Starting college soon? Here are 9 things to snatch up for your space

As the academic year approaches, feel a little less stressed out about starting college with our list of essentials for your personal haven. 

Between trying to cypher your overly-complicated timetable or figuring out what is the absolute latest time you can leave for your morning lecture is, it’s stressful enough trying to get organised for a new college year. As reality slowly starts to set in, it can be hard to wrap your head around what exactly comes next.

Thankfully, we’ve selected the best bits for getting your space September ready. Whether you’re in your first or final year, here are the must-haves to grab for your home away from home.

For Keeping Track

Between lectures, social events, exams, work and exercise, college truly is some of the busiest time of your life. And it may feel a little overwhelming trying to keep on top of it all. With this handy little planner you can keep track and stay organised.

Chalkboard schedule, €14, Urban Outfitters

For Colour & Cosiness

Brighten up your space with a cool cushion. Be sure to mix and match to add colour and personality to your room – but make sure they’re comfy. Amara has bundles of funky styles to suit any and all personalities.

Cushions, from €35, Amara

Fresh Sheets Make Everything Better

You’ll always appreciate crisp and clean bedsheets. As a rule, we believe it’s always better to go for understated bedsheets. College lasts a long time and you’d be surprised how sick you can get of a bold print. Aim for something in between like this set from Urban Outfitters, cute but non-intrusive.

Embroidered Daisy Duvet Cover Set, €119, Urban Outfitters

For The Dark Mornings

Boost your morning mood on those winter days with your favourite music and soft lighting. Long ago these would have been two separate items, but thanks to Ikea’s new Symfonisk range those days are over. It is space-saving, produces great sound looks pretty gorgeous too so it’s ideal for those awful mornings prior to 9 am lectures.

Stay Neat with Storage

As Marie Kondo says, “Tidying your physical space allows you to tend to your psychological space.” A decluttered room will lead to a decluttered life, right? For the millions of books, papers, photos and general random selection of items. Choose stackable storage options for efficiency. Super handy for moving too!

Colour crate, from €6, Hay

For When Your Battery Dies

When the inevitable day when you drop your phone down the toilet, you’ll thank us.

Desk clock, €60 Irish Design Shop 

Personalise It

Fill your room with pictures of you, your friends, your family, your dog; whoever means something to you. There will be days when you miss home and in order to make this space yours, it’s important to have personal touches around you. 

Something smelly

Mask the scent of last night’s pizza with a candle, diffuser or incense. Cloon Keen’s Transatlantic candle was recently shortlisted for Home Product of the Year at this year’s Design Awards so you know it’s going to be good.

Your Own Mug

Probably the most essential product to mention is your own mug. It needs to be immediately identifiable as yours (lest any housemate pinches it and claims they “didn’t know” it was yours) so go for something quirky. For the strong morning coffee to the endless amount of post-lecture, mid-cramming session cups of tea.

What the Duck Mug, € 14.95, Avoca

Featured image: Urban Outfitters

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