Are you a college student wondering what desk essentials you’ll need to stay organized, efficient and help you achieve good grades? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
As a recent college graduate, I’ve spent countless hours studying at my desk over 4 long years! In this post, I share 27 college desk essentials that every student needs.
27 Useful College Desk Essentials for Dorm and at Home
Here are 27 college desk essentials that will be great whether you’re in a dorm, apartment or at home. These are all items that will help you stay organized throughout the semester.
A lot of your time in college will be spent behind your desk studying, doing homework and assignments. It’s very important to create the best environment possible at your desk you can be successful both in and out of school.
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1. Wireless Charging Desk Lamp
The Wireless Charging Desk Lamp is an essential that every student needs. Not only does it work as a lamp but it also works as a wireless charger for any phone that supports wireless charging.
A desk lamp comes in handy when reading a textbook or doing homework at night and the wireless charger is a big space saver which is great if you have a smaller desk!
Recommended: Wireless Charging Desk Lamp
2. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
For those who have a desktop, a wireless keyboard and mouse will be a great desk essentials. The Logitech Keyboard and Mouse is super reliable and wireless which will give a clean look to your desk.
Recommended: Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (see 60,000 reviews on Amazon)
3. Webcam
If you’re doing online school like many students, you are going to need a webcam. The Logitech Webcam is perfect for classes on Zoom as it has a built in noise reducing mic.
Nowadays, every student needs a webcam and Logitech makes great ones and this one in particular is a great value and super affordable.
Recommended: Logitech Webcam (see price on Amazon)
4. Power Strip
Power Strips are must have desk essentials. At your desk you will be plugging in a laptop, lamp, charger and you will be needing extra plugs.
The 2 pack comes in handy as it will insure that you will never run out of plugs.
Recommended: Power Strip (2 Pack)
5. Desk Protector Mouse Pad
The Desk Protector Mouse Pad is an item I used throughout my whole time in college and still have on my desk today. It gives a clean look to the desk and ensures that it won’t get ruined from drinks and food spilling on it.
This item works as a really good mouse pad and will give your desk a really clean look. This item is also super affordable and comes in many different colors.
Recommended: Desk Protector Mouse Pad (see price on Amazon)
7. Quality Printer
Most schools will have printers accessible to students, but if you have the room having one by your desk will really come in handy and make your life a lot easier.
This Laser Printer is affordable and compact so it’s perfect for college students.
Recommended: Laser Printer
8. Essential Oil Diffuser
If you’re studying and spending hours at a time at your desk, an Oil Diffuser is a must have desk essential. According to homesick.com, diffusers help with focus, relaxation, and feeling calm.
This Oil Diffuser can change colors, is inexpensive and plugs right into your computer!
Recommended: Oil Diffuser (see different colors on Amazon)
9. Pencil Organizer
A good way to make studying easier is to be organized. If you know where your pencils, highlighters, eraser and calculator are at all times, it will make studying a lot easier.
To this day, I still use a Pencil Organizer to keep track of my pencils and pens as one of my biggest pet peeves is not being able to find an item when I need it.
If you have a TV in your room, a pencil organizer is a great place to keep your remotes so you never lose or misplace them.
Recommended: Pencil Organizer
10. Planner Calendar
School can get very overwhelming so having a Planner Calendar to keep track of important exam dates, due dates for assignments and other obligations is a must.
With the planner calendar it’s a small size that won’t take up much room and can be brought back and fourth between school and your dorm room.
Recommended: Planner Calendar (see price on Amazon)
11. Cable Clips
If you want to give your desk a clean and organized look, Cable Clips will do the job! These items are great as they have a sleek look and are super affordable.
They’re great for keeping your chargers in place and hiding wires.
Recommended: Cable Clips
12. Office Chair
If you’re spending hours at your desk working on assignments, studying and reading you are going to want a good Office Chair.
This desk chair has a modern look, is under $100 and is not made of a material that will peel. A lot of desk chairs are made of fake leather and over time the material will begin to peel and make a huge mess.
Recommended: Office Chair (see price on Amazon)
13. Newtons Cradle
If you want something satisfying to look at while you’re studying the Newtons Cradle will be a great desk essential for you. This is a great fidget toy and looks cool on any desk.
Recommended: Newtons Cradle
14. Highlighters (different colors)
If you like taking super organized notes, a Highlighter 8 Pack will be perfect for you. These are retractable highlighters so they will last very long and they come in many different colors.
Recommended: Highlighter 8 Pack
15. Gel-Pens
Not only do gel-pens last for a really long time, they also are super satisfying to write with. If you like to take notes with pens, you are going to want to have gel-pens.
Recommended: Gel-pens (4-pack)
16. Notebooks
In college, you are going to want a few different note books for your different classes, especially if you like to take notes by hand and not on a computer.
Having multiple notebooks will keep your notes organized and will help a lot when it comes time to study for finals.
Recommended: Notebooks 5 Pack
17. Water Bottle
If you are studying for hours at a time, a water bottle will come in handy. The Brita Water Bottle is great as it has a built in filter and never leaks.
Personally, I have this water bottle and I absolutely love it. I’ve had it for a few months now and I have never had any problems with it leaking.
Recommended: Brita Water Bottle
18. Mini White Board
A Mini White Board is a great desk essential to have as it is great for making lists and writing down ideas quickly. I prefer a mini one as it takes up less room and it really doesn’t need to be big.
Recommended: Mini White Board
19. Paper Tray
If you have the room, a Paper Tray is a great way to keep your papers organized. This item is great for keeping your documents organized by class.
When it comes to exam time, having all of your papers organized really comes in handy and will make your life so much easier!
Recommended: Paper Tray (see price on Amazon)
20. Garbage Bin
This one is pretty obvious but many students forget it. A Garbage Bin is necessary to throw out your old notes, papers and assignments.
Recommended: Garbage Bin (see different colors on Amazon)
21. Foot Rest
A foot rest is a great item for when you are spending long hours at a time studying. Most students will rest their feet on a garbage bin or a box but a foot rest is the most comfortable.
Recommended: Foot Rest
22. iPhone Fast Charger
Whether it’s for bringing back and forth between school or your dorm or just keeping it at your desk, you are going to want to have an extra charger.
The iPhone Fast Charger is a really good item as it will charge your phone quicker than other chargers.
Recommend: iPhone Fast Charger
23. Cell Phone Stand
A Cell Phone Stand is great for when you are studying as it will keep your phone in the same place ensuring that you don’t misplace it.
These are super useful and look great on any desk.
Recommended: Cell Phone Stand
24. External Hard Drive
If you use your computer for school, an External Hard Drive will keep your computer running fast and prevent you from losing files. A 1TB external hard drive will give you more than enough storage to keep all of your school work safe and secure.
Recommended: Toshiba External Hard Drive
25. Headphones
Whether you have roommates, online class or you enjoy listening to music Headphones are a desk essential that you must have.
These ones are inexpensive and wired so the battery will never die.
Recommended: Wired Over Ear Headphones
26. Artificial Succulents
If you’re into the aesthetic of your desk, some Artificial Succulents will do the trick. These come in a pack of three and will give a nature vibe to your desk.
Recommended: Artificial Succulents
27. Bluetooth Speaker
If you like to listen to music while you study, a bluetooth speaker is great. The JBL Flip 4 has a long battery life, is super easy to connect to and is water resistant.
I have this speaker and I absolutely love it!
Recommended: JBL Flip 4 (see 50,000 reviews on Amazon)
28. Desk
If you haven’t gotten a desk yet, you are going to want one so you can study, do homework and read. Depending on how much room you have you will want a desk that you can at least fit you laptop and some papers.
This desk is compact, has shelves and comes in a few different colors.
Recommended: Desk
Final Thoughts on College Desk Essentials that Every Student Needs
As a recent graduate, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good desk that is enjoyable to study at! In college you will spend countless hours studying so it’s important for you to make that experience as enjoyable as possible.
In this post, we look at 27 desk essentials that every student needs.
What desk essential have you already gotten? Please let me know in the comments below.