What to Bring With You to College

As someone with divorced parents, I have done a lot of packing in my life... but it never gets easier. I always forget the most important things. If you are anything like me this list will help you remember the things you may not think to bring when going to college.

When shopping you may need to go to several different stores to get all your items. I organized my lists into categories that will help you better shop for the essentials. I also added links or suggestions on where to purchase some of the items listed.

Bathroom

★ Toilet Paper Depending on your dorm situation, you may need to bring your own toilet paper. Some of my friends got their own toilet paper just because they didn't like what the school offered.★ Feminine Products For my menstruating friends, you will need tampons/pads and I highly suggest taking a nice trip to your local wholesale store (Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club) to get a big box! ★ Toiletries Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. are always important. Most colleges have a shuttle system or a local/campus store where you can pick up more if you run out, but I suggest bringing backups just in case. ★ Shower Caddy In order to carry your toiletries to and from your luxurious communal bathroom you will definitely need one of these. Click here to buy! ★ Shower Shoes Because no one wants their feet to touch those shower floors! Click here to buy! ★ Robe/Towel wrap I still use a robe to travel to and from the bathroom in my college house. These are super useful if you share a bathroom or have to travel in the hallway from your dorm room to the bathroom. Nobody wants to feel exposed walking around in a bath towel! ★ Towels Be sure to bring multiple bath towels as well as washcloths! I personally brought four of each when I was a freshman. ★ Waterproof Speaker (optional) You would be surprised how many people jam out in the communal showers.

Bedding

★ Sheets (Two Sets)

Bringing two allows you to change your sheets and wash them at the same time! ★ Comforter ★ Throw Blanket ★ Backrest Pillow ★ Throw Pillows

Decorative but also good if you have friends visiting. ★ Eye Mask

I religiously sleep with an eye mask! These are extra nice to have in a dorm because they definitely do not have blackout shades. ★ Ear Plugs

I only used these once but you will be glad you got them when you need them. No one likes a snoring roommate. ★ Lap Desk

I used this to do homework in bed since I mostly used my desk as a vanity.

Vanity/Closet

★ Full-Length Mirror

We had two that we shared in my freshman dorm. We hung one on the back of our door and one on someone's closet. ★ Makeup Mirror

Super helpful to have on your desk. Bonus points if it folds closed to prevent dust. Click here to buy! ★ Hanging Closet Shelves

Depending on how you organize your closet you may want these for hoodies or sweaters. Click here to buy! ★ Shoe Rack

I personally used a shoe basket that I kept in the bottom of my closet. Some people prefer a metal rack under their bed or the shoe rack that hangs from your closet door depending on the size of your dorm. ★ Hangers

The dorm closets will have a rod to hang clothes but they do not provide hangers! ★ Under Bed Storage/Drawers

Everyone I know bought these drawers from target! Click here to buy! ★ Acrylic Makeup Organizer

My desk doubled as makeup and school supplies storage. I kept my makeup on top and my school stuff in the provided drawers.

★ Jewelry Organizer

Freshman year, I kept my earrings in a box in my closet and hung my necklaces on command hooks. When I had more room sophomore year I opted for a wall-hanging necklace and earring organizer.

Cleaning

★ Laundry Basket

I had both a laundry backpack and a laundry basket. I ended up using the basket since my laundry room was on my floor. However, depending on if you have to take the stairs, you may want a laundry backpack/sack instead. ★ Laundry Detergent

Do not bring the laundry pods! The dorm room washers and dryers are not high end and sometimes the pods will not fully dissolve in the wash. Do yourself a favor and just buy a big thing of detergent from a wholesale store. And also, learn how to do your own laundry! You would be surprised how many people don't know how.

★ Drying Rack

If you have delicates or athletic wear that you don't like to put in the dryer I highly suggest getting a collapsable drying rack. Click here to buy! ★ Dryer Sheets/Dryer Balls

I had dyer balls my freshman year and it was so nice. I could reuse them and they would prevent static and wrinkles! ★ Duster/Swiffer ★ Vaccum/Broom ★ Cleaning Wipes ★ Dish Soap/Sponge

Be sure to bring a bottle and straw cleaner if you plan to use a reusable water bottle ★ Disinfectant Spray/Air Freshener ★ Paper Towels

Kitchen

★ Plates

microwave-safe! ★ Bowls

microwave-safe! ★ Utensils

★ Ice Trays

Most dorms provide a fridge/freezer combo. I personally cannot have water without ice! ★ Water Filter

This is especially useful if your dorm does not have water fill-up stations! ★ Reusable Water Bottles ★ Snacks and a Snack Basket/Storage

Snack storage is essential. Check with your roommates to decide on what will be shared snack space. Be sure to keep your favorite snacks in your own storage so no one steals them! ★ Tupperware ★ Coffee Machine (Optional)

I never used this my freshman year, however, many people swear by them. I brought a Keurig and only used it to make tea if I was sick.

Desk/School Supplies

★ Notebook(s)

I used my laptop or iPad for most of my classes but it is nice to have some paper just in case.

★ Printer

We did not have one freshman year since the campus had print labs but once you live in a house you will want your own. Some students preferred to have their own rather than having to travel to the lab. I would see how far the print room is from your dorm before purchasing a printer.

★ Pens, Pencils, Highlighters

★ Sticky Notes

★ Stapler

★ Hole punch/Binder

This will really depend on how much paper you are using for class

★ Tape

★ Folder(s)

I carried one for all my classes since I was mostly paperless.

★ Backpack

★ Wire Bag

Especially if you are a media major like myself! I have a bag for chargers, my camera, and an SD Card case!

★ Hard Drive

I needed this for my major, but it is always good to back up your computer just in case!

★ Pencil Case

★ Extension Cord

Be sure to get one with a surge protector or it may be confiscated by Residential Life. Click to buy!

★ Lamp

Misc.

★ Decorations

Click here to purchase a similar photo hanging decoration to the one pictured in my dorm room!

★ Fan ★ Speaker

This is essential for all the dorm pre-games. One of my roommates brought her's and we used it all the time. ★ Pop Up Ottoman

This is where you can hide the stuff that may not be permitted in your dorm... if you know what I mean. ★ Batteries

You will be surprised how much you need these! ★ First Aid Kit/Medicines

If you get sick at school it's nice to have a few items at the ready: Ibuprophen, Acetaminophen, tissues, band-aids, etc. ★ Step Stool/Ladder

If you are tall feel free to skip this item. ★ Tool Kit

This was the most used item in my building. I was the only person on my floor that had one and it was borrowed by everybody! Click here to buy!

DO NOT BRING!!!

★ Mini Fridge/Microwave

Most dorms already provide these! Please check with your school to see how to rent these items or if they are provided before you bring your own. I know my school does not allow you to bring these items yourself and when assisting with freshman move in I had to tell a lot of parents to return these items.

★ Candles

For all you candle fanatics, I am sorry. Public safety will not allow candles in on campus housing as they are a fire hazard. Many Residential Assistants will confiscate these when doing a room check.

Here are a few photos of my freshman and sophomore dorm rooms for decoration inspiration! I didn't go crazy since I wanted to save money (especially sophomore year) but I loved my room and always felt cozy and comfortable. (Left: Freshman Dorm, Right: Sophomore Dorm)

Here is a panorama of my freshman dorm!

Shopping for college can seem stressful but it helps to break it down and take your time to gather everything you need. I hope this list helps you or someone you know when College shopping. Feel free to leave a comment if you feel I missed anything or want to know where I got something if it's not already linked. Check out @itsirrellavent on Instagram for more tips and tricks. Don't let packing for college overwhelm you because let's be honest... you will probably forget something anyway!