College essentials list: Dorm checklist
Moving to a new town can be overwhelming the first time. What to bring to college? What can you not bring with you? How are you going to transport all of your things there? If your house is close to your university, you’ll probably need to take at least two trips to help you move. However, if you live out of state, it can get a bit more complicated. This article will give you the basic college packing list you’ll need.
Tips to make a move a more straightforward process for you
Moving is a stressful process that can be confusing and difficult to understand, but with these tips, you’ll have an easier time.
Do make a comprehensive dorm room essentials list
If you grab random items out of your room, there’s a high chance that you will end up with many things that are not considered essential. Instead, refer to the college packing list below for a general outline of general college essentials you’ll want when you’re in school, and then make your personalized college packing list. Remember to stick to it.
Don’t bring out-of-season items
You may want to get a jump on packing for your winter holiday and avoid an unnecessarily expensive trip to the store. Still, if you have plans to visit home just before the cold climate sets in, then it’s better to leave behind bulky winter items like boots and your parka and grab them later. This is also the perfect excuse to swap these heavier clothes for the shorts and sundresses you will use more often.
Do not take hanging clothes off their hangers
You don’t have to worry about taking clothes off hangers, folding them, packing them out of the bag, and putting them back on their hangers once you’re at school. Instead, gather hanging items together and slip a large garbage bag over them, starting from the bottom. If you want to secure the bag to avoid getting dirty, you can close it shut over the necks of the hangers. Alternatively, you could also hang them in a wardrobe box.
Don’t pack anything that’s prohibited
Most college and student housing complexes have rules about what is and isn’t allowed to be brought in. Unfortunately, things like your favorite candles, toaster, and yes, even string lights might be on the forbidden on the dorm essentials list. So, before packing, please double-check what items are and are not allowed at that destination. That way, you won’t accidentally fill something that’s not permitted and have to throw it away.
Do have a conversation with your roommate.
There are a bunch of college necessities that you’ll only need one of in your room. So if you’re going to share your dorm or apartment with someone, coordinate your packing with them, lest you end up with duplicates.
Don’t skimp on your toiletries
You must always be prepared for the unexpected and make sure always to have enough for the future. You have the opportunity to get to the store after a while, but it is still a good idea to stock up your cabinets and fridge. To avoid running out of toiletry must-haves like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, plan ahead of time and stock up on the most enormous bottles you can find. You will be happy that you did.
Do bring a business-worthy outfit
Colleges often bring in HR professionals from different industries to participate in campus meet-and-greet sessions and interview students for positions. In the event that you are afforded the opportunity to meet with one of these professionals, you should have a suit or other professional wear that you can wear. You don’t have to go shopping, but you should bring at least one outfit from your wardrobe that will suffice.
Don’t pack any clothes you haven’t worn in a year
It is highly implausible that you will be in the mood to wear clothing items you haven’t used in more than a year for the first time at school. So leave pieces of clothing you haven’t worn recently and save the luggage space for something more substantial.
Don’t skimp on the towels
It’s a well-known fact that college students rarely maintain good laundry habits. Of course, you know what the problem is; there are a million distractions. But it would help if you always were prepared. Make sure you bring at least three bath towels with you unless you are okay with using an unused but poorly-cleaned one.
Do use your storage items as packing boxes
You won’t have a place to store a big suitcase in your dorm room, so don’t bother bringing one with you. Underbed storage and plastic dressers are excellent containers for packing, and they’re coming along with anything else you’ve planned to get anyway, so they are your best option. It’s important to pack your containers carefully as they can be damaged if not done correctly. Placing sufficient packing tape on the container will make it more durable.
What clothes to pack for college?
Pack in whichever items you like from the latest fashion trend and styles your friends are wearing. There are some staples that should always be in your closet, like jeans and shirts. Placing the right items in the correct sections of your carry-on or backpack is essential for an efficient and organized packing process. Taking the time to thoroughly think about it allows you to pack effectively and take up less space in your tiny dorm room or off-campus apartment.
Some schools provide a dorm essentials list of approved and prohibited dorm items on their websites in the housing section. Before you leave for orientation week, make sure that you have all the necessary documents and paperwork with you. A dorm essentials list of prohibited items will be provided, then.
If you arrive with restricted items, you may be asked to take them back home. You can avoid this awkward situation by checking and following our dorm essentials list.
Bedding
The most important part of back-to-school shopping is making sure your dorm bed feels as comfy, cozy, and clean as your bed bath at home. Of course, you may be up all night studying, but when you have the opportunity to sleep in on a Saturday, you’ll want to make sure your bed is ready for maximum comfort.
- Foam Mattress Pad Size Twin/Twin XL
- Sheet Set Size Twin/Twin XL
- Comforter Size Twin/XL
- Decorative Pillows
- Pillow Cases
- Throw Blanket (Optional)
Dorm checklist
A good college checklist includes items such as a comforter, toiletries, chargers, and extra lights. It also includes information about how to stay safe on your floor and in your housing.
Your dorm is your home base for at least an entire year. While it may not feel like home at first, there are many things you can do to make it a place of rejuvenation and relaxation. Take this opportunity to personalize the space and practice your interior designing skills. Rugs are a fantastic way of bringing some color to a living space, and posters will give the space character, and a peek at your interests. If you are into painting or drawing as a hobby, take this as an opportunity to give your friends a private art exhibition.
- Alarm Clock
- Floor Lamp
- Desk Lamp
- Hangers
- Area Rug
- Bulletin/Dry Erase Board
- Posters/Wall Art
- Over-the-door Storage Unit
- Closet Organizer
- Fan
- Wall/Full-Length Mirror
- Shoe Rack
- Trash Can
- Step-up Ladder
- Air Freshener Plug-Ins
- Plastic Storage Bins
- Curtains
Laundry
Some college students are put off by laundry, whether it is the loading and unloading hampers or the attention to detail needed to fold clothes afterward. Laundry can be relatively annoying yet necessary
About the type of dish detergent students use, most don’t pay much attention to the brand. However, keep in mind that investing in an established detergent will pay off since your clothes will last much longer compared to if you would use a lesser effective formula.
This will help you acquire a greater awareness of the benefits of caring for your clothes-a habit that will serve you well beyond your first year in college.
- Laundry Hamper/Basket
- Detergent
- Quarter Rolls
- Fabric Softener
- Dryer Sheets
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Lint Roller
- Sewing Kit
- Stain Remover
Toiletries
Some college students are put off by laundry, whether it is the loading and unloading hampers or the attention to detail needed to fold clothes afterward. Laundry can be relatively annoying yet necessary.
About the type of dish detergent students use, most don’t pay much attention to the brand. However, keep in mind that investing in an established detergent will pay off since your clothes will last much longer compared to if you would use a lesser effective formula.
This will help you acquire a greater awareness of the benefits of caring for your clothes-a habit that will serve you well beyond your first year in college.
- Shower Caddy
- Shower Shoes
- Air Sanitizer
- Shower Cap
- Washcloths
- Bath Towels
- Bathrobe
- Flat Iron/Blow Dryer
- Toilet Paper
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Oral Hygiene Products
- Shaving Razor
- Body Lotion
- Body Wash/Bar Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo/Conditioner
School supplies
Maintaining your health and beauty is very important, whether you’re in college or not! If your college has a communal bathroom, a shower caddy will make bringing over all of your bathroom essentials possible in a single trip. Also, you should come prepared with a first-aid kit so you can deal with minor injuries like cuts and burns. If your health services office is closed, you can use the equipment to care for injuries by yourself.
Getting a good set of grooming tools may also be beneficial for you. After all, many believe that there is a strong correlation between self-care and academic performance.
For a high GPA in your freshman year, it starts with taking care of yourself first!
- Backpack/Tote Bag
- Calculator
- Envelopes/Stamps
- Notebooks/Paper
- Pen
- Sharpie Markers
- Highlighters
- Planner/Schedule Organizer
- Index Cards
- White Out
- Printer Paper
- File Folder
- Desk Organizer
- Scissors/Stapler
- Staples/Staple Remover
- Double-Sided Tape
Kitchen
Students living in dormitories often find their limited space is not a good area for a kitchen. However, there are compact kitchen tools that you can keep on your dorm essentials list. If you are not already into coffee and are busy with midterm week, you might change your mind. It can be difficult to get through all your homework without running out, so it’s a good idea to keep a coffee maker on hand.
If you’re feeling fancy, a milk frother can make your morning coffee fix extra special. Bars of granola are great for snacks in between classes. Microwavable meals are also a good option! Grabbing a salad may be an even healthier option.
Meanwhile, your dorm’s essentials list for the kitchen might not be as perfect as your home kitchen, but it doesn’t matter if you choose to make your own snacks. There are lots of options with easy-to-use and convenient-to-store features!
- Seasonings
- Plastic Cups
- Plastic Bowls
- Paper Plates
- Plastic Utensils
- Kitchen Towel
- Tupperware
- Water Bottle
- Ziploc Bags
- Surface Cleaner
- Mop
- Broom/Dust Pan
- Disinfectant Wipes
Tech and appliances
While this is not necessary for all college-level courses, a laptop and good internet service are more essential to accomplishing college than ever. Notable with many universities progressing to online learning, it’s crucial to have a device that can keep you connected to your virtual class.
A cable extension with a surge protector may be necessary to keep all of your electronics fully charged, especially in places where outlets may be sparse or where you use a lot of them. A quality headset will provide you with an unobstructed listening experience during online lectures, as well as the level of comfort that comes with the many extra features some headsets offer.
A great mouse is another investment that can save your wrist from the pain of using a trackpad all the time. Remember: wireless is the way to go! These should be on your dorm essentials list, but here are some other things that can assist in making your next school year run smoothly.
- TV
- Video Games/Console (Optional)
- Laptop/Laptop Case
- External Hard Drive (500 GB+)
- Mouse/Mouse Pad
- Headphones
- Device Chargers/Extra Batteries
- Ethernet Cable
- HDMI Cable
- Mini Fridge
- Coffee Maker
- Printer/Ink
- Cord Organizer
What should you share with your roommates?
There are some things that can actually be smart to share. You can save yourself time, space, money, and energy if you figure out what and how to share your living space with your roommate in a way that’s mutually beneficial. There are many different ways to share your living space with a roommate successfully. It is always best to consider adding or removing items to better meet the needs of your roommate dynamics. Young woman standing on her knees on overfilled suitcase, trying to close it.
Young woman standing on her knees on overfilled suitcase, trying to close it.
How to fully utilize your luggage space?
- Taking the time to thoroughly ponder on it will allow you to pack effectively and take up less space in your tiny dorm room or off-campus apartment. Focus on rolling your wrinkle-resistant clothes instead of folding them. This way, you can fit more once you place the items of clothing inside the bag.
- Stuff the nooks and crannies of your luggage with undergarments, like bras, socks, and underwear.
- This is a guideline for the number of each article in an established wardrobe: 5 shirts, 4 bottoms, 3 casual tops, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 dress or suit. It is important to adjust the dorm essentials list to your needs. Don’t forget to add at least one bathing suit.
