What should I bring to college? This is the thought that goes through every student’s mind at one point or another. Packing for college, whether it be for freshmen or returning students, can be intimidating! How do you know what to bring? How do you know what you will actually end up needing? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I have put together the ultimate college packing list so you won’t forget anything! These items include everything you might need, and point out the essentials you absolutely cannot forget.
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What to Expect on Move-In Day
First, let’s briefly go over what you should expect on college move-in day. If you’re a freshman and about to move into the dorm, you’re probably wondering what on earth you’re about to get yourself in to. But, don’t worry. Move-in day is so much less intimidating than you might think.
When you first arrive, you will be met by other students
moving in, college staff members, and usually volunteers to help you move. Be sure to arrive during your designated time slot. The good news? The volunteers’ job is to get everyone moved in as quickly as possible in the attempts to avoid the inevitable traffic jams. In most cases, you won’t be carrying many of your things to your room! Pretty sweet.
Also, if you’re a freshman, check out
THIS post on the top essential tasks to do the summer before college begins, and
THIS post about everything you need to know as an incoming freshman!
How to Pack for College
Because there are so many great people there to help you move, you will need to make sure all of your things are packed up nicely in boxes, bags, or large bins.
THESE are the bins I used for all of my things freshman year (and just had my parents take them home with them while keeping one or two for storage)… they worked like a charm! Also, be sure to label all of your boxes with your name, dorm, and room number. Things can get a bit hectic so this will ensure nothing gets lost.
Tips for Returning Students and for Moving Off Campus
But what if you’re a seasoned student or moving off campus for the first time? Of course, move-in will be much easier going. Here are my top tips for moving off campus:
- Create a moving out checklist
- Communicate with your roommate to make sure you have collectively brought all the essentials (think kitchen utensils, couch, TV, mixing bowls…)
- Check in with some of your local stores if you’re in need of more boxes, they give them out for free like crazy! Liquor stores are pretty well known for this.
- Finish off your meal plan by buying cleaning supplies and other household goods if you can. Don’t let that money go to waste!
- Ask your parents to get you a Costco card (if they have an account, you can be added for free but the limit is 2 people per account). Then, be sure to make a big Costco run at the beginning of the year!
- Make an agreement with your friends. If you help them move, they help you! Win-win.
- A U-Haul for the day is actually pretty cheap and worth it! You can end up saving a ton of time and gas money.
- Make a box dedicated to items you will need right away (toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand soap, hammer, screwdriver, washcloths, paper towels, snacks, water bottle).
- Be sure to vacuum first thing before you begin moving any furniture in!
- Pick up some plaster at your local hardware store to fix up any holes during your stay. You can also try to get some matching paint as well. Sometimes, you will even find some landlords will help you do this! It will save you both money in the long run. Also, at the end of your lease, go to the dollar store to get $1 stove covers instead of leaving behind dirty ones. Saved me $110 from one of my apartments!
The Ultimate College Packing List
Alright, we’ve finally made it to the list! Be sure to go through it and pick out the things you think you will need. Don’t pack too much, many dorm rooms aren’t that large so be sure to check with your school to see what you should expect for size! Be sure to pack the essentials than work your way from there!
College Essentials: What you absolutely CAN NOT FORGET to bring
- Student ID
- Health Insurance Card
- Drivers Licence
- Debit/Credit Cards
- Perscriptions
- Prescription Documentation (such as your RX number to be sure you can transfer your prescriptions over easily)
- Car Registration and Insurance Card
- Passport
- Laptop and Charger
- School Planner
- Phone, Charger, and Headphones
- Car and House Keys for Back Home
- Textbooks
Related: 11 Clever Tips to Save CRAZY Money on Textbooks
Other Documentation
- Copies of your Birth Certificate and Social Security Card
- Checks
- Lease (for apartments/housing rentals)
- Renters Insurance (If you live in an apartment or house, GET THIS! Super cheap. I’ve unfortunately had to use this twice already and know countless others who have as well.)
- Emergency Contact List
- Warranties on any products you use regularly
- Financial Aid Paperwork (copy of your FAFSA and any student loan information)
Packing Supplies, Storage and Cleaning Supplies
- Storage Bins (these are my favorite, also make great dorm moving boxes)
- Duct Tape/Packaging Tape
- Suit Cases/Duffle Bags
- Paper Towels
- Anti-Bacterial Wipes
- Garbage Can
- Garbage Bags
- Glass Cleaner
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Carpet Cleaner
- Cleaning Rag
- Plastic Drawers (these drawers are perfect for the dorm, plus they have wheels!)
- Shoe Organizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- Small Broom
- Hand Vacuum
- Space-Saving Storage Bags (great for storing winter clothes and extra bedding)
- Command Strips and Hooks (THESE ARE PURE GOLD)
- Closet Organizer (hanging closet organizers are perfect for the dorm)
- Hangers
- Clothing Storage Bags (like these travel garment bags for your nice or professional clothing)
- Desk Storage Box and/or Organizer (this organizer is great for the top of your desk and this organizer is great for your desk drawers!)
Laundry
Related: 22 Back to School Organization Hacks You Have to Try
Furniture
For Dorm Rooms:
First, be sure to check with your college to see how much space you will have and what furniture will be provided!
- Desk (most come with a desk but double check)
- Desk Chair
- Dresser (most come with a wardrobe or dresser but again, double check)
- Bedside Table (these storage drawers make a great bedside table!)
- Alarm Clock
- TV and DVD Player
- Extension Cords
- Extra Chair (such as a bean-bag chair or these cool saucer chairs)
- Full-Length Mirror
- Floor Lamp
- Desk Lamp (this lamp has a charging port!)
- Bedside Lamp
- Bulletin and Dry-Erase Board (Here is a great combo board!)
- Thumb Tacks and Dry Erase Markers (be sure to put one in your backpack too for class, just in case)
- Storage Automan
- Fan
- 1-2 Curtain Rods and Curtains (wait until you arrive to see if you need these for your windows and/or wardrobe)
For Apartments (basics):
- Couch and/or futon
- Living room chairs
- Coffee Table
- Side Tables
- Lamps
- Dining Room Table with Chairs
- Bed
- Desk and chair
- Bookshelf
- Bedside Tables
Decorations
- Picture frames and pictures
- String lights (these string lights with photo clips are TOO COOL!)
- Essential oil diffuser or candle warmer (most dorms do not allow candles)
- Wall art
- Plant in a pretty pot
- Vase (for fresh flowers… or fake ones!)
- Area Rug
Bedding
- Mattress Topper (you won’t regret it!)
- Mattress Pad
- Two sets sheets (most dorms are twin XL)
- Cotton Blanket
- Comforter or Duvet with Cover
- Extra Throw Blankets
- Pillows with Pillow Cases
- Decorative Pillows
Bathroom (if you have your own bathroom)
- Shower Curtain with Rings
- 2-3 Shower Plastic Liners
- Shower Mat
- Shower Organizer (or Shower Caddy)
- Rug
- Bath Towels, Hand Towels, and Washcloths
- Air Freshener
- Garbage Can with Small Garbage Bags
- Cleaning Supplies: Window Cleaner, All Purpose, Toilet Cleaner, Drain Cleaner, Toilet Brush, Rubber Gloves, Sponge, Bucket
School and Desk Supplies
- Laptop and Charger
- Laptop Mouse (SUPER convenient!)
- School Planner
- Planner Accessories (Here are my 15 favorites!)
- Textbooks
- Printer and Extra Ink (runs out fast, trust me)
- Printer Paper
- Thumb Drive
- Pens and Highlighters (these are my favorite pens, and these are my favorite highlighters!)
- Mechanical Pencils and a few Number 2 Pencils (for exams, if required)
- Permanent Marker
- Colored Pencils
- Binders (I swear by Staples’ Better Binder)
- Filler Paper and Binder Dividers
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Backpack
- Pencil Pouch (how cute is this one?)
- Erasers
- White Out
- Protractor Set
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pencil Sharpener and Lead
- Paper Clips and Binder Clips
- Glue
- Tape
- Stapler
- Staple Remover
- One and Three-Hole Punch
- Sticky Notes (you’ll probably want a lot)
- Index Cards
- Calculator (if you’re going into any subject with math involved, you’ll 100% need a good scientific calculator)
- Business Cards (with your new school information)
- Desk Calendar
- Thank You Notes, Envelopes, Stamps, and a few Birthday Cards
- Surge Protector (plus a mini one like this one for when there aren’t enough outlets around campus)
- Portable Phone Charger (I waited until Junior year to get one and I wish I hadn’t, they are lifesavers!)
- Class Materials: Check your syllabi of your upcoming classes, some may require some unique materials such as a specific notebook or calculator
Kitchen Items
*Check to see what your school allows and what you may or may not need. For example, if your school provides a mini fridge, don’t bring one!
- Silverware
- Plates (Use paper dishes if you don’t have an attached kitchen)
- Bowls
- Cups
- Mugs
- Mixing bowls (these ones are great for college because they come with lids!)
- Pots
- Pans
- Baking sheet
- Spatulas
- Microwave
- Blender (the NutriBullet is fantastic for students!)
- Mini-Fridge
- Coffeemaker (if you’re a coffee drinker, you will save so much making your own!!)
- Toaster
- Strainer
- Tupperware
- Can Opener
- Measuring cups
- Grater
- Knives
- Cutting board
- Instant Pot (I swear by my instant pot, check out my post about how I use it to save hundreds here!)
- Pot Holders
- Paper Towels and/or Napkins
- Hand Towels
- Hand Soap and Dish Soap
- Sponges
- Reusable Water Bottles and Travel Coffee Mugs
- Plastic Bags
- Snacks: Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Hot Cocoa, Popcorn, Microwavable Food, Tea, Coffee
Clothing
Clothing is going to be very unique to every individual. But, creating a
Capsule Wardrobe is one of the best ways to approach clothing in the dorms. You won’t have much space to pack a ton of clothes. Just be sure to have enough clothes for 2-3 weeks at a time and you should be fine! However, be sure to take into account anything you might be planning on doing, such as sorority events, professional networking events, outdoor activities, climate, class field trips, etc.
- Underwear (enough for about 2-3 weeks)
- Bras (Everday and Sports Bras)
- Thin Long Underwear (if you’re going to school in a colder environment)
- Socks (again, enough for about 2-3 weeks; bring athletic socks, everyday socks, dress socks, and cold weather socks)
- PJs (don’t worry about getting anything fancy, most just wear a tee and sweats)
- T-Shirts
- Long Sleeve Shirts
- Tank Tops
- Sweaters
- Everyday Tops
- Nicer Blouses
- Jeans
- Pants
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Dresses (depending on what you will be doing: casual, semi-formal, formal, party dresses)
- 1-2 Professional Outfits (ie: Blazer, Blouse, and Slacks)
- Workout Clothes (both for warm and cooler weather)
- Sweatpants and Leggings
- Sweatshirt
- Jackets
- Fleece Jacket
- Winter Jacket
- Rain Jacket (A MUST!)
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Hats
- Belt
- Sunglasses
- Purse
- Tote Bag and Gym Bag
- Slippers
- Winter Shoes (waterproof)
- Athletic Shoes
- Everyday Shoes
- Professional Shoes
- Swim Suit (and goggles, cap, towel, chlorine shampoo, etc. if you’re a swimmer)
Toiletries
- Tooth Brush and Holder
- Tooth Paste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Contacts, Contact Case, Contact Solution
- Glasses and Glasses Case
- Ear Plugs and Eye Mask
- Tweezers
- Fingernail Clippers
- Tampons and Pads
- Makeup Bag
- Makeup (this is pretty unique to everyone so I won’t make a list but HERE is a great article on makeup essentials)
- Cotton Balls and Q-Tips
- Hair Brush and Comb
- Hair Ties, Bobby Pins, Hair Clips, Headbands
- Blow Dryer
- Curling Iron and Flat Iron (I just used my Flat Iron for both, saves space!)
- Hair Products (ie: mouse, hairspray, etc.)
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Skin Care Products (ie: masks, moisturizer, acne medicine, etc.)
- Nail Polish and Remover
- Shower Caddy
- Razor
- Shaving Cream
- Body Wash
- Face Wash
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Lufa and Two Washcloths
- Shower shoes (BRING SHOWER SHOES! After taking Microbiology, I can never look at the dorm showers the same…)
- Towels (make sure one is large enough to be a beach towel as well!)
First Aid and Medical Supplies
- Perscription Medications (with proper paperwork)
- A Full First Aid Kit (THIS ONE has everything you might need during your Freshman year, in fact, I still use mine!)
- Cold and Flu Medicine
- Headache Medicine
- Pain Reliever
- Indigestion Medicine
- Menstrual Pain Reliever
- Allergy Medicine
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Immune Booster (having a stockpile of Emergen-C saved me when the flu hit our dorm)
- Condoms
- Thermometer
Miscellaneous
- Sleeping bag
- Guest Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress
- Bike
- Helmet
- Bike Lock (get a double lock LIKE THIS ONE! Bike theft is the number one crime of college campuses. I learned this the hard way… twice.)
- The Ten Hiking Essentials (if you plan on any outdoor adventures)
- Camping Gear
- Books and Movies
- Games and a Deck of Cards
- Batteries
- Athletic Equipment: Yoga Mat, Bands, Ankle Weights… don’t stress too much about these, your school gym should have it all
Well, there you have it! The ultimate college packing list! I hope you have found this list useful. Be sure to speak with your roommate to coordinate any items you both can use to save on space! Have fun and happy packing!
Further Reading
Looking for some more great back to school organization and related content? Check out these great posts:
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