A Guide to Packing for Dorm Life!

You are about to start you first year of college, so CONGRADULATIONS! If you are anything like me I spent the summer scouring the web for the things I needed for my dorm and for school. I found many list containing lots of items but after living in a dorm for a year I know what you really need for it and I have decided to share it with you and my sister who will be starting her first year of college this fall.
 
Warning: You may not need everything on my list or you may need more depending on you.
 
I really love this packing list from HerCampus. It is a great start and will give you some ideas of things that will not be on my list.
 
Bedding

• Comforter and sheets- Twin XL
• Mattress pad/ foam topper – get this for sure, the mattress the college provides suck, and this will be the best investment you make 
• Pillows and Pillow Cases- I had two pillows plus two throw pillows
• Throw Blanket
• Fan- it was a little fan to put by my bed

 
If you are looking for a set or package my sister discovered thisset by Roomify. You can customize what comes in the box and its handy to take to college in the box it comes in. it includes things that will be on the list further down.
 
Room

• Bedside lamp- dorm lighting sucks
• Rug
• Adhesive hooks or Tac- depending on what your dorm allows
• Bulletin Board or Dry erase Board
• White Board markers
• Wall art
• Photos
• Closet shoe organizer
• Hangers
• Trashcan
• Over door full length mirror
• Under bed storage- if you can put stuff under your bed, my bed was a pull out so there was no under bed storage.

 
I know that this doesn’t seem like a long list but the dorm rooms are small and this isn’t a lot of room to put things.
 
Laundry

• Hamper- I used a collapsible one to save room in my closet
• Landry detergent- wait and buy this when you get to the city of your college to save space
• lint brush
• dryer sheets

 
Doing laundry in a dorm sucks. I’m telling you people will move your clothes before they are done. Not all of the machines are always working. Here’s a tip; do not do laundry on the weekend like everyone else, do it during the week for a less busy room.
 
Kitchen Supplies + Food
         *buy food when you get to college

• Reusable water bottle- you might want to get one with a filter if you do not like the taste of the water or buy bottled water
• Your favorite snacks- I really like popcorn, fruit roll ups, and Oreos with milk and peanut butter
• Microwavable foods- mac and cheese, ramen, hot chocolate
• One serving cereal
• Mini fridge- if allowed- I used thisand it came with the fridge and microwave, it was delivered to my dorm and it went back to the company at the end of the year. Trust me if you do not stay in your dorm after the first year you have no use for this.
• Microwave- if allowed- look above
• Utensils- I used thisreusable one
• Mug 
• Paper plates or one reusable plate
• Disinfecting wipes
• Small broom and dust pan

 
Just remember if you have a meal plan then you may only need small snacks in your room. Also, again the room is small so don’t go overboard in buy food and kitchen supplies.
 
School Supplies

• School bag
• Binder- if you textbook comes loose leaf
• Notebook(s)- for taking notes in class- if you take notes this way
• Folders- for important documents
• Index cards
• Pencils/ Pens
• Calculator- for your math class
• Highlighters
• White out
• Planner
• Scissors
• Stapler & staples
• Tape
• Your Textbooks
• Three-hole bunch
• Lose leaf paper

 
You may need more or less school supplies depending on what kind of student you are and how organized you are.
 
Tech

• Laptop
• USB drive- always back up assignments!!
• Lap desk
• Headphones
• Chargers- laptop, phone
• Printer
• Printer ink
• Printer paper
• Surge protector
• Laptop case
• Extension cords
• TV + stand

 
Bathroom + Toiletries
*I had a communal bathroom at college so this list for bathroom necessities will not apply for people who have their own bathroom

• Bath towels
• Shower shoes- please don’t go bare foot there are so many germs on the bathroom floor
• Shower caddy
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Body wash
• Face wash
• Deodorant
• Shaving cream
• Razors
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush holder
• Rinsing cup
• Bathrobe
• Make up
• Lotion
• Moisturizer
• Lip balm
• Make up remover
• Hair accessories
• Flat iron / curler
• Hair ties/clips
• Blow dryer
• Hairbrush
• Comb
• Headbands
• Cotton swabs
• Tampons / pads
• Nail clippers

 
You may need more or less stuff than I needed like if you wear glasses or contacts or if you are more though with getting dressed or your skincare routine.
 
Clothing

• Bras- strapless, two regular
• Underwear- as many as you want
• Pj’s- three pair
• Socks- 8 pairs
• T shirts-10- dorm closets are small and if you are planning on joining a sorority you will get lots of shirts and may end up wearing those so you can take less of your shirts
• Nice tops- 4 or more if you like to dress up
• Casual Dress- you never know when the occasion arises when you need to dress up
• Bottoms- I would take 9 pair of your choice. I really like leggings, but you can mix and match your favorite bottoms
• Jeans- at least 1 pair
• Professional Clothing- 1 set for presentation in class
• 6 pairs of shoes- tennis shoes, flats, wedges/high heels, casual shoes….
• Rain boots and rain jacket- if you are going to a place where it rains a lot
• Every day purse
• Going out purse
• Costume clothing for theme parties or game days
• Your favorite jewelry 

 
You might bring more clothes if you like to get dressed up every day, or you work out in special clothes. Just remember most college dorm closest are small. And if you are in a position to drive home before winter you can change your wardrobe to suit the climate. 
 
Documents

• Credit/ debit card
• Drivers license
• Car regisrtaion and insurance
• Copy of birth certificate
• Copy of social security card
• Student ID- Tip learn you student number you will need it for everything
• Insurance card

 
Medical

• First aid kit
• Over the counter cold medicine
• Allergy medicine- if needed
• Band aids
• Ibuprofen 
• Cough drops
• Thermometer
• Any prescription medication

 
Germs spread very vast when you are living in a close space with so many other people, you will want to be prepared to combat any sickness going around. My mom is a nurse, so she made me a kit with medicine and first aid necessities and it was a lifesaver!
 
Miscellaneous

• Bike & helmet- if you do not want to walk all over campus
• Books to read for fun- I think I took 5 the accumulated more as the year went on
• Flashlight & batteries- in the case the lights go out 
• Weekend bag
• Umbrella- stay dry in the rain!

 
You may want to bring more or less of the things on the list depending on your favorite activates. Like you could bring a yoga mat if you like yoga or you could bring art supplies if you like to be creative!
 
Well I hope this list help you! Just remember that you can stray away from the items on this list if you feel that you do not need them. I lived in a dorm the size of a shoe box and your dorm might be bigger are you could have more room to have more things. I hope that you have a great year at college!