The Ultimate College Packing List: Everything Your Student Needs

College move-in day is one of those experiences that feels equal parts exciting and completely overwhelming. You want to make sure your student has everything they need without showing up with a U-Haul full of stuff they will never use. This list covers everything! Find out what you need, what you don’t, and get the free printable College essentials list!

This list includes the obvious things to the things you will not think of until you are halfway through move-in and realize you forgot them. It is organized by category, so you can tackle one section at a time, and there is a printable checklist at the bottom that you can take with you while you shop.

Click here to go straight to the printable

A few things before you start: check with your school about what is allowed in the dorms, coordinate with the roommate on big items like a fridge and microwave so you do not end up with two of everything, and give yourself permission to buy some things after move-in, once you see what the room actually needs.

1. Storage and Organization

Before you dive into the small must-haves, you’ll need somewhere to put everything. Start by deciding what storage and organization solutions you will need. Most dorms come with a bed, desk, dresser, closet, or wardrobe.

Many college beds can be lofted – some can be totally lofted so you can stand under them. Some beds can only be lofted high enough to slide the dresser underneath.

Their dorm room may only have a 3-drawer dresser, so you may want to consider more storage for clothing. A closet or wardrobe will give you room for hanging clothing, but you can get really creative with these spaces to maximize your storage. These items can help you make the most of the space.

Below are a few options to consider depending on your child’s dorm setup.

• Large moving and storage bags (for transporting everything on move-in day). Buy these before you start shopping and start organizing items right away.
• Regular height bedside table with drawers
• Bedside drawers – Works great with a lofted bed
• Tall dresser to use as a side table for a fully-lofted bed
• 3-tier rolling utility cart (works as a nightstand, bathroom cart, or extra storage; one of the most useful things in a dorm room)
• Storage ottoman (doubles as seating and hidden storage)
• Baker’s rack or mini fridge stand with microwave shelf
• Mini Frige caddy organizer
• Bins or milk crates for the top of the wardrobe
• Plastic drawers for under the bed – Target usually has these for a better price.
• Drawer organizers for desk drawers, rolling cart top, and nightstand
• Clothes hangers
• Hanging closet organizer in 6-shelf style (adds instant shelf space inside the closet)
• Velvet pants hangers
• Leggings hangers (space-saving and keep things from sliding off)
• Over-the-door organizer – we loved these! They were used for underwear, feminine products, bras, socks, and extra storage. The little pockets on the side were so handy too!
• Shoe rack or hanging shoe organizer
• Small bins or baskets for the top closet shelf

2. Bedding

Most college beds are Twin XL. Double-check before buying sheets. Get two sets so they can put clean sheets on their bed right after stripping the bedding on laundry day. There’s nothing worse than being ready to climb into bed and realizing that you forgot to put the sheets back on.

• 2 Sheet Sets or buy separately:
  • Twin XL fitted sheets
  • Flat sheets
  • Pillowcases
• Pillows
• Comforter or duvet – I recommend a full size so the length is right and you’ll have extra on the sides to drape down and cover anything under the bed.
• Blanket or throw
• Waterproof mattress protector (zip-up style, non-crinkly, protects against spills and bugs)
• Mattress pad
• Mattress topper – We linked to one that has a washable cover and recommend choosing a 2-inch (3-inch was way to soft and not supportive). Dorm mattresses are very uncomfortable without one of these.

For studying in bed, a backrest pillow makes a big difference. These also fill the gap between the bed and the wall so the pillows don’t fall down. Below are three options at different price points:

• Reading Pillow
• Wedge Pillow
• Sleep eye mask – For when their roommate is staying up late studying
• Sound machine or white noise app for noisy dorm hallways

3. Electronics and Technology

Label everything! Chargers, laptops, AirPods, iPad cases, all of it. Things go missing in dorms and a piece of tape with a name on it goes a long way.

I really love this mini label printer and labels for labeling cords.

Devices

• Laptop, label it
• Laptop case or sleeve
• Tablet or iPad, label it
• Apple Pencil, label it
• Headphones or earbuds, label them
• Bluetooth speaker
• Wireless keyboard and mouse

Power and Cables

• Laptop charger, label it
• Phone charger
• Tablet charging cable, label it
• Surge protector – 10 ft or 15 ft recommended. (3-prong with a long cord; check your school policy)
• Extension cord (some schools only allow surge protectors; check your school’s policy)
• Wireless charging station – We use one that charges the phone (MagSafe) watch and AirPods in one place.
• Portable power bank
• USB flash drive
• Ethernet cable

4. Desk and Accessories

Every college is different and the furniture varies. In our daughter’s dorm she had a wooden desk with a hutch. Some colleges don’t provide a hutch, which is unfortunate, because I really think they help add much-needed storage. You can buy your own desk hutch if your college doesn’t provide one. Drawer organization is helpful too, if they are provided.

• Clip-on desk lamp or book light – If using this in bed, it’s a good idea to get one that has more of a spotlight style so the brightness does not brighten up the whole room and disturb their roommate.
• Desk lamp
• Laptop lap desk (for working from bed or the couch)
  • Laptop Desk with legs and cupholder
  • Laptop Desk with cushion
• Desk pad – There are so many colors, styles, and fun themes to choose from
• Phone and tablet stand
• Laptop docking station (if setting up dual monitors)
• Cord organizer case (keeps cables tidy in a backpack)
• Zip ties – These came in handy! We used them to attach things to the bed, desk, chair, and more!
• Life 360 Tile trackers for keys, wallets and more.
• Sunrise alarm clock (wakes them with light instead of a jarring alarm; great for roommate situations)

5. Fans and Air

Check whether your dorm has air conditioning before buying. I truly think that buying a good fan is a priority. Dorm rooms can get stuffy, smelly, and hot. Having a fan to move the air around is super helpful. Our daughter has allergies, so an air purifier is also a must-have.

• Clip-on mini fan (great for attaching under a lofted bed)
• WOOZOO air circulator fan with remote (splurge pick; oscillates, 5 speeds, surprisingly quiet)
• FanShelfie fan mount (A clamp-on shelf for dorm beds to keep the fan on.)
• Air purifier (filters allergens, dust, and odors; helpful if your student has allergies)

6. Bedside and Wall

This is where Command Strips become your best friend. Stock up before you go. You will run out faster than you think. Most schools have strict rules for how you adhere things to the wall. Some colleges have a strip of cork across the walls that you can use to pin artwork to. Many colleges have rules about using tacks, nails, and even adhesives. Make sure you know your school’s rules about damage to the paint on the walls too.

Bedside storage is super important. It’s helpful somewhere to put your phone, glasses, a water bottle, tissues, etc. If their bed is not lofted you can use a bedside table. If their bed is lofted you will want to find a taller option. Our daughter had her bed fully lofted and we used tall narrow shelves.

Bedside organization

• Bedside caddy We tried a few, and this one worked great it has a water bottle holder which was a plus! (for phone, water bottle, and book; a must for lofted beds)
• Clip-on bedside shelf (for bunk and lofted beds)

Command strips: you need several types. Get a set of mixed hooks to get started, this includes hooks and picture hanging strips. These XL hooks are strong enough for hanging bags and robes. Velcro photo strips for pictures and lightweight items.

• Painters tape (for temporary hanging and protecting surfaces during setup) We didn’t have any luck with the generic brands – go with the Scotch or FrogTape
• Blue Tack for posters without damaging walls
• Tension Rods for curtains in window
• Dry-erase boards to put on their door for messages or use in their room for to-do lists
• Whiteboard markers
• Small whiteboard for the outside of the door
• Bulletin board or wire wall grid
• Bookends
• ID badge holder and lanyard – this card holder was recommended to us. Our son likes this one.
• Small safe for valuables

7. Bath and Body

Shower Essentials

• Shower caddy (8-pocket mesh style holds everything and dries fast) or try a Hanging Shower Caddy
• Shower shoes or flip-flops (non-negotiable for shared bathrooms)
• Small Lysol spray to spray the shower floor to kill germs
• Bathrobe or towel wrap for walking to and from the bathroom
• Bath towels; quick drying with loops! (bring 3 or more so you are not waiting on laundry) We love these from Target
• Washcloths, 7 or more, a shower pouf, or we prefer African net sponges – they are super exfoliating and cleaning!
• Hand towels, 2 for the room
• Hanging toiletry bag (hang it on a hook for easy access
• Suction cup hook for the shower to hold the caddy
• Shower cap
• Disposable face cloths (great for removing makeup without going back to the bathroom)
• Over-the-toilet shelf organizer (for suite-style bathrooms)
• Dish drying mat for wet shower caddy and shoes when back in the room

Hair

• Hair dryer with diffuser
• Curling iron or flat iron
• Hair brush
• Hair products, whatever your routine requires
• Hair ties and elastics
• Bobby pins
• Hair wraps and headbands
• Bonnet

Skincare and Personal Care

• Face wash
• Skincare products, moisturizer, serums, treatments
• Gentle Hypochlorous Acid Spray helps kill germs and prevent acne
• Sunscreen for face and body
• Body wash or soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Razor and extra blades
• Toothbrush with cover
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Cotton pads and cotton swabs
• Body lotion
• Chapstick or lip balm
• Perfume
• Micellar water or makeup remover

Makeup and Nails

• Makeup bag or travel cosmetic bag
• Lighted makeup mirror
• Makeup
• Press-on nails
• Nail polish and nail polish remover

Extras

• Slippers for the room and the hallway
• Beach towel
• Sunglasses

8. Furniture and Storage

Be sure to read through #1 Storage and Organization for drawers and organization items you’ll need.

• Comfy chair –
  • Our daughter is a big reader and wanted a super comfy chair, so we got a saucer chair.
  • This is one of the most popular choices. Super plus and has a footrest
  • Camp chairs work well too and are very portable.
• Folding step stool, essential for lofted beds
• Futon, coordinate with roommate
• Folding chair for when friends visit

9. Room Decor

Making the room feel like home matters more than people think. A few personal things, lights, a rug, and something on the walls can make a dorm feel more like home.

• LED photo clip string lights or fairy lights; check with your dorm about what is allowed
• Wall calendar
• Posters or wall art
• Full-length mirror
• Rug, coordinate with roommate on size and color
• Curtains and curtain rod or tension rod; check if your dorm allows them
• Candle warmer lamp, most colleges don’t allow real candles but may allow these; check with rules – some colleges don’t allow these either.
• Desk lamp or floor lamp
• Decorative throw pillows
• Picnic blanket for outdoor hangs and campus quad days

10. Health and First Aid

Having medications and a first aid kit in the dorm room is one of the most practical things you can do for your student. Campus health centers are great, but they have hours, wait times, and they are not open at 2 am on a Tuesday.

First Aid Kit

• Ready-made first aid kit starter (then add to it)
• Thermometer
• Band-aids in various sizes
• Antibiotic ointment, Neosporin
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Alcohol wipes
• Butterfly bandages and Steri-Strips
• Gauze pads
• Cold pack
• Gloves
• Masks

Medications

• Ibuprofen, Advil
• Acetaminophen, Tylenol
• Naproxen, Aleve
• Cold medicine, NyQuil and DayQuil
• Mucinex
• Cough medicine
• Cough drops
• Allergy medicine, Claritin or Benadryl
• Sudafed
• Stomach medicine, Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Gas-X
• Tums or acid reducer
• Benadryl cream
• Prescription medications, transfer to labeled containers

Wellness Supplies

• Weekly pill organizer AM/PM
• Medication tracker – sticks to bottles to track each day they take their medication.
• Disposable sick bags (sounds odd but you will be glad you have them)
• COVID test, keep one just in case
• Emergen-C or Vitamin C and Zinc
• Probiotics
• Pedialyte or electrolyte packets
• Hand sanitizer
• Feminine hygiene supplies, tampons, pads, wet wipes, period underwear
• Microwave heating pad for cramps
• Retainer and retainer cleanser tablets (if applicable)
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Eyeglass repair kit
• Contact lens solution and extra contacts, or glasses and case

11. Important Documents

These need to travel with your student or be stored safely in the dorm. A fireproof document bag or small safe is worth it. Your child will need some of these documents for student employment.

• Student ID
• Driver’s license
• Passport; store in a safe, not in an everyday bag
• Social Security card; store in a safe, keep at home or in the dorm safe, not in a wallet
• Birth certificate; keep at home or in a fireproof bag
• Health insurance card plus a photocopy to keep in the desk
• Dental and vision insurance cards
• Vaccination records
• Copy of any prescriptions; keep with the first aid kit
• Car registration and insurance card if bringing a car
• Financial aid or scholarship paperwork
• Emergency contact list, printed, not just saved in a phone
• Dorm contract or lease copies
• Small fireproof document bag or dorm safe
• Accordion folder or file folders for keeping documents organized

12. Cleaning

Dorm rooms get dirty fast. You’ll want to make sure that your student has what they need to keep their room clean.

Room Cleaning

• Clorox disinfecting wipes (buy the 3-pack)
• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass and window cleaner
• Floor cleaner
• Magic Eraser
• Mop or Swiffer with dry and wet cloths
• Broom and dustpan
• Stick vacuum or handheld vacuum
• Duster
• Paper towels
• Trash bags, large for the room and small for the desk bin
• Trash cans, one for the room and one for the desk
• Lint roller
• Febreze or fabric spray
• Doorstop
• Hand soap or large pump hand sanitizer for the room
• Tissues
• Boot tray for wet shoes and umbrellas by the door
• Dish drying mat

Laundry

• Pop-up laundry hamper (folds flat when not in use)
• Backpack laundry bag with shoulder straps (for hauling to the laundry room)
• Mesh laundry bags for delicates, bras, and socks
• Bra wash bag
• Laundry detergent sheets or pods, easier than liquid
• Dryer sheets
• Stain remover stick or Tide pen
• Wrinkle releaser spray
• Folding laundry drying rack
• Hanging hooks for air drying
• Quarters, or check if your school uses a laundry app
• Iron and small ironing board, or a steamer

Dish Cleaning

• Dish soap
• Dish brush or sponge
• Dish towel
• Water bottle and glass scrub brush
• Straw cleaners

🛒 Shop directly from my Amazon Storefront College Essentials List HERE.

13. Kitchen Supplies

Check with the roommate before buying appliances. Nobody needs two microwaves. Most dorms have restrictions on what is allowed, so confirm before you pack the air fryer.

Appliances

• Mini fridge, coordinate with roommate Walmart and Costco have great deals on these! – some schools rent fridges with an attached microwave.
• Microwave, coordinate with roommate – some schools rent fridges with an attached microwave.
• Keurig or single-serve coffee maker
• Electric kettle for tea, ramen, instant oatmeal, and hot cocoa; *check with college rules
• Air fryer for apartment-style dorms; *check with college rules
• Mini blender or Magic Bullet for smoothies
• Ramen cooker or small electric pot; *check with college rules

Kitchen Supplies

• Brita water filter pitcher – get a small one so it fits in your mini fridge.
• Water bottle, insulated
• Travel mug for hot drinks on the way to class
• Travel iced coffee cup
• Plates, 2 to 3
• Paper plates and bowls
• Bowls, 2 to 3
• Forks, knives, and spoons, a few of each
• Chopsticks
• Straws
• Coffee mugs
• Can opener
• Sharp knife with cover
• Cutting board
• Pot holder and oven mitts
• Chip clips
• Ziploc bags in various sizes
• Collapsible food storage containers
• Ice tray with cover
• Reusable grocery tote bags
• Magnetic paper towel holder for the fridge
• Over-the-fridge caddy organizer
• Bakers rack, or mini fridge stand with microwave shelf

14. School and Desk Supplies

The basics. These get used every single day.

• Backpack for everyday school use
• Notebooks or loose-leaf paper
• Folders for each class
• Pens and pencils
• Pencil pouch
• Pencil cup or desktop organizer
• Highlighters in multiple colors
• Eraser
• Post-it notes
• Index cards, great for studying and flashcards
• Scissors
• Stapler and staples
• Tape
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Sharpie or permanent marker
• White-out
• Blank label stickers
• Calculator; check if your major requires a specific kind
• Planner or wall calendar
• Chair cushion for the desk chair

13. Extras

The catch-all. These are the things that do not fit neatly elsewhere but matter more than you would expect.

On-the-Go

• Umbrella and raincoat
• Reusable tote bags, bring 2
• Fanny pack or belt bag for hands-free campus days
• Duffel bag for weekend trips and going home
• Luggage for longer trips home
• Personal alarm keychain for walking across campus at night
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Bike and bike lock if the campus is bike-friendly
• Roadside emergency kit if bringing a car

Tools and Misc

• Basic tool kit with screwdrivers, rubber mallet, and wrench
• Batteries, stock up on AA and AAA
• Flashlight
• Sewing kit
• Extra scissors
• Packing tape and duct tape
• Large moving and storage bags (for transporting everything on move-in day)
• Pool noodles to pad the metal rails of a lofted bed
• Cooler for move-in day snacks and drinks

Fun and Downtime

• Board games or cards
• Instax or Polaroid camera for capturing memories
• Journal or notebook for personal writing
• Books to read for fun
• Crafting supplies, coloring books, or colored pencils

This is a super long list, but it doesn’t include specific items that your child might need if they are in sports, theater, or another club. No matter how prepared you are, you’re bound to forget something. Be prepared to run to the local hardware store, Walmart, or Target. You can request your printable list below, which will help you check things off as you shop and pack.

Get the free College Essentials Checklist

Get Your Free College Packing List Printable

You should receive your file(s) link via e-mail within the hour. Be sure to check your spam or promotions folder if you cannot find the e-mail. If, after an hour, you have not received anything, contact me and I’ll help you figure out what happened. For personal use only. Please do not reproduce or redistribute without written permission. Classroom use is permitted.

Instructions on how to print and resize your printable to fit your own planner can be found here.