Comprehensive College Packing List [Infographic]

The Importance Of Having The Things You Need For College Before Going To College

It’s that time of the year again and September is little over a few months away. It’s time for you to leave your high school life behind and enter a whole new, completely alien world of college. This isn’t an easy transition to make by any means; because now you’re moving away from your parent’s home. But being organized can ease the pressure a little bit.

When you move to your college dorm, you need a number of essentials and we’ve created a definitive and comprehensive list that would help. It’s a good idea to have all of these items before you leave for college because buying them later may be a hassle and you might not have the time.

[yellowbox]Exclusive bonus: Download this free pdf ebook with the list of all the items that you need which you can print and use as a checklist.[/yellowbox]

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college packing list

The Ultimate College Packing List – Do not forget some of these 400 items.

Bedding

  1. Bedbug-protecting mattress cover
  2. Duvet and duvet cover or comforter set
  3. Mattress pad
  4. Twin XL sheet set (and an extra set)
  5. Pillows
  6. Pillowcases
  7. Twin XL bed skirt
  8. Mattress Foam topper
  9. Sleeping bag or air mattress
  10. Throw blanket
  11. Throw pillows
  12. Cuddle pillow

Room

  1. Desk chair
  2. Adhesive hooks and strips (that come off cleanly)
  3. Alarm clock
  4. Bulletin board and/or dry erase board
  5. Coffee cup
  6. Floor lamp
  7. Hangers
  8. Shoe rack
  9. Space bags
  10. Trashcan
  11. Small Desk
  12. Area rug
  13. Bed risers
  14. Closet organizer
  15. Coffee table
  16. Curtain rods
  17. Curtains
  18. Dorm trunk
  19. Full-length mirror
  20. Additional seating (beanbag chair, folding chair, comfy chair, etc.)
  21. Skirt hangers
  22. Stepladder
  23. Jewelry organizer
  24. Jewelry safe
  25. Over-the-door storage units
  26. Photos
  27. Picture frames or photo clips
  28. Push pins/magnets/whiteboard markers
  29. Underbed storage
  30. Wall art (posters, wall decals, etc.)
  31. Wonder Hangers

Laundry

  1. Bleach
  2. Color catchers
  3. Drying rack
  4. Fabric softener
  5. Garment bag
  6. Iron
  7. Ironing board
  8. Laundry detergent
  9. Laundry hamper or bag
  10. Lingerie bag
  11. Lint brush
  12. Portable stain remover pen
  13. Quarters
  14. Sewing kit
  15. Stain remover

Food

  1. Bread
  2. Bulk snacks (candy, granola, dried fruit, etc.)
  3. Cereal
  4. Soda cans
  5. Easy Mac
  6. Granola bars
  7. Nutella
  8. Peanut butter and jelly
  9. Popcorn
  10. Salt and Paper
  11. Sugar
  12. Ramen Noodles
  13. Coffee
  14. Coffee creamer
  15. Instant hot chocolate
  16. Instant oatmeal
  17. SK Energy Shots
  18. Soup
  19. SpaghettiOs
  20. Bottled water

Desk/School Supplies 

  1. Backpack for college or tote bag
  2. Binder clips
  3. Binders
  4. Calculator
  5. Calendar
  6. Cards/notes to send home
  7. Clicker (if you need one for class)
  8. Desk organizer
  9. Envelopes
  10. Erasers
  11. File folder for important documents
  12. Folders
  13. Glue
  14. Highlighters
  15. Index cards
  16. Journal
  17. Notebook paper
  18. Notebooks
  19. Notepads
  20. Pencil case
  21. Pencil sharpener
  22. Pencils
  23. Pens/colored pens
  24. Portfolio/portfolio case for interviews
  25. Post-it notes
  26. Ruler
  27. Scissors
  28. Stamps
  29. Staple remover
  30. Staples
  31. Tape
  32. Textbooks
  33. Three-hole punch
  34. White-Out
  35. Address book
  36. Business cards
  37. Desk chair
  38. Desk lamp
  39. Laptop fan/stand
  40. Leisure books (one or two)
  41. Letter opener
  42. Rubber bands
  43. Paper clips
  44. Planner

Kitchen Supplies

  1. Bottle opener
  2. Broom
  3. Can opener
  4. Chip clips
  5. Dishes (bowls, plates, cups)
  6. Dishwashing soap
  7. Disinfecting wipes
  8. Dustpan
  9. Hand soap
  10. Hot Water Stop Gloves
  11. Microwave
  12. Mini fridge
  13. Mugs
  14. Napkins
  15. Paper plates
  16. Paper towels
  17. Plastic wrap
  18. Reusable water bottle
  19. Sealable plastic bags
  20. Toaster
  21. Trash bags
  22. Travel mug
  23. Plastic Container
  24. Utensils
  25. Water boiler
  26. Water filter pitcher
  27. Blender
  28. Duster
  29. Glass cleaner
  30. Coffee maker
  31. Mini vacuum
  32. Oven mitt
  33. Sponges
  34. Swiffer
  35. Tinfoil

Tech

  1. Chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
  2. Extension cords
  3. Flash drives
  4. Headphones for college students and spare headphones
  5. Laptop
  6. Laptop Case
  7. Microsoft Office
  8. Portable phone charger
  9. Power Strips
  10. Printers for college students
  11. Spare Printer ink
  12. Printer paper
  13. Speakers
  14. Batteries
  15. Camera
  16. DVD player
  17. DVDs
  18. E-reader
  19. Ethernet cable
  20. External hard drive
  21. HDMI cable
  22. iPod/MP3 player
  23. Keyboard
  24. Lap desk
  25. Recording device for lectures
  26. Router
  27. SD card for camera
  28. Spare cables
  29. Tablet
  30. TV
  31. TV stand
  32. Video game consoles
  33. Video games
  34. Wireless mouse
  35. Mouse Pad

Bathroom

  1. Air freshener
  2. Bath pouf
  3. Bath towels
  4. Bathroom cleaning supplies (if you need them for your dorm: i.e., drain cleaner, glass cleaner, rubber gloves, shower cleaner, sponges, toilet brush, toilet cleaner)
  5. Bathroom rug
  6. Hand towels
  7. Shower caddy
  8. Shower mat
  9. Shower shoes
  10. Tumbler/cup
  11. Bathrobe
  12. Scale
  13. Shower cap
  14. Shower curtain and rings (if needed)
  15. Shower organizer
  16. Upgraded showerhead (if your school allows it)
  17. Washcloths

Toiletries Products

  1. Bar soap
  2. Body wash
  3. Conditioner
  4. Deodorant
  5. Face wash
  6. Lip balm
  7. Lotion
  8. Mouthwash
  9. Shampoo
  10. Shaving Cream
  11. Sunscreen
  12. Toothpaste
  13. Acne medicine/cream
  14. Antibacterial gel
  15. Eye cream
  16. Hair gel
  17. Hair mousse
  18. Hairspray
  19. Makeup
  20. Makeup remover
  21. Moisturizer
  22. Nail polish
  23. Nail polish remover
  24. Wax

Supplies

  1. Bobby pins
  2. Comb
  3. Nail clippers
  4. Razor
  5. Sunglasses
  6. Tissues
  7. Toilet paper
  8. Toothbrush
  9. Toothbrush holder
  10. Round brush
  11. Nail files
  12. Pumice stone
  13. Sweatbands
  14. Tampons and pads
  15. Blow dryer
  16. Contacts, solution, and case
  17. Cotton balls
  18. Cotton swabs
  19. Curling iron
  20. Diffusers
  21. Eyeglass cleaner
  22. Eyeglasses and case
  23. Floss
  24. Hair clips
  25. Hair curlers
  26. Hair straightener
  27. Hair ties
  28. Hairbrush
  29. Hand mirror
  30. Headbands

Clothing

  1. Belts
  2. Bras
  3. Casual dresses
  4. Casual shoes
  5. Everyday purse
  6. Gym cloths
  7. Jeans
  8. Jackets
  9. Pants
  10. Professional clothing (dress, dress pants, button-down shirts, skirts, blazers, shoes, purse)
  11. Rain boots
  12. Raincoat
  13. Socks
  14. Sports shoes
  15. Sweaters
  16. T-shirts
  17. Underwear
  18. Watch
  19. Winter coat
  20. Wristlet
  21. Yoga pants
  22. Bathing suits
  23. Costume clothing for theme parties/extracurricular events
  24. Dress tape
  25. Flats
  26. Flip-flops
  27. Formal clutch
  28. Formal dress
  29. Gloves
  30. Going-out clothes
  31. Going-out purse
  32. Gym bag
  33. Hats
  34. Heels
  35. Jewelry
  36. Leggings
  37. Little black dress
  38. Long-sleeve shirts
  39. Pajamas
  40. Pea coat
  41. Regular boots
  42. Scarves
  43. Semi-formal dresses
  44. Short-sleeve shirts
  45. Shorts
  46. Skirts
  47. Slippers
  48. Snow boots
  49. Socks for rain boots
  50. Spanx
  51. Sports bras
  52. Sweatpants
  53. Sweatshirts
  54. Tank tops
  55. Tights

Documents

  1. Debit card
  2. Driver’s license
  3. Emergency contact list
  4. Enrollment documents
  5. Financial aid documents
  6. Health/dental insurance cards
  7. Student ID
  8. Lease (if you have an apartment)
  9. Passport
  10. Product warranties
  11. Renters insurance (if you have an apartment)
  12. Bank documents
  13. Checks
  14. Copy of birth certificate
  15. Copy of Social Security card
  16. Credit card

Medical

  1. Allergy medicine
  2. Antiseptic wipes
  3. Bandages
  4. Cold and flu medicine
  5. Eye drops
  6. First aid kit
  7. Thermometer
  8. Thermometer covers
  9. Throat drops/lozenges
  10. Throat spray
  11. Upset stomach medication
  12. Hot and cold packs
  13. Humidifier
  14. Insect repellent
  15. Multivitamins
  16. Over-the-counter pain medication
  17. Prescription medicine
  18. Prescription refill information
  19. Retainer/mouth guard
  20. Rubbing alcohol
  21. Supplements (iron pills, etc.)
  22. Birth control
  23. Blister bandages
  24. Condoms
  25. Cortisone cream
  26. Decongestant

Misc.

  1. Candle
  2. Flashlight
  3. Hand sanitizer
  4. Suitcase
  5. Travel bags/travel organizer for toiletries
  6. Umbrella
  7. Tool kit
  8. Art supplies
  9. Beach towel
  10. Board games
  11. Cologne
  12. Duct tape
  13. Earplugs
  14. Fan
  15. Lightbulbs
  16. Luggage tags
  17. Musical instruments
  18. Pepper spray (if legal in your state)
  19. Playing cards
  20. Religious materials
  21. Safety pins
  22. Safety whistle
  23. Sleep mask
  24. Sports equipment (basketball, Football, Frisbee)
  25. Weekend bag
  26. Yoga mat

Bike for college:

  1. Front and back lights for bike
  2. Bike lock
  3. Bike Registrations
  4. Bike Helmet
  5. Bike gloves
  6. Bike water bottle

Car:

  1. Car registration and insurance information
  2. Booster cables
  3. Spar wheel
  4. Multiple tip screwdrivers.
  5. Rags, workshop towels, old blanket.
  1. Extra washer fluid
  2. Vise grips
  3. Extra Gas container

Be Organized

The first thing you need to do is divide all of your requirements into sections for organization’s sake and try to pack one section at a time. This will help you get through the packing quickly and ensure you have an easier time unpacking. You should also divide the list for each section into essentials and non-essentials. This will ensure that you don’t miss anything.

The Sections

If you divide your packing chores into the sections listed below, you’ll be able to stay organized throughout the move and ensure you don’t miss anything.

  • Bedding – Your bedding essentials list should contain bed-bug protection covers, sheets, duvets, pillows, pillowcases, etc. You might also want to take non-essentials like throw pillows, mattress foam toppers, or throw blankets, etc.
  • Room – For your room, you need to pick up a desk chair, alarm clock, coffee mug, floor lamp, shoe rack, trash can, etc. You can also take non-essentials like area rugs, bed risers, closet organizers, and other such convenience items.
  • Laundry – You need to wash your own clothes and for that you need supplies. These will include bleach, color catchers, drying rack, fabric softener, garment bag, iron, detergents, lingerie bag, and any other laundry essentials.
  • Desk and School Supplies – Desk and school supplies are available on college campuses, but you should purchase some of them before you move in to save money and you might not get time to buy them later. You will need a backpack or totes, calculator, binders, desk organizers, stationary, journals, folders, notebook paper, glue, etc.
  • Food – Don’t underestimate how important it is to have some food in your dorm room. Things like bread, bulk snacks, cereal, granola bars, salt, sugar, and pepper, etc, will keep you going during study marathons.
  • Kitchen Supplies – Along with food, you need kitchen supplies and these include dishes, dishwashing soaps and scrubs, can openers, bottle openers, broom and hand soap.
  • Tech – You’ll need your technical devices for your study so you shouldn’t forget your laptops, tablets, phones, chargers, headphones, extension cords, flash drives, printer, and other tech devices.

You’ll also need bathroom supplies, toiletries, personal supplies, clothing, documents like id cards and bank papers, medical supplies, vehicle (car or bike) supplies, miscellaneous items like umbrellas, travel bags, hand sanitizers, suitcase, flashlights, etc. Look at our infographic to get the full checklist of items because it will ensure that you don’t forget anything when you pack for your college year.

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