The Ultimate College Grocery List For Your First Apartment

So, you’re in college and starting life on your own. This means moving into an apartment by yourself or with a roommate. Either way, you’re away from your parents and the comfort of home in the most drastic way you’ve ever been. One of the first things you’re going to have to do is go on a grocery run to make sure you have basic necessities to go about your days as smoothly as possible. A good trick to do here is think about the things that you always used at home that seemed to never run out- the things that were constantly in the fridge, pantry, or on the counter that you know would always be there when you went to get them. There are probably a lot of things that you’re bound to forget because you never really think about them until, that is, you don’t have them anymore. Take your time and go through that mental checklist, but until then, here’s a quick list to get you started on your college grocery list for your first apartment!

Refrigerator/ freezer items

There are certain staples that you always need to keep in your fridge and freezer. These items include:

• eggs – used in practically every recipe and a perfectly simple breakfast food
• milk – also used in every recipe and also in cereal, which you eat a lot of
• frozen meals – specifically pizza, because you might not have a lot of time to cook, plus they’re cheap
• deli meats – a quick go-to snack or meal
• water – you will literally die without it
• cheese – good for snacking or putting on the deli meat
• alcohol – trust me, you’ll need it

Pantry items

• flour – it’s a basic ingredient for a lot of simple recipes
• sugar – because you need some extra on your cereal in the mornings
• salt and pepper
• bread – for the deli meats
• peanut butter – you can just eat it as a snack or put it on the bread, it’s very versatile
• ramen noodles – you are in college, no?
• canned soup – they’re cheap and will last longer than the apocalypse
• Ziploc bags – store things and keep them fresh
• paper towels – clean up the overflowing milk from the cereal
• spices – to put on EVERYTHING
• aluminum foil – to cook some things and keep others sealed
• cereal – a meal for every occasion at all times of the day and night

Toiletries

A lot of these items are really good to buy in bulk, it’ll save you money in the long run.

• toothpaste – Crest, of course
• toilet paper – do I need to explain what this one is for?
• shampoo and conditioner
• body wash/ soap
• razors/ shaving cream
• makeup remover wipes – for your own sake, don’t forget this one
• first aid kit – you can’t avoid accidents forever
• literally any kind of solvent you can clean with – Scrubbing Bubbles, 409, whatever your mom used probably because she won’t be there to clean for you anymore
• Advil/ibuprofen/pain reliever of choice – again, we all know what college is like; stack that on top of living in a brand new place, and you’re going to be in headache central

Sometimes it can be really easy to forget some of the most basic things you need to get by, which is why this list exists. Hopefully the college grocery list here is a good place to get you started and might jog your memory of a lot of other items you need to buy for yourself. So, good luck on living the apartment life!

What’s on your complete college grocery list? Let us know below in the comments!