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By the time I graduated, I realized my backpack wasn't just for carrying my laptop. It had become my survival kit. Whether I was running from class to work, spending hours in the library, or meeting friends afterward, having the right things with me meant fewer stressful moments and fewer trips back to my apartment. These are the backpack essentials I actually used—not the random gadgets that looked cute online but never left the bottom of my bag.

When people talk about self-care, it often involves spa days, expensive skincare, shopping sprees, or weekend getaways. As a college student, that's probably not happening—and honestly, it doesn't have to. Some of my favorite forms of self-care are completely free. They're the little things that help me feel more like myself after a stressful week of classes, exams, work, or just life.

If rereading your notes over and over isn't working, you're not alone. For the longest time, I thought studying meant highlighting everything, reading my notes five times, and hoping something magically stuck before the exam. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

When I first started college, I assumed I had two choices: spend a ton of money or sit in my dorm while everyone else had fun. Thankfully, I learned pretty quickly that neither is true. Saving money in college isn't about saying no to everything you enjoy. It's about spending smarter, taking advantage of student perks, and knowing where your money actually goes. If you're trying to stick to a budget while still making memories, these are the strategies that helped me save mon

If you're building your college dorm packing list, you've probably noticed that every packing guide seems to recommend a different set of "must-have" dorm essentials. Some people make it sound like you need an entire Target aisle to survive freshman year. After living in a dorm, I learned something important: the best dorm room essentials aren't necessarily the most exciting purchases. They're the items you use so often that you stop noticing them.

One of the biggest mistakes I made before college was assuming I needed to have absolutely everything purchased before move-in day. Every dorm packing list seemed to add another item to my shopping cart. Before I knew it, I was convinced that forgetting one random dorm essential would somehow ruin my entire freshman year. Spoiler alert: it won't. If you're preparing for college, here's something I wish someone had told me sooner: you do not need to buy everything before move-

Move-in day is exciting. It's also chaotic. Between hauling boxes up stairs, meeting your roommate, figuring out where everything goes, and saying goodbye to your family, it's easy to make a few mistakes along the way.

If you're packing for college right now, there's a good chance you're staring at your closet wondering: How many clothes am I actually supposed to bring to college? I had the exact same question before freshman year. Part of me wanted to pack everything. What if I needed a specific outfit? What if the weather changed? What if I suddenly became the type of person who wore all the clothes currently collecting dust in my closet?

Packing for college is stressful. Packing for study abroad? Somehow even more stressful. When I was preparing to study abroad, I kept asking myself the same questions: How many clothes should I bring? What if I forget something important? Do I need a giant suitcase? What if I run out of room for souvenirs? So naturally, I did what many students do—I overpacked.

If you're anything like I was before freshman year, you've probably spent hours looking at college packing lists. One list says you need 50 things. Another says you need 150 things. Suddenly you're standing in Target wondering whether your future depends on owning a three-tier rolling cart, six decorative pillows, and a bedside lamp that also charges your phone.

Moving into my first off-campus apartment felt incredibly exciting. I was imagining dinner parties, cozy living rooms, and finally having a kitchen that wasn't shared with an entire floor of college students. Then reality hit. Apartments don't come with much. Unlike dorms, where most of the essentials are already provided, off-campus housing often means you're responsible for furnishing your entire space.

If you've started shopping for dorm bedding, you've probably noticed that the internet wants you to believe your college bed needs approximately 47 different accessories. Mattress topper. Mattress protector. Sheets. Comforter. Throw blanket. Decorative pillows. Bed rest pillow. Reading pillow. Blanket ladder. Somehow a headboard. At some point, I started wondering whether I was moving into a dorm room or furnishing a luxury hotel.

I spent hours watching dorm room tours, scrolling through Pinterest, and adding storage bins, plastic drawers, hanging organizers, and every organization product imaginable to my cart.

If you're building your college dorm packing list, you've probably wondered whether a mini fridge is actually worth it. I know I did.

I used to be the girl who’d open her laptop, blink twice, and suddenly it was three hours later and I’d accomplished nothing except memorizing every detail of a stranger’s Instagram feed. My brain was basically in sleep mode. Cute, but useless.

Starting college is both thrilling and intimidating, especially when you’re worried about money. If you’re a broke college girl prepping for your first year (or trying to survive it), let me share what I wish I knew, so you can skip a few headaches and stretch your dollars further.

Every semester I hit that point where my life feels like it’s being held together by caffeine, dry shampoo, and sheer delusion. That’s when I convince myself: this is the week I’m going to glow up my entire life. New routines, better habits, healthier food… basically a total rebrand.

So it’s the beginning of the semester. You’ve got syllabi, class group chats, club meetings, 1,000 unread emails, and at least one panic purchase sitting in your Amazon cart labeled “college essentials.” You’re overwhelmed. But also deeply committed to being That Girl—you know, the one with the color-coded planner, matching highlighters, and a vague sense of control. This is how I fake that I have my life together at the start of every semester. It’s messy. It’s extra. And it

So you’re broke. Me too, bestie. At least you’re self-aware enough to click on this post instead of buying a $14 candle “for your mental health” (again). Welcome to your unofficial starter kit for figuring out how to not blow your entire refund check in week one.

I’d like to start this post by saying: I’m not proud. But I am resourceful. And maybe a little dramatic. This is the story of how I made it through an entire week of college with only $14 in my bank account, a granola bar in my backpack, and a dream. Not a big dream. Just like... to not pass out in lecture or overdraft my debit card again.