College is usually about a lot of “firsts.” First time moving away from home. First time leaving your childhood friends. First time living in a dorm or another type of student housing. And when it comes to that final first, while you’re not exactly starting from scratch, it can be overwhelming to think about what you need to bring with you. Enter our ultimate college packing list for girls—your guide to what to bring (and what to leave behind) when settling into college life.
Dorm Essentials
Think of your dorm
like a mini-apartment. It’s your home base on campus, and a place you’ll
(obviously) be spending a lot of time—so you want to be sure to have certain
comforts and conveniences. Coordinate with your roommate on some of these
items, since you won’t need two of everything.
- Television
- Mini fridge
- Coffee maker
- Microwave
- Printer, printer paper, and ink
- String lights
- Prints and/or posters
- Area rug
- Dry erase board for your door
- Floor lamp
- Full-length mirror
- Box fan or window A/C unit depending on
dorm
- A trash can and garbage bags
- Step stool
- Removable adhesive strips and hooks
- Underbed storage
- Hangers
- First aid kit
Study Materials
No college packing
last for girls would be complete without a comprehensive list of the items
you’ll need to do your best in school. Some of these depend on your personal
study method and what classes you’ll be taking, so look through the list and
figure out exactly which items make the most sense for you.
- Laptop lock
- Backpack
- Day planner
- Binders
- Filler lined paper
- Notebooks
- Highlighters
- Pens and pencils
- Notecards
- Graph paper
- Graphing calculator
- Sticky notes
- Stapler
- Tape
- Scissors
Creature Comforts
Your dorm is like a
sanctuary like you can return to when you need to take a break from the
hecticness of college life. To that end, you want it to be as cozy and
comfortable as possible. Here’s how to do it.
- Mattress topper (memory foam is always a
good choice)
- Mattress pad
- Comforter or duvet with cover
- Pillow(s)
- Pillow cases (at least two per pillow)
- Sheets (two sets)
- Extra blanket
- Throw blanket
- Bedside lamp
- Salt rock lamp
- Comfy robe and slippers
- Eye mask
- Ear plugs
Clothing
Okay, so you probably
don’t need a packing list to remind you that you need to bring clothes to your
dorm, but while we’re here, let’s go over the basics so you don’t miss
anything.
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Everyday pants (including jeans and
leggings)
- Everyday tops
- Going out clothes
- Active wear
- Business casual wear
- Semi-formal wear
- Rain boots
- Sneakers
- Going out shoes, including a comfortable
pair of heels
- Sunglasses
- Belt
- Jewelry
- Going out purse
- Everyday purse
Depending on where
you’re going to school, you may also need:
- Jackets for multiple seasons
- Hats
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Winter boots
- Bathing suit(s)
Toiletries +
Getting Ready
Just because you’re
sharing a bathroom with 40 other people doesn’t mean you don’t still need all
of your own toiletries. Keep in mind that while you’ll be able to stock up as
needed, it’s a good idea to bring large sizes of toiletries with you in the
beginning of the year so that they last as long as possible.
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes (a.k.a. flip flops)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Face wash
- Loofah
- Body towels (at least two)
- Hand towels (at least two)
- Deodorant
- Body lotion
- Moisturizer
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Cotton pads and/or cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Makeup remover
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Tampons and/or pads
- Shaving cream
- Razors
- Perfume
- Hairspray
- Chapstick
- Cosmetics
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Hair brush
- Tweezers
- Straightening iron
- Curling iron
- Hair ties
- Hair clips
Cleaning Up
A clean dorm room is a
happy dorm room. Messes build up fast (especially when you don’t have your
parents to clean up after you), so be sure to bring along some basic cleaning
supplies that will help you keep on top of dirt and grime.
- Broom and dustpan
- Handheld vacuum
- Laundry basket or bag
- Laundry detergent
- Stain stick
- Dryer sheets
- Folding drying rack
- Mini steamer
- Quarters for laundry (if required)
- Disinfectant cleaning wipes
- Small bottle of dish soap
- Sponge
- Air freshening spray
Eating + Drinking
College dining
consists mostly of cafeteria food and pizza delivery, but you’ll want to keep
food items and essentials in your dorm as well for snacks and quick meals.
- Plates and bowls (two or three)
- Eating utensils (two or three sets)
- Paper towels
- Filtered water pitcher (make sure you get
one that fits in your mini fridge)
- Mug (one or two)
- Travel mug
- Drinking glasses (one or two)
- Travel water bottle
- Plastic food storage
- Reusable sandwich bags
- Dorm snacks (some good ones: instant
noodles, peanut butter, granola bars, dried fruit and fruit snacks, and
nuts)
Electronics
Most kids don’t get go
anywhere without their favorite electronics, let alone off to college. Pick and
choose the ones off of this list that will make dorm life easier for you, as
well as the ones that you can’t live without (and don’t forget your chargers!).
- Cell phone (and charger)
- Laptop (and charger)
- USB drive
- External hard drive
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Extension cords
- Surge protectors
- Flashlight
- Travel charger
- Gaming console
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