The Ultimate College Packing List

Why Is It Complicated to Make a College Packing List?

Knowing that you’re going to change your lifestyle, habits, or even the state you’re living in is a great stressor. Today’s students are feeling a higher level of anxiety than their parents did. That is why moving into a college dorm can be hard to process and to know exactly what to bring with you. But things are not that bad – we would like to help you with some tips on how to be more prepared and to ease this immense transition, especially if you’re moving to another state alone.

A Checklist Is Always a Good Way to Be Organized

It’s normal and understandable to be overwhelmed by this period, but preparing for it shouldn’t be a daunting task. A fantastic way to stay organized during this hectic building of your new life is to create a checklist. Arrange it any way you find it suitable – we recommend sorting it by things you’ll have to have in your room, clothes, school supplies, kitchen stuff, personal care items, and most importantly your documents. Keep that checklist always at hand and be sure that you check things that are done or packed. You’ll see how much relief a checked task brings.

Try Creating a College Packing List PDF So That You Have Everything in One Place

Creating a PDF that you can download and look at any time will be out of the utmost help. That way you can even take a look at it when you’re out shopping and you won’t miss out on anything that needs to be bought. One of the fantastic tips is creating the PDF as soon as you know the date when you’re leaving so you can avoid last-minute shopping and stress. You can print it and create several copies in case one gets lost somewhere in the mess of relocating. Doing things on time is always the best way to be prepared.

Essentials for the Packing List for College: Dorm Bedding, Clothing, and School Supplies

Let’s start with all necessities that you just can’t leave without. But before that, we’d like to point out one more thing – before you start packing, you should ask the school’s housing office what are the rules of what you can’t bring. Also, it would be good to know what your school already has, so you don’t bring something that you won’t need. When knowing that list, we can start making the other ones.

List of Essential Supplies for Your Room

Living in the dorm is an amazing way of making friends in a new city since you’ll probably be leaving many of your childhood friends. You’ll be spending some time in your room, so it should be furnished as a small apartment. Depending on what you already have inside, you will need these items:

• Bedsheets (check the size of the bed)
• Mattress covers
• Blankets
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Fan
• Extension Cord
• Toolkit
• Calendar
• Hairdryer
• Small mirror
• Trash can
• Underbed storage
• Umbrella
• Flashlight

We don’t want to sound like moms, but you should have some medicine with you at all times. First aid kit is a must, and so are some cold medicine, allergy medicine, condoms, and birth control. In case someone gets a sore throat, get the throat drops, as well as a thermometer. Multivitamins and supplements are good for keeping your immune system up to the task.

The clothes will depend on the climate you’re moving to and the size of the closet you’ll have. Choose wisely what you will take – if you’re going somewhere cold, you won’t have to have swimsuits and flip flops. Winter jackets and waterproof boots won’t be needed if it’s always warm. Some things are always needed – don’t forget the following:

• Underwear
• Socks
• Towels of different sizes
• Bathrobe
• Laundry basket
• Drying rack
• Hangers
• Sewing kit

A Checklist of School-Related Stuff

This checklist is mostly based on what you require for studying. If your course implies that you will have some drawing and calculating to do, you will also need that equipment, but this is a general guideline that every student can use.

• Desk lamp
• Laptop
• Charger
• Laptop bag
• Books for the semester
• Headphones
• TV
• Printer
• Printer paper
• Backpack
• Notebooks
• Pens
• Pencils
• Pencil case
• Pencil sharpener
• Erasers
• Permanent markers
• Ruler
• Highlighters
• Sticky notes
• Bulletin board
• Planner
• Desk storage box
• Scissors
• Glue
• Stapler
• Batteries

There Are Some Kitchen Supplies That You’ll Need

Again, it is best to contact your dorm and see what you will have and what you have to provide for yourself. It will be good to have:

• Mugs and cups
• Paper plates
• Utensils
• Food containers or some other storage containers
• Reusable water bottle
• Electric kettle
• Dishtowels
• Oven mitt
• Coffee maker
• Blender
• Bottle opener
• Plastic wrap
• Trash bags
• Paper towels

Your room will become a beautiful place once you get some food inside. Many students love having a snack and a cup of coffee while learning, and that is why you should get a storage bin and fill it up with some of your favorites. That can be:

• Candy
• Popcorn
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Cereal
• Coffee
• Tea
• Sugar
• Hot chocolate
• Gum
• Oatmeal
• Soda

The Ultimate College Packing List Should Also Include These Supplies

The checklist is not over yet – you shouldn’t forget about personal care and hygiene products. You can buy them after you settle in or pack a small bag of the following things:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Mouthwash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower gel
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Paper tissues
• Cotton buds
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Band-Aids
• Hand soap
• Shower shoes
• Shower pouf

Don’t Forget About the Necessary Documents

You wouldn’t go anywhere without your ID, right? There are some required documents you need to bring for college enrollment, such as:

• Driver’s license (or some other type of ID)
• Bank documents
• Credit and debit cards
• Copy of birth certificate
• Student ID
• Official high school transcript
• Medical records
• Copy of your social security card
• Insurance documents
• Passport photos
• All of your college documents
• Your accommodation documents
• Your course acceptance letter

If you have decided to get auto transport or to travel to the university by car, be sure that you take your car’s papers with you and to check how long you have until the registration expires. Here’s another tip: if you’re going to live in another state for the rest of your studies, be sure to know up front where you can get a new driver’s license and registration. Keep all your important documents filed together so that something doesn’t get lost during the travel or when unpacking.

It’s Time to Clean Your Own Mess

There will be no one to clean after you once you leave your parents’ house, so get familiar with cleaning, washing, dusting, and ironing. Of course, you will be calling your parents for tips on how to clean something. To finish all the chores you will have to have:

• Sponges
• Cloths
• Dish soap
• Iron
• A small ironing board
• Stain remover
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softener
• Broom
• Dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mop
• Bathroom cleaning supplies
• Disinfecting wipes
• Rubber gloves
• Dish rack

There Are No Big Differences in College Packing List for Guys and Girls

Most of the items are universal when it comes to necessities. Then again, some are different when it comes to boys and girls packing up for university. Some of them are:

• Makeup
• Makeup remover wipes
• Tampons
• Pads
• Hairbrush
• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Hair straightener
• Curling iron
• Shaving cream
• Waxing strips
• Face mask
• Face scrub
• Body lotion
• Hair gel

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, don’t forget eyeglasses case and cleaner, as well as solution and case of contact lenses. One of the handy tips is to cover in plastic wrap everything that contains liquid, so it doesn’t spill.

If You Won’t Be Living in the Dorm, Learn to Find and Furnish an Apartment

Even though most of the students choose to live in the dorm, some find it better to live in an apartment near the university. It’s always more affordable to live with someone with whom you can share the costs. If you opt for that, look up some roommate websites and find your perfect match. This will also be a good solution if you have an idea of moving with pets because most of the dorms don’t allow having an animal in the room. Be sure that you know what do you need to rent an apartment and how to commute in the new city, especially if you’re moving to the suburbs.

If the apartment is in another state, try to get as many pictures of the apartment as you can, so that you know what awaits you – a video would be even better. The best possible option would be to have someone look at it and tell you in what condition the place is. Furnishing the apartment will be the fun part – you’ll be able to create your own little heaven, decorate it the way you want it and rearrange the furniture just the way you like it. In case you’re moving into an empty place, you will need, well, everything. If not, Be sure you get:

• Lamps
• Paintings
• Posters
• Plants
• Curtains
• Photo frames
• Rugs
• Candles

Make Sure That You’ve Done the Packing Right

When transporting anything, you have to make sure that it’s well protected, so it doesn’t get damaged or broken. That is why you must learn how to pack glassware for moving or other delicate and breakable things. If you plan on moving furniture, be sure that you hire a relatable and experienced moving company. That way, you’ll have no worries about being scammed or losing your belongings. Professional movers can provide you with a stress-free experience, pack everything for you, load, and unload the belongings, while your only duty will be to travel with your hand luggage. That option may be pricey for someone, but you can always learn how to save money on moving costs.