If you know me, there’s a good chance you know I’m a bargain hunter. Buying something for full price? That’s something you’ll rarely see me do. I am all about finding the best deal! But sometimes you don’t need the best deal. You simply need the best. And friends, college is one of those times.
When it comes to college shopping, you’re making an investment. You’re investing in everything you buy for your room. As great as it is to get a good deal, there are some items where you should focus more on quality than price. Today I’m sharing with you five essential items that are definitely worth splurging on for college!
For what these items are and why you shouldn’t be afraid to spend a bit more on them, keep reading!
Five College Necessities Worth Splurging On:
- Mattress topper
- Pillow
- Backpack
- Walking shoes
- Winter coat
Why spend more on these items?
Why you should splurge on mattress toppers:
Sleep is so important in college, and most people don’t get a lot of it. Naps occur a lot more than you would think. If you’re going to make the most of what little time you spend sleeping or those naps you crave during your morning classes? You’re going to want the most comfortable bed possible. The $20 memory foam mattress topper on clearance may seem great at first, I know. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to give you nice, restful sleep and all the support you need when you’re running on empty and have only six hours before you have to dash out to a morning exam.
Why you should splurge on a pillow:
I grabbed some $2 (yes you read that correctly TWO DOLLAR) pillows from IKEA and thought ‘eh these are good, I’ll use these for my bed’, only to come home and put my head on them to realize the fluffiness provided zero support. While I still have these pillows and I love them – they’re just not for sleeping. I threw my shams from my comforter set on them, and they make my bed look super cute (for super cheap). I spent a bit more on an actual sleeping pillow, and I am so glad I did! The support I get for my neck is fantastic, and it’s optimized for side sleepers like me. Do your pillow research, read reviews, really get a feel for what you’re looking for before making this purchase. Again, comfort is key!
Why you should splurge on a backpack:
Backpacks can be expensive. I get it. But guess what? They’re super important.
Here’s what seems to be a huge secret when it comes to backpacks: a higher price doesn’t always mean a higher quality backpack, or that the backpack has what you need.
But wait, isn’t this a splurge item? Yep! I’m just warning you to shop for quality and function – don’t assume price equates to those things, though they do tend to be pricier.
I needed support in my backpack, but really, everyone should be looking for a supportive backpack when you think about how much you’ll be carrying around! Even with just the necessities, it’s not rare I find myself lugging textbooks, notebooks, and my laptop all over campus. Days like this I’m happy I purchased the backpack I did, because it helps provide support on my shoulders and back, and I’m not straining as I make my way through the day!
Some of my friends got cute trendy backpacks at the start of the year, and by the start of the spring semester they couldn’t stand to use them anymore. Some of their backpacks were cheap, and some were a couple hundred dollars. In this case, price didn’t matter. They simply weren’t high quality. Don’t be afraid to look at hiking gear when searching for backpacks too! They can be cute and functional. If you find a backpack that has everything you need and it costs a bit more than you’d like to spend on a backpack, remember that it is an investment in your future comfort, and you can get years of wear out of a good quality backpack!
Why you should splurge on walking shoes:
In college you walk a lot. Even if you’re me and you can’t walk a ton, you’re still going to find yourself walking more on the daily than you probably ever have before. I go to school on a small campus, but even so, within the first couple weeks of classes I heard people complaining of leg pains and shin splints. Good walking shoes will help make dashing around campus that much easier! I love my Merrell boots, because they’re comfortable, stylish, and they’re waterproof so they double as rain boots. I also have waterproof hiking shoes I’ll sometimes wear with leggings. When getting to class, footwear function is more important than fashion. You don’t want to be the one in the super cute shoes who can barely walk from shin splints and blisters you got on your mile long trek to class!
Why you should splurge on a winter coat:
Winter will come, and that won’t change the fact that you still need to walk outside to get food or go to class. Going into winter I had a really old winter coat, that probably wasn’t the nicest to start with. I would layer it with fleeces, sweaters, you name it. I always had gloves and a hat, and I dreaded going outside when it got down to bitter temperatures (aka well below freezing). Over my spring break in March I got a new winter coat.
Thank goodness I did, because this new coat had already seen four major snowstorms in just a couple of weeks! Spring was in no hurry to show up this year, and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen that I was wearing it even on my last day of Monday of classes. And that was the end of April!
A knee-length coat with a big hood may sound ridiculous – I know, because I always thought of them as unnecessary. But trust me, if you get a real winter where you’re going to school, you’re going to want one. There’s a reason everyone and their best friend has one. They’re amazing, and because I got mine in March it was 50% off! Still a splurge, but also a bargain. If you know you’ll be needing a new coat next season I suggest looking for one now while it’s still summer as any stores that have them in stock will likely have them on major clearance. My family’s go-to for high quality coats is Eddie Bauer, but there are tons of great outdoors companies with fantastic coats.
And there you have it. Five necessities worth splurging on when college shopping!
When it comes to college everything you buy doesn’t need to be super nice. In fact, you probably shouldn’t buy ALL nice things, but these five splurges you won’t regret. Trust me.
