The Ultimate College Dorm packing guide

Heading off to college for the first time can be overwhelming. What do you bring with you? What can’t you bring with you? How are you going to get all of your stuff there? If you live close to your school, you’ll more than likely need a car or two to help you move. If you live out of state, it can get a bit tricky. No worries, we got your College Packing covered.

What Should I Use to Pack My Stuff for College?

When packing your items, there are many types of supplies you can use. The following are some tips for supplies and packing methods you can try:

• Use bins for storing college supplies in lieu of boxes.
• Break down cardboard boxes and keep them stored in a closet or another space for later use when you’re moving again.
• Reuse boxes or bins to store certain items in your room.
• Make the most of the space available in the vehicle by keeping all your heavy items beneath the rest, and keep lighter items such as bedding or clothing in more open areas.
• Keep similar items in the same boxes to make them easier to sort through.

To expand on that last point, try to mark each box and bin with a number that corresponds with the item number on your checklist. For instance, you may have kitchenware in one box that’s marked “#2,” along with “#2” next to your list of matching items.

Before getting everything on your college packing list, consider how you should pack for college. This includes the types of items that are worth taking with you, the best ways to make the most of your living space, and rules that your school has in place for what you’re allowed to bring

How Should I Pack My Clothes for College?

It’s best to settle for enough clothing to get through one or two seasons at a time. When returning home for winter break or another occasion as the season changes, you can take some clothes back and exchange them for others. You may want to consider bringing some formal wear in the event of a job fair, networking opportunity, or a job interview. You can also start by packing some neutral-colored clothes to make coordination easier. If you exercise or use a gym, don’t forget to bring some workout clothes.

Pro Tip:

If you know how to sew, bringing a small sewing kit can help you patch up clothes in an emergency.

Another way to make unpacking easier is to leave all your clothes on their hangers when you’re packing. Once you’re in your room, you will be able to simply remove them from the box and hang them in your closet. This also means you don’t have to put hangers separately on your college packing list! If you don’t have boxes that are big enough to hold your clothes and their hangers, you can use a large bag such as a garbage bag, with the hanger hooks poking out of the top. Using bags to carry clothing may also be best to keep dress shirts and slacks from creasing.

Find Out What Your School Allows and Prohibits

Your school might provide a lot of the supplies that you need, even if the dorms aren’t fully move-in ready. You can call or check the school’s website to find out what you should bring — along with what the school doesn’t allow. For example, if you’re considering bringing a microwave or mini-fridge, the dorm might include a full-sized refrigerator and microwave.

While the school obviously won’t permit any alcohol, drugs, or weapons, other items that some schools prohibit include space heaters and extension cords, which could present a fire hazard. Also, there are some other items that colleges frequently ban, which you should try to leave off your college packing list. If you’re thinking of bringing any furry friends along, you should also find out if your college allows pets.

Bath and Dorm Room

Items for your bath and dorm room could include:

• Bedsheets (normally, Twin XL-size sheets fit college dorm beds)
• Comforters or quilts
• Mattress pads
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Throw blankets
• Alarm clock (your smartphone may serve this purpose)
• Ear plugs if you’re a sensitive sleeper
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Towels (including hand and bath towels, along with
• washcloths)
• Under-bed storage bins
• Shower shoes (like flip flops) to use in a communal shower
• Basket or shower caddy to carry bathroom supplies

Pro Tip:

If you’re worried about mixing up towels with your roommates, you can write your name in permanent marker on the tag.

Personal Care Products

Some items to bring for health and grooming purposes could include:

• Bath soap or shower gels
• Shampoos and conditioners
• Deodorant
• Comb or brush
• Hairdryer and curling iron
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Dental floss
• Shaving kit
• Portable makeup box or kit
• Lotions and cosmetics
• Q-tips
• Cotton swabs
• Loofah
• Travel soap container
• First-aid kit
• Nail clippers
• Handheld mirror
• Air freshener
• Air purifier
• Bathroom cleaning supplies for a personal bathroom
• Scale
• Shower mat
• Heating pads
• Prescription medications along with copies of the prescription

Clothing and Laundry Supplies

Some clothing and laundry items to consider may include:

• Shirts
• Socks
• Pants/jeans
• Underwear
• Shorts
• Pajamas
• Bathrobe
• Jewelry
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Loungewear
• Sportswear
• Shoes
• Boots
• Sandals
• Business wear
• Dress shoes
• Swimwear
• Belts
• Scarf and gloves
• Watch
• Iron or steamer and ironing board
• Suitcases or bags
• Laundry basket or bag
• Laundry detergent
• Stain remover stick
• Dryer sheets
• Bleach and fabric softener
• Lint brush
• Quarters for laundromats

School Supplies

Don’t forget to include plenty of items for school on your college packing list, including:

• Backpack or carrying bag for your books and other supplies
• Laptop or tablet and accessories
• Planner or calendar
• Binders
• Paper, pens, and pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Whiteout
• Highlighters
• Notebooks
• Ruler
• Sticky notes
• Paperclips
• Stapler and staples
• Calculator
• Envelopes and stamps
• Markers
• Mouse for the computer to use at a desk
• Desk storage
• Headphones/earphones
• Index cards
• Whiteout
• Tape
• Scissors
• Printer and paper
• Hole punch

Room Decor

To help improve the look of your room and make it feel more like home throughout the school year, consider certain decor items such as:

• Posters featuring your favorite movies, musicians, or concepts
• Sticky wall mounts and adhesive hooks if nails aren’t allowed
• Personal photos with light frames
• Area rugs or temporary carpeting for hard floors
• Seating for guests
• Desk lamps
• Floor lamps
• Trashcans
• Bedside table
• Desk chair
• Fan
• Curtains
• Bulletin board or whiteboard with dry-erase markers
• Closet organizer
• Stepladder
• Bed risers
• Over-the-door hanger for coats or other items

Electronics

Some electronics you may include in your college packing list might be:

• Desktop computer or laptop
• TV
• DVD player
• Speakers or stereo system
• Tablet
• Gaming consoles
• HDMI and other cables
• Chargers (including a spare cell phone charger to carry in your backpack)
• Surge protector or power strip (if allowed)

Foods, Beverages, and Kitchen Supplies

Some college packing list items to consider for the kitchen include:

• A small refrigerator (if the dorm doesn’t have one)
• Microwave
• Coffee maker or electric kettle (if allowed)
• Plastic cups
• Coffee mugs
• Glasses
• Water bottles, disposable and reusable
• Scrubber
• Dish soap
• Dishtowel
• Napkins
• Paper towels
• Silverware or plastic ware
• Tupperware
• Foil
• Paper or microwave-safe plates
• Ziploc bags
• Pots and pans
• Oven mitts
• Can openers
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Soda
• Cereal
• Soup
• Granola bars
• Condiments
• Sandwich meat
• Bread

Other Items for Your College Packing List

Some miscellaneous items to consider bringing may include:

• Toolkit
• Large bag or backpack for trips
• Driver’s license
• Car registration and insurance
• Student ID
• Debit and credit cards
• ​Health insurance card
• Social security card
• Forms for financial aid
• Flashlight
• Umbrella
• List of emergency contacts
• Safety pins
• Bike and bike lock