Hostel Shopping List for First-Year Students: What You’re Told to Buy vs. What You Actually Need
You’re finally a first-year student. The admission letter has dropped, your parents are excited, you’re excited, and you’re mentally preparing to live on your own for the first time. It feels good, but it’s also a lot. Between leaving home, making new friends, figuring out your department, and adjusting to hostel life, one thing looks simple on paper: buying “hostel items.”
Until everyone starts giving you a list.
Parents, siblings, seniors, and random WhatsApp groups will tell you to buy everything under the sun.
Before you know it, the list looks like something for someone relocating abroad:
“Buy three bedsheets, two comforters, a pressure cooker, a kettle, blender, five plates, two buckets…”
Relax.
You don’t need half of those things.
Here’s a breakdown of what people tell you to buy and what you actually need as a fresher.
What You’re Usually Told to Buy
Most freshers get long, dramatic lists like:
Full bedding sets (sheets, pillowcases, comforter, mosquito net)
Multiple plates, cups, mugs, cutlery, and food flasks
Full cooking set (pots, pans, kettle, blender, rice cooker, hot plate)
Iron and ironing board
Laundry basket, detergents, drying rack, shoe rack
Toiletries and a bathroom caddy
Mini fridge or cooler
Fancy room décor
And any other unnecessary thing seniors swear you must buy
Looking at this list is enough to make anyone panic, especially someone leaving home for the first time. But the reality is simple: you won’t use most of these things in your first semester.
What You Actually Need (And Will Actually Use)
Here’s a practical hostel shopping list for first-year students that won’t break your wallet or clutter your small room:
1. Bedding Essentials: These are personal essentials you can’t borrow and will make your life more comfortable
2–3 sets of comfortable sheets (avoid buying 10)
1 pillow and 2 pillowcases
2 light blankets or comforter
Mosquito net (mandatory in some hostels)
Tip: Choose neutral colors; they are easier to clean and mix with small decorative items later. In my first year, I bought two sets of sheets, and honestly, that was enough. If I wash one, I use the other one and I just kept rotating like that. Extra sets just sat in the corner collecting dust.
2. Toiletries & Bathroom Supplies
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap
Shampoo and conditioner (travel-size works for first semester)
Shower sandals
Body towel
Multipurpose caddy for soaps, lotions, and deodorants
Toiletries (tissue paper, air freshener, etc.)
Tip: Don’t buy huge bottles or unnecessary products. You can buy more later, if you need it. Hostel bathrooms are shared; compact and easy-to-carry items are lifesavers.
3. Cooking & Eating Essentials
1–2 plates and bowls
1 cup or mug
1 set of cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
Small pot and pan
Kettle or hot water flask (optional but useful for tea, noodles, or instant meals)
You don’t need a full kitchen in a hostel. If you’re lucky, your roommates can share bulky items like blenders or rice cookers. You can use a single pot as a pot, frying pan and kettle at once.
4. Laundry Essentials
1 laundry basket or small bag
Detergent (bar or powder)
Dishwasher
Buckets and basins to wash in
Tip: Don’t overstock laundry items. Most hostels have laundry services or accessible water taps. A small basket and detergent will carry you through your first semester. You can lend buckets from indigenes or neighbors to avoid over packing.
5. Study & Stationery
Notebooks and pens
Small lamp or LED light
Laptop charger extension cord
Extension box
Charger
Power bank
You’ll realize quickly that fancy desk organizers or colored pens are nice but unnecessary. Keep it simple. If you really need extras later, you can always buy them.
6. Miscellaneous Survival Items
Water bottle (essential!)
First-aid kit (bandages, painkillers, disinfectant)
Snacks/ ready to eat food that does not require cooking.
Small fan (depending on your room)
Umbrella
Sunscreen
Tip: Invest in a good water bottle and a power bank. Both will make hostel life infinitely easier. You can also buy jars of snacks like chin chin, plantain chips, etc. to munch on and keep your brain active, especially during study sessions.
7. Garri/ Cereal: These are the lifesavers you need, especially on days you’re running late for a class or outing. You can just add water and milk and have a satisfying breakfast.
8. Room Décor: Keep It Minimal
You don’t need a full Pinterest room. Small touches are enough to make your room cozy:
Fairy/Led lights (one string is enough)
A small rug or mat
One or two posters or photos
Study chair and table
Tip: Avoid overdecorating early. First semester is about figuring out your space and routine. Save money and storage space for later, you can always redecorate later.
Extra Things First-Year Students Need to Know
1. Space is limited: Your hostel room is small. Don’t overpack. Prioritize functional items first.
2. Share smartly: Roommates can share bulky items like kettles, fridges, or blenders to save money.
3. Budget wisely: Keep extra cash for food, printing, and emergencies. You’ll spend more on those than on unnecessary decor.
4. Check hostel rules: Some hostels don’t allow irons, hot plates, or large electrical appliances. Confirm before buying.
5. Bring items in phases: Start with essentials, then add extras once you know what works for you.
6. Think multi-purpose: Buy things that serve multiple roles, like a small pot that doubles as a kettle or a multipurpose basket for toiletries and snacks.
The first year is about adapting, surviving, and learning, not impressing with a fully stocked room. Focus on what you actually need; sleeping essentials, basic cooking and eating tools, toiletries, and a few study essentials. Everything else? You can buy later once you understand your routine and space.
Remember, hostel life is messy, chaotic, and fun. Your goal is comfort, survival, and sanity, not a fully decorated room straight out of Instagram. Start small, prioritize essentials, and build gradually.
