Why Smart College Students Stock Up on Toothpaste

As a senior who’s lived in dorms for years, I’ll tell you why toothpaste belongs on your college essentials checklist. The campus store marks up basics like toothpaste by 50-100% compared to big box stores. When you’re living on a student budget, paying $8 for a tube that costs $4 at home hurts.

Beyond saving money, having extra toothpaste among your dorm room essentials means fewer late-night trips to the store during finals week. Trust me, you don’t want to run out when cramming for exams at 2 AM. Buy in bulk before move-in day – your wallet and future self will thank you.

Pro tip: Get the travel-sized tubes too. They’re perfect for weekend trips and fit easily in your shower caddy.