Your post-secondary experience can come with a lot of expenses, but what are the college essentials really worth investing in?
We’re going to cover seven of these worthy essentials to invest in for your freshman year in college in today’s post to help make sure you’re spending your money wisely.
7 college essentials worth investing in:
- Your laptop
- Your mattress/bedding
- A reusable water bottle
- Good walking shoes
- An outfit for interviews, meetings, etc.
- A sturdy, comfortable backpack
- Some comfort items
Invest in a good-quality laptop.
There’s no question that a laptop is on the list of college essentials! While the initial investment you spend on a good quality laptop might seem steep, keep in mind just how much you’ll be utilizing this tool. For many students, it will be several hours a day. If you have a reliable, fast laptop, you’ll be more productive and efficient, ultimately making this one of the most worthy investments for your college experience.
Bedding.
Whether you’re living in a dorm or off-campus, good-quality bedding is a smart investment.
Sleep is a valuable resource for college students—one that’s often not prioritized as much as it should be! In fact, all kinds of studies point to college students not getting nearly enough sleep.
There are bound to be some nights you don’t get quite as much sleep as you’d like. So it’s critical to maximize the quality of sleep you DO get. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows to ensure each night of sleep is as good as it can be.
A reusable water bottle.
You won’t always have time to run to the cafeteria to grab a bottle of water. When you purchase a durable reusable water bottle, you’ll find it comes in handy more than you ever imagined!
Not only is a reusable water bottle an environmentally friendly option, but it can also save you money over the years! A high-quality water bottle that keeps your liquids cold all day could run you about $40. But if you’re spending $3 a day on a water bottle, you’ll see a reusable water bottle is a much wiser investment!
Walking shoes.
Investing in a good-quality pair of shoes will pay off every single day you wear them. As a college student, you’ll cover a lot of ground in a day walking from class to class. When you can make these trips in supportive, comfortable shoes, you’ll be a much happier camper! If you’re not focused on your sore feet, you’ll have a lot more time and attention to give your studies and other important matters.
A business casual outfit.
College students will find a business casual outfit comes in handy a lot more than they initially expect. From dinners to interviews, meetings, and more, showing up in a clean, somewhat professional outfit for these occasions sends a message that you’re put together, responsible, and serious about the opportunities you’re presented with.
Your backpack.
A backpack is one of these college essentials that shouldn’t be overlooked.
College textbooks are notoriously heavy, and you’ll often have to carry several of them at a time. Look for a backpack that can comfortably carry several pounds, while still keeping your shoulders and back protected from the load.
Another consideration for your college backpack is finding one with a dedicated laptop compartment with padding. If your backpack gets dropped or thrown, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your laptop is well protected!
Comfort items.
Are you attending post-secondary away from home? Having some things on hand to keep you comfortable or remind you of home is something worth investing in—to an extent. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy the exact same couch you have at home or the same painting on the wall.
But if there are little things—like the same laundry detergent your mom uses or a candle that reminds you of home—spending a bit of money on these things can be a reasonable investment.
As a good rule of thumb, anything you want to last all four years of college (or more) tend to be worth a higher price tag than something you won’t get as much use out of. Something all seven of these college essentials have in common is that they can be used year after year!
What are some of the college essentials you brought with you for your freshman year?
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