Packing Guide For What You Need To Bring To College

High school graduation is finished and you’re enjoying the last few days of your summer vacation. Now is the time to start thinking about all those things that you want to take to your new school with you and when you’re moving out of your parent’s house and into a dorm or apartment, you want to make sure that you’re prepared!

Here are just some of the basics you should include when packing for college.

In the Kitchen

If you can, take a tour of the campus you will be living in and pay attention to what appliances there are in the kitchen, if there is a kitchen. If not, you definitely don’t want to forget about the fact that you will be eating here - which will involve some cooking and storing of food on your part. If there’s no fridge, picking up a small dorm fridge will help keep your perishables fresh and if there’s no stove, make sure to bring a hot plate or a set of electric elements.

You’d be amazed at what you can cook and bake in a toaster oven and a microwave will come in handy for popcorn or heating up late night snacks so be sure to bring those too! Here are some other items you don’t want to forget to stock your kitchen with:

1. Disposable dishes such as plates, utensils, cups, and other plastic containers
2. Coffee maker and one reusable travelling coffee mug
3. Can opener/bottle opener
4. Cutting board
5. Water filtration system (comes in the form of a regular-sized water pitcher)
6. Sealable sandwich bags
7. Basic cleaners such as glass cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, and dish detergent

Bedroom

You’ll be spending a lot of time in your bedroom sleeping, entertaining, and general hanging out so you want to make sure it’s a comfortable place for you but you also need to keep in mind that dorm rooms are small so when you’re packing, think compact! Besides your comfy bedding, here a few thing to pack to maximize your space!

1. Hanging wall file folders for assignments, homework, etc.
2. Under-the-bed storage system
3. Closet storage system including hanging shoe racks, etc.
4. Bedside lamp
5. Clothes drying rack
6. Bulletin board
7. Cards/games

Bathroom

Few college students are lucky enough to get their own bathroom or even one that they only share with one or two people. Dorm bathrooms are generally very large and not a place to keep anything personal lying around so you want to pack all of these items in one or two makeup bags or a man’s shaving bag. Don’t forget to fill it with:

1. Brush or comb
2. Hair appliances (blow dryer, curling iron, etc.)
3. Hair products - shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, etc.
4. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
5. Towels
6. Bathrobe
7. Deodorant
8. Any lotions and creams
9. Small hand-held mirror
10. Razors, shaving cream, gel, etc.
11. Makeup

Electronics

No college student can live without pecking away at their laptop while listening to their MP3 player and texting on their cell phones. Here are the very basic electronics you will need to get through the day:

1. MP3 Player
2. Small stereo or CD player
3. Computer and all wires, USB cables, and hardware including printers, scanners, routers, modems, speakers, etc.
4. Power bars and surge protectors
5. Phone cords
6. CDs
7. Alarm clock
8. Cell phone and chargers
9. Digital camera

Medicine Cabinet

Even if you don’t have an actual medicine cabinet in your dorm room, you should pack a small bag or use a small storage container to use as one. Here are some basic medications you should have with you when going to college:

1. Acetaminophen
2. Ibuprofen
3. Antibiotic cream
4. Decongestant
5. Band-aids
6. Flu medicine
7. Vitamins