Pay special attention to your housing agreement sent by your school. Each university has their own regulations, and what is permissible at one may be restricted by another. If there's any doubt, contact your school.
Make a running checklist of everything you use in a week's time at home. It'll help you catch the little, but no less essential items you may not think to bring.
Contact your roommate prior to school. Duplication, especially of larger items, wastes precious space. No one needs two ironing boards. Ready to start? Great.
Keeping in mind that everyone's needs are different, we've included both necessities and luxury items on the checklist. You probably won't take every single item, but it may include some you hadn't thought of.
Bedding Supplies For College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Twin or Twin Extra Long? Ask your school which bed size they have so your sheets fit!
- Mattress pad
- Sheet set (1 or 2 depending on how often you want to do laundry)
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Blankets or Electric blanket
- Body pillow (Great for floor usage too)
- Comforter
- Duvet cover (again, if you want to cut back on laundry time)
Bath/Toiletries Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Where, exactly, IS your shower? Some college dorms have private baths (count your blessings now), some share one bathroom between two rooms (not as ideal, but again, count your blessings) and some have one very large bathroom for the entire floor. (It is doable, trust us.) If you're in anything other than a private bath, you're going to need to think portability. If you're sharing with another room, there may not be enough space to store everything you need in the bathroom. And if it's communal? Don't leave anything there. It may just be gone when you return.
- Acne Cream
- Antacids
- Antibiotic Ointment/Cream
- Antihistamines
- Aspirin/Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen
- Bandages
- Blow Dryer
- Brush
- Comb
- Conditioner
- Contact/Eyeglass Cleaner
- Cosmetics
- Cosmetics Bag/Kit (With mirror because, let's face it, mirror and countertop space is prime real estate!)
- Cotton Balls
- Cough Drops
- Cough Medicine
- Curling/Straightening Iron
- Decongestants
- Dental Floss
- Deodorant
- Detangler
- Disinfectant Spray
- Eye Drops
- Face Soap/Wash
- Feminine Care Products
- First Aid Kit
- Gel/Mousse/Serum
- Hair Clips/Ties/Headbands/Barrettes
- Hairspray
- Heating Pad
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ice Pack
- Jewelry
- Lip Balm
- Liquid Bandage
- Lotion
- Makeup Remover
- Mouthwash
- Nail Clippers
- Nail File
- Nail Polish/Remover
- Perfume/Cologne
- Pick
- Prescription Meds
- Qtips
- Razor
- Robe
- Shampoo
- Shaving Gel/Cream
- Shower Caddy (an absolute must if you're sharing)
- Shower Gel/Soap
- Shower Shoes (flip flops work well)
- Soap Container
- Sunscreen
- Thermometer
- Tissues
- Toilet Paper
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Towels (body, hand and face)
- Tweezers
- Vitamins
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Find out ahead of time where your laundry facilities are. Some college dorms have several locations in the building, some are located in the basement, and others have no on site capabilities, making a trip to the Laundromat a time consuming necessity, and a good laundry bag a must. And don't worry, if you've never done your laundry before, we can help.
- Clothespins
- Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
- Drying Rack (for anything air dried)
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Laundry Bag/Basket (Collapsible is great--it takes up less space)
- Laundry Marking Pen (especially for your towels)
- Quarter Container (Plastic jars work well)
- Quarters
- Sewing Kit (with thread, needles and scissors)
- Small Bottle Bleach
- Stain Remover
Clothes for College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...If you're going to school in-state, or will be home for a visit within a few months, DO NOT bring al your clothes now. As you'll soon see, space is at a premium. Bring what you need for now, and switch out as the seasons change. It's ok to keep some off-season clothes in case of odd climate changes (or, if you're going to Colorado where you can have three seasons in one day), but don't keep everything.
- Athletic Shoes
- Baseball Cap
- Belts
- Boots
- Business Attire/Dress Clothes (one outfit, just in case)
- Button Down Shirts
- Comfortable Shoes (A Must!)
- Flats
- Gloves
- Hats
- Jackets (light and heavy)
- Jeans
- Khakis
- Leggings
- Nylons
- Pajamas
- Purse/Wallet
- Scarves
- Shorts
- Slippers
- Socks
- Sweaters
- Sweats
- Sweatshirts
- Swimwear
- T-Shirts
- Underwear
- Watch
- Workout Wear
Office/Study Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...Some items, of course, you most likely can get on campus after you arrive. Try to shop smart though, and get the most for your money. On campus may, or may not, be your best option.
- 3 Hole Punch
- Backpack (Make certain it's comfortable. You'll be using it A LOT!)
- Binders
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Colored Pencils
- Computer/Laptop (More under Computer Checklist)
- Desk Lamp (Make sure it's in compliance. Some college dorms prohibit anything with a halogen bulb.)
- Dictionary/Thesaurus/Grammar Guide (Though if you'll have online computer access in your room, don't bother bringing these. You can find everything you need online.)
- Dry Erase Board/Markers/Eraser (To hang on your door so friends can leave you messages)
- Erasers
- Folders/File Folders
- Glue
- Highlighters (several colors)
- Index Dividers
- Index/Note Cards
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Paper Clips
- Pencil Holder/Pen Cup
- Pencil Sharpener
- Pencils
- Pens
- Phone/Address Book
- Planner/Assignment Book
- Pocket Folders (in several colors)
- Portable File Folder
- Rubber Bands
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Stamps/Envelopes
- Stapler/Staples/Staple Remover
- Sticky Notes
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...If you're bringing a CPU, space will be a concern. Also, find out if there is Internet access in your room (wifi/modem/dial-up), and what the compatibility requirements are. Better to know beforehand if any issues need to be resolved while you're still at home and they are easier handled.
- Batteries (If wireless mouse/keyboard)
- Cables (computer/printer)
- CD/CDR/CDRW
- Computer/Laptop
- Ink
- Keyboard
- Memory Stick
- Mouse
- Mouse Pad
- Paper
- Phone Cord
- Printer
- Software
- Speakers
- Surge Protectors
Decor/Furnishings Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Most schools do not allow you to put holes in the walls, and some are actually painted concrete or bricks, so you couldn't if you wanted to. Ask the school if you don't already know what your walls are so you'll know how to hang things, then check out our tips for decorating your room here.
- Adhesive Removable Hooks
- Aquarium (if allowed and roommate doesn't protest)
- Beanbag or Inflatable Chair
- Corkboard with Pins
- Curtains and Rods (if allowed)
- Decorations for Holidays (If you're going home, swap them out)
- Fan
- Favorite Comfort Item (i.e. stuffed animal)
- Floor Rug/Area Rug
- Frames
- Hangers
- Lamps (Again, check your schools safety regulations)
- Lockable Storage Trunk
- Night Light
- Pictures/Photos
- Plants
- Plastic Stackable Crates
- Posters
- Sticky Wall Mounts/Tacky Adhesive/Mounting Tape
- Throw/Body Pillows
- Under Bed Storage
- Wastepaper Basket
Electronics Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Mom's Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Knowing what you can and cannot take is crucial. The electronics you bring can help you feel much more at home, but with space concerns, here is where you definitely need to talk with your roommate. Two TV's is overkill. Check with the school, and check with each other, and you'll feel right at home in no time.
- Alarm Clock
- Batteries for Remote
- Cable Cord for TV (Many dorms offer cable TV)
- Camera and Film
- CD's
- Cell Phone
- Cell Phone Charger
- Cordless Phone with Answering Machine
- DVD Player
- DVD's
- Extension Cords
- Flashlight
- Games
- Gaming Consoles/Controllers/Cords
- MP3 Player/Charger/Headphones
- Stereo
- Surge Protectors/Power Strips (Check with school on which type)
- TV
- TV Remote (We know. Even in a room this small you're still not going to get up to change the channel.)
Moms Best Tips. . .We know, Mom's not there to pick up after you, so chances are, your room could get a little...well, gross. As always, check with the school to see what's permissible then check out our cleaning section on how to take care of your home away from home. If you have your own bathroom, or are sharing it, you WILL be responsible for cleaning it!
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Bathtub Cleaner
- Broom
- Dish Cloth
- Dish Soap
- Dish Towel
- Feather Duster/Dust Catching Wands
- Furniture Wipes
- Garbage Bags
- Glass Cleaner
- Light Bulbs
- Light Vacuum
- Paper Towels
- Room Freshener
- Scrub Brush
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Cooking Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Moms Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...Regulations regarding cooking items vary across the board, so check with your school first. What used to be a standard "No hot plate!" rule has changed. Some schools consider a coffee pot a hot plate, thus forbidding them, while at others they're allowed. Some allow microwaves, some don't. And a special note on refrigerators and microwaves. While some universities allow you to bring one, they will be very specific on what type they can be. Many college dorms have rental programs. For a small rental fee per semester, you use one of theirs. And since it's theirs, no need to worry about compliance. Just make sure you wash it before you use it. And don't worry. We'll teach you the cooking basics so you won't starve either.
- Aluminum Foil
- Can/Bottle Opener
- Chip Clips
- Coffee Cups
- Coffee Filters
- Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Pot (If allowed)
- Condiments
- Dishes (cups, glasses, plates, bowls. Unbreakable, and microwave safe)
- Hot Plate (Check with school and see note above)
- Knives
- Large Plastic Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Microwave (Check with school and see note above)
- Mixing Spoons
- Mugs
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
- Oven Mitt
- Paper Towels
- Plastic Microwavable Storage Containers
- Plastic Wrap
- Sandwich Bags
- Scrubber
- Seasonings
- Silverware
- Spatula
- Toaster Oven (If allowed)
Food Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Moms Best Tips...You decide. You're going to be on your own. You decide when, where, what, and even how much you'll eat. Here's a list of some staples that should keep the munchies at bay during those late night study sessions. And once you're settled, we'll help you with some basics for when the Dining Hall just won't do. As always, check for any restrictions, and once you have your fridge, you can expand into the perishables.
- Boxed Juice
- Cereal
- Chips
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Crackers
- Energy Bars
- Jelly
- Mac N Cheese
- Nuts
- Peanut Butter
- Popcorn
- Ramen Noodles
- Snack Mix
- Soda
- Soup
- Water Bottles
Moms Best Tips...Though rarely used, it's awful if you need one and forgot it. You can go either way with this, purchase an inexpensive toolkit or throw one together yourself in a plastic box.
- 2 prong adapters
- Adhesive (Wall)
- Batteries
- Hammer
- Measuring Tape
- Nails
- Pliers
- Safety Pins
- Screwdriver Flat Head Phillips
- Screws
- Swiss Army Knife (if allowed)
- Tape Duct Electrical Masking Scotch
Miscellaneous Supplies for College Dorm Checklist
Moms Best Tips...Know B4 U Go...What paperwork will you need in your dorm? Where can you receive medical or dental attention should you need it? Who needs to be notified of your change in address? Make sure you take all important information with you, and leave anything that's irreplaceable at home.
- ATM Card
- Calling Card/Prepaid Phone Card
- Car Emergency Kit
- Change of Address Cards
- Checkbook
- Class Schedule
- Credit Card
- Dental Card
- Drivers License
- Emergency Phone Numbers
- Medical Card
- School Information
- Social Security Number (Not card)
- Spare Car Key
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