Newsroom

Packing list for college bound students

By Beth Ziehmer

April 27, 2016

See an updated version of this article.

Are you off to college in the fall? Use the following checklist as a guide to help ensure you have everything you need:

Kitchen needs:

Plastic plate, bowl, and cup
Coffee cup
Fork, knife, spoon
Can/bottle opener
Water bottle
Small bottle of dish soap
Snacks

Room needs:

Alarm clock
Wastepaper basket
Hangers
Desk lamp
Small personal fan
Adhesive hooks, tacky adhesive, and mounting tape (check what is allowed)
Small personal toolkit
Push pins
Small area rug

Electronics:

Laptop and power cord
Laptop case
Headphones
Surge protector
Extension cord
Cell phone and charger
Portable cell phone charger
USB flash drive

Linens/laundry supplies:

Two sets of sheets (may need to be extra-long twin) and pillowcases
Towels (three each bath and hand)
Washcloths (six)
Pillows (two)
Mattress pad
Blanket
Comforter and duvet cover (makes laundering easier)
Laundry bag/hamper
Laundry basket (with comfortable handles for carrying)
Laundry soap and fabric softener
Laundry stain remover
Lint remover
Sewing kit

Toiletries/Miscellaneous

Aspirin or ibuprofen
First aid kit^®
Neosporin^®
BAND-AIDS^®
Cough drops
Shower tote
Shampoo and conditioner
Hair-styling products
Bath and face soap
Hand soap
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Dental floss
Comb/brush
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Hair dryer and other styling aids
Razor and shaving cream
Lotion and/or facial moisturizer
Cotton swabs
Tissues
Feminine hygiene products (if appropriate)

Desk supplies:

Stapler and staples
Pens and pencils
Notebooks
3 X 5 index cards
Post-it^®notes
Paper clips
Rubber bands
Scissors
Highlighter pens (multiple colors)
Ruler
Contact information for family, friends
Health and immunization records

Clothing

Underwear (minimum 14 pairs)
Socks (minimum 14 pairs, dress socks, and athletic socks)
Seven pairs of pants/jeans
14 shirts/blouses
Two sets of sweats, gym clothes
Pajamas
Slippers and/or flip-flops
Two sweaters (if appropriate)
Light/heavy jackets
Gloves/scarf/hat (if appropriate)
One pair of boots
Two pairs of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
One pair of dress shoes
One set of business attire clothes
One set of semi-formal attire (optional)

Let us know your suggestions for the list at feedback@mappingyourfuture.org.