Chapter Eighty-Four: What to Pack for College - Revised Edition

Last year, before I even stepped into my dorm room, I published Chapter Thirty-Four: What to Pack for College...Sarah Edition. I, of course, added the disclaimer that I really had no idea what I was doing and was just kinda winging it...or did I? Anyway, now that I am a year older, wiser (hopefully), and have some experience under my belt, I thought I could revise the whole list completely.
This list is based off of my personal experience (and from some friends). Use this list at your own discretion. While you may not be sure of what you'll need, you should have a basic idea of what you will use. If all else fails, I'm sure there is a Walmart near your campus.
The items I have put under "Essential" are what I think are pretty necessary...but I'm using this term loosely. Don't yell at your mother if she doesn't think you need medical tape in your first aid kit.
Without further ado...*trumpet noises*



Bedroom


Essentials

  • Bed Set (Twin, Twin XL, Full)
    • Sheets
    • Comforter
    • Pillow cases
    • etc
  • Pillow(s)
  • Hangers
    • Pants/Skirt hangers
  • Under-bed storage
  • Jewelry box/organizer
  • Trash can (coordinate with roommate if necessary)
    • Trash bag (grocery bags are great for small trash cans)
  • Duffel/Suitcase (for potential travel)
  • Air Freshener (!!!!!!)

Recommended

  • Extra sheets
  • Mattress pad (Mom thinks this is essential)
  • Fan
  • Hand Vacuum (coordinate with roommate)
  • Broom/Dust pan (coordinate with roommate)
  • Swiffer/Mop (coordinate with roommate)
  • Throw blanket
  • Pictures of family & friends

Potential Add-Ons

  • Stuffed Animals
  • Art (canvases, posters, crosses,...)
  • Command Hooks/Strips (to display art)
  • Magnets & Pins
  • Lamp/Decorative Lighting (fluorescent lights are bright and just suck in general)
  • Storage Drawers (for clothes, food, etc.)
  • Lounge chair/Bean bag
  • Ottoman (extra storage and seating)
  • Speaker
  • Curtains (Black-Out curtains for optimal napping)
    • Curtain rod (check dimensions of windows!)
  • Rug
  • Night light
  • Humidifier (check average humidity levels for your future home-away-from-home.

Laundry


Essentials

  • Detergent (packs)
  • Dryer Sheets
  • Hamper
  • Small Sewing kit (in case of emergency)
  • Stain remover
  • Quarters (check if your school charges for using machines)

Potential Add-Ons

  • Laundry bag
  • Laundry basket
  • Delicates/Garment bag
  • Lint-roller
  • Fabric Softner
  • Color Catchers
  • Iron/Ironing board
  • Steamer

Bathroom

*This list is specialized to a private bathroom.*

Essentials

  • Hand Soap
  • Shower Curtain (check if dorms supply curtains...if not coordinate with roommate)
    • Shower Hooks
  • Towels
    • Full Bath Towels 
    • Hand Towels
    • Wash Cloths
    • Swim Towels
  • Toilet Paper (stock up and don't go too cheap! 1 ply is not fun!)
  • Tissues
  • Shampoo/Conditioner/General Hair Products
  • Loofah/Pouf/Wash Cloth
  • Body wash/Bar soap
  • Razor/Razor blades (Shaving cream, moisturizer, aftershave...)
  • Lotion
  • Sunscreen
  • Cotton swabs/Cotton balls
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste (mouth wash, floss)
  • Deodorant (don't be that guy...apply!)
  • First Aid Kit
    • Bandaids
    • Pain Reliever
    • Thermometer
    • Gauze
    • Medical Tape
    • Antibiotic Ointment
    • Anti-itch cream
    • Aloe Vera (for sunburns)
    • Ice/Hot pack
    • Cough drops
    • Allergy/Cold medication
    • Vapor rub
    • Prescription drugs
  • Make-up
  • Make-up remover
  • Face wash
  • Nail clippers
  • Nail polish (remover)
  • Small scissors
  • Eyebrow tweezers
  • Small mirror
  • Brush/Comb
  • Blow Dryer/Straightner/Curling iron
  • Hair accessories

Cleanliness

  • Toilet brush (coordinate with roommate)
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Foaming bath scrub (or equivalent)
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Glass cleaner
  • Air Freshener (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

"Don't Forget!"

  • Retainers
  • Glasses & Case (know prescription just in case)
  • Contacts & Case(s) (bring extra)
  • Contact Solution
  • Vitamins

Potential Add-Ons

  • Command Strips
  • Bathroom Mats
  • Shower-head Caddy
  • Decor

Community Bathroom Add-Ons

*This list is specialized for community bathrooms. My personal recommendation is to bring most of the above "essential" items, in addition to the ones listed below*
  • Robe
  • Bath Towel (be sure you feel comfortable in it...)
  • Tote or equivalent for bathroom trips
  • Small containers for easy transportation
  • Flip Flops/Shower Shoes (Essential!! Avoid Foot Fungus!!)

Kitchen

*Most dorms will not have a kitchen in the actual room, but will provide a community kitchen. Use this list at your own discretion and what your school provides for you*

Essentials

  • Dishes (plastic recommended)
    • Plates
    • Bowls
    • Cups (lots!)
    • Mugs
    • Silverware
    • Paring Knife
  • Kitchen towels
  • Dish brush/sponge
    • Dish soap
  • Plastic Baggies (various sizes)
  • Bag clips
  • Can opener
  • Fridge (check school resources/regulations...coordinate with roommate)
  • Microwave (check school resources/regulations...coordinate with roommate)

For Cooks

  • Mixing bowl(s)
  • Cookie tray
  • Pot(s)
  • Pan(s)
  • Cooking utensils
    • Spoons
    • Spatula
    • Peeler
    • Etc.
  • Oven mitt
  • Cork board/coaster (to put hot things on)
  • Grater
  • Cutting Board
  • Measuring Cup/Spoons/Cups
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Strainer (clean fruits and veggies or drain pasta)
  • Tooth picks

Potential Add-Ons

  • Food Storage Containers
  • Water filter (pitcher or bottle)
  • Lunch tote
  • Ice-Pack
  • Ice-Tray
  • Drying Rack/Mat (for dishes)
  • Coffee Maker & Accessories (check school regulations...coordinate with roommate)
  • Apron
  • Basket for fruit/snacks
  • Hooks for keys/lanyards/etc.
  • Cupboard

Office/School Supplies


Essentials

  • Backpack (or equivalent)
  • Laptop/Tablet
  • Spirals/Composition Notebooks/Binders/Folders
  • USBs
  • Ethernet Cord
  • Batteries
  • Paper Clips
  • Binder Clips
  • Scissors
  • Tape Dispenser (extra rolls)
  • Stapler (staples)
  • Calendar
  • Sticky notes
  • Ruler
  • Protractor
  • Calculator (Scientific/Graphing)
  • Notebook paper
  • Graphing paper
  • Pens
  • Pencils
  • Highlighters
  • Erasers
  • Documents - Be sure to keep in a safe, secure place!
    • Bank documents (credit/debit)
    • Car registration/insurance information
    • Copy of Birth Certificate (Keep very safe!)
    • Copy of Social Security (Keep very safe!)
    • Emergency contact list
    • Enrollment documents
    • Financial aid documents
  • Important Cards - Keep in Wallet or Somewhere Accessible
    • Credit
    • Debit
    • Driver's License/State ID
    • Passport
    • Health/Dental insurance cards
    • Student ID

Studious Students

  • 3-Ring Hole Puncher
  • Small Desk Drawers
  • Flags (mark pages in books)
  • Index Cards
  • Filing system (Check out this DIY)

For Fun

  • Stationary (letter-writing)
  • Sharpies
  • Colored Pencils
  • Watercolors
  • Crayons

Potential Add-Ons

  • Laptop sleeve/case
  • Laptop table
  • Mouse
  • Printer (coordinate with roommate)
    • Ink
    • Printer paper
  • Extension Cord
  • Desk Lamp
  • Back-up Drive (Save all your hard work!)
  • Keyboard for tablet
  • String
  • Pencil bag
  • Thumbtacks
  • Dry Erase Board (Markers)

Entertainment


  • TV (coordinate with your roommate)
  • DVD/Blu-ray player (coordinate with your roommate)
  • Movies
  • PC games
  • Video Game console & games (coordinate with your roommate)
  • Books (limit yourself)
  • Hobby supplies
    • Paint
    • Scrapbook supplies
    • Knitting supplies
    • Etc.
  • Headphones

General Essentials (Etc.)


  • Duct Tape
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Command hooks/strips
  • Batteries
  • Air Freshener
  • Pepper Spray (if allowed)
  • Religious items
  • Umbrella
Best of luck shopping (especially if you do it during Tax-Free Weekend!) and best of luck in school! 

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