College Dorm Checklist

What to Pack for College: A Dorm Checklist

Moving into a college dorm gives you an opportunity to start fresh and new. But you don't want to show up without a toothbrush, right? Here is a list of what you need in the dorms.

• Bedding- the college will provide you with a bed, but you need sheets, blankets. Check with your college for the bed size. Often the mattresses are extra long. Don't forget your pillow.

• Toiletries- everything you need to keep you clean like shampoo, soap, or a toothbrush. A basket to carry toiletries to the bathroom and back to your room is really handy.

• Shower shoes or flip flops- some dorms showers are cleaned infrequently, at best. Besides, wearing shower shoes makes catching athletes' foot less likely.

• Laundry supplies- laundry soap and dryer sheets or fabric softener. Don't forget to take plenty of quarters. Always have enough quarters to do another load. You never know when you will need to do an emergency load of laundry.

• Computer- helps you study, and keeps you in touch with everyone back home. You may want to bring a laptop lock. Don't forget the cables.

• Cell phone- so you can call your new friends at college. Don't forget the charger.

• Clothes- all what you regularly wear, plus good pajamas. Your dormmates will see you in your pajamas, so these should be decent. And you may wear your pajamas to class one day if you oversleep.

• Alarm clock- so you don't oversleep.

• A few decorations like photos or posters- to remind you of home and show what you like.

• Small rug- for those cold mornings so you don't have to put your feet on the bare floor.

• Cleaning supplies- you don't have to get too elaborate here. A glass cleaner will take care of most of what you need, and paper towels are always useful.

• Message board for your door- so your new friends can leave you messages.

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• Kitchen items- ask if your college allows a mini fridge or microwave. A few snacks for midnight studying is essential.

• Medications- if you take any. A few band-aids or pain relievers are a good idea, too.

• Wallet items- your debit card, identification, health insurance card, and AAA card.

• School basics- backpack, binders, pens, calculators are all cheaper at home than at the college bookstore. Besides, this is what you came to college for, right?

I created this site to take the guesswork out of packing for college. View the full list to make sure you don't forget everything.  Keep coming back for more updates and tips on taking the leap into your new college home!

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