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This post is all about the complete college packing list for 2023
The Best College Packing List
Deciding on what to bring to college can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. There are a lot of things to consider when packing for college and it will be tough to keep track of everything.
I remember being so confused about what and what not to include in my college packing list that I ended up leaving out a lot of the things I actually needed.
That’s is why I decided to put together this ultimate college packing list that contains everything you need when moving into a dorm. This is the college checklist I wish I had when I started college!
The Ultimate College Packing List for 2023
This college packing list goes through everything you will need! These are all things you will actually use every day and you definitely don’t want to forget to them bring with you!
Dorm Bedding Essentials
Dorm beds are not exactly known for being the most comfortable. And since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your bed, making your bed as comfy as possible is very important! These are the dorm bedding necessities every freshman needs to have a super comfortable dorm bed!
- Mattress topper
- Mattress cover
- Twin XL sheets (2 sets) (double-check the size with your particular dorm first)
- Pillows and pillowcases
- Bedrest pillow
- Duvet/Comforter
- Blankets
- Throw pillows
- Bedside caddy
Toiletries
Whether you are sharing a dorm bathroom on your dorm floor or have your own college bathroom, having these items will make it SO much easier to survive college life.
- Bath towel, hand towel, and wash clothes ( 2 sets of each)
- Bathrobe
- Towel wrap
- Hair wraps
- Mesh Shower caddy
- Shower flip flops
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap and soap container
- Shower cap
- Deodorant
- Shaving kit
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Toiletries case
- Tampons & pads
- Tissue
- Nail Clippers
- First aid kit
- Medicines
Related: 7 Dorm Bathroom Essentials Every Freshman Needs
Clothing, shoes and accessories
I know you may want to bring your entire closet with you when moving into college! But remember that dorm closets are going to be really small and you will be running out of space soon. So here’s a list of all of the basic clothing essentials you’ll want to include on your college packing list.
- Shirts
- Tank tops
- Pants
- Shorts
- Jeans
- Leggings
- Sweatpants
- Sweaters
- Going Out Dresses
- Sweatshirts
- Pajamas
- Workout clothes
- Professional clothes
- Belt
- Coat
- Swimsuit
- Scarves
- Hats
- Underwear
- Bras
- Socks
- Sneakers
- Sandals
- Heels
- Boots
- House slippers
- Rain jacket
- Rain boots
- Winter coat
- Handbags
- Purse
- Jewelry
Electronics
Here is a list of all the essential electronics that you’ll need to make your college life more efficient!
- Laptop and charger
- Noise Cancelling Headphone
- Portable charger
- USB drive
- External hard drive
- Power strip
- Extra batteries
- Extra charging cords
Desk and School Supplies
Don’t go overboard with the supplies and shop only what is absolutely essential! You’ll get a better idea of what supplies you’re going to need once you get to school. So here is a list of the basic supplies for school that you need to pack!
- Backpack
- Notebooks
- Pens and pencils
- Highlighters
- Markers
- Pencil pouch
- Paper clips and binder clips
- Printer
- Ink cartridges
- Printer paper
- Day Planner
- Scissors
- Tape
- Stapler
- Sticky notes
- Clamp on Desk lamp
- Desk organizer
Related: 10 Best Dorm Desk Essentials to Keep You Organized
Cleaning
Having a clean dorm room was very important to me because it made me happy and more productive! Here are some dorm room cleaning essentials that will help you keep your dorm room sparkling clean and smelling good!
- Vacuum cleaner
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfectant spray/ wipes
- Laundry hamper
- Laundry bag
- Laundry detergent
- Wrinkle release spray
- Clothes steamer
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Dryer sheets
- Air-freshener
Related: 8 Dorm Cleaning Supplies Every College Freshman Needs
Kitchen
During freshman year you’re most probably going to be eating at the dining halls! However, there are a few essentials you should have for the times when you don’t feel like going to the dining hall for food. Here are some of the best dorm-friendly kitchen items that you’ll find really useful when living in a dorm!
- Food storage
- Food containers
- Snacks like popcorn, granola bars etc
- Coffee
- Mini Keurig
- Mugs
- Microwave
- Reusable tableware and cutlery
- Ziploc bags
- Brita Pitcher
Decor and Organization
While decorating your dorm room is the most fun part of moving into college, make sure to also make your dorm room functional and homely! These items will make your room super cute as well as more comfortable!
- Organization essentials
- Ottoman
- Futon
- Room decor
- Rug
- Command hooks
- Command strips
Related: 15 Dorm Room Organization Essentials That Will Save Your Life
Documents
Keep all your important documents together in a secure file to ensure none of them goes missing. These are some of the documents that are going to be super important for you when living in college!
- ID card
- Driver license
- Social security card
- Debit/credit card
- Student ID
- Medical and dental cards
Miscellaneous
- Umbrella
- A Small fan
- Mirror
- A small toolkit
- Earplugs
- Weekend bag
- Flashlight
More College Dorm Ideas
This post was all about the complete college packing list for 2022.
I hope you found this college packing list helpful! Make sure you don’t forget anything when you head off to college.
If you’re looking for more ideas on college essentials and tips, be sure to check out the following posts:
