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]
The Ultimate College Packing List – Do not forget some of these 400 items.
Contents
Bedding
- Bedbug-protecting mattress cover
- Duvet and duvet cover or comforter set
- Mattress pad
- Twin XL sheet set (and an extra set)
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Twin XL bed skirt
- Mattress Foam topper
- Sleeping bag or air mattress
- Throw blanket
- Throw pillows
- Cuddle pillow
Room
- Desk chair
- Adhesive hooks and strips (that come off cleanly)
- Alarm clock
- Bulletin board and/or dry erase board
- Coffee cup
- Floor lamp
- Hangers
- Shoe rack
- Space bags
- Trashcan
- Small Desk
- Area rug
- Bed risers
- Closet organizer
- Coffee table
- Curtain rods
- Curtains
- Dorm trunk
- Full-length mirror
- Additional seating (beanbag chair, folding chair, comfy chair, etc.)
- Skirt hangers
- Stepladder
- Jewelry organizer
- Jewelry safe
- Over-the-door storage units
- Photos
- Picture frames or photo clips
- Push pins/magnets/whiteboard markers
- Underbed storage
- Wall art (posters, wall decals, etc.)
- Wonder Hangers
Laundry
- Bleach
- Color catchers
- Drying rack
- Fabric softener
- Garment bag
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry hamper or bag
- Lingerie bag
- Lint brush
- Portable stain remover pen
- Quarters
- Sewing kit
- Stain remover
Food
- Bread
- Bulk snacks (candy, granola, dried fruit, etc.)
- Cereal
- Soda cans
- Easy Mac
- Granola bars
- Nutella
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Popcorn
- Salt and Paper
- Sugar
- Ramen Noodles
- Coffee
- Coffee creamer
- Instant hot chocolate
- Instant oatmeal
- SK Energy Shots
- Soup
- SpaghettiOs
- Bottled water
Desk/School Supplies –
- Backpack for college or tote bag
- Binder clips
- Binders
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Cards/notes to send home
- Clicker (if you need one for class)
- Desk organizer
- Envelopes
- Erasers
- File folder for important documents
- Folders
- Glue
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Journal
- Notebook paper
- Notebooks
- Notepads
- Pencil case
- Pencil sharpener
- Pencils
- Pens/colored pens
- Portfolio/portfolio case for interviews
- Post-it notes
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Stamps
- Staple remover
- Staples
- Tape
- Textbooks
- Three-hole punch
- White-Out
- Address book
- Business cards
- Desk chair
- Desk lamp
- Laptop fan/stand
- Leisure books (one or two)
- Letter opener
- Rubber bands
- Paper clips
- Planner
Kitchen Supplies
- Bottle opener
- Broom
- Can opener
- Chip clips
- Dishes (bowls, plates, cups)
- Dishwashing soap
- Disinfecting wipes
- Dustpan
- Hand soap
- Hot Water Stop Gloves
- Microwave
- Mini fridge
- Mugs
- Napkins
- Paper plates
- Paper towels
- Plastic wrap
- Reusable water bottle
- Sealable plastic bags
- Toaster
- Trash bags
- Travel mug
- Plastic Container
- Utensils
- Water boiler
- Water filter pitcher
- Blender
- Duster
- Glass cleaner
- Coffee maker
- Mini vacuum
- Oven mitt
- Sponges
- Swiffer
- Tinfoil
Tech
- Chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
- Extension cords
- Flash drives
- Headphones for college students and spare headphones
- Laptop
- Laptop Case
- Microsoft Office
- Portable phone charger
- Power Strips
- Printers for college students
- Spare Printer ink
- Printer paper
- Speakers
- Batteries
- Camera
- DVD player
- DVDs
- E-reader
- Ethernet cable
- External hard drive
- HDMI cable
- iPod/MP3 player
- Keyboard
- Lap desk
- Recording device for lectures
- Router
- SD card for camera
- Spare cables
- Tablet
- TV
- TV stand
- Video game consoles
- Video games
- Wireless mouse
- Mouse Pad
Bathroom
- Air freshener
- Bath pouf
- Bath towels
- 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)
- Bathroom rug
- Hand towels
- Shower caddy
- Shower mat
- Shower shoes
- Tumbler/cup
- Bathrobe
- Scale
- Shower cap
- Shower curtain and rings (if needed)
- Shower organizer
- Upgraded showerhead (if your school allows it)
- Washcloths
Toiletries Products
- Bar soap
- Body wash
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Face wash
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Mouthwash
- Shampoo
- Shaving Cream
- Sunscreen
- Toothpaste
- Acne medicine/cream
- Antibacterial gel
- Eye cream
- Hair gel
- Hair mousse
- Hairspray
- Makeup
- Makeup remover
- Moisturizer
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Wax
Supplies
- Bobby pins
- Comb
- Nail clippers
- Razor
- Sunglasses
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrush
- Toothbrush holder
- Round brush
- Nail files
- Pumice stone
- Sweatbands
- Tampons and pads
- Blow dryer
- Contacts, solution, and case
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Curling iron
- Diffusers
- Eyeglass cleaner
- Eyeglasses and case
- Floss
- Hair clips
- Hair curlers
- Hair straightener
- Hair ties
- Hairbrush
- Hand mirror
- Headbands
Clothing
- Belts
- Bras
- Casual dresses
- Casual shoes
- Everyday purse
- Gym cloths
- Jeans
- Jackets
- Pants
- Professional clothing (dress, dress pants, button-down shirts, skirts, blazers, shoes, purse)
- Rain boots
- Raincoat
- Socks
- Sports shoes
- Sweaters
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Watch
- Winter coat
- Wristlet
- Yoga pants
- Bathing suits
- Costume clothing for theme parties/extracurricular events
- Dress tape
- Flats
- Flip-flops
- Formal clutch
- Formal dress
- Gloves
- Going-out clothes
- Going-out purse
- Gym bag
- Hats
- Heels
- Jewelry
- Leggings
- Little black dress
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Pajamas
- Pea coat
- Regular boots
- Scarves
- Semi-formal dresses
- Short-sleeve shirts
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Slippers
- Snow boots
- Socks for rain boots
- Spanx
- Sports bras
- Sweatpants
- Sweatshirts
- Tank tops
- Tights
Documents
- Debit card
- Driver’s license
- Emergency contact list
- Enrollment documents
- Financial aid documents
- Health/dental insurance cards
- Student ID
- Lease (if you have an apartment)
- Passport
- Product warranties
- Renters insurance (if you have an apartment)
- Bank documents
- Checks
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of Social Security card
- Credit card
Medical
- Allergy medicine
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages
- Cold and flu medicine
- Eye drops
- First aid kit
- Thermometer
- Thermometer covers
- Throat drops/lozenges
- Throat spray
- Upset stomach medication
- Hot and cold packs
- Humidifier
- Insect repellent
- Multivitamins
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Prescription medicine
- Prescription refill information
- Retainer/mouth guard
- Rubbing alcohol
- Supplements (iron pills, etc.)
- Birth control
- Blister bandages
- Condoms
- Cortisone cream
- Decongestant
Misc.
- Candle
- Flashlight
- Hand sanitizer
- Suitcase
- Travel bags/travel organizer for toiletries
- Umbrella
- Tool kit
- Art supplies
- Beach towel
- Board games
- Cologne
- Duct tape
- Earplugs
- Fan
- Lightbulbs
- Luggage tags
- Musical instruments
- Pepper spray (if legal in your state)
- Playing cards
- Religious materials
- Safety pins
- Safety whistle
- Sleep mask
- Sports equipment (basketball, Football, Frisbee)
- Weekend bag
- Yoga mat
Bike for college:
- Front and back lights for bike
- Bike lock
- Bike Registrations
- Bike Helmet
- Bike gloves
- Bike water bottle
Car:
- Car registration and insurance information
- Booster cables
- Spar wheel
- Multiple tip screwdrivers.
- Rags, workshop towels, old blanket.
- Extra washer fluid
- Vise grips
- 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.
