College Dorm Checklist | What to bring and what to skip

As a parent of both a college junior and college freshman with 1 more nipping at their heels, I’ve done a massive amount of research on what to bring to college, and what to skip. Here is a college dorm checklist to provide help to other newbie college parents based on what I’ve learned!

What to NOT bring to college

This may be even more helpful than the college dorm checklist because it will help you spend less and avoid wasting time on returns.

From what I’ve learned, here are the things you can skip bringing to the dorm! Note that ymmv (your mileage may vary)- based on the school, residence hall and even local ordinances. 

1. Nails, screws and wall hooks that puncture drywall. You may be provided with specific, pre-approved temporary wall strips, or you may be allowed to bring your own Command Strips for picture hanging, posters and even hooks for your door or closet.
2. Hot plates, candles and any appliances requiring an open flame, propane or gasoline. For obvious reasons. 
3. LED or smart lighting strips may be prohibited; however holiday-type string lights may be allowed if they are UL-approved and checked for safety.
4. A bed full of pillows! They’ll just end up tossed on the floor.
5. Off-season clothing. Closets are small, and storage is limited. Chances are your student will make it home on longer breaks and can swap out clothes as they need. 

If your college kid will have roommates, it’s a good idea for them to chat ahead of move-in and coordinate on shared items to avoid duplicating things in their dorm room. Start with the essentials and gradually adjust belongings as they settle into college life.

What to pack for college

By category, here are the items that are either must-haves, or nice-to-haves to make dorm life a little easier for your student. 

Dorm Room Bed

• Comforter and 2 sets of sheets (find out if you’ll need Twin XL size or regular Twin)
• Mattress topper to make the dorm bed more comfy (this one is memory foam, Twin XL)
• Rubber mallet – only for move-in and move-out if you’ll be lofting the bed.
• If the dorm bed will be lofted, either a shelf or hanging pocket organizer would help to keep their phone, water bottle etc. nearby rather than risk dropping or needing to climb down to retrieve.
• Clip-on fan for cooling off or for white noise

Dorm Shower/Bath

• 2 bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths so they have a backup on laundry day
• Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner and hair products, eye care, face care, makeup)
• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes

Dorm Room Cleaning Supplies

• Have a healthier room with nontoxic cleaning supplies and skip the harmful cleaners and disinfecting wipes that leave a chemical residue behind.   
• A bagless stick vacuum is easy to store out of the way. This is the one in our daughter’s dorm room.
• Trash bags for dorm room wastebaskets (or go the free route with plastic grocery bags if they’ll fit)

Food Supplies 

Even when your student will eat in the dining halls, inevitably they will still bring back leftovers, grab-and-go meals, or eat breakfast and snacks in their dorm room.

• A small bottle of dish soap and dish tub for hand-washing food containers etc. in your residence hall kitchenette (or gross as it sounds, in the bathroom sink!)
• Storage containers for leftovers – we have several shapes/sizes of these IKEA glass containers but these would also work nicely
• Two place settings (forks/knives/spoons, dinner plates, salad plates and bowls) for leftovers or heating simple meals in the room

Desk Supplies

• A desk supply organizer or drawer organizer (make sure to measure the height on the inside of their desk drawer)
• Plenty of pens, mechanical pencils, dry erase markers and permanent markers
• Scissors, tape,  paper clips and binder clips
• A desk calendar or day planner is great for keeping track of assignments and when exams are coming up

Don’t Forget These for your Dorm Room

• Rug – check dimensions with your dorm; but usually a 5′ x 7′ works well
• UL-approved extension cord and a power strip with built-in circuit breaker
• Storage drawers – this one worked well for our daughter whose bed was lofted part-way, it fit perfectly underneath – and only $20!
• First aid supplies – Band-aids in varying sizes, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, stomach medicines, etc.
• Desk/school supplies – scissors, tape, highlighters, Sharpies, pens, mechanical pencils, Post-it notes
• Extra-long phone charger – Anker is highly rated and the only brand we use

Also, here are some nice-to-haves that many students in dorms find helpful!

1. Faux succulents add a touch of nature without worrying about keeping a plant alive!
2. Posters of your student’s favorite bands, movies or art!
3. Mace or pepper spray for feeling confident safely walking across campus at night
4. Stamps and envelopes … to encourage them to write home!

Have I missed anything that you think would be helpful for packing for college? Let me know!