By now, you've probably started to think about packing for college. While it's easy to get overwhelmed, remember that you're just going to college; not Mars.
Every year, tons of students pack way too many items in fear that they won't be prepared. However, they arrive to learn that they have little space to store everything.
Alternatively, they forget an essential item because there's just so much to think about. Remember, if you do forget an essential, you can always ask someone to send it, bring it whenever they visit, or pick it up the next time you head home. If it's something as simple as a toothbrush, there are stores around your college town.
In hopes to help with the process, here's a college apartment packing checklist, which also includes Coronavirus essentials that you'll need on campus this year. Follow this list to help ensure you've packed all the essentials without over packing. You can also download the checklist here.
Looking for more COVID-19 student-impact information? Find it here.
Preparation and planning play a key role to an easy transition. The less you have to worry about aside from your course schedule and curriculum, the better. 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 find a lot of student necessities on campus. If not on campus, look to the nearby town.
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.
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
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.College Apartment Packing Checklist:
- 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
- Face coverings/masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Disinfectant spray
- Paper towels
- Disposable gloves
- Hand soap
- No-touch trash can
COVID Cleaning Supplies
Preparation and planning play a key role to an easy transition. The less you have to worry about aside from your course schedule and curriculum, the better. 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 find a lot of student necessities on campus. If not on campus, look to the nearby town.
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.
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
Join the Discussion