College Dorm Packing Checklist

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 they won't be prepared. However, they arrive to learn that they have little space to store everything and end up regretting packing so much. 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, pick it up next time you visit home or have someone from home bring it along when they visit. Or, 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 dorm packing checklist. Follow this list to help ensure you've packed all the essentials without over packing. You can also download the checklist here.

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: • Halogen bulbs and/or lamps
• Hotplates, skillets, toasters, toaster ovens, InstantPots/pressure cookers
• Air conditioners
• Extension cords
• Candles
• Pets
• Nail picture hangers

Dorm Room

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

Laundry drying rack

Trash can

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

Personal Care

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 medicine

Hair dryer (Straightener, Curling Iron)

Hairbrush/comb

Cotton swabs, cotton balls, etc.

Sewing kit (with safety pins)

Lint brush

Wrinkle release

Other Fun Items to Consider:

Video Game Console/Games

Posters/art

Framed photos with family, friends, roommates

Dry erase board (For messages from friends)

Deck of cards, Board Games

Apparel

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

School, Computer & Tech

Computer/laptop

Computer/laptop case

Computer/laptop charger

Wireless mouse

Mousepad

Keyboard

Desk lamp

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 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)

Handy Things to Have

Area maps

Safe with a lock (For valuables)

Envelopes/Stamps

Flashlight

Toolbox/Basic tool set

Lightbulbs

Batteries

Weekend bag or small suitcase

Extra Power strip(s)

Extra Extension cord(s)

Extra chargers

Poster putty and/or removable hooks for hanging up decorations (Most schools don't allow nails)

Stepladder

If You Have a Private or Shared Bathroom with Roommates

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

Cleaning Supplies

Rags, sponges, scrub-brushes

Swiffer/Swiffer pads

Mini Vacuum

Cleaning wipes

Rubber gloves

Dish soap

Dish rack/drying mat

Dish brush

Febreze/Fabric refresher

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. 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 because, the less you worry about things other than your new academic schedule, 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 even 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.