The only things you have to pack for college
Table of Contents
Packing for college is one of the hardest things to do in this world, especially as a fresher.
I know there are countless packing lists available on the internet today but trust me, most of them are outdated or inaccurate. You will end up buying things you don’t need or things that might not even fit in your tiny dorm room.
In this post, I will list all the important things you will need to pack for college. I’m not saying my list is the best but so far, it’s the best! I have also included a printable college packing list at the end of this post that you can save, print and use.
Before I start, I will like to mention that this is a general list, meaning it contains only the basic things that you will surely need sooner or later. You are free to add whatever you want to add.
I will also list some items at the end that will be nice to have but are not essential. You might want to check first with your roommate (if they already have them) and your school (if they are allowed or not)
Without any other delay, let’s get into it:
Best places to get college stuff
There are so many stores you can get college stuff from dorm room essentials to dorm room decors. Here are places I highly recommend you check first for the best items and great prices:
College packing list
Dorm room Essentials
Pillows
Sheet sets
Pillowcase
Laundry basket
Mattress cover/protector
Throw pillows
Small blanket
Storage organizer
Drawer organizer
Alarm clock or wall clock
Mirror
Lockbox
Duvet
Plastic storage bin
Hanging racks
Shoe rack
Hangers
I have a whole post about the 20 dorm room essentials you will regret not having. Read that next if you want the full list and my reasons why I think they’re a must.
Personal care and bathroom essential
Bath towel
Robe
Hand towels
Face towels
Shower cap
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
Lotions
Nail clippers
Medicine
Hair products
Skincare products
Detergent
Pads/tampons
Shower caddy
Shower flip flops
Q-tips
Sunscreen
Face and body wash
Wipes
Deodorants
Shaving cream and sticks
Cotton pads
Cleaning supplies
Disinfecting wipes
Trash can
Air fresheners
Paper towels
Broom and dustpan
Hydrogen peroxide
Bleach
Disinfectants like Dettol
Electronics
Laptop/tablet
Chargers
Headphones
Power bank
Flash drive
Flashlight
Mouse
Extension box
Protector
Electric kettle
Desk essentials
Desk organizer
Pencils/pen
Markers
Stapler and staples
Tape
Stick notes
Pencil case
Scissors
Planners
Calculator
Ruler
Notebooks
Kitchen essentials
Plates
Spoons
Forks
Knife
Cups
Flask
Food flask
Microwave if allowed
Mini fridge if allowed
Electric cooker
Pots
Tray
mugs
Water bottle
Ziploc bags
Clothing
I honestly can’t mention anything here since we all have different fashion senses. You should make sure you check the weather in the country where your college is and pack your clothes based on that. If the weather there is cold, consider taking more hoodies, jackets, and sweaters with you and if it’s a hot place, you will want to pack clothes that are light like gowns, skirts, etc. this part is all yours to customize it however you want. Don’t forget to pack your undies though.
Not essential but will be nice to have
Here are a few things that you might not need all the time but will come in handy some days:
Umbrella
Sunglasses
A small sewing kit
Iron
Board games
A portable speaker
Water filters
Band-aids
Final thoughts on the only things you have to pack for college
I hope this answers your question about what to bring to college. I tried to make this list as general as possible and I mentioned only the essential things you will ever need as a college freshman.
Don’t forget that you’re always free to bring any additional items that you think you need. After all, the first year of college is all about exploring and making mistakes. After your first year, you can take the things you didn’t use at all home or donate them!
I have written a lot of great posts to make college life easier for you like how to become a better student, how to study consistently, how to create a study timetable, and all about the best Notion template for students. if you don’t know about Notion or how to use Notion as a student, then you’re missing out!
if you have a few more minutes to spare, I highly recommend you binge-read these posts.
That’s all I have for you, I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did while writing it.
What was your first year of college like?
Have you ever used a college packing list before?
What are some things you can’t live without in college? Let me know about it in the comments section below.
A neat packing list of essentials! I love that you have a ‘would be nice to have’ list, for those who might end up with a little extra room.
I learned the hard way it is almost human nature to pack too much and regret it later, so handy, first-hand lists are always nice to have.
This was a really great packing guide for uni. Totally agree that some lists appear outdated or unrealistic – I always LOL when I see “dorms” in tv shows or movies that look unrealistic based on what most students experience. Thankfully I learned to pack less and less each year I went back to school LOL!
Even though I am not in college anymore, this gave me some major throwback vibes! YESSS ON A LOCK BOX!! It is not that you don’t trust your roommates, it is that you deserve to have an extra sense of security. Thanks for sharing this comprehensive list! Other college students would love this list!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me