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Going to college can be pretty stressful — you’re away from your family, still figuring out how to fit in (or stand out), and trying to keep up with tons of rigorous school work. But when you add moving into a dorm to the mix, the whole experience can take on a life of its own. The beds are not standard size, and the space is usually tiny. Plus, regardless of whether you have a roommate or plan to live by yourself, you’ll also need to make sure you’ve got enough space for the basics, like kitchen appliances, desk lighting, and cleaning supplies. Dorm living definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, and we’ve found that it can overwhelm even the most organized shopper.
Fortunately, our editors made it through their college years (mostly) unscathed and learned a lot of helpful things along the way — including what we wish we would have bought for our dorm rooms before the semester started. To help make your back-to-school shopping a bit easier this season, we rounded up the best dorm room essentials that you’ll need no matter who you are or what you’re majoring in. From desk lamps and back pillows to surge protectors and storage bins, you’re bound to find something worth buying below. Best of all, these affordable products are available to shop at Walmart — so you can scoop up everything you might need in one easy (and budget-friendly) transaction.
School’s officially back in session! Keep reading to shop our picks for the best dorm room essentials at Walmart.
— Additional reporting by India Yaffe