Ultimate College Packing List

When I first got my acceptance letter, the thing I was the most excited about was moving to my college campus! Also, about shopping all sorts of cute stuff to decorate my future dorm room. Dorm shopping can be really exciting yet overwhelming. Especially if you’re an incoming freshman, knowing what to pack for college can be daunting. You’ve probably read thousands of college packing lists and searched all over Pinterest for dorm room decor ideas. But some packing lists are extensive and trivial (the chances you’ll need bed risers are limited). After moving in and living in dorms for the past 3 years, I think I know exactly what to pack and what you need/don’t need. Below is an extensive list of things you need, things you might need and things to buy once you’re there. Also, here’s a list of things you shouldn’t bring to college with you. Thank me later!

Bedding

• Pillows & Pillow Cases
• Throw Pillows (optional)
• Duvet cover – easier to wash than a comforter.
• Twin XL sheet set
• Mattress cover – You don’t know what happened on your dorm mattress before you moved in, and trust me, you don’t want to know
• Mattress pad – college dorm mattresses can be really uncomfortable.
• Throw Blanket
• Bedside shelf (optional)
• Under bed storage or drawers – Dorms are tiny. If you have the option to choose how high your bed is, you should consider to make it high enough to put some drawers underneath.

School Stuff

• Backpack
• Calculator
• Planner or Calendar – or you could just use google calendar.
• Stapler
• Index cards
• Notebooks – or just your laptop, I guess that sometimes depends on the class.
• Pens, pencils, sharpies and everything you need to take notes.
• Scissors
• Scotch tape
• Desk organizer (optional)
• Tote bag
• Binder
• Folders
• Sticky notes
• Laptop
• Laptop charger
• Flashdrive
• Headphones
• Portable speaker (optional)
• Camera (optional)

Dining

If you’re an incoming freshman and if you’ll be living in the dorms, chances are you’ll be eating at the dining hall. Which means you probably won’t be needing a bunch of cooking supplies. However, you should definitely bring some basic supplies with you.

• Brita water filter
• Utensils
• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Microwave safe food containers – for meal prep or to take snacks with you.
• Reusable Water bottle
• Electric kettle (optional)
• Chip clips
• Ziploc bags
• Coffee mug
• Mini fridge – only if your school doesn’t provide one already.
• Microwave – Only if your school doesn’t provide one already, discuss this with your roommate.
• Blender – check if they’re allowed at your school
• Toaster – check if they’re allowed in your school

Dorm Stuff

• Desk lamp + Bulbs
• Organizers – This includes makeup organizers and desk organizers. But avoid buying organizers for absolutely everything, chances are you might end up not using them.
• Bed side fan – check with your school if there’s AC in your hall.
• Laundry Basket
• Full length mirror – Where else are you supposed to take outfit pics?
• Power strip
• Extension cord
• Hangers
• Shoe organizers
• Steamer (optional)
• Sewing kit – Honestly, a sewing kit can be a huge life savior
• Makeup mirror
• Calendar
• Shoe organizer

Here are 6 Tips To make your dorm look aesthetic AF

Decor (optional)

Decorating your dorm room is probably the most exciting thing besides dorm shopping. So, here are some cute dorm room decor ideas, you might like.

• String lights
• Photos/posters/canvases
• Command strips – be careful with what you put on the wall, if the wall gets damaged, you could get fined.
• Cork board – I love how cork boards look on a wall, you can just hang pictures up there.
• Push pins
• Wall hooks
• Succulent plant – this type of plants won’t die that easily and they’re super cute
• Rug

Cleanning

• Disinfecting wipes – they’re a must.
• Trash bags
• Trash can
• Laundry detergent
• Dryer sheets
• Paper towels
• Vacuum
• Broom/Dustpan – I guess this depends on your residential hall. At mine we had brooms and dustpans in every floor.
• Stain remover

Bathroom

• Shower caddy
• Toothbrush holder – only if you have your own bathroom
• Bath towels (2)
• Shower shoes
• Wash clothes (2)
• Bath mat
• Shower mat
• Toiler paper
• Bathroom cleaner
• Toilet scrubber
• Handsoap
• Robe
• Loofah
• Shower cap

Personal Stuff

Quick tip: If you already have a lot of stuff packed and no space, you can always buy the essentials, like shampoo and body lotion at any drugstore close to your college once you have moved-in.

• Hair dryer
• Straightener/curling iron
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Hair products
• Body wash, razors, soap
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Makeup
• Sunscreen
• Nail clippers & files
• Nail polish & nail polish remover
• Tweezers
• Q tips
• Pads & Tampons
• Perfume
• Body lotion + Face creams
• Ear plugs – It can get noisy at night sometimes when you’re living at the dorms, so a good pair of earplugs can be necessary.

& others

• Umbrella
• Luggage/duffel bag
• Lock – for the gym
• Medicine – like cough syrups, Advil and others.

Below is the downloadable version of the graphic before, so that you can have it on you when you go dorm room shopping! Also, click here for 14 dorm shopping tips!