What to Bring to College (and What to Leave Behind)

College is right around the corner. By now, you’ve likely chosen a school, declared a major, and narrowed down the list of clubs and activities you’re interested in. After years of hard work and months of college prep, all that’s left is to decide what to pack. A well-thought out packing list not only makes move-in day easier, but also sets you up for a smoother transition into college life. Here’s what you should bring to campus and what’s better left behind. 

Dorm room essentials

Your college dorm will be your home away from home on campus. When you’re not fulfilling one of your social or academic obligations, you’ll spend a lot of time in your dorm, so it’s worth it to make sure you’re comfortable in your space. From a mattress topper to some pictures from home, here’s what you need to make your dorm feel like yours:

• Pillow(s)
• Comforter/duvet cover
• Twin XL sheets 
• Mattress topper/pad
• Extra blanket
• Laundry basket/hamper
• Hangers
• Small trash can & trash bags
• Storage ottoman
• Desk lamp
• Wall fasteners
• Fan
• Full-length mirror
• Under bed storage
• Over-the-door hooks
• Fireproof safe/lockbox
• Pictures/posters
• Plants

School supplies

While college is full of new experiences, your education should be the main focus. You’ll need the right supplies to perform well in your classes, study sessions, or on academic tests. Here’s a basic school supply list, but keep in mind you may need additional specialized items depending on your major:

• Backpack
• Notebooks
• Academic planner
• Folders
• Pens & pencils
• Highlighters
• Calculator
• Ruler
• Paperclips & binder clips
• Sticky notes
• Index cards
• Mini stapler & staples
• Scissors
• Whiteout
• Tape 
• Desk organizer
  
  

Documents

Living away from home – sometimes thousands of miles away from family – means you need to have access to your important documents. Your documents may be useful when you are applying for a job, booking a safe spring break trip, opening a local bank account, or making a doctor’s appointment. Here are some of the important life documents to keep safe and accessible:

• Birth certificate
• Driver’s license
• Student ID
• Social security card
• Debit & credit card
• Checks
• Passport
• Banking information
• Car registration & insurance information
• Medical & dental cards

Electronics & tech

In today’s digital world, technology and education are closely connected. The right tech tools can make studying more efficient, help you stay organized, or even make your free time more enjoyable. From HDMI cords to noise-canceling headphones, here are a few electronic essentials you should consider to enhance your college experience:

• Laptop & charger
• Carrying case
• Flash drive
• Mouse
• Earbuds/headphones
• Charging cords
• Portable speaker
• Power strip
• Gaming system
• Camera
• Portable charger
• Extension cord
• HDMI cord
• TV*
• Streaming device*

*Check with roommate

Laundry & cleaning supplies

College gives you independence, but it also comes with the responsibility of taking care of your belongings and space. From your clothing to your side of the dorm room, keeping things clean and tidy will make life easier.  Here are a few items that will be helpful to have on hand:

• Laundry detergent
• Stain remover
• Dryer sheets/dryer balls
• Paper towels & tissues
• Disinfecting wipes
• Dish soap & sponge
• Lint roller
• Handheld vacuum
• Small broom & dustpan

Clothing

Clothing is one of the easiest ways to express your personality on campus. While the basics will cover most of your needs, you can always adjust the quantities and add pieces that fit your personal style. Here’s a starting list to guide you:

• T-shirts
• Tank tops
• Long sleeve shirts
• Jeans
• Pants
• Sweatpants
• Pajamas
• Shorts
• Formal tops
• Professional attire
• Workout clothing
• Belt 
• Waterproof jacket
• Sweatshirts/hoodies
• Swimsuit
• Undergarments/socks
• Everyday shoes
• Tennis shoes
• Rain/snow boots
• Formal shoes
• Sandals
• Sunglasses
• Watch
• Heavy winter coat
• Hats, scarf, & gloves
  
  

Bathroom & toiletries

Whether you have a private bathroom attached to your dorm or share a communal one down the hall, you’ll need certain necessities to stay clean. From shower shoes to nail clippers, having the proper toiletries makes your routine easier and helps you stay healthy and not stressed in college. Here’s what you need to keep up with your college student hygiene:

• Bath towels
• Hand towels/washcloths
• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes
• Robe or towel wrap
• Toothpaste & toothbrush
• Mouthwash
• Floss
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Body wash/face wash
• Lotion/moisturizer
• Hairbrush/comb
• Hair care products
• Deodorant
• Cologne/perfume
• Razor/shaving cream
• Vitamins & medicine
• First aid kit
• Eyeglasses
• Contacts & solution
• Sunscreen
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Cotton swabs/cotton balls
• Chapstick
  
  

Kitchen items

Your kitchen access may be limited in a communal dorm. Still, it’s helpful to keep a few basics on hand for those times when you skip the dining hall or need a quick bite before class. Here’s a few kitchen items to consider:

• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Storage bags/containers
• Filtered water pitcher
• Silverware/cooking utensils
• Bowls, plates, & cups
• Lunchbox
• Bag clips
• Can opener
• Microwave*
• Mini fridge*
• Coffee maker*
• Air fryer*

*Check with roommate

Miscellaneous

Not everything you need for college fits neatly into one category. There are a few items that may not seem essential, but can make your daily life on campus much smoother. From tools you didn’t think of to items that add comfort, here are some miscellaneous things to make room for:

• Suitcase/travel bag
• Ice scraper
• Umbrella
• Earplugs
• Small toolkit
• Board games
• White noise machine

What not to bring to college

When it comes to packing for college, less is often more. Bringing too much can leave you feeling cluttered and make your dorm room feel small. Some items are unnecessary, restricted by your school, or might not be used as much as you think. Here are a few things you can leave off your packing list: 

Valuables

College dorms and shared spaces aren’t always the most secure. Unfortunately, theft can happen more often than students expect. It’s best to leave any valuables and irreplaceable items, like expensive jewelry, extremely sentimental items, and designer products, at home. 

Extras

When it comes to extra storage space, dorm rooms often don’t have much. Since you’ll be doing laundry frequently and sharing space with a roommate, it’s smart to avoid packing extras or duplicates. Stick to just two sets of sheets, skip the multiple kitchen appliances, and leave your own desk chair at home (your dorm will already provide one). 

Prohibited items

Every college has a list of items that aren’t allowed in your residence hall. Breaking the rules can lead to fines or trouble with your RA. Avoid anything on the prohibited item list, such as pets, candles, toasters, space heaters, large furniture, or window air conditioning units.

Unused items

Some items sound useful at first but often end up sitting untouched in your dorm. An alarm clock, for example, isn’t really necessary when you can simply use your phone’s alarms. Printers take up a lot of space, and most schools already give you a set number of free prints as a student. Think about what you truly need as you’re packing, and don’t be afraid to live minimally at college. 

Between dorm essentials, school supplies, and personal items, it’s easy to overpack or forget something important. A good college packing list helps you strike the right balance, so you bring what you’ll truly need without cluttering your new space. Start with the basics, and you can always pick up extras once you’re on campus. By planning ahead, you’ll feel more organized and ready to focus on what really matters: beginning your college experience.