Moving into a college dorm is an exciting time for any college student. It’s a chance to start fresh, make new friends, and create lasting memories. But before you can start your college life, you need to make sure you have all the essentials for your new home away from home, and that is why we have put together this ultimate college packing list!

Check the rules and coordinate with your roommate(s)

Before you start packing, make sure to check your school website for a list of permitted vs. prohibited items.

Also, to save money, coordinate with your roommates on larger purchases. Perhaps they can take care of the mini fridge while you bring in a microwave; splitting costs like this will help you all save. Also, reaching out to your roommates before the first day of school to talk about your dorm room is a great way to get to know your roommate(s).

Don’t spend a fortune on things you don’t need — pack simple and smart!

Bedding

Bedding is an essential element of a comfortable dorm room and is your focal point. From the all-important sheets, blankets, and pillows to mattress protectors, comforters, and even throw pillows for a little extra flair, bedding can enhance the feel of your living space.

☐ Pillows — Make sure to opt for two good pillows that provide comfort and support.

☐ Bedsheets & pillowcases — Most college dorm rooms have twin XL size mattresses, but be sure to double-check this with your school before you make a purchase. If your budget allows, get two sets so you have a clean set handy if you need to change your bedsheet and pillowcases but you don’t have time to do laundry.

☐ Comforters — You can get a comforter separately or elect to buy a set that includes bedsheets, pillowcases, and a comforter.

☐ Mattress pad or topper(for comfort) — A good mattress topper will go a long way in ensuring better sleep, especially if you are stuck with an uncomfortable mattress.

We recommend buying a mattress foam topper, not a mattress pad, particularly if you know the mattress in your college dorm is not at all comfortable. A mattress topper is thicker, denser, and often made of materials such as memory foam or latex. Many mattress toppers today have cooling technology and/or gel-infused foam for better comfort. A mattress pad is thinner than a foam topper and is designed to protect the mattress rather than college students. See Best Mattress Toppers for College.

☐ Blanket — If you’re always cold, you may want a blanket (in addition to your comforter) to keep you warm.

☐ Optional: Throw blankets & pillows — You can easily infuse coziness with an extra blanket and throw pillows in colors that complement your bedding.

Bathroom essentials

One important category that oftentimes gets overlooked is bathroom supplies. This is especially important if multiple people share the same bathroom. Here is what you need to make the shared bathroom feel like your own:

☐ Shower caddy — Make sure to get one that is easy to carry, sturdy, and fits your shampoo, body wash, and other toiletries (see below for a list) so you don’t have to run across the hall mid-shower!

☐ Towels — You will need two bath towels, two hand towels, and a few extra bath towels around for the unexpected guest or spills. For those with sensitive skin, it is also a good idea to bring face cloths with you.

☐ Hair dryer, curling iron & hair straightener — If you use these items, you should bring them.

☐ Shower shoes/flip flops — You will need a good pair of shower shoes or flip flops for your journey to and from the shower.

☐ Sunscreen — Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, especially if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors or in the sun!

☐ Shampoo and conditioner — Be sure to get shampoo and conditioner in a size that would fit in your shower caddy.

Don’t Forget Your Toiletries!

Cleaning & Laundry

Having the right cleaning supplies for your dorm room is essential to living in a safe and healthy environment.

☐ Hand vacuum — Keep the dust, dirt, and pet hair from taking over your dorm room.

☐ Paper towel — It’s always a good idea to have paper towels handy for the occasional spills and for easy cleaning.

☐ Sanitizer — Keep your dorm room clean and germ-free by having an ample supply of sanitizing wipes and spray. In this post-pandemic world, many schools provide sanitizer in all of the public spaces, but it is good to have your own stash for your shared dorm space.

☐ Air freshener — Keep your dorm smelling fresh.

☐ Hamper & laundry bag — Don’t let the clothes pile up on the floor!

☐ Trash cans — Some schools will provide these already, so make sure to check so you don’t waste money on this.

☐ Laundry detergent & fabric softener — Big box stores have the best deals on laundry detergent. Look for a concentrated laundry detergent or pods to save space. Also, be sure to buy some stain remover, to address stains between laundry days.

☐ Optional: Clothes steamer — A clothes steamer is perfect for freshening up your clothing.

☐ Optional: Iron and Ironing board — If you’re planning on ironing, it’s best to buy your own ironing board. Look for a small, folding ironing board that can be tucked away behind your bed. The ironing board we suggest doubles as a laptop desk.

And if you don’t already own an iron, here is a versatile and affordable one that’s perfect for college.

Kitchen supplies for a dorm room without a kitchen

If your on-campus living arrangement doesn’t include a kitchen, you will need very little in terms of kitchen supplies. However, you should bring the following:

☐ Microwave — If you are allowed to bring a microwave, make sure to get one with appropriate wattage. Most schools have wattage restrictions, so make sure you review the housing rules or check with your RA/housing department.

☐ Mini fridge — If you want your cold drinks and food to stay fresh, it is essential that you have a cost-effective energy-efficient unit. When you don’t have a kitchen a small refrigerator will work best (1.6- 2.0 cubic feet). See Best Mini Fridge For College.

☐ Water bottle — Invest in a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while on the go!

☐ Dishes & utensils — Bring a dinner plate, a bowl, and a set of utensils so you have them when you need to heat up leftovers or home-cooked meals that your parents bring you.

☐ Dishwashing soap & sponge — You will need them to keep your dishes and utensils clean.

Kitchen supplies for a dorm room with a kitchen

If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen and you like to cook, it is important to have the right small appliances and other supplies so you can easily prepare and enjoy your meals.

And don’t forget to coordinate with your roommates so you can decide who is buying what!

☐ Microwave — If you are allowed to bring a microwave, make sure to get one with appropriate wattage. Most schools have wattage restrictions, so make sure you review the housing rules or check with your RA/housing department. This one is slightly larger than the one we suggest for dorms without kitchens.

☐ Mini fridge — If you want your cold drinks and food to stay fresh, it is essential that you have a cost-effective energy-efficient model. The model suggested below is perfect for when you prepare meals in your dorm. See Best Mini Fridge for College.

☐ Toaster — Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so get a toaster for toast and bagels. See Best Toaster Oven for College.

☐ Water pitcher & filter — It is always good to have a filtered water pitcher so you don’t need to purchase bottled water.

☐ Coffee maker — If you are a coffee lover, investing in your own personal coffee maker is the way to go. We suggest one that allows both K-cups and ground coffee so you are never in a bind. See Best Coffee Makers for College.

☐ Electric kettle — It’s perfect for making hot drinks like tea, instant coffee, and cocoa.

☐ Optional: Coffee grinder — If you want to take your coffee game up a level, consider buying a coffee grinder for fresh ground beans.

☐ Optional: Blender — Perfect for making smoothies. See Best NutriBullets and Personal Blenders for College Students.

☐ Optional: Rice cooker — If you like rice at home, a rice cooker is an easy way to make rice in your dorm.

☐ Optional: Instant Pot — If you like hearty soups, stews, beans, and rice, then you should invest in an Instant Pot. You won’t need a rice cooker if you bring an Instant Pot.

☐ Spices — If you like spice, don’t be afraid to bring your favorite spices with you to campus. It will make college life feel like home!

☐ Dishes — Instead of paper plates, get a set of dishes that are safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, and oven. Ditch the paper plates and opt for real ones to help create a more sustainable lifestyle.

Other Kitchen Stuff

Organization & storage space

College living is all about making the most out of limited space, so maximize every corner. Utilize storage spaces under the bed, dresser, and closet — this will help keep things organized while freeing up room for a pleasant atmosphere.

☐ Storage containers — Choose a few collapsible and stackable storage bins for your books, clothes, and other items. They also are great for storing stuff over the summer to bring back the next school year.

☐ Closet organizers — Invest in a closet organizer to maximize the space in your closet.

☐ Bedside caddy — There’s no need for a bedside table. Instead, hang a bedside caddy on your dorm bed to store books, remotes, magazines, laptops, notebooks, pens, cellphones, water bottles, and anything you need easy access to.

☐ Under bed storage containers — Maximize the use of space under your bed by investing in an under bed storage container to store items that need to be tucked away.

☐ The Ikea Storage Bag (FRAKTA) — This is the hidden secret for easy storage and a hassle-free move-in day. For less than $6 apiece, these bags are a great way to move your clothes to and from college. They can also be used as under bed storage and fold up to the size of a small notebook when not being used.

☐ Wall shelves — Hang some shelves on the walls to store items that take up minimal space. No-drill wall shelves are a great choice because most schools don’t allow you to drill into dorm walls.

☐ Sticky wall mounts, command strips & hooks — Hang decorations and other items with ease using command strips and hooks.

☐ Hooks — Hang some hooks on the wall to hang jackets, hats, backpacks, and other items.

☐ Labels — Keep things organized by labeling boxes, bins, drawers, etc.

☐ Desk organizers — Choose some desk organizers such as magazine holders and trays to help organize your space.

☐ Baskets — Use baskets to store snacks like granola bars or other small items that could otherwise get lost in the shuffle.

☐ Shoe hanger or shoe rack — A great way to keep your shoes organized and off the floor.

☐ Belt hook/hangers — Hang your belts and other accessories on a hook or hanger. You will also need to bring your own hangers for your clothes.

☐ Jewelry holder — Hang a jewelry holder on the wall to store your necklaces, earrings, and other accessories.

☐ Bulletin board — Hang a bulletin board for reminders, pictures, and inspirational quotes.

☐ Dry-erase board (markers + eraser) — A dry-erase board will be great for taking notes and writing reminders. Don’t forget to buy a few markers and an eraser.

Electronics & technology — laptop, printer, alarm clock

Having the right electronics at college will make college life easier and more productive.

☐ Laptop — Having a laptop is essential for any college student. Make sure you get one that meets the requirements, has enough storage, and fits your budget. See How to Buy the Best Laptops and Electronics for College Students and Best Laptops for College.

☐ Mouse & keyboard — Get a wireless mouse and keyboard so you can work more comfortably. Consider an ergonomic mouse.

☐ Printer (paper & ink)— A printer will come in handy when you need to print out assignments and documents. Don’t forget the printer paper! See Best Laser Printer for College.

☐ Noise-Cancelling Headphones — Dorm life can get loud, so you need to make sure to have a pair of noise-canceling headphones on hand to help block out unwanted noise. See Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for College.

☐ Alarm clock — Bring an alarm clock, so you are not late for classes. You may not need an alarm clock if you are comfortable using your phone’s alarm. Our recommendation offers wireless charging for your phone.

☐ Desk lamp — Illuminate your late-night studying with a stylish desk lamp!

☐ Power strip & surge protector — College dorm rooms often don’t have enough outlets, so having a few power strips is a must. Make sure each power strip is equipped with a surge protector to protect your electronics.

☐ Extension cords — Bring extension cords so you can plug in all of your electronics.

☐ USB flash drive-– Get a USB flash drive to store documents, pictures, and other files when needed.

☐ Extra phone chargers — Have additional phone chargers on hand. They are inexpensive and can be lifesavers in a pinch.

☐ HDMI cable — If you plan on connecting your laptop to a TV, bring an HDMI cable.

☐ Network cables — Bring network cables for internet access in your dorm room.

School supplies

Having all the necessary school supplies for your dorm room is essential for a successful academic year.

☐ Textbooks — Don’t wait until the first week of school to purchase your textbooks! You’ll likely get your first-semester book list before college starts, so that is a good time to check Amazon and Alibris to see if you can save money by purchasing them online.

☐ Backpack — Look for one that’s light and comfortable – you’ll be carrying it often. The backpack we suggest is water resistant, fits most laptops, has antitheft components, and comes in many colors.

☐ Post-its + index cards — Sticky notes and index cars are perfect for jotting down notes and reminders. Sticky notes are also a great way to stay organized as they are a cost-effective way to label your storage containers and baskets.

☐ Notebooks — Be sure to take advantage of the back-to-school sales on school supplies when buying notebooks at places like Staples and Target. They often sell notebooks at ridiculously low prices to get you into their stores during back-to-school season.

☐ Binders, dividers & looseleaf paper — Invest in a quality 3-ring binder and some dividers. Separate your courses with helpful dividers for easy reference.

☐ Calculator — Invest in a good calculator for math and science classes.

☐ Booklight — For late-night studying so you don’t disturb your roommate(s).

Other School Supplies

Clothing/Attire

Having comfortable, stylish clothing is essential for any college student living in a dorm. The goal should be to choose items that can be dressed up or down, so you can have several looks with just a few items. For college students, packing light but packing smart is key!

☐ Sleepwear — Indulge in cozy pajamas that will make your bedroom the perfect spot for lounging and relaxation.

☐ The Basics: Jeans, leggings, shorts, tees, tank tops, socks & underwear — Don’t forget your basics. Pack enough socks and underwear so you don’t have to do laundry every week.

☐ Sweaters and sweatshirts — Perfect for those cold winter days. Make sure to wear your school’s colors with pride and get yourself some branded gear!

☐ Shoes – sneakers, sandals, boots, dress shoes — Depending on the season and your lifestyle. You will need a minimum of two pairs of everyday shoes.

☐ Jackets & coats — Depending on the season and where you live.

☐ Statement accessories – jewelry, sunglasses, etc.

☐ Workout clothes — For when you’re at the school gym and outdoors.

☐ Everyday purse or wallet — You will need this to carry all of your essentials and student ID.

☐ Hats, gloves, and scarves — Depending on the season and the climate of your campus.

☐ Semi-formal attire — There will be times during the semester when you need to wear something a bit nicer. For guys, this means having a blazer and dress shirts. For women, this means having different kinds of pants, dresses, skirts, and blouses. See What’s Semi-Formal Attire for Women?.

☐ Formal attire & dress shoes — Music and business majors often are required to wear formal wear for concerts, events, and other meet-ups.

☐ Rain gear — Don’t forget to pack an umbrella and a raincoat for those rainy days.

Medical

When you’re at school, there’s a good chance you’ll get sick at some point. So take a good look in your medicine cabinet at home. As a rule of thumb, if there is something in your medicine cabinet that you needed at least once in the past year, it should be on your ultimate college packing list. Here are some of the must-haves:

☐ Allergy medication — Be sure to keep your allergy medication on hand, especially during the change of seasons.

☐ Pain relievers — Stock up on pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen for when you need it.

☐ Eye drops — Keep your eyes feeling refreshed during those long study sessions.

☐ Cold & flu medication, cough drops 

☐ First aid kit — No dorm room is complete without a basic first aid kit. Make sure that your first aid kit includes bandaids, antiseptic wipes, and other items needed to treat minor injuries.

☐ Humidifier — Dormitories can be very dry during the winter months. Invest in a humidifier to help with the dryness. See Best Humidifiers for College Dorms.

☐ Insect repellant — Make sure to have some insect repellant on hand, especially if you are in an area prone to mosquitos.

☐ Prescription medicine & refill information — If you are taking any prescription medicine, make sure you have enough to last through the semester. Also keep your refill information handy.

☐ Retainer/contact lens solution — If you wear contacts or have a retainer, make sure to keep some extra contact lens solution and/or retainer cleaner on hand.

☐ Supplements & vitamins — Stock up on any supplements or vitamins that you take regularly. This will help ensure that you don’t run out.

☐ Thermometer — Good to have around in case you are not feeling well and need to check your temperature.

Food

☐ Snacks — Granola bars, nuts, chips, and other snacks will come in handy. Granola bars can be bought cheaply in bulk at big box stores making them a perfect choice on a college budget.

☐ Instant coffee/coffee — Don’t forget to stock up on caffeinated drinks for those late-night study sessions.

☐ Tea & hot chocolate — For those chilly winter days, having a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate will be essential to keep you cozy.

☐ Cereal & oatmeal — A great way to start the day off right with a quick and easy breakfast.

☐ Condiments — Pick up some condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayo, and hot sauce for sandwiches.

☐ Pasta & rice — Stocking up on pasta and rice will provide you with some simple and easy-to-make meals.

☐ Ramen — Maybe this is a little cliche, but it is almost a staple of any college student’s diet. No ultimate college packing list would be complete without a plug for ramen!

☐ Mac & cheese — Also another student favorite!

Miscellaneous

☐ Additional seating — If you like to have your friends over to your dorm room, consider buying storage cubes that can double as additional seating.

☐ Fan — Dorms can be quite stuffy, so invest in a fan to keep the air circulating.

☐ Throw rug — A throw rug can add warmth to your dorm room.

☐ Comfy slippers — Hard floors can be quite uncomfortable, so make sure to bring some comfy slippers.

☐ Sleep mask & ear plugs — These are must-haves for those who have early morning classes and need a good night’s sleep.

☐ Flashlight — Keep a small flashlight handy in case of power outages.

☐ Sewing kit — A sewing kit can also come in handy if you know how to sew.

☐ Portable charger — Also comes in handy in case of power outages, and when you can’t find a free outlet to connect to.

☐ Bike lock— If you are bringing your bike to school, don’t forget a good bike lock.

☐ Furry friends — Many schools now allow furry friends in the dorms. Be sure to check with your school before bringing Rover! If you intend to bring your furry friend, make sure you’re prepared to give them a comfortable home.

☐ Photos of loved ones — You will never feel lonely when you are surrounded by pictures of your family and friends!

☐ Full-length mirror — A must-have for when you need to check your outfit before heading out! It will also make your room feel bigger.

☐ Curtains/blinds — Surprisingly, some dorm rooms lack curtains or blinds, so check with your school to determine if you need to bring your own. If you do, don’t forget the curtain rods!

☐ Shower curtain — Most colleges provide shower curtains, so don’t buy them unless you are certain you need to.

☐ Posters & string lights — If you want to make your dorm your home, bring a poster and string lights to decorate it. A few decor items can make a big difference! For more cheap ways to decorate your dorm room, read this article.

Important documents

Welcome to Adulting 101. As your dorm becomes your new home, it’s important to keep your important documents in a secure spot, such as a locked drawer. Keep these legal records safe for easy access if the need arises!

Here are the things you will likely need to bring to college:

☐ Driver’s License

☐ Car registration & insurance information

☐ Hard copy of birth certificate — Keep your original at home!

☐ Hard copy of Social Security Card — Keep your original at home!

☐ Emergency contact list

☐ Enrollment & financial aid documents

☐ Health & dental insurance cards — You may need them.

☐ Passport — Only if you intend to use it while at college, otherwise, it’s best to keep this at home.

☐ Student ID — For entry into school buildings and to get your student discounts!

Conclusion

Going to college is a big adjustment. This ultimate college packing list should help you with the transition and give you a good starting point for what you’ll need to bring to college make your space feel like home.

Don’t forget it’s the little things that you bring to college that will make your life easier, like laundry supplies, paper clips, and hangers. And don’t forget the fun stuff too, like posters and string lights!

Lastly, do not overpack! It’s better to bring less and buy later than to bring too much!

SEE ALSO: 10 Things To Do the Summer Before College (#CollegeBound Series)

📋 BONUS 📋 Mental checklist for college

□ Anxious about move in day? Don’t worry, follow these 11 Move-in-Day Tips and you will be set!

□ Need more checklists to help you get ready for college? We got you covered — check this out!

□ Want to know what freshman year looks like? Read this article about a freshman’s perspective.

□ Are you set on a major?

□ Have you read reviews about your professors?

□ Do you have a planner?

□ Do you have a budgeting plan?

□ Ready to do your own laundry and to feed yourself?

□ Do you know which clubs or organizations to join?

□ Thinking about an internship?

□ Maybe there are some scholarships you qualify for?

□ Do you know about these student discounts?