#dormroom

It’s time to pack up and head back (or to college for the first time!) to college, and you only have so much room in your car to get your gear there. How do you prioritize your belongings and pack only what you need? After all, a dorm room is about half (or less) of the size of your room at your parents’ house. You don’t want to bring more than you need because you’ll probably just end up having to bring it all home again at summer break.

Here is a list built to help you decide what you really need to take and what you can leave at home.

1) Bedding

-mattress cover (Lots of people have slept on that mattress in the dorm room.)

-comforter or duvet and duvet cover

-foam mattress top (if you think you’ll need extra cushion)

-pillowcases (2)

-blankets (2)

-sheet set (2) (Wash one; use one.)

2) Room

-additional seating (if you have extra room, say in a house or apartment)

-adhesive hooks and strips (to hang up your decorations and not get in trouble for ruining the walls)

-alarm clock (if you don’t use your smartphone for this already)

-rug (to cover up the nasty linoleum tile or carpet in your dorm)

-bulletin board / dry erase board (for roommate communication, scheduling, decoration, reminders)

-bedside table

-couch/chair (for apartment / house)

-coffee table (for apartment / house)

-curtain rods (if not in the rooms already)

-lamps

-full-length mirror

-hangers

-organizers for jewelry, closet, shoes, etc. (Consider over-the-door hangers for towels and clothes, too.)

-photos

-push pins, magnets, whiteboard markers

-trash cans

-bins for storage under the bed

-wall art

3) Laundry

-bleach

-drying rack

-detergent (fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain remover, etc.)

-iron / ironing board

-lint brush / pet hair roller

-quarters (if you don’t have a washer/dryer in your apartment or house, or you’re in a dorm)

-sewing kit

-laundry bag

-laundry basket / hamper

4) Kitchen

­-blender

-broom

-dish soap

-dish rags / towels

-sponge

-dishwasher detergent

-blender

-toaster

-toaster oven

-microwave

-can opener

-chip bag clips

-coffee maker

-dishes and silverware

-dust pan

-hand soap

-minifridge (if you’re in a dorm)

-oven mitt

-paper plates and silverware

-paper towels

-plastic wrap

-sandwich bags

-freezer bags

-reusable water bottle

-mop (Swiffer, if you’re feeling rich)

-bucket

-aluminum foil

-plastic storage containers

-pots and pans (if you’re in an apartment or house)

-water filter pitcher

-electric kettle

-trash bags

5) Bathroom

-wash cloths / towels

-robe

-bathroom cleaning supplies (gloves, shower / toilet / sink and counter cleaner, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, etc.)

-rug

-shower caddy

-shower cap / shoes

-shower curtain and rings (if needed)

6) Toiletries

-acne medication / face wash

-soap / body wash

-shampoo

-conditioner

-deodorant

-hair gel / mousse / hair spray

-eye cream

-lip balm

-lotion

-makeup

-makeup remover

-moisturizer

-mouthwash

-nail polish / remover

-shaving cream

-razor

-sunscreen

-toothbrush

-toothpaste

-blow dryer

-straightener

-bobby pins, hair ties, etc.

-brush / comb

-contacts, solution, case

-extra glasses, eyeglass cleaner, case

-cotton balls / cotton swabs

-floss

-hair curlers

-hand mirror

-headbands

-nail clippers / file

-feminine hygiene products

-tissues

-toilet paper

-tweezers

7) Clothing

-tennis shoes

-bathing suit

-bras

-casual shoes

-dress shoes

-dresses

-purse

-gloves

-gym bag

-hat

-jeans

-jacket

-jewelry

-leggings

-long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts

-pajamas

-slacks

-boots (regular / rain)

-scarves            

-shorts

-skirts

-slippers

-socks

-tank tops

-tights

-underwear

-coat

-workout cloths

8) tech

-batteries

-camera

-chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)

-dvd player

-dvds

-e-reader

-ethernet cable

-extension cords

- external hard drive

-flash drives

-hdmi cable

-headphones and spare headphones

-ipod/mp3 player

-keyboard

- lap desk

-laptop

-laptop case

-microsoft office

-portable phone charger

-printer

-printer ink

-printer paper

-recording device for lectures

-router

-sd card for camera

-spare cables

-speakers

-surge protectors

-tablet

-tv

-tv stand

-video game consoles

-video games

-wireless mouse

9) Documents

 Bank documents (account information, check and savings accounts transaction records)

-car registration and insurance information

-checks

-copy of birth certificate

-copy of social security card

-credit card

-debit card

-driver’s license

-emergency contact list

-enrollment documents

-financial aid documents

-health/dental insurance cards

-lease (if you have an apartment or house)

-passport

-product warranties

-renters’ insurance (if you have an apartment or house)

-student id

10) Desk/school supplies

-backpack or tote bag

-binder clips

-binders

-business cards

-calculator

-calendar

-clicker (if you need one for class)

-desk chair

-desk lamp

-desk organizer

-envelopes

-erasers

-file folder for important documents

-folders

-glue

-highlighters

-hole punch

-index cards

-journal

-laptop fan/stand

-leisure books (one or two)

-letter opener

-notebook paper

-notebooks

-notepads

-paper clips

-pencil case

-pencil sharpener

-pencil

-pencil lead (for mechanical pencils)

-pens/colored pens

-planner

-portfolio/portfolio case for interviews

-post-it notes

-rubber bands

-ruler

-scissors

-stamps

-staple remover

-stapler

-staples

-tape

- textbooks

-three-hole punch

-wite-out

11) Medical

-allergy medicine

- aloe lotion

-antiseptic wipes

-bandages

-cold and flu medicine

-cortisone cream

-decongestant

-eye drops

-first aid kit

-hot and cold packs

-humidifier

-insect repellent

-multivitamins

-over-the-counter pain medication

-prescription medicine

-prescription refill information

-retainer/mouth guard

-rubbing alcohol

-supplements (iron pills, etc.)

-thermometer

-throat drops/lozenges

-throat spray

-upset stomach medication

-vaseline

12) misc.

-art supplies

-beach towel

-bike

-bike helmet

-bike lock

-board games

-duct tape

-earplugs

-fan

-flashlight

-lightbulbs

-luggage tags

-musical instruments

-pepper spray (if legal in your state)

-playing cards

-religious materials

-safety pins

-safety whistle

-sleep mask

-sports equipment

-suitcases

-tool kit

-travel bags/travel organizer for toiletries

-umbrella

-vacuum and vacuum bags

-weekend bag

This list is just to get you started. Customize it for your purposes, and have a great semester!