Every sorority girl needs a good pair of “frat shoes,” and I swear by these.”; W. BRIT Cog Hoops “Any pair of gold hoops will do, but these are my personal favorite! They have a cool, industrial feel while still looking sophisticated and classic. My favorite accessory for sure is a good pair of hoop earrings!”
Beauty essentials: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer “The Dyson hair dryer is definitely a little pricey, but I swear by it. I can dry my hair in less than 15 minutes, which is incredibly helpful on a tight college schedule.”; Valentino Donna Rosa Verde Eau de Toilette “I’ve been told multiple times that my friends can tell I’m coming solely by my perfume, and it’s one of my favorite things to hear. I genuinely believe that having a personal scent is SO important.”; NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer “After pulling an all-nighter in the library you are surely going to have bags under your eyes. I wear very little makeup to class, but I use my NARS concealer every single day.”; It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Plus Keratin “It sounds corny, but this leave in conditioner TRULY is a miracle. My hair naturally frizzes and curls in the worst places, and this product makes it look so much better in seconds. I put a bit of it on my brush each morning and it works wonders!”; Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara “I have naturally short eyelashes, so I have trouble lengthening them, but this mascara is one of my favorite products. Along with my NARS concealer, this is the only makeup product I have time to put on before class each day.”
Dorm essentials: Deluxe 2-Piece 3 Drawer Cosmetic Organizer Set “Your dorm room is bound to be tiny, so any piece to organize is super helpful to have, especially with small bottles of makeup. Without it, I would be sure to lose half of my lip glosses.”; Honeywell HYF290B Quietset 8-Speed Whole-Room Tower Fan “THE DORM ROOMS ARE HOT. I don’t care which fan you get but I swear you will need one. This one has multiple settings and is really tall, so it will reach you even if you lift up your bed.”; Dormify White Brick Removable Wallpaper “Maybe wallpaper isn’t ‘essential’, but it surely makes your room look much nicer. The Dormify wallpaper is amazing because it’s so easy to put up, and it doesn’t leave any marks when you remove it. Just having it up in my tiny bed corner made me feel more at home.”; Francis Upholstered Panel Headboard from Overstock “I like to sit up in bed when I’m doing my readings for class, so I like to have a headboard to lean against. This one is white leather and looked really nice with my wallpaper as well!”; Zadro™ 10x/1x Cordless LED Lighted Vanity Mirror “Dorm room lighting straight up sucks and any lighted makeup mirror will make your life 10x easier. That’s all.”
Class essentials: State Bedford Coated Canvas Backpack in Black “My State backpack is so resistant, while simultaneously looking cute. I hate the look of a chunky backpack, and this one is both sleek and spacious!”; Poppins Blush Medium 18-Month Pocket Book Planner “You may believe that your memory is great, however, I guarantee that you won’t be able to keep up with every assignment, quiz, or exam that your professor throws at you if you don’t write it down. Having a planner is the best thing that you can do for your GPA.”; Index Cards “Index cards are a must-have study material! I make flashcards for every exam I have so that I can quiz myself until I am positive I know the content. I like to handwrite them, instead of using apps like Quizlet, in order to ensure that I am absorbing all the material.”; SanDisk - Cruzer 64GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive “Though this hasn’t happened to me yet, I am terrified of my computer crashing. If I were to lose all of the papers, study guides, and notes that I have on here, I don’t know what I would do. So I’ll offer three sage words of wisdom: BACK IT UP.”; Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Calculator “I just think it’s super important to have a good calculator, regardless of if your class requires it. Even if you may not need a graphing calculator right away, I guarantee that at some point in your college career you are going to be begging your friends to let you borrow one for an exam.”
Advice for Freshmen: “Don’t prioritize partying over work. There will be Thursday nights when you want to go out even though you have an 8 am class the next morning. I can’t tell you how many of my friends have had to skip class because of a massive hangover. Believe me when I tell you that there is ALWAYS going to be another party. One date night, mixer, or darty is NOT worth getting a poor grade on your biology exam. I promise.”
Sophia Wilson, New York University
Beauty essentials: Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil; Glossier Boy Brow in Brown; Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Glossier Cherry Balm Dot Com; Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen
Dorm essentials: Portable clothing rack; colored night light; extra comfy pillows; mini fridge; microwave
Class essentials: Unsweetened iced matcha with almond milk (not kidding); backpack; writing utensils; notebook; laptop
Advice for Freshmen: “Going out is fun, but make sure that you’re able to balance your social life with your academic life really well.”
Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!