By now, you've probably started to think about dorm room ideas and packing for college. While it's easy to get overwhelmed, remember that you're just going to college – not Mars.
Packing for your dorm room is like walking a fine line – there is a very high chance that you’ll be over- or under-prepared. After all, we always remember those dorm rooms to be bigger than they actually were. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
In hopes to help with the process, here's a college dorm packing checklist. Follow this college packing list to help ensure you've packed all the essentials. You can also download the checklist here.
• Halogen bulbs and/or lamps
• Hotplates, skillets, toasters, toaster ovens, InstantPots/pressure cookers
• Air conditioners
• Extension cords
• Candles
• Pets
• Nail picture hangers
Note: Even though you can usually get school supplies on campus, it's often cheaper to buy it during the back-to-school sales at off-campus stores.
That being said, don’t freak out if you forget something you need that’s on the above college planning checklist. Even if you’re far from home, there’s nothing you can’t get exactly where you are. You can usually even find a lot of student necessities on campus. However, if you can’t find those forgotten essential items on campus, do some dorm room shopping in the nearby town.
Finally, if you forget an important item you cannot replace with a store-bought item (something sentimental or a favorite shirt, for example) and you’re too far away from home to head back, you can always kindly ask your parents, siblings or other family members to ship the item(s) directly to your dorm address.
Moving to college for the first time is a huge step in any student’s life. Preparation and planning play a key role to an easy transition. The less you worry about things other than your new academic schedule and finding your place on campus, the better.
Always Ask First!
Before bringing any of the following items, contact your school's housing office and ask about the rules and regulations within the residence halls. Many schools don't allow things such as:• Hotplates, skillets, toasters, toaster ovens, InstantPots/pressure cookers
• Air conditioners
• Extension cords
• Candles
• Pets
• Nail picture hangers
- Comforter/Bedspread
- Pillows
- Sheets (Check to see if they need to be a special size)
- Bed risers (If your bed isn't a loft)
- Desk/Bed lamp
- Book light
- Hangers
- Crates or stacking storage containers
- Microwave (If allowed in room)
- Mini-Refrigerator (If allowed in room)
- TV/DVD Player
- Fan
- Stereo/Speakers
- Shelving
- Facial Tissues
- Laundry basket/bag
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover
- Rolls of quarters (If necessary for laundry)
- Dryer sheets
- Paper plates and cups
- Cups, dishes & silverware for in-room snacks
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable coffee mug
- Plastic containers with lids for snacks (Bugs, otherwise!)
- Delicious snacks
Bedroom
- Shower caddy
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Shower pouf/loofah
- Towels (Bath, face, washcloths)
- Shower shoes
- Bathrobe
- Deodorant
- Body lotion
- Shaving Cream / Razors
- Make-up
- Band-Aids
- Feminine Products
- Cold and pain medicine
- Hair dryer (Straightener, Curling Iron)
- Hairbrush/comb
- Cotton swabs, cotton balls, etc.
- Sewing kit (with safety pins)
- Lint brush
- Wrinkle release
Personal Care
- Video Game Console/Games
- Posters/art
- Framed photos with family, friends, roommates
- Dry erase board (For messages from friends)
- Deck of cards, Board Games
Other Fun Items to Consider:
- Comfortable clothes/shoes for class
- 1 interview outfit
- 1 dressy outfit (For formal events)
- Work out clothing/shoes
- 1 bathing suit/beach towel
- Light jacket for early fall/spring
- Raincoat, rain boots, umbrella
- Slippers
- Winter coat
- Winter hat, scarf, gloves, boots
Apparel
- Computer/laptop
- Computer/laptop case
- Wireless mouse
- Mousepad
- Keyboard
- Lap desk
- iPod/MP3 Player
- Stereo/Speakers
- Tablet or E-reader
- Blank discs or drives for the computer labs
- Desk organizer
- Binders, folders
- Printer
- Printer and ink cartridges
- Printer paper
- Pens, pencils
- Highlighters
- Dictionary/ Thesaurus (Apps work, too!)
- Backpack or messenger bag
- Calculator
- Day planner
- White-out
- Post-It notes
- Scissors
- Three-hole punch
- Tape
- Ruler
- Stapler
- Paper/binder clips
- Rubber bands
- Extra Phone Charger(s)
School, Computer & Tech
- Area maps
- Safe with a lock (For valuables)
- Envelopes/Stamps
- Flashlight
- Toolbox/Basic tool set
- Batteries
- Weekend bag or small suitcase
- Extra Power strip(s)
- Extra Extension cord(s)
- Poster putty for hanging up decorations (Most schools don't allow nails)
- Stepladder
Handy Things to Have
- Bathroom rug
- Shower/bath mat
- Shower curtain
- Shower curtain/tension rod
- Shower curtain hooks
- Towel hooks
- Shelves
- Full-length mirror
- Air freshener
- Toilet brush
- Toilet cleaner
- Plunger
Bathroom
- Rags, sponges, scrub-brushes
- Swiffer/Swiffer pads
- Mini Vacuum
- Rubber gloves
- Dish soap
- Dish brush
- Dish rack/drying mat
- Febreze/Fabric refresher
Cleaning Supplies
Note: Even though you can usually get school supplies on campus, it's often cheaper to buy it during the back-to-school sales at off-campus stores.
That being said, don’t freak out if you forget something you need that’s on the above college planning checklist. Even if you’re far from home, there’s nothing you can’t get exactly where you are. You can usually even find a lot of student necessities on campus. However, if you can’t find those forgotten essential items on campus, do some dorm room shopping in the nearby town.
Finally, if you forget an important item you cannot replace with a store-bought item (something sentimental or a favorite shirt, for example) and you’re too far away from home to head back, you can always kindly ask your parents, siblings or other family members to ship the item(s) directly to your dorm address.
Moving to college for the first time is a huge step in any student’s life. Preparation and planning play a key role to an easy transition. The less you worry about things other than your new academic schedule and finding your place on campus, the better.