Here’s What You Really Need from Target’s ‘On to College’ Collection
Ugh, y’all. Target has their back-to-school and on-to-college collections filling the store, and TBH, I just want to buy everything. I’m a sucker for Target, and I’m an even bigger sucker for anything back-to-school related…
When you combine the two, I have zero self-control.
Anyways, I know a ton of you are heading to college for the very first time!! Congrats on graduating high school and starting this new and exciting portion of your life!!
When it comes to back-to-school shopping and dorm supplies and all of those “here’s what you really need for college” posts on Pinterest that include everything but the kitchen sink, chances are you don’t need half that stuff. You’ll be kicking yourself at the end of the year when you’re moving out and you have to pack up all this crap that you didn’t even use but all of those posts swore that you needed.
So, I went through the entire ‘On to College‘ section on Target and picked out what you really need! I did all the hard work for you… also, this post is not sponsored. I just love Target.
All the Storage
If you’re not moving into an unfurnished apartment, you really don’t need extra furniture.
I’d suggest getting a cube organizer or bookshelf and maybe a storage ottoman. Other than that, your dorm room will be small enough. You don’t want to fill it up even more with unnecessary furniture.
Those metal rolling carts are also pretty neat. I saw so many of my residents with those and they would store their food in them or make a little coffee bar out of them. You could even make it be a desk organizer to keep all of your pens and pencils and other office supplies off of your desk.
Look for storage that you can utilize past your freshman year. Ottomans, storage carts, and bookcases/shelving units can be used for years to come. That’ll definitely save you $$$ the next time you move into a new place and are needing furniture. Don’t go for large, bulky pieces that will overwhelm your space. You already have a tiny dorm room. Make the most of it!
3-2-1 Cube Organizer 
Metal Utility Cart 
3-Shelf Bookcase 
Large Milk Crate 
Y-Weave Basket 
Wire Milk Crate 
Round Ottoman 
Ottoman w/ Tray 
Ottoman
Seating
We’re sticking with the same idea as the storage topic. We want pieces that we can take with us after our freshman year, and we want pieces that can be broken down easily, hidden under your bed, or shoved in a closet to get it out of the way. Make sense?
Futons are big and bulky. You can’t move them around easily, and while they may add some level of comfort, there’s no need to essentially have a couch in your dorm room.
Choose pieces like a butterfly chair and a desk chair, both of which can be used for extra seating when you have friends over, but both also serve other purposes. The butterfly chair can easily be folded and tucked away under your bed if you need more floor space. The office chair will save your butt and your back. Trust me, those desk chairs that come with the room are not comfortable at all.
Go for the desk chair, choose a butterfly chair if you need extra seating, and the futon is a no-go.
Note: Futons are hugely popular at USC, and if you and your roommate are willing to go halvesies on a futon, go for it. You might find that it will take up too much room. So, wait until move-in day, get a feel for the room, and then make the decision if you should bring in a larger piece of furniture.
Kitchen
Coffee Maker
In my last Buy This, Not That post, I mentioned coffee makers as well. Keurigs are so extremely wasteful, and you can get the same coffee quality with a way less expensive coffee maker. Sure Keurigs are nice because you don’t have to worry about making a mess with coffee grounds, you just pop in a pod, press start, and are good to go. But let’s think about what doesn’t immediately come to mind.
There is so much plastic waste with those k-cups. Strike 1. Those k-cups are so expensive. Strike 2. The Keurig itself is ridiculously overpriced. Strike 3.
An inexpensive, $16 coffee maker can do the exact same job as a Keurig, you can buy coffee in bulk, and you’re saving the environment. In fact, I’ve had the earlier model of this exact coffee maker for almost 4 years and it still works like it’s brand new.
Skip the expensive coffee maker, and go for the less expensive, just as good as the high-quality version. Or if you still want to use k-cups, opt for the slightly more expensive version that works with both ground coffee and k-cups.
Dishes
Target has been promoting the heck out of their plastic dinnerware line. It’s all over the end caps, it’s all over the website, and it’s all over their fliers. But it’s for a good reason.
In my three years of living in a dorm, I was terrified I would break a coffee mug or some glass object in my room. Dropping glass, ceramic, or anything breakable in such a small area is a pain in the a** to clean up. Avoid the mess, avoid the pressure, and opt for plastic dishes.
Pastel Basic Dinnerware Collection 
Pastel Basic Dinnerware Collection 
Pastel Basic Dinnerware Collection
Desk Organization
Desks are a very personal space, so I don’t want to suggest too much for your desk space. I’m a computer information systems major, so my desk is usually covered with lots of tech-related items.
Whether you use your desk as a workspace or a vanity, it needs to be organized.
A desk lamp is perfect for those nights where you need light, but you don’t want those horrific overhead lights on. Plus, the light from a desk lamp is usually pretty subtle so you won’t wake your roommate if they’re trying to sleep.
Any kind of organizational tools will be your friend. Those desk drawers can quickly become black holes of junk if you’re not careful. Desk organizers like cup holders will keep the top of your desk organized all while drawer organizers will keep the insides of your drawer from
Last but not least, a printer. Printers are a hit or miss item. But, I highly suggest one, especially if your campus doesn’t offer free printing. It’ll save you from having to run to the library every time you need to print something.
Bathroom Organization
If you’re living in a traditional-style dorm or a community-style dorm, there are a few items I included that will be useful to you. Towel wraps are nice because you don’t have to worry about your towel falling off on your walk back to your room. To go with that, hair wraps are extremely nice to have. They’re less bulky than regular towels, and they get the job done more efficiently.
A shower caddy can go for suite-style dorms or community-style dorms. I like the mesh shower
The rest of the items (toothbrush holder, shower curtain, bath mat) are useful for suite-style or apartment-style dorms. Pick stuff that you might be okay with throwing away at the end of the year, especially if you live suite-style.
Four people in one bathroom… Things get messy and dirty real quick.
Theres usually a lot of stuff featured in back-to-school guides and on company’s websites that you truly don’t need for college. The items I featured today are what I call the ‘essentials’.
For example, here are some things that you don’t need to take to school:
- High school yearbooks
- Every piece of clothing item you own
- Your entire makeup collection
- All of your shoes
- TV w/ DVD player
- Lap desk
- A bedside table
- A plethora of pillows
- Sleeping bag
- Iron & ironing board
Want to see what else you do and don’t need? Check out my Ultimate College Packing Guide! Or, check out my Buy This, Not That: College Dorm Edition.
What are some things you packed for college that you really didn’t need? Are you heading off to college in the fall?? What are you most excited about?
~abigail gray
