Moving Into A Dorm? Let’s Start Packing!

Moving into a dorm can be an exciting time. For some people, it’s the first time they’ve been away from their parents, had to make their own schedule, or learned to co-exist with a roommate (or a few). All of these things carry a certain level of expectancy with them. However, one thing you shouldn’t have to stress about is what to bring with you. Here, we go over the necessities and some things you may want to skip.

Break it down

The first time packing for college can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Try breaking down what you’ll need according to different groupings. A good baseline of categories to go by includes bedding, cleaning/laundry, academic supplies, room, kitchen, clothing, toiletries, important documents, miscellaneous, and lastly, shared items for the common area (if living with a roommate). If this still seems scary, we’re about to break it down further:

Bedding

When looking for sheets, keep in mind that most colleges provide their dorms with standard XL twin beds (but be sure to double-check with your school’s website beforehand).

  • Sheets and pillowcases 
  • Bath & hand  towels 
  • Pillows 
  • Mattress pad- you can find plenty quality mattress pads for cheap, but these are a great investment to help upgrade your dorm bed and can help make your sleeping situation way more comfortable
  • Blankets 
  • Comforter

Cleaning/laundry

  • Laundry bag/basket
  • Laundry detergent & fabric softener
  • Stain remover 
  • Steamer or a wrinkle-release spray 
  • Dryer sheets (reusable ones are also a great choice for saving money in the long run!)
  • Trash bags
  • Paper towels
  • Disinfectant spray/wipes
  • All-purpose cleaner

Academic Supplies

  • Binders/notebooks/folders (it’s a good idea to check the supply requirements for all of your classes before deciding what to purchase- some courses may require more specific items than what’s included on this list)
  • Laptop/Tablet & chargers
  • Stapler and staples
  • Pens, Pencils & Highlighters
  • Notebooks
  • Sticky notes
  • Index cards
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Stamps and envelopes

Room

  • Clothes hangers
  • Storage bins (get creative with your space! If your bed has room underneath, utilize it for extra storage. Many dorms rooms are on the smaller side, especially if you’re sharing your space with a roommate- or two)
  • Mini trash can
  • Fan
  • Desk lamp
  • Clip-on nightstands (these are extremely useful if you opt to loft your bed)
  • Foldable drying rack
  • Calendar or bulletin board
  • Portable tool kit
  • Hanging kit (check with your dorm rules about what is and isn’t allowed on your walls before you start setting things up!)

Kitchen

  • Dish soap
  • Utensils
  • Plates, bowls, cups/mugs
  • Storage for leftovers (tupperware, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, mason jar containers, etc)
  • Can/bottle openers

Clothing

Before moving into a dorm, you’ll need to pack for a multitude of occasions. You’ll need clothes for class, weekend outings, job fairs, sporting events, etcetera. It may help to plan your packing around some non-negotiable items you’ll need for most outfits. Some clothing you’ll need the whole school year, such as…

  • Socks & undergarments (pack extra of these items!)
  • Pajamas
  • T-shirts
  • Long-sleeve shirts
  • Button-down shirts/blouses
  • Sweaters/sweatshirts
  • Shorts 
  • Pants (linen, jeans, trousers, sweatpants etc)
  • Windbreaker
  • Jacket
  • Sneakers or other comfy walking shoes
  • Pair of dress shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat/s

More specific items should be dictated by the climate of the school you choose. For example:

  • Cold weather: (think layers!)
    • Windbreaker
    • Sweatshirts, cardigans and/or hoodies
    • At least one heavy jacket
    • Sweatpants
    • Gloves, hats & scarves
    • Warm boots
    • Snow pants/jacket if you’re in an area with high snowfall (these items can also be brought back when you go home for break if your need for them changes)
  • Warm weather:
    • Sandals or similar warm-weather shoes
    • Tank tops
    • Shorts
    • Swimsuit

The season and location of your school matter! If you chose somewhere with four seasons, pack items you’d wear for late summer through fall/early winter- remember, you’ll likely be going home for breaks, so you don’t have to stress about packing your heavy winter coats yet. If you choose a school that has the same climate all year round, make sure to bring clothing that fits that weather range. At the same time, (if you have the room) it may be a good idea to pack more when moving into a dorm. This way, you have time to adjust to your area and routine and decide which items are a necessity, and which ones you can bring back with you on break.

Toiletries

  • A mini first aid kit is always a good idea! You can usually find these at stores, but if you’d prefer to make your own, some important things to include are cough drops, cold medicine, pain relievers, antacids, bandaids, and antibiotic ointment. Feel free to customize it to your personal needs!

Additionally, you’ll probably want to bring…

  • Shower shoes (flip-flops), especially if your dorm shares a communal bathroom
  • Shower caddy 
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Hairstyling products (think gel, hairspray, etc) & tools like hair dryers or straighteners 
  • Body wash/face wash
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
  • Comb/brush
  • Tweezers & nail clippers
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Skincare products
  • Sunscreen
  • Toilet paper
  • Tissues

Important documents

  • Valid photo ID (think: license, passport, copy of your birth certificate)
  • Student ID card (this is important: at many schools, your student ID is your ticket to your meal plan, access to dorms and academic buildings, and more)
  • If your school allows first-years to bring cars and you’re opting to bring yours: car registration, insurance information, and your campus parking pass if needed
  • Health insurance card
  • Copy of your social security card (or at least have the information memorized- you’ll be asked for it more than you’d think)

Miscellaneous

These items are optional, it may be a good idea to hold off on purchasing these until after you get to school, that way you can get a better feel for which items may be a necessity for you. 

  • Travel sewing kit
  • Reusable water bottle & travel mug
  • Lint brush
  • Extension cord 
  • Power strip
  • Portable speaker
  • Backpack 
  • Umbrella 

shared items

  • Minifridge (if one isn’t already provided by the school)
  • Microwave or air fryer (be sure to check your institution’s rules first for any restrictions when considering electronics or cooking tools)
  • Kitchen utensils and/or dishes, plates, and cups
  • Area rugs
  • Posters/decorations for a common area
 

Remember, you don’t have to buy all these things before moving into a dorm. Research your school’s surrounding area to see what stores are nearby, and save space during your journey by moving in first and purchasing some of these things locally. That way, you can also make adjustments once you’ve moved in. College can be intimidating, but packing doesn’t have to be!