Shopping

When you live in a small space, everything you buy needs to serve a purpose. Consider this your go-to spot for the best new finds — from storage must-haves to the cutest decor — that won’t wreck your budget.

Shopping for Your Dorm

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Five colorful drinks on a wooden table, with pastries and a pink handbag in the background.

I Tried Starbucks' New "Banana Bread" Drink, and I Love This Cold Foam Food & Recipes

I’ve never been more excited for four drinks.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Feb 6, 2026

15 Supercute Valentine’s Day Decor Deals Under $25, from Urban Outfitters, LEGO, and More Dorm Decor

Seriously, so cute.

Megan Gray

Feb 3, 2026

This Unique Journal Keeps Track of Your Favorite Concert Memories College Life

I take mine everywhere!

Britt Franklin

Feb 2, 2026

This "Deck of Cards" Journal Is Perfect for People Who Love *Easy* Crafts College Life

It would make such a good book or art journal.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Feb 1, 2026

This Swan-Themed "Little Luxury" Has Vintage Vibes for Just $15 College Life

The beading is everything.

Sophie GoldsteinMarquette University '26

Jan 29, 2026

I Wish This Jeni's "Bridgerton" Ice Cream Was a Permanent Flavor Food & Recipes

Another collab flavor drops on February 9!

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Jan 22, 2026

I Didn’t Want to Splurge on the "Brick" to Slash My Screen Time College Life

This $9 alternative is the next best thing.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Jan 20, 2026

I Love to Snack, and This Is the Single Best Thing I’ve Ever Bought for Myself Food & Recipes

I have one in every color!

Britt Franklin

Jan 19, 2026

16 Must-Have Essentials to Pack When You Study Abroad Dorm Decor

Including school supplies!

Kaitlyn LuckoffNorthwestern University (Master's)

Jan 17, 2026

This Exclusive Urban Outfitters Valentine’s Day Collection Is Full of the Cutest Glasses and Tableware (It’s So Frilly!)Dorm Decor

My heart is skipping a beat.

Megan Gray

Jan 16, 2026

This Mini “Outlet Shelf” Is the Organizing Hack I Never Saw Coming Organizing & Cleaning

This is so clever.

Emma ZawackiUniversity of Missouri '26

Jan 14, 2026

The 2-in-1 Decor Gem I’ve Used in Every Room Since Freshman Year (It’s $11!)Dorm Decor

They’ve taken me from dorm to apartment.

Sophie GoldsteinMarquette University '26

Jan 13, 2026

This "Emily in Paris"-Inspired Oat Creamer Tastes Way Better Than I Expected Food & Recipes

It totally upgraded my at-home coffee.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Jan 13, 2026

10 Mini Upgrades to Make a Shared Shower Feel Luxe (Actually!)College Life

And your apartment shower, too!

Mia ClancyUniversity of Vermont '27

Jan 12, 2026

A “Makeup Bowl” Is the Key to Romanticizing Your Morning Routine Dorm Decor

This is going to save me *so* much time.

Sophie GoldsteinMarquette University '26

Jan 11, 2026

Starbucks Finally Nailed Egg Bites with This "Fancy" Flavor Combo Food & Recipes

Perfect for busy mornings.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Jan 8, 2026

10 Planners You'll Actually Want to Use Every Day (Perfect for a 2026 Reset!)Organizing & Cleaning

It's time to lock in.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Jan 8, 2026

The New Valentine’s Day Jellycats Are the Cutest Ever — Here Are My 8 Faves Dorm Decor

I’m in love.

Megan Gray

Jan 8, 2026

I Tried Starbucks’ New “Nutty” Winter Coffee, and It Totally Surprised Me Food & Recipes

I'm adding it to my rotation ASAP.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Jan 7, 2026

This $6 Storage Hack Takes Up No Space in Your Closet (It’s Brilliant!)Organizing & Cleaning

I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Jan 4, 2026

I Tried Selena Gomez's Favorite Jarred Pickles Food & Recipes

“The perfect combination of tang, salt, and crunch.”

Celia Funderburk

Jan 1, 2026

This $9 Caddy Is an Unexpected College Essential (No, It’s Not for the Shower)Dorm Decor

It’s perfect for everything from makeup to craft supplies.

Emma ZawackiUniversity of Missouri '26

Dec 30, 2025

Here's the Most Popular New Drink We Tried in 2025 Food & Recipes

Get it before it's gone!

Collette Reitz

Dec 29, 2025

The $19 Portable Gem I've Used Multiple Times a Day for the Past Year College Life

You *need* one if you're studying abroad.

Kailey SamarjianStonehill College '26

Dec 26, 2025

The Tiny Luxury You Need if You're *Always* Taking Photos College Life

Get ready to level up your wall collage.

Angie AriasSUNY Oneonta '25

Dec 22, 2025

10 Adorable Mugs That Will Make You Smile Every Time You Use Them Dorm Decor

A good mug is a game-changer.

Makalah WrightUniversity of West Georgia '26

Dec 20, 2025

This “TSITP” Holiday Merch Is Almost as Good as Spending Christmas in Cousins Dorm Decor

Take me to the beach!

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Dec 18, 2025

This New "Emily in Paris" Oat Creamer Combines Two Flavors That Sound SO Good Food & Recipes

Forget plane tickets — this dairy-free creamer will make your coffee taste so Parisian.

Emma ZawackiUniversity of Missouri '26

Dec 16, 2025

The $5 Holiday Plushie I Love So Much, I Keep It Out All Year Long Dorm Decor

It’s so cozy, too.

Sophie Goldstein

Dec 16, 2025

Buy This "Bucket List" Gift for Your Friend Now So They Have the Best Year Ever Dorm Decor

Get one for you and one for your bestie.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Dec 15, 2025

The 19 Best Beauty Gift Sets for Last-Minute Holiday Gifting (Save Up to $52 on Viral Products!)College Life

Shop rhode, Charlotte Tilbury, Summer Fridays, and more.

Nikol Slatinska

Dec 12, 2025

Bratziez Bag Charms Are Like Labubu’s Fashionable Cousin, and I Need All 6 Dorm Decor

They’re so Y2K-coded.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Dec 11, 2025

The 4 Lisa Frank x Kitsch Collab Items That Make Me Ridiculously Happy College Life

This dancing dolphins claw clip is not a want, but a need.

Sophie GoldsteinMarquette University '26

Dec 11, 2025

Pinterest Predicts This Will Be the *Coolest* Shade of Blue in 2026 Dorm Decor

These headphones are everything.

Sofia Rivera

Dec 10, 2025

The Ultra-Cozy Oversize Hoodie That's Keeping Me Warm Until Spring College Life

Time to bundle up.

Britt Franklin

Dec 8, 2025

These $7 Icon Glasses Look So Much More Expensive Than They Are (So Cute for the Holidays!)Dorm Decor

I’m buying a set immediately.

Emma ZawackiUniversity of Missouri '26

Dec 8, 2025

5 Packing Cubes That Will Save You from the Struggle of Closing Your Suitcase Organizing & Cleaning

From cute to practical, there’s something for every kind of traveler.

Sofia Rivera

Dec 5, 2025

I Was Hooked After Just One Bite of This "Amazing!!!" $3 Trader Joe's Snack Food & Recipes

"I’m obsessed.”

Alexandra Foster

Dec 5, 2025

13 Incredible Gifts Any Gamer Will Love, Starting at $16 College Life

Shop games, storage, loungewear, and more.

Britt Franklin

Dec 4, 2025

The 34 Best Viral TikTok Gifts to Shop Right Now (They Totally Live Up to the Hype!)College Life

TikTok made us buy them.

Megan Gray

Dec 3, 2025

My Go-To Outfit for Long Travel Days Is So Cute and Cozy College Life

Trust me, you need one.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Dec 2, 2025

10 Things I Always Do on the Plane to Land Feeling *Better* Than When I Boarded College Life

I asked a former flight attendant for tips.

Yanel SiqueirosNew York University '27

Dec 2, 2025

This Nostalgic Toy Is Trending Again, and It's the Comfort Hobby You Need College Life

Do you still have yours?

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Dec 1, 2025

Our Complete Guide to Cyber Monday Dorm and College Apartment Deals You Should Be Shopping (There Are Over 250!)College Life

Savings up to 85% off!

Megan Gray

Dec 1, 2025

This Mini Gift Idea Is Like a Burr Basket But Even Better (So Useful!)College Life

Step aside, burr basket.

Yanel SiqueirosNew York University '27

Nov 29, 2025

This Owala Collab Is Designed to Keep Your Diet Coke Extra Crispy Organizing & Cleaning

Which one is your fave?

Sofia Rivera

Nov 27, 2025

The $549 College Essential I've Used Every Day for 3 Years That's *So* Worth It College Life

I use them in the gym, in the library, and all across campus.

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Nov 27, 2025

This $3 Plushie Rivals the Cuteness of My Favorite Jellycats Dorm Decor

The rosy cheeks are too perfect.

Emma ZawackiUniversity of Missouri '26

Nov 26, 2025

I Started "the Big Four” Gift Tradition with My Friends & We Love It College Life

So easy, so personal, so brilliant.

Angie AriasSUNY Oneonta '25

Nov 26, 2025

This $5 “Stick of Butter” Is So Soothing, I Need One to De-Stress STAT Dorm Decor

It looks so weirdly satisfying.

Yanel SiqueirosNew York University '27

Nov 22, 2025

35 Gifts Your Bestie Will Adore and Use All the Time (All Under $50!)College Life

From an adorable claw clip to an artsy calendar.

Alanna Quirk-AboujaoudeSimmons University '26

Nov 20, 2025

We're Declaring These the Best Road Trip Snacks of All Time Food & Recipes

Did your faves make the cut?!

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Nov 20, 2025

91 Gifts for the “Wicked” Superfan in Your Life (Even if That’s You!)Dorm Decor

It's all so swankified!

Britt Franklin

Nov 19, 2025

I Spent Years Searching for THE "Rory Gilmore Sweater" College Life

A thrift unicorn!

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Nov 18, 2025

The Toiletry Bag You Should Always Pack to Prevent Messy Spills Organizing & Cleaning

This will make packing *so* much easier.

Sofia Rivera

Nov 18, 2025

My Thoughts on Kraft's Limited-Edition Dessert-Inspired Mac & Cheese Flavor Food & Recipes

It’s surprisingly good.

Ali Domrongchai

Nov 18, 2025

Coca-Cola's New Holiday Drop Is the Only Soda I Ever Want to Drink Food & Recipes

It's festive and fizzy!

Laney CrawleyUNC Chapel Hill '26

Nov 15, 2025

8 Cute Bag Charms That Will Give Your Backpack a Major Glow-Up Dorm Decor

Take your backpack to the next level.

Kaitlyn LuckoffNorthwestern University (Master's)

Nov 14, 2025

This $29 Aldi Suitcase Is Like a $108 Béis Bag on Wheels College Life

Whenever I need to pack for a short trip, I always find myself complaining about not having a good weekend duffle bag. I need something spacious enough to fit everything I need for a weekend away with friends or when I go home for the holiday break, but not so bulky that it takes up too much storage space in my room. I’ve been dreaming of the Béis Weekender bag, which sells for $108, and that’s definitely not in my budget.

Isabel PetrouUniversity of Vermont '26

Nov 14, 2025

The Best 2025 Advent Calendars Filled With Little Presents You Actually Want College Life

Treat yourself.

Sofia Rivera

Nov 13, 2025

This Pocket-Size Camera Takes Epic Retro-Style Photos (I Take It Everywhere!)College Life

It's a great gift, too!

Britt Franklin

Nov 12, 2025

These New Coffee Pods Taste Like All My Favorite Ice Cream Flavors Food & Recipes

When it comes to coffee, I’m typically a no-frills gal: a decaf breakfast roast, a splash of French vanilla creamer, and some sugar, and I’m good to go. I love this simple, delicious combo of flavors, but every once in a while I stand in the coffee aisle in the grocery store and consider something a little more interesting — a departure from my regular routine. The flavors that I think will finally get me to try something different?