The ULTIMATE College Packing List

by Triasha, in category College, College Life, College Prep + High School, College Tips

Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links.

College Packing ListSo I started this college packing list back in my Junior year of high school. I kept looking at them on Pinterest, but almost all of them were missing something. My general rule of thumb was to never trust a list if it didn’t have “nail clipper” on the list, but even then, there was always a list that has something missing. I just decided to make a google doc and create a list on my own. This document has been sitting on my computer for the past two years, so it might as well do something useful. Just as a general disclaimer, I put EVERYTHING on this list. This list is for people who are getting either an apartment in college or living in a dorm. Even I wouldn’t pack everything, and I am the QUEEN of being over prepared (Maybe not the queen. Some mothers hold that title over me. Maybe the knight. The squire? I’m digressing) Use some common sense for some of these because this is the most “extra” list you will ever find. (i.e. You probably won’t need pots and pans if you have a meal plan.)

(This post contains affiliate links)

//Dorm Room Bedding Essentials

//Dorm Room Cleaning Supplies

  • Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | Amazon
  • Swiffer Duster | Amazon
  • Mop/Swiffer Wet | Amazon
  • Cleaning Rags (This’ll save you a ton on paper towels) | Amazon
  • Toilet Brush | Amazon
  • Cleaning Supply Caddy | Amazon
  • Bleach/Lysol/ Windex (Cleaning chemical of your choosing)
  • Broom/Short Handled Brush W/ Dustpan | Amazon
  • Scrubbing Brush | Amazon
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | Amazon

//Dorm Room Decor

//Dorm Room Storage

//Laundry

//Dorm Room Shower/Bath Supplies

  • Waterproof Shower Bag or Caddy | Amazon 
  • Towels (3<), Hand/Face Towels (2) | Amazon 
  • Loofah/Shower Scrub | Amazon 
  • Bathrobe | Amazon 
  • Shower Shoes | Amazon 
  • Bath Mat (If Needed) | Amazon 
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Soap
  • Shower Curtain (If Needed) | Amazon   | Society 6 | Walmart
  • Comb/Hairbrush | Amazon
  • Hair bands/Hairclips
  • Small Blow Dryer | Amazon 
  • Razors | Amazon 
  • Toothbrush/holder  | Amazon 
  • Toothpaste 
  • Mouthwash
  • Dental Floss
  • Body Lotion
  • Facial Cream
  • Lip Balm
  • Contacts/Lens Case/Contact Solution
  • Deodorant
  • Powder
  • Q-Tips
  • Kleenex 
  • Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly
  • Air Freshener/Neutralizer | Amazon 
  • Tweezers | Amazon 
  • Nail Cutter | Amazon 
  • Nail Filer
  • Nail Polish Remover
  • Cotton Balls
  • Cotton Facial Pads
  • Extra Toilet Paper
  • Tissues
  • Makeup,perfume,etc. 
  • Tampons

//Cooking/Eating Supplies

(Warning: This section is extreme)

//Medicine/Things to put in First Aid Kit

  • Allergy Medicine
  • Anti-Itch Cream (Bug Bites)
  • DayQuil/NyQuil
  • Hydrogen Peroxide/Rubbing Alcohol
  • Eye Drops
  • Multivitamins/Vitamin C/Calcium
  • Patches for Aches
  • Alcohol Based Sterile Wipes
  • Hot/Cold Packs
  • Cotton Balls
  • Stomach Relief:Pepto Bismol
  • Pain/Fever Relief– Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen
  • Bandages
  • Cough Drops
  • Thermometer | Amazon 
  • Asthma Inhaler

//Dorm Room Safety/Personal Security/Health Supplies/Tool Kits

  • First Aid Kits | Amazon 
  • Pain Relief Medicine
  • Flu/Cold Medicine/Cough Drops/Thermometer
  • Multivitamins/ Vitamin C
  • Prescriptions
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Laptop Lock
  • Bicycle Lock | Amazon 
  • Dorm Room Safe | Amazon 
  • Defensive (Pepper) Spray/Alarms | Amazon 
  • Flashlight | Amazon 
  • Key Chain
  • Compact Tool Kit | Amazon 
  • Rain Poncho | Amazon 
  • Umbrella | Amazon 
  • Rain Boots | Amazon 
  • Sun Screen
  • Sun Hat | Amazon 
  • Bug Spray

//Dorm Room Electronics

//Computing

//School Supplies

  • Binders
  • College Ruled Notebooks
  • Folders
  • Report Covers
  • Stapler
  • Staples
  • Staple Remover
  • 3 hole puncher | Amazon 
  • Scissors
  • Index Cards
  • Tape Dispenser
  • Tape
  • Push Pins
  • Post it Notes
  • Pens (Red, Black, Blue)
  • #2 Mechanical pencils
  • Erasers
  • Highlighters
  • Ruler
  • Calculator
  • Rubber Bands
  • Paper Clips
  • Binder Clips
  • Desk Organizers
  • Academic Planner

//Stuff That Didn’t Fit Into a Category

  • Batteries (AA/AAA)
  • Board Games
  • Envelopes/Stamps
  • Mints/Gum
  • Pack of Playing Cards
  • Glasses
  • Sunglasses
  • Umbrella

//Everything Else

  • Registration Information
  • Proof of Health Insurance
  • Social Security Card
  • Immunization Records
  • Accident/ Theft Insurance
  • Passport
  • Create and Carry an Emergency Contact Card
  • Phone Coverage/ Charger
  • Set up a Bank Account/ Get a Bank Card
  • Add Money to your university card

8 thoughts on “The ULTIMATE College Packing List”

  4. I just found your blog but it has already been really helpful! I am starting my senior year next September and this is helping me put things in perspective but also exciting the part of me that loves lists ?

    Reply

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