College Packing List: The Bare Necessities!

Dorm Packing Supply List for Incoming Freshmen Part II

Time to complain and whine a bit. We’ve observed over the years that so many items that freshmen bring to dorms never get used, never get pulled out the plastic bin or shipping box. Be careful with impulse buys. Not the time to channel Martha Stewart or HGTV to decorate!

First, we recommend you get measurements of your room and watch videos of students with your room layout. Then you’ll realize you probably have a lot of what you need at home already. Or, you can concentrate on getting used to being in college and move in with just the basics needed every day and build on it after Christmas break. Strongly recommend keeping the room on the simple side the first fall semester. Concentrate on toiletries and weather-appropriate clothing. But again, you won’t need as many outfits as you think, especially if it’s easy to do laundry. Please make roommates and parents happy: do laundry on a regular schedule…

The list below is really big, too bulky for most cars. So what to do? There are two options:

TAKE NOTE: be sure to get the proper delivery address for campus. It may not be your dorm, “John Quincy Adams Hall, Room 202”. Know before ordering so that a student doesn’t have to wander through all the campus looking for their mail.

But what do you really need?

For your Health and Safety:

See the mandatory list of in Part I: THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS THAT FRESHMEN MUST BRING TO COLLEGE and Part III: Evolution of the New Go-Bag  that covers the items needed for everyone’s peace of mind.

For the Bed:

• You definitely need a set of Twin XL sheets (double check with your dorm as to bed size; most dorm beds are Twin XL). Some kids get two sets but never open one package; they just wash the one set over and put it back on the bed. Best practice would be to put a fresh set of sheets on the bed while washing the dirty ones. That saves a lot of energy and time.
• Egg Crate Mattress Topper helps to feel cozy and have a soft place to land, because those mattresses are not meant for comfort; they’re meant to last. Twin size will fit; make it flush with the foot of the bed and short it at the head.
• Bedbug/Waterproof Mattress Enclosure. Twin XL size. The schools provide a mattress that’s been used before. The college will also charge if it’s damaged.
• Comforter (one with a removable duvet cover for washing is better, especially if guests sit on the bed)
• Pillows: bring two pillows plus…
•  Zip-On Pillow Protector Covers, mite/bedbug/waterproof covers will prolong your pillows’ lives…
• Wedge Backrest Pillow for sitting upright in the bed to study and watch tv. Something like this:

For Your Room:

• Power strips, preferably with a longer cord. Recommend one for each wall that has an outlet.

Bending features make it easier to put in plugs of different sizes!

• Flashlight (and batteries)
• Microwaveable but not breakable plates and cups (save the trees)
• Refrigerators: Check to see if schools provide a mini-fridge; if not, discuss with the roommate as to who will bring one. Fridges are good to have for medications, leftover takeout, beverages, and science experiments (please label and wrap experiments well to avoid contaminating other objects in the fridge!).
• Box or Standing Fan (air conditioners are a rare luxury in older dorms)

• Clip-on Fan to attach to the bed.

• Lamp that can be clipped anywhere and also can sit on a desk.

• Family pictures and Posters to put up with poster tape (Again measuring the amount of free open wall is key)
• Shower Shoes you can probably get buy with cheap flip flops from Old Navy. They MUST be worn every visit to the share restrooms and showers; otherwise students can come home with fungi infections on their feet that take months to get rid of!
• Safe (can fit medications, passports, emergency cash, house keys etc).

• Clothing Steamer for dorms that don’t allow irons. Less of a fire hazard than irons and one that has an auto shut-off for the absent minded would be best.

• Mini Fridge Refrigerator Caddy that provides storage pockets down the side of the small fridges. Must take advantage of any space you can!

• Bedside Shelf if you want a flat surface while lying on the bed. Good to have one that comes with a cup holder and cable management features.

• Bedside Caddy for those who don’t work at desks.

• Lingerie Bag to not loose or damage delicates in the washing machines.

• Laundry Bag/Hamper. Get the backpack version; it’s most convenient for taking dirty stuff to another floor or building.

• Over the Door Hanger living in a small room for ten months out of the year means every single space must be well-used.

• Shower Caddy to take your toiletries to showers. Make sure that it can hang over a divider or door.

• Shower Speaker is not necessary but breaks the monotony of that activity.

• First Aid Kit – buy a kit or put it together yourself.

• Tool Kit with screwdrivers large and tiny, pliers etc. The owner of a rubber mallet will be one of the most popular students on the floor. 

• Basic School Supplies: pens, pencils, scissors, glue stick, markers, erasers, highlighters, permanent AND erasable markers, Post-its, paper clips, stapler, etc.
• Tape: scotch tape, packing, duct tape. Duct tape can come in great colors now!
•  A Sheet of Stamps and Envelopes even if they only get used once to write a letter to grandparents

For Those Who Need a Lot of Privacy…

Going away to college is not always easy. It can be quite a transition to have a stranger for a roommate, to not be able to control the lighting and movement in the dorm room. Some people are very shy; others are introverted and need down time alone to recharge. Maybe someone can’t sleep if the sun comes up too early, or if their roommate is a nightowl, plays flashing video games or has to study all night. Also, some students may have a condition that makes them sensitive to too much stimulation. But students sharing rooms have to respect their roommate(s), and know there’s only so much that can be done within reason. Those are scenarios where students should consider getting a Bed Tent:

That’s it for the basic necessities… but there’s more! See Part III for the Go-Bag List.

* NOTE: Good Apples NYC may earn small commission from the products on this page if you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the specific link provided.

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