As summer begins slowing down and we begin to realize that August is soon approaching, packing for college is going to become the TOP priority. The most challenging part of packing for college is trying to cram all of your stuff into a couple of suitcases to last you until your first break when you can come home and get whatever you left at home.
After spending hours searching through numerous college packing websites, I have created the most comprehensive list of things to bring to college in the fall. You can never pack too much stuff, but you'll be in trouble if you forget an essential.
Room
Your dorm room is the place you are going to live in for the next few months. College dorms set you up with a bed, closet, and desk. Other than that, your aesthetic is up to you.
- Twin XL comforter
- Sheet set x2
- Mattress pad
- Pillows x2
- Blanket
- Room chair
- Rug
- Alarm clock
- Wall clock
- Wall mirror (full body)
- Hangers
- Command hooks
Shower
- Towels (shower/hand/washcloth) x2
- Bathrobe
- Shower caddy
- Rubber shower flip flops
Pharmacy
Its easy to forget how many small things you actually use until you need to look for a specific medication. Stock up on small quantities of the pharmaceuticals you use less frequently to ensure you're prepared to take care of yourself when you get hit with a bad cold or food poisoning and can't go to a doctor.
Medication:
- Advil/Tylenol
- Antacid
- Alleve
- Benadryl
- Vitamins
- Neosporin
- Cough drops
- Allergy medicine
- Antiseptic wipes
- Cortisone cream
- Vaseline
- Cold and flu medicine
- Decongestant
- Eye drops
Everything else:
While buying a list of specific medications is useful, DO NOT forget about everything else in your bathroom that you use. When you spend too much time in the sun during the early fall months and get a sunburn, you're going to be thankful you had the aloe vera you packed.
- Tampons/pads
- Hand sanitizer
- Contact lenses solution
- Extra contacts/case
- Glasses/Glasses cleaner
- Mouthwash
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Shower soap
- Liquid soap
- Hair straightener
- Hairspray
- Blow-dryer
- Heat protectant
- Floss
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Razor
- Q-tips
- Aloe lotion
- Bandages
- Blister bandages
- First aid kit
- Hot and cold packs
- Humidifier
- Insect repellent
- Rubbing alcohol
- Thermometer/Thermometer covers
Kitchen
Even if you don't have a kitchen, these kitchen-like items can make your college life so much easier.
- Water heater/tea bags
- Mini trashcan
- Mini fridge
- Microwave
- Tupperware
- Can opener
- Water filter/pitcher
Extra
Normally, your parents stock up on many of these by hiding them under the kitchen sink. It can be easy to think you don't need them, but when you spill something on your white shirt or the carpet floor, these "extras" are going to come in handy.
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Ziplock bags
- Dish soap
- Clorox wipes
- Tissues
- Bleach
- Stain remover
- Can of quarters (washing machine)
- Mini vacuum cleaner
- Laundry basket/drying rack/detergent/softener
- Lint brush
- Air freshener
- Flashlight
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Umbrella
- Yoga Mat
- Fan
Technology
Technology! A complex, yet taken for granted idea that we all depend on for our daily lives.
- Laptop
- External hard drive
- Flash drives
- Keyboard
- Wireless mouse
- Lap desk/stand
- Laptop Case
- Camera
- SD card for camera
- Portable phone charger
- Ethernet cable
- HDMI cable
- Extension cords
- Adapters (HDMI, ethernet, etc)
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Speakers
- Printer
- Printer ink
- Cord organizer
- Printer paper
- Router
- Surge protectors
- TV
- TV stand
- Batteries
Desk/School Supplies
I would recommend buying a little of everything while the back-to-school sales are going on, instead of scrambling to find something at your college Barns & Noble for twice as much as you'd normally pay.
- Backpack
- Binder clips/Paperclips
- Binders
- Business cards
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Clicker (if you need one for class)
- Desk chair
- Desk lamp
- Desk organizer
- Envelopes/Stamps
- Cards/notes to send home
- File folder for important documents
- Desk storage box
- Folders
- Glue
- Notebook paper
- Notebooks
- Index cards
- Sticky notes
- Journal
- Laptop fan/stand
- Pencil case
- Pencil sharpener
- Pencils/Erasers
- Pens/colored pens
- Permanent marker
- Highlighters
- Whiteout
- Planner
- Rubber bands
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Stapler/Staples/Staple remover
- Tape
- Textbooks
- Three-hole punch
- Dry erase board/markers
- Bulletin board/pushpins
- Dictionary/thesaurus
Identification/Safety
While you may not need everything on this list in a physical form, at least have an easy way you can access it if need be.
- Bank documents
- Credit card/Debit card
- Driver's license
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of Social Security card
- Passport
- Student ID
- Emergency contact list
- Financial aid documents
- Health/dental insurance cards
- Lock Box
It's extremely important to note that different colleges (and sometimes even different dorms at the same college) have specific rules on what you can and cannot have in your room — especially when it comes to kitchen supplies and extra furniture — so definitely make sure to check your school's website before your RA confiscates that cute toaster you brought during your first week of college.
