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This post is all about things you need for your college packing list.
Hey guys, I know going to college can seem super overwhelming and stressful. Trust me, I understand. There’s like a million things you have to juggle and prepare for. And it can all just seem like a LOT. Especially when it comes to what you need to bring and how you need to pack.
Like I said, I get it. When I went to college, I had no idea what I even needed at first. Obviously it’s not the same as high school where you just live at home. You really have to get everything for yourself. A lot of basic stuff that you probably don’t even think about.
But don’t worry, it does not have to be hard at all. You can def find everything you need and it doesn’t have to cost much either. That’s why I made this post to show you the perfect college dorm packing list to make finding what you need for college easy and fun. I hope you find all of these helpful and more!
This post shows you important items for your college packing list.
DORM LIVING ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm living essentials you need for your college packing list.)
1. Storage baskets
If you’re going to college, you will quickly realize that space is a huge issue. Especially if you get a super cramped dorm room like me. And you’ll look around and realize there’s no where to put anything.
Obviously you don’t wanna be messy and leave your stuff all over the floor so you need to get storage baskets! These are so perfect and you can use them for anything. Honestly I don’t know how I would live without them. They look cute. You could put them at the top of your closet, on a dresser, next to your bed. Literally anywhere. Def get these!
2. Hangers
Okay, now this is super obvious but if its your first time moving out, you may not even have thought of it cause its so basic. But yes, you need hangers! When you first get in your dorm, it’s gonna be completely empty. The closet won’t have anything in it except maybe a trashcan.
They expect you to get all your own stuff so you will def want to make sure you get some hangers. You can just get basic plastic ones but for some clothes I like to get the velvet ones so it doesn’t mess up the material. Both are great though.
3. Mini fridge
Omg. Imagine literally going to college and surviving a week with no food lol. Yeah no. You def wanna make sure you get a mini fridge like first thing when you move to college. These are so convenient and they don’t take up much space in your dorm.
Mine was literally right next to my desk and I could always go to it for a late night snack or if I wanted to keep leftovers from the dining hall in there. 100% you need a mini fridge. And these are super affordable too!
4. Paper bowls, plates, cups
Again, another super basic thing but thats how it is when you move out. The basic stuff you don’t think about is what’s really important. If you plan to do any sort of eating in your dorm (breakfast, snacks, lunch), you will def want to make sure you have paper bowls and plates handy.
Also, if you wanna drink anything other than bottled water, plastic cups are a must too! Also, every time I think about college parties, I picture red plastic cups so yeah you need these lol.
5. Plastic silverware
And since we’re taking about basic stuff you need for food, you obviously can’t forget basic stuff you eat with! That’s right, you need forks, spoons, and knives. And I know, maybe you plan to eat out a lot. Like maybe at the dining hall with your friends (good luck during COVID).
There will still be those times when you wanna eat something in your dorm. Like if you’re studying and its late but you get hungry and wanna cook something in the kitchen to eat while you study.. (If you can’t tell, I’m totally speaking from personal experience lol). Get a pack of plastic spoons, forks, and knives!
6. Window Fan or Standing Fan
Okay seriously this one is 100% necessary. Like guys, idk about you but I cannot stand sleeping in a hot room. And I mean, forget sleeping. I just don’t like *being* in a super hot room. I need the cool air blowing on me at all times.
And when you get to your dorm, you’ll realize they either don’t have an AC or it doesn’t work half the time lol. That’s why window fans and standing fans have become my best friend. It’s the first thing I look for when I move into a new dorm cause I need that breeze.
Also, I’m the type of person that needs background noise when I sleep too and I love the white noise that a fan makes.
7. Ramen cooker
Back to food again haha. If you don’t have a ramen cooker in your dorm room, you’re doing something wrong lol. But no seriously, college students cooking ramen all the time has become a meme for a reason. Ramen is super cheap, super easy to make, and it doesn’t taste that bad either.
I keep a ramen cooker at the top of my closet and it has come in handy so much during those late nights when all the dining halls are closed and I just sneak downstairs to heat up a ramen pack haha.
8. Bean bag chair
Now I can’t say this is an essential but if you wanna have the dorm that everyone wants to come chill at, then you def need to think about getting a bean bag chair. I mean, come on, don’t these look so comfortable and fun.
Imagine getting back from a class you hate, getting yelled at by a professor, to just chill down on the bean bag chair. What a mood. Sometimes that’s all you need. Anyway, you def don’t have to get this but they have ones that are super comfy and don’t cost too much so you might want to.
9. Christmas lights
Alright, now if you’ve ever seen a typical college dorm like the ones you see all over social media, you know that everyone has christmas lights hanging for decoration. Idk why but this has been a trend for years and they look so good!
Most dorms don’t allow you to put candles up for fire hazard reasons (which makes sense) but a lot of places still allow you to put christmas lights. Obviously check with your RA first to make sure but this could be the perfect decoration to customize your dorm.
10. Mini storage drawers
So you may not have space for this (it really depends on your dorm size) but if you do, 100% you should get this. Like I said, storage is a HUGE issue in dorms. They’re like the size of a bathroom but they call it a room. You’re always gonna need more space to put stuff.
And I’m telling you, mini storage drawers are the perfect place to put stuff. They have them super small so they can even fit right next to your bed. Or if you have a roommate, right in the middle section between your beds. They’re just perfect! And great to fit all the stuff that won’t fit anywhere else.
DORM BEDDING ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm bedding essentials you need for your college packing list.)
11. Comfy mattress
Alright now we’re on to the bedding stuff. First thing you need here is obviously a comfy mattress! I’m obsessed with mattresses cause they really set the tone for the room. If it’s light, your whole room is gonna feel bright. If it’s dark, it’s gonna feel dark and ugly.
But it’s also important how they feel. You want one thats soft and fluffy and one you just wanna jump on. But also something thats easy to wash if you get stains on it. Luckily, the one I linked for you is all of that and it fits on dorm-sized beds.
12. Duvet & bedsheets
After you get the mattress, then you’re gonna wanna get a nice duvet and bedsheets. This goes with what I was saying earlier about the color and the feel of them. You want something super comfortable that you will love sleeping in but also something that goes with the theme of your dorm.
I recommend getting a super fluffy duvet in a light color but thats just my style. You may want something else. Either way, just make sure your duvet and bedsheets are the right size. Typical college dorm beds are Twin XL.
13. Sleeping pillows
Of course, you can’t just get that other stuff and then not have pillows to sleep on though lol. No obviously you need to get pillows too and it’s important you get ones that aren’t uncomfortable. There’s some pillows where it literally seems like they made it out of rocks. Like its crazy.
And I’m someone who likes my pillows to be on the thicker side too so you have to judge the thickness. (Oh and don’t forget pillow cases. But that usually come with the bedsheets you buy.)
14. Throw pillows
If you want your dorm to look pretty and not ugly, then you will def want to get some cute throw pillows to put on your bed when it’s all made up. They are soft, fluffy, and come in all different colors and textures. You can never go wrong with more throw pillows.
Also your dorm will look way more put together with throw pillows on top. Just having sleeping pillows under the sheets looks so plain and boring. (Plus when you get a bunch and put them on your bed and lay down, it’s like a cloud lol.)
15. Throw blanket
Another thing you want on your bed at all times is a throw blanket! They’re great for decoration, yes, but who doesn’t just love to curl up in a nice cozy blanket from time to time? (I know I do haha).
The thing about throw blankets that makes them great for decoration though is think about how much more expensive they make your bed look. Like a hotel room! And plus you will totally want this in the winter time like I said when it gets cold.
16. Husband pillow
This is probably not something you thought of but you’ll be glad that you got it. Husband pillows are great when you’re just chilling on your bed and want something to lean back on. You don’t wanna do it on your sleeping pillows (cause ew gross). And you don’t want to just lean your back against the hard cold wall.
With a husband pillow, you don’t have to worry about any of that. They sit right at the corner of your bed. And it’s just there whenever you wanna do some light studying on your bed or even just to watch netflix or something. These are so underrated but so necessary for your dorm.
17. Soft rug
I don’t know what kinda dorm you have. Maybe you have one with carpet etc. But if you have one with hard wood floors, then you def wanna get a soft rug to put near your bed as well. Rugs are great for many reasons.
First they look amazing and can totally change the look up of a room. But also how nice is it to slide out of bed onto a warm rug instead of the gross cold floor. Yeah, that alone means you need to get one lol. Even if you do have carpet, if you get a rug with contrast colors it will still look good right next to your bed (or between your roommates’ and yours).
DORM BATHROOM ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm bathroom essentials you need for your college packing list.)
18. Shower caddy
So for bathroom essentials, the first thing you wanna get is a shower caddy. When you go to the showers in dorms, there’s no place to put your stuff. So you need to have a portable thing to carry all your bathroom supplies with you. Shampoo, conditioner, bar soap. All that stuff goes in your shower caddy.
Then you just take your caddy with you to the showers and place it on the bench or in there with you. Personally I like to get a plastic one cause I hate the way the bag-ones fall over.
19. Shower shoes
Oh yes, you need shower shoes too. It may sound ridiculous when you’re used to being in high school and just taking a shower in your own room. But when you see the college bathrooms, you’re gonna be so grossed out.
Seriously, there’s hair all over the floor a lot of times. And people don’t even know how to flush. (Ugh.) You will def want to have shower shoes on at all times walking in the dorm bathrooms. I even just wear my shower shoes walking down the hallway too cause they’re super convenient to slip on.
20. Bath towel
And then obviously, if you’re taking a shower you need to get a bath towel too. I recommend getting a few of these so you don’t have to waste a trip to the laundry if one gets dirty.
21. Toiletry bag
I almost wanted to put this in the travel section cause typically you think about toiletry bags when you go to the airport. But toiletry bags are so great to have in college dorms too. I mean, where else are you gonna store all your bathroom stuff when you’re not using it?
I keep all my basic stuff, like toothbrush, floor, facial cleansers in my toiletry bag. So when I get up in the morning, I just have to take one thing with me to the bathroom and I’m ready to go. No hassling through drawers etc for just the essentials.
22. Toothbrush travel case
This is also something thats super helpful that you may not have thought of since you’re used to living at home. Unless you wanna keep your toothbrush stored in a gross plastic bag, then you will def want to get yourself a nice toothbrush travel case.
These are basically just plastic containers that to keep your toothbrush in since there’s really no where else to put your toothbrush when you’re in college. (You can’t just leave your toothbrush sitting in the bathroom.) It’s also super convenient when you travel cause you already have your toothbrush ready to go.
23. Toothbrush
And then of course, you have to have your actual toothbrush lol. On this, Im not really gonna recommend a specific kind. Some people love using electric toothbrushes. Some people don’t. I personally use both from time to time.
But for an affordable option, I would highly recommend the crest optic white . These are super cheap but they work so well! Basically they have little cups that hold the toothpaste so your each of your teeth get extra polished! Idk why, it just works haha.
24. Floss
I know a lot of people skip this but you really shouldn’t. And not just cause your dentist tells you lol. I used to always skip flossing and then I wondered why i’d always have so many things to fix at the dentist. It’s actually so important.
Also once I finally started flossing, I realized just how much gross stuff doesn’t get clean just from brushing. Seriously y’all need to floss. And once you see how much junk comes out of your teeth from flossing, you can’t unsee it. Floss!
25. Nail clippers
Oh for sure, if you’re going to college, you will want to get nail clippers. Probably something so basic you may have overlooked it as well. But now that you’re gonna be on your own, you really will need all that stuff yourself.
I love keeping my nail clippers in a plastic bag in my toiletries so whenever I see them getting out of control, I can do a nice trim. Much cheaper than going to get your nails done too.
26. Soap
If you don’t wanna smell like a gross bear around your new roommates, I suggest buying some soap too lol. We all know soap is not that expensive but using it can make a huge difference. And no they don’t usually provide that for you in dorms. So def don’t be the one person without soap.
27. Shampoo
Just like soap, shampoo and conditioner is also a must-have shower item. Now there’s tons of different brands out there and different ones work best w/ different hair types so I’m not gonna recommend one. But just make sure you grab at least two bottles of shampoo to last you through the semester. I’m someone who has to wash my hair all the time or it starts itching.
28. Brush or comb
And if you’re gonna wash your hair, you’ll probably need to comb or brush it after, right? I comb my hair multiple times a day so its def necessary for me. You might already have one (I hope) but certainly make sure you bring these with you as well.
29. Hair straightener or curling iron
Again, your dorm won’t provide you with any of these hair-care items. All of this stuff you need to make sure you get on your own. Some of you will use a hair straightener. Some of you will use a curling iron. Just make sure you have the products you need to keep that hair popping lol.
30. Paper towels
While yes, there’s public bathrooms in college so you won’t need to get paper towels to dry your hands. It’s def still good to keep paper towels in your dorm room in case something spills. Also I love having paper towels around when I went to get a nice snack. Like some chips, crackers, or whatever. I can just pour it onto a paper towel so it doesn’t fall over the ground.
31. Kleenex tissues
Omg, if you’re like me, that first week off to college will be rough. You might be super homesick and needing a good cry. And anyone that cries a lot knows that tissues are your best friend. You don’t wanna use gross toilet paper or rough paper towels to dry your eyes.
Also you could just have super bad allergies. (I get them in the spring!) And it’s so nice having enough tissues around for when you sneeze and blow your nose 24/7. The bulk packs are the best cause you don’t run out after just one day.
32. Lip balm
Any of you have crusty lips out there? Lol not judging. But you should def make sure you get some lip balm to protect your lips when it gets cold. In college you might be walking all over campus in the wind and it’s the worst feeling in the world when your lip cracks and it starts to hurt.
Save yourself that pain and keep those lips chapped. I love the vaseline therapy kind cause it smells good but also really works. Even if I’ve already cracked my lips, it instantly makes them feel better. Def try it!
33. Razor
Something else you probably overlooked. But if you don’t want your legs looking like bigfoot after 2 weeks, I highly suggest getting a good razor. This is something else you can keep in your toiletry bag or your shower caddy and then easily bring it w/ you for a quick shave when you go to the shower.
34. Make-up brushes
I bet you have these already but still wanted to include this just in case. Not everyone wears make up but for those that do, don’t forget this! You wanna make sure you have all your beauty products when you move in.
35. Make-up remover
And if you’re gonna wear make up, then yes you also need make-up remover. Girls, please please take your make up off before you go to bed. Don’t get in the habit of just “letting it slide”. It’s not good for your skin and we’re all about good skincare here, right?
Simple make-up wipes do not cost that much but you will love yourself for taking the time to do it. You’re welcome!
36. Oil sheets
This is something I only discovered I needed in high school but now that I have, I can’t go back. Seriously if you have oily skin like me, this will change your life. Basically with oil sheets, you just blot your face with it and they magically take off all that excess oil you can’t get rid of from your skin.
It takes no time but suddenly your skin looks amazing again after you use them. I showed them to mom and now she uses them all the time too! You can keep these in your backpack to use between classes or whenever, they’re just great!
DORM CLEANING ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm cleaning essentials you need for your college packing list.)
37. Portable vacuum
Okay, so now we’re on to cleaning essentials and one cleaning essential you will def want to get for your dorm is a portable vacuum! These are not like normal vacuums (all big and bulky). They’re super small and can fit at the top of your closet.
And trust me, if you live in a dorm with any type of carpet, you will want to have this around. Your dorm floor can get so nasty and disgusting real fast. Think about it. Chips, food, hair, whatever else falls on your floor. Having your own handheld portable vacuum you can use any time you need is so helpful! And they’re really cheap.
38. Clorox wipes
When you’re just moving into your dorm, one of the first things you’ll wanna do is wipe off all the surfaces. Who knows who last touched your bed frame or desk or closet handle. (Especially in these times of the pandemic). You just wanna make sure everything is really clean before you start living in it.
And I always use clorox wipes for this. It says they kill 99% of germs for a reason. I keep these on the dresser and whenever I have to move in and out of a dorm, they’re right there for me to use.
39. Febreeze
Oh, and I had a super bad experience with bathrooms freshman year. I had a suite with like a ton of other people and I don’t know what it is about roommates, but they leave the bathroom smelling so nasty! Febreeze was an absolute must living with those people.
You need to make sure you have febreeze so just in case someone decides to get funky in your shared bathroom, you can make the air breathable again lol.
40. Detergent
Since you’re gonna be on your own washing your clothes, you def need to make sure you get some laundry detergent as well. Yes, there’s gonna be a laundry room in your dorm that has a washing machine and dryer. But usually, they don’t provide you with actual detergent. (At least mine didn’t.)
I keep mine at the top of the closet with my other laundry stuff so right when I need to wash clothes, I can grab it and go.
41. Dryer sheets
Again, they don’t give you any of this stuff so you wanna have dryer sheets as well. Personally I also use bounce but I’m sure there’s other brands that work good too. Everyone knows what a dryer sheet is so not much more to say on that. (But side note, in college laundry rooms, these are always on the floor everywhere, idk why haha)
42. Bleach packets
I’ll be honest. I barely use these. But I know people say they’re really useful for when you have to watch white clothes. And especially if the washers and dryers aren’t good, you might need all the help you can get to actually keep your white clothes white. (It’s literally the worst having a white shirt with a bunch of stains on it.)
43. Laundry bag w/ straps
Ooh, this one’s super crucial. I don’t know how many times you wash your clothes per week. But you do not wanna be walking several floors back and forth carrying your clothes with a simple basket. You will be tired and exhausted and by the time you get back to your dorm room all sweaty, you might as well wash the shirt you have on too lol.
No instead, you will want to make sure you get a laundry bag with STRAPS. That way you can put it on your back like a backpack and it’ll be way less hard for you to carry it back and forth. This was a must for me because my laundry room was several floors down. And when you have a huge of bag of dirty clothes..plus detergent.. plus dryer sheets.. just no.
44. Trash bags
You also can’t forget trash bags. Yes your dorm will likely come up with a trash can that’ll be in your closet or something. But it won’t actually have trash bags to put in it. Trash bags are obviously important cause they make it easy for you to get rid of your trash. So def make sure you stock up on these ahead of time. (The medium size worked for my trash can.)
DORM DESK ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm desk essentials you need for your college packing list.)
45. Bulletin Board
Your dorm room desk may or may not already come with this. But in case it doesn’t, you will def want to make sure you get a bulletin board that you can stick up on there. These are great when you just wanna pin stuff on there and easily be able to look back at it.
Maybe some class papers. Some photos of your family. A sticky note. Really anything can go on a good bulletin board and it’s always nice to have.
46. Whiteboard
Okay, so the next thing’s a whiteboard. These are also good to have (and I def got one my freshman year) cause there’s always something important you wanna write down that you don’t wanna forget. Maybe you got a test coming up. Boom, right it down. A hangout with your friends late. Boom, right it down.
Yeah you could probably get by just writing it down in your phone but when its literally right there staring you in your face lol, you’re less likely to forget.
47. Calendar
Kinda going with that same theme, you’re probably also gonna want a nice monthly calendar that you can prop up and refer to for important things coming up. It’s not like high school where they give everyone an agenda. You kinda have to learn to be accountable for events yourself.
And there’s no easier way to do that than to write everything down on a calendar. Honestly, I love the aesthetic of just feeling like my life is together when I look at the calendar and see everything organized. (Is that just me lol?) Anyway, you def want one.
48. Mini printer
When you’re start going to lectures and get essay assignments, you’ll start to realize that it’d be pretty nice to have a printer in your room. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on the library because (at least at my college) it seems like people are always in there hogging up in the computers.
And if you’re last minute like me needing to print something out to turn in, having a little mini printer in your dorm will save your life. And it doesn’t have to be some huge clunky ugly thing either. They have cute mini ones you can take anywhere and they’re really affordable too. I absolutely love mine.
49. Picture frame
If you’re the type to get homesick (like me), it’s nice to have photos of your family to comfort you and feel like they’re still with you. Sure you can pin them to the wall or have them in a photo album, but its so much nicer when they’re framed.
Then you can stick them on your desk or on your dresser and it adds a cute decoration. I love picture frames and there’s all different types. So you can def find one to go with your dorm theme.
50. Binder w/ dividers
Now yes college is fun and all. Lots of parties and cool events. But it’s still cool. You will need to have a good binder with dividers so you can organize all your papers and notes etc. Yes, things are moving more paperless these days. And lots of students like taking their notes digitally (on laptops and iPads).
But the professors are still old fashioned and they hand out physical papers and worksheets for you to keep. And if you’re in some classes, they will require you to even get a compact notebook as well to take notes. It’s kinda crazy but you will def still need this.
51. Mechanical pencils
I first started out getting regular wooden pencils but quickly realized that I’d much rather have mechanical ones. I mean, who wants to sharpen pencils all the time lol? Also how awkward is it in class when you have to get up from taking notes and walk across the room to sharpen your pencil.
Um no, it’s so much better to have mechanical pencils and then you can just add led when you need it. Also, am I the only one, but I feel like my handwriting is better with mechanical pencils idk.
52. Highlighters
In college you’ll probably also be reading through notes or annotating documents, and its good to have highlighters to help with that. I love using highlighters cause its just so satisfying when you highlight something. Like ASMR.
But anyway yes get these lol. They have them in all different colors and it really helps when you go back through your notes during studying and can easily find where stuff is.
53. A few pens
You may not need this. It kinda depends on your professor (some are really annoying). But it’s always nice to have a few pens handy in case the professor tells you to use a pen when grading a peer’s assignment etc.
Most times you can use a pencil. And it’s always better to have an eraser. But we all know there’s those times when they tell you to use a pen.
54. Pencil bag
Honestly, where else are you gonna put all this stuff when you bring it to class? Let it hang free in your backpack? Yeah no, its way better to keep it organized and easily accessible in a nice little pencil bag. These are so handy and come in all sorts of colors. Then when you get to class, you can easily just take it out and start taking notes right away!
55. Stapler
This is something you can just leave on your dorm desk but you will def still want to make sure you have a stapler. There will be those times when a professor asks you to staple some papers together. Or maybe you just wanna keep stuff organized. And its way better to have a stapler that you can easily use than walk 50 miles just to use the one they MAYBE have at the library.
56. Hole puncher
Again something else you can just leave on your desk. But a hole puncher will def come in handy during all those times when they hand out papers that they want you to keep. It’s super annoying cause its like why can’t they just hole punch it themselves? But they don’t. They expect you to do it and have them in your binder. So just make sure you have one lol.
57. Pencil holder
Kinda a vanity thing but I love having a pencil holder on my desk in my dorm so I can easily grab one when I’m doing work at my desk. It also just looks great in your dorm to have everything organized and in its place. Pencil holders come in all different designs and you can have it match your dorm theme too. Pretty basic but I love them.
58. Surge protector
Oh this for sure is probably something you will need. My college for sure was really strict making sure everyone had one before they plugged anything in. They don’t want you plugging electronics directly into the wall in case it overcircuits and starts a fire.. or worse.
You can avoid all that by just going ahead and getting one right from the jump. You just plug it right into the wall, plug your device cords into it (instead of the wall) and boom you’re ready to go. It’s super easy and simple. But just make sure you get one. Your RA might force you if you don’t anyway.
59. Desk lamp
Okay so you also wanna make sure you get a nice little desk lamp. They come in handy way more often than you think. If you’re late at night studying or needing to finish a paper, and your roommate’s sleeping, having a little desk lamp could totally come in handy. (Can’t tell you how many times I relied on this.)
They have a bunch of different kinds. But I love the ones with the bendable necks so then you can really turn it to the right angle. And they don’t cost that much either so thats perfect.
60. Desk fan
I’m the type of person that gets super hot if you can’t tell and I can’t stand it lol. I already told you about getting a tower fan and those are amazing but I also recommend getting a good desk fan as well. These are so cheap guys but they work so well. Imagine having both blowing cool breezes on you at the same time. (Ugh heaven.)
61. Scissors
Yes, you should have scissors too! Whether it’s cutting open amazon packages you send yourself. Or cutting stuff up for some project you’re doing in class. Scissors are a pretty basic essential you will want. You can keep them in that pencil holder I talked about or you can put them in your pencil pouch. Whatever works best for you.
62. Tape
Oh, and tape. I’m always taping stuff. Maybe something for a class project like I mentioned. But also random stuff you wouldn’t even think about until you need it and you’re like “where is the tape??” Anyway yeah, avoid that whole issue and get some tape.
63. Note cards
Everyone’s into taking digital notes these days and using all these new study methods. And yes quizlet is great. But at the end of the day, nothing beats good old fashioned note cards. They’re so easy to use and its so satisfying flipping through a note card (and getting everything right!).
You can even pass them to your roommate to help you study. And quiz each other. Idk, I still love notecards. And some classes require you to get them anyway.
64. College-rule notebook paper
They call it college-rule for a reason lol. But no seriously, you will still need notebook paper in college and yes you should get college-rule notebook paper. Even in college lectures, the professors will do random pop quizzes and they ask you to get out a scrap piece of paper to write stuff down to hand in.
Also, it’s good to have notebook paper for other reasons too. Like if you’re like me and still love taking notes the old fashioned way. Put this in the binder w/ dividers I told you to get and you’re always ready to go.
DORM ROOMMATE ESSENTIALS (stuff you need if you have roommates)
(This section covers all the dorm roommate essentials you need for your college packing list.)
65. Earplugs
Omg, so you might get super unlucky and get a roommate that snores like crazy. Like so loud you can barely even try to fall asleep. Sure most times you can weed this stuff out during the roommate selection process but we all know it still happens.
If that happens to you, you will hate it so I suggest getting some earplugs just in case. They’re really effective and block out all the sound. You can sleep in peace even next to a bear (aka your roommate).
66. Sleeping mask
Kinda goes hand-in-hand but what happens if your roommate is the type to study late even when its time to go to sleep? Yeah, you can ask them to turn off the light but if you’re non-confrontational, it’s way easier to just throw on a good sleeping mask.
It will block out the light and you’ll feel like you’re in pitch black despite your rude roommate doing their best to ruin your sleep schedule. Just trust me, you will want this.
DORM TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
(This section covers all the dorm travel essentials you need for your college packing list.)
67. Suitcase
Okay finally we’re on to the dorm travel essentials. And what better travel essential do you need than a bomb suitcase. Suitcases are great for a number reasons. First they make it super easy to carry all your clothes. But also they just make moving in out of your dorm so much easier.
Think about it. In college if you’re staying in dorms, you basically have to move in and out every year. Sure you could huge inconvenient boxes but thats way more work and not that efficient. Instead its way better to get a large suitcase and a small carry-on one.
I use the large suitcase only for when I fully move in or out of my dorm. And then I use the small carry-on one when I go on breaks (like Spring Break, Christmas break, etc). They’re both great to have and super convenient!
68. Backpack
Yes, you’re technically in college, not high school. But you STILL need a backpack! Everyone carries around backpacks to college between classes cause you have to carry all your papers and binders and stuff. Like I said, even though we have all this cool technology now, the professors are still old fashioned.
And for those of you who do carry around your laptop to class, try carrying that back and forth miles without a backpack. Yep, backpacks are still just too essential. But they’re also really stylish. In college you want a backpack that’s gonna last and not break apart.
69. Umbrella
Obviously it’ll rain time to time too so you wanna make sure you have a good umbrella to keep you dry. I kinda forgot about this but as soon as that rain hits, suddenly it’s the most important thing in the world. I always keep mine in my backpack so I never forget it. You should too!
70. Sunglasses
For those of you luck enough to go to college where it’s sunny all the time, def get this. Sunglasses are so important and I hate when I can’t see cause it’s so bright and the sun is melting off my eyes. Also, doesn’t every one who wear sunglasses look 10x cooler? Idk get them lol.
71. Hand sanitizer
Finally you def wanna make sure in these pandemic times that you keep a nice little bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times. I put mine in the little front pocket of my backpack. So then whenever I touch something gross or need to eat something away from a sink, I can easily pop a few squirts and be good to go. It’s also super cheap so really no excuse not to get this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for college dorm?
So when packing for a college dorm, you basically need to treat it like packing for a summer camp that you stay at most of the year. It’s not like home where you’ll have your own bathroom. And it’s not like an apartment where you have to get furniture for a bunch of different rooms. You have to really get everything for yourself though. And that means coming up with a good college essentials checklist.
I really tried to provide that for you here in this post but just to go over that a little. You need to first think about basic dorm living essentials. Stuff you keep in your dorm that’s super essential and stuff you use all the time. (Mini fridge, hangers, fan, etc).
Then you wanna move on to think about dorm bedding essentials. That’s everything that has to do with what you sleep with. Your bedding, your bed decorations, everything. Then it’s your dorm bathroom essentials. Which includes your shower stuff and all your basic toiletries.
From there, you wanna consider good dorm cleaning essentials (stuff you use to keep your dorm not looking disgusting). Dorm desk essentials (cause you’re a student). Roommate essentials (to help deal with possible annoying roommates.) And then finally dorm travel essentials.
It shouldn’t be that hard to pack for a college dorm but you don’t wanna forget anything you’ll need. That’s why hopefully you found the list I provided helpful. After going through college for 4 years, I pretty much know what’s needed and what’s not.
What should you not bring to a college dorm?
Kinda touched on this above a little. But basically you don’t wanna overpack for college. That means you don’t wanna bring stuff that you won’t ever use or that you won’t be allowed to use because of dorm rules.
Lots of people will try to bring in microwaves or coffee makers to their dorm. And while a lot of dorms maybe will allow this, mine for sure did not. They viewed that as a safety hazard so you could only use the microwave in the kitchen. Make sure you talk with your RA before you get something like that or they will take it from you when they do inspections.
Another thing is you don’t wanna bring flammables or things that can easily catch fire. That includes some kinds of christmas lights or plugging things directly into the wall instead of with the surge protector I told you to get. You don’t wanna be the one person that makes everyone get up at 4AM for a fire drill cause you caused the smoke detector to go off accidentally. (Please don’t..)
What do college freshman need for dorms?
As a freshman, I’m so glad I looked at college packing list posts before I finished packing. If I didn’t, I would never know that there’s certain things you wanna get right away before they go out of stock (cause everyone else is getting them).
One example is shower shoes. Scroll up on this post, I talked all about that. But y’all, these sell out quick! I was looking everywhere like a week before college and they weren’t in stock anymore. Obviously like I said the shared bathrooms in dorms are gross so everyone needs shower shoes but I had no idea before I saw it on a list.
Basically as a freshman, you wanna make sure you have everything on this list. You don’t wanna mess around and realize you need something later only for it to be out of stock. Get your college essentials ahead of time so you can chill while waiting for your move-in date!