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College Packing Checklist
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items All dorm rooms are set up differently and each college has different styles. These suggestions are for traditional shared dorm rooms or suite style rooms. You can use some of these suggestions in apartment style dorms but I have left out much of the ...
Sections
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College Packing Checklist
Bathroom Essentials
Cleaning and Organizing Essentials
Bedroom Essentials
Random Items
Kitchen Essentials
College Packing Checklist
The golden rule for dorm life is to not overpack! Here are the practical things you need to think so you can get on with College living.
Tick off the basics you need, work out a shopping list, make a wish list, set a budget and make a simple map of your room layout.
College Packing List Printable
I kept my suitcase either under the bed or on top of the closet and stored seasonal items like blankets during summer or beach wear during winter.
Traveler's Choice Vale 3pc Hardside Spinner Luggage Set with USB Port - Beige
It's amazing how much you can fit in this backpack! This pack has just the right amount of pockets. There is a padded section for your laptop or iPad. It has two areas for water bottles. Great for using as carry-on, for a hike or carrying your stuff ...
Minimilist Backpacks | The North Face Australia
Bathroom Essentials
As well as make-up, face wash and hair stuff there are a few more things you will need to pack.
The shower caddy dries fast if gets wet or has wet bottles. It can hold everything you need. Also this one has a handle so you can hang it and rather than putting it on the ground (gross)!
Mesh Portable Shower Caddy | Wayfair
Bath wraps are so much better than a towel or a bathrobe when you just step out of the shower. I find towels slip and I get hot with a robe on when drying my hair.
The Big One® Bath Wrap
I like white towels, they make me feel like I am in a spa. I've tried coloured towels but they never seem ‘clean’. Is it just me? I have two sets of bath towels and hand towels so if one set is in the wash - I have a dry set ready to go.
Bath Towels | Walmart.com
I’ve been using this shampoo and conditioner combo for a few years now and I absolutely love it. Makes my hair feel really soft.
I Want Body Volume Shampoo
The holes in the soles let the water and soap go through. They are comfortable, non-slip and dry quickly. I have a pair in my gym bag as well as one for the dorm shower.
Shower Flip Flops Black - Room Essentials™
This robe is lightweight and super soft. Love that it has large practical pockets!
S/M Dotted Bath Robe With Kimono Collar Pink - Room Essentials™
I use this every time I wash my hair. It's light weight, soft and absorbent. It drys really quickly after use too.
2pk Microfiber Bath Hair Wrap Set Gray - Room Essentials™
This is a great little hair dryer. It's small and light weight, which I like. Dries my hair in no time at all - love the attachments too!
Conair Salon Professional Hair Dryer
Dorm room light can be hit and miss. Decent lighting is a must when you are doing your make up and don't want to look like a clown when you head out the door! This mirror is thin and has two different light settings.
Lighted Makeup Mirror with Touch Dimming
This is an absolute Bible for skincare. No Nonsense and to the point. A lot of the products recommended you can get from the drugstore.
skin care | Caroline Hirons
This is the best lotion! It absorbs so quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft and subtle. Because of the price I don't mind slathering it on!
Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Q10 and Shea Butter Scented - 16.9 fl oz
I use this on my lips every night. It leaves my lips soft and plump in the morning. It doesn't have a taste or smell.
Buy Lucas' Papaw Ointment Online | Proudly Family Owned since 1910 ...
I love these masks so much! I use one every two weeks. I leave them on for about 3 hours or until they become clear. I've tried sleeping in one but I didn't like how it felt. I really do feel as though my skin looks better after the mask. I also think it's super fun to watch wh...
Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask
Leaves your skin feeling so smooth and plump. This is my go-to during the summer months when I am not wearing foundation
Neutrogena ® Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel 50g
If I want a little extra shine on my lips without the stickiness of a gloss I reach for this lip oil.
MCoBeauty Lip Oil Hydrating Treatment Sheer Rose
I have really fine hair and it tangles like crazy after I wash it. This is the only brush I use that don't break or pull on my hair. Because it's vented my hair dries quicker.
Wet Brush Official Site - Pain Free Brushing for Every Occasion
When I want a more natural look I use the Brow Gel to give my brows a fuller look and neatens them up. It lasts forever and I use it every day.
Brow Gel - Tinted
This blurs the large pores on my nose. I use it alone or under make up. You only need a little bit so it lasts for ages.
pore refiner primer
Cleaning and Organizing Essentials
Having the right bits and bobs at hand make cleaning like less of a chore.
5-Minute Toilet Cleaning Cheat Sheet. Print this sheet off and pop it in with your cleaning supplies.
Toilet Cleaning Chore Sheet
These bags do the job - they don't split and the ties are strong.
Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags
Removing shoes at the door is a good idea for hygiene and cleanliness reasons. Shoes can track in dirt, bacteria, and allergens from the outside, potentially contaminating your home and increasing exposure to harmful substances like lead or pesticide...
I prefer for people not to wear shoes in the dorm to save on cleaning. I pop a 'Please leave your shoes at the door sign' near the door, next to a shoe rack.
This shoe rack is not only stylish - it is practical. Especially if you live in a home where you prefer guests to leave their shoes at the front door.
Shoe Bench with Hidden Drawer and Side Holder
This is super easy to put together. It's sturdy and easy to rolls around. I used one in the bathroom, I kept cleaning supplies at the bottom, hair styling tools at the top and random products in the middle. I also had another one for snacks, coffee e...
3 Tier Metal Utility Cart Black - Brightroom™: Rolling Storage Trolley with Wheels, Powder-Coated, Rust-Resistant
Rubber gloves with protect your hands from germs and harsh chemicals. Also with your hands protected you can touch anything.
Rubber gloves
Wipe the surfaces to get rid of dust and hair then throw out the used paper towels.
Strong Paper Towels
Toothbrushes let you get into hard to reach places like under the toilet seat hinge.
Cheap Toothbrushes
Get rid of dusty surfaces before applying and liquid spays or mopping.
Dustpans and broom set
Lightly spray for all surfaces, including the cistern from top to bottom, under the lid and the seat to help lift any dirt from the surfaces.
Multi Purpose & Surface Cleaners
Use this inside the toilet bowl and under the rim to kill bacteria. Let the sit for a few minutes (there are inlets under the rim that can get blocked). Give the cleaner time to breakdown the limescale and bacteria.
Toilet Gel Cleaner
For scrubbing the bowl
Toilet Brush
After you have cleaned your toilet - light a candle to mask the smell of chemicals
WoodWick Ellipse Fireside Candle
The perfect duo for your guests
Hand Washes & Balms
Bedroom Essentials
Super comfortable. It's a heavy to medium weight and is so soft! It's warm without being making me overheat. It washes well too.
Twin/Twin Extra Long Box Stitch Puffer Comforter Ivory - Room Essentials™
Super soft, cool, thick sheets. They was well and aren't itchy. They get softer after every wash. The fitted sheet stays attached perfectly not matter how much I toss and turn at night!
Color Sense Lightweight Wrinkle-Resistant Quick-Drying College Dorm Sheet Set, Twin XL, Fresh Ivory, 3 piece
A great body pillow for side sleepers. It's soft, not firm.
Body Pillow White - Room Essentials™
Pillows are so personal! I'm a side sleeper and I really like that my head sinks into the pillow.
Set of 2 Cooling Gel Fiber Bed Pillows With 100% Cotton Cover - Becky Cameron
I have these in Chestnut, Brown and Navy. They are by far the best slippers I have ever owned. In regular shoes I need instep support but never with these slippers. They last for years and are sooo comfy. (affiliate link)
Women's Slippers | UGG Australia
I love weave blankets - I use them for every season.
100% Cotton Waffle Weave All-Season Throw Blanket
Random Items
Don't forget lots of hangers! Slim line hangers are the way to go. I hang everything shirts, tops, trousers etc. anything to keep clothes off the floor or in a pile in the corner!
10pk Thin Plastic Hangers
Definitely bring some photos of your family and friends and some mementos from home you can make your space feel like home especially when you are feeling homesick.
Storied HomeResin Photo Frames, Set of 2 (4x6” and 5x7”)
Fairy lights add a little bit of magic to sleep overs. I put them on a timer so they go off 1 hour after official lights out. It seems to keep them calm so they aren't up chatting all night.
Indoor String Lights | Home
These tray tables from Ikeas are the perfect height when I'm using my laptop in bed. Big enough to hold my computer, snacks, phone and a drink.
KLIPSK Bed tray, white
These fluffy rugs from Ikea look like little clouds.
TOFTLUND Rug - white 55x85 cm
Kitchen Essentials
Cute, quick and efficient. Perfect when you are tight for space.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker Black
Love these cups - the silicone straw is so much better than hard plastic ones. It's easier to carry than the 40 oz one.
BruMate Leakproof Straw Tumbler
I like these because they don't stain or take on odours. I love that you can see what is in them at a glance without having to lift the lid. Great for keeping leftovers or storing snacks.
Rubbermaid 10pc Brilliance Leak Proof Food Storage Containers with Airtight Microwave & Freezer Safe
These towels are absorbent and look great.
3pk Kitchen Towels
Study Essentials
Although I rarely print these days, it's nice to have a printer on hand when you want to work away from a screen. At this price I don't mind having it sitting under the desk collecting dust just for the convenience of being able to print straight fro...
HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Printer Scanner Copier
A good lightweight, low cost laptop. I like the size of the scree, speed, ease of use and it's fast.
HP Inc. Essential Laptop Computer 17.3" HD+ Intel Core 8 GB memory; 256 GB SSD
This board is the perfect size, to not too small, not too big.
U Brands 16"x20" Magnetic Dry Erase Board Aluminum Frame
Good size - strong magnets. They are so cute!
6 Round Glass Magnets
These are great playing music when walking or running but wanting to maintain your situational awareness. I like that the buds are connected so they aren't easy to lose like AirPods
Bluetooth Wireless Headphones - Pink: Open-Ear, Built-In Microphone, Water-Resistant
I can't live without a portable charger! I like that it is slim and shaped like my phone so it fits in my hand nicely. Charges the phone quickly too!
Travel Smart 10000mAh Power Bank with Charging Cable: Built-In Cable, 3.7V Output
I love that I can have my bedside lamp, laptop, power bank and phone all at once. Turns one outlet into many!
GE 6-Outlet Power Strip 1 USB-A 1 USB-C 15W Shared 6' Braided Cord White: Lifetime Warranty, 14 AWG, 3.6 Amps
I like to have things written down rather than in my phone. This is hands down the perfect planner for me. I like the monthly overview and the to-do lists. Did I mention the stickers?
Day Designer Weekly/Monthly Wirebound Planner
If I don't have this calendar on the wall I miss birthday and major events. I am a sucker for saying yes to things before checking my calendar.
Altitude 12"x15" Monthly Wall Calendar Black and White
I like that this desk caddy is vertical - it leaves me with more space on my desk and a place to keep all my functional stuff like tape, scissors, note books etc.
Blu Monaco White Wooden Mail Organizer with Drawer and Gold Handle - Desk Accessories for Office Organization and Storage