Everything you need for your first year of dorm room living
Packing can be exciting… orrrr super overwhelming. If you’re heading off to your first year at college and are worried about forgetting something (or just don’t want to use the brain power it takes to make your own list), this is the only college packing list you’ll ever need.
I hope you keep lvdletters.com in mind as a go-to resource during the years to come, because this college packing list isn’t the only thing we’ve put together for you to succeed in college. There’s tons of info here that will be relevant to you alllll the way through.
Anyways, back to all the stuff you need for college. If you don’t have any of these items, we’ve linked reasonably priced products that we recommend to save you the hassle of searching for it all before move-in day. Happy packing!!
This post will give you the best college packing list.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Our full disclosure policy is pretty boring, but you can read it here.
THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE PACKING LIST:
CLOTHING
- Undergarments
- Workout clothes
- Pajamas
- Everyday sneakers
- Casual & semi-formal dresses
- Going-out clothes
- Business casual clothes
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Short-sleeve shirts
- Fall and winter jackets (if your college is somewhere cold)
- Tank tops
- Jeans/leggings/pants
- Sweatpants
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Belts
- Sweaters
- Raincoat
- Gloves/hats/scarves/winter attire
- Running shoes
- Fall/winter boots (if your college is somewhere cold)
- Heels
- Socks
- Slippers
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suits
- Jewelry
- Purses
- Gym bag
LAUNDRY
- Laundry hamper with bags (easier to carry)
- Laundry detergent
- Color catchers
- Fabric softener
- Stain remover
- Dryer sheets
- Collapsible drying rack
- Wrinkle releaser
- Lint brush
- Quarters
BEDDING + LINENS
- Mattress cover (ensures you’re sleeping on a clean mattress and protected from buggies)
- Mattress topper (college mattresses aren’t always super comfy)
- Twin XL sheet set
- Duvet and duvet cover
- Pillows (these memory foam pillows are sooo comfy)
- Pillowcases
- Throw blanket
- Throw pillows (no more than 3… trust me)
- Clip-on bedside reading light
- Bath towels
- Wash cloths
- Clip-on fan
STORAGE
- Under-the-bed organizer
- Shelf headboard
- Foldable cube organizers
- Space-saving hangers
- Over-the-door storage rack
- Bedside storage caddy
- Stick-on bedside wall caddy
- Over-the-door shoe rack
- Under-bed storage bags
- Under-bed rolling wire cart
- Clear storage drawers
- Makeup organizer
APPLIANCES
- Mini fridge (check if your dorm has one first!)
- Microwave (check if your dorm has one first!)
- Toaster
- Kettle
- Espresso machine / french press / Keurig mini
- NutriBullet
- Brita + brita filters
- Reusable water bottle
- Utensils (just bring a few)
- Dishes and mugs (just a couple)
- Travel mug
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Chip clips
- Paper towel
- Dish towels
- Dishwashing soap
- Reusable food wrap
- Food storage containers
- Reusable snack bags
- Hand soap
CLEANING SUPPLIES
*I linked all the cleaning supplies at the best prices I could find them on Amazon, but honestly, if you have the time to make a trip to the store, they’re probably even cheaper at your local dollar store! Other than the mini vacuum!
- Disinfecting wipes
- Glass cleaner
- Sponges
- Mini broom and dustpan
- Mini vacuum
- Trash bags
- Air freshener
- All-purpose cleaner
- IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN BATHROOM: shower cleaner, toilet brush, toilet cleaner
DESK / SCHOOL SUPPLIES + TECHNOLOGY
- Desk hutch
- Desk drawer organizers
- Desktop organizer
- Backpack
- Binder clips
- Paper clips
- Binders
- Business cards
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Planner
- Clip-on desk lamp
- Budget binder and paper file
- Notebooks
- Index cards
- Sticky notes
- Journal
- Laptop riser
- Bluetooth keyboard
- Bluetooth mouse
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Pens
- Permanent markers
- Highlighters
- White out
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Staples, staple remover, stapler, tape
- Textbooks
- Three-hole punch
- Laptop
- External hard drive
- USB key
- Laptop case
- Camera and SD cards
- E-reader
- Tablet
- Chargers (phone, laptop, camera, e-reader, tablet, etc).
- HDMI cable
- Extension cords
- Adapters
- Headphones and spare headphones
- Bluetooth speaker
- Any necessary extra batteries
- Desk mirror
BATHROOM STUFF
- Shower caddy
- Face cleanser
- Body wash
- Body scrub
- Lotion
- Moisturizer and any other daily skincare products you use
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair products
- Lip balm
- Makeup remover
- Whatever makeup you regularly use (or think you’ll need)
- Toothbrush
- Floss
- Toothbrush holder
- Razor
- Tweezers
- Hairbrush / comb
- Bobby pins
- Blow dryer (if you use one)
- Curling / straightening iron
- Hair clips / headbands / hair ties
- Makeup brushes
- Nail clippers
- Nail files
- Feminine products
- Toilet paper (if you have your own bathroom)
- Shower shoes
- Exfoliating gloves
- Bathrobe
TOOLS
FOOD + MEDICINE
- Whatever snacks + non-perishable food you like
- Coffee
- Tea
- Coffee creamer
- Sugar
- Oatmeal
- Any medication you take
- First aid kit
- Ibuprofen
- Heating pad
DORM DECOR
Since dorm room decor depends a lot on your taste, here are a few posts you should check out that will give you a bunch of great ideas so that you can find something you really like:
29 DORM ROOM STORAGE IDEAS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR ROOM FEEL MASSIVE
DESK ORGANIZATION IDEAS FOR STUDENTS THAT WILL BOOST PRODUCTIVITY
WALL DECOR FOR DORM ROOMS (IDEAS YOU’LL ACTUALLY LOVE)
COLLEGE ESSENTIALS AMAZON HAS FOR CHEAP (MOST POPULAR COLLEGE ITEMS)
10 STATIONERY SUPPLIES SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE STUDENTS USE
The space saving hangars are brilliant! Never seen that before!
thanks!! They are so handy!