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.

1. Twin XL comforter
2. Sheet set x2
3. Mattress pad
4. Pillows x2
5. Blanket
6. Room chair
7. Rug
8. Alarm clock
9. Wall clock
10. Wall mirror (full body)
11. Hangers
12. Command hooks

Shower

1. Towels (shower/hand/washcloth) x2
2. Bathrobe
3. Shower caddy
4. 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:

1. Advil/Tylenol
2. Antacid
3. Alleve
4. Benadryl
5. Vitamins
6. Neosporin
7. Cough drops
8. Allergy medicine
9. Antiseptic wipes
10. Cortisone cream
11. Vaseline
12. Cold and flu medicine
13. Decongestant
14. 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.

1. Tampons/pads
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Contact lenses solution
4. Extra contacts/case
5. Glasses/Glasses cleaner
6. Mouthwash
7. Toothpaste
8. Shampoo & conditioner
9. Shower soap
10. Liquid soap
11. Hair straightener
12. Hairspray
13. Blow-dryer
14. Heat protectant
15. Floss
16. Tweezers
17. Nail clippers
18. Nail file
19. Razor
20. Q-tips
21. Aloe lotion
22. Bandages
23. Blister bandages
24. First aid kit
25. Hot and cold packs
26. Humidifier
27. Insect repellent
28. Rubbing alcohol
29. Thermometer/Thermometer covers

Kitchen

Even if you don't have a kitchen, these kitchen-like items can make your college life so much easier.

1. Water heater/tea bags
2. Mini trashcan
3. Mini fridge
4. Microwave
5. Tupperware
6. Can opener
7. 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.

1. Paper towels
2. Trash bags
3. Ziplock bags
4. Dish soap
5. Clorox wipes
6. Tissues
7. Bleach
8. Stain remover
9. Can of quarters (washing machine)
10. Mini vacuum cleaner
11. Laundry basket/drying rack/detergent/softener
12. Lint brush
13. Air freshener
14. Flashlight
15. Iron/Ironing Board
16. Umbrella
17. Yoga Mat
18. Fan

Technology

Technology! A complex, yet taken for granted idea that we all depend on for our daily lives.

1. Laptop
2. External hard drive
3. Flash drives
4. Keyboard
5. Wireless mouse
6. Lap desk/stand
7. Laptop Case
8. Camera
9. SD card for camera
10. Portable phone charger
11. Ethernet cable
12. HDMI cable
13. Extension cords
14. Adapters (HDMI, ethernet, etc)
15. Noise cancelling headphones
16. Speakers
17. Printer
18. Printer ink
19. Cord organizer
20. Printer paper
21. Router
22. Surge protectors
23. TV
24. TV stand
25. 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.

1. Backpack
2. Binder clips/Paperclips
3. Binders
4. Business cards
5. Calculator
6. Calendar
7. Clicker (if you need one for class)
8. Desk chair
9. Desk lamp
10. Desk organizer
11. Envelopes/Stamps
12. Cards/notes to send home
13. File folder for important documents
14. Desk storage box
15. Folders
16. Glue
17. Notebook paper
18. Notebooks
19. Index cards
20. Sticky notes
21. Journal
22. Laptop fan/stand
23. Pencil case
24. Pencil sharpener
25. Pencils/Erasers
26. Pens/colored pens
27. Permanent marker
28. Highlighters
29. Whiteout
30. Planner
31. Rubber bands
32. Ruler
33. Scissors
34. Stapler/Staples/Staple remover
35. Tape
36. Textbooks
37. Three-hole punch
38. Dry erase board/markers
39. Bulletin board/pushpins
40. 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.

1. Bank documents
2. Credit card/Debit card
3. Driver's license
4. Copy of birth certificate
5. Copy of Social Security card
6. Passport
7. Student ID
8. Emergency contact list
9. Financial aid documents
10. Health/dental insurance cards
11. Lock Box