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🎓 College Packing List
Dorm room, laundry, and coursework in one checklist — bedding sized for a twin XL, the power strip your housing contract allows, and the paperwork move-in day asks for.
| Category | Item | Qty | Packed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents & money | Wallet | 1 | |
| Documents & money | Photo ID / driver's license | 1 | |
| Documents & money | Debit / credit card | ||
| Documents & money | Cash in small bills | ||
| Documents & money | Keys | 1 | |
| Documents & money | Insurance card + a copy of your immunization records | ||
| Clothing | Underwear | 1 per day + 2 | |
| Clothing | Socks | 1 per day + 2 | |
| Clothing | T-shirts / tops | 1 per day | |
| Clothing | Pants, jeans, or skirts | 1 per 2–3 days | |
| Clothing | Sleepwear | ||
| Clothing | Waterproof rain jacket or packable poncho | 1 | |
| Clothing | Quick-dry trousers or shorts (not cotton) | ||
| Clothing | Gym clothes + sneakers | ||
| Clothing | One dressier outfit for interviews and presentations | 1 | |
| Footwear | Everyday shoes | 1 pair | |
| Footwear | Shower shoes for a shared bathroom | 1 pair | |
| Toiletries & health | Prescription medication in its original bottle | ||
| Toiletries & health | Pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) | 1 | |
| Toiletries & health | Adhesive bandages + antiseptic wipes | ||
| Toiletries & health | Toothbrush + toothpaste | 1 | |
| Toiletries & health | Deodorant | 1 | |
| Toiletries & health | Shampoo + conditioner | ||
| Toiletries & health | Body wash or soap | ||
| Toiletries & health | Hairbrush or comb | 1 | |
| Toiletries & health | Razor + shaving cream | ||
| Toiletries & health | Glasses or contacts + solution | ||
| Tech | Phone | 1 | |
| Tech | Phone charger + cable | 1 | |
| Tech | Headphones | 1 | |
| Bags & carry-on | Dry bag or waterproof pack cover | ||
| Room & laundry | Twin XL sheet set — most US dorm mattresses are twin XL, but confirm with housing | 2 sets | |
| Room & laundry | Mattress topper or pad | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Pillows + pillowcases | ||
| Room & laundry | Comforter or duvet | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Towels — bath, hand, and a washcloth | 2 sets | |
| Room & laundry | Shower caddy | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Robe | ||
| Room & laundry | Under-bed storage bins | ||
| Room & laundry | Extra hangers + closet organizer | ||
| Room & laundry | Desk lamp | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Surge-protected power strip | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Fan | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Removable hooks and mounting strips — most contracts charge for wall damage | ||
| Room & laundry | Small trash can + liners | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Cleaning wipes and a hand vac or small broom | ||
| Room & laundry | Mug, plate, bowl, silverware | 1 each | |
| Room & laundry | Dish soap + sponge | ||
| Room & laundry | Airtight snack container | ||
| Room & laundry | Water filter pitcher | ||
| Room & laundry | Fridge or microwave — agree who brings which with your roommate | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Rug (coordinate, one is enough) | ||
| Room & laundry | Full-length mirror | ||
| Room & laundry | Earplugs + eye mask | ||
| Room & laundry | Small tool kit for loft beds and flat-pack furniture | ||
| Room & laundry | Photos and posters (no nails — check the wall policy) | ||
| Room & laundry | Laundry hamper or bag | 1 | |
| Room & laundry | Detergent pods + stain remover pen | ||
| Room & laundry | Dryer sheets | ||
| Room & laundry | Coins or the card the machines take | ||
| School | Laptop + charger | 1 | |
| School | Backpack | 1 | |
| School | Notebooks, pens, highlighters | ||
| School | Planner or wall calendar | 1 | |
| School | Student ID + campus card | 1 | |
| School | Textbooks and access codes | ||
| School | Calculator, if your courses need one | ||
| School | USB or external drive for backups | ||
| School | Class schedule and campus map saved offline | ||
| School | Bike + lock, if you are bringing one | ||
| Extras | Reusable water bottle | 1 | |
| Extras | Compact umbrella |
Free packing list — itinerarysheets.com/packing-lists/college/
Tick items off here — this browser remembers what you packed. Print it for a paper copy, download the CSV for Excel, or open it in the builder to add your own rows. Free, no signup, nothing uploaded.
College Packing List FAQ
What size sheets do dorm beds take?
Most US residence halls use twin XL mattresses — the same 39 inches wide as a standard twin but 80 inches long instead of 75, so regular twin sheets will not stay on. A few schools use standard twin or full beds. Your housing office publishes the size; check it before buying two sets.
What are you not allowed to bring to a dorm?
Housing contracts commonly ban candles, incense, halogen lamps, hot plates, space heaters, and pets, and many limit you to surge-protected power strips rather than plain extension cords. Rules on fridges and microwaves are usually stated as a maximum size. The contract is the authority — read the prohibited-items section before you shop.
What should I coordinate with my roommate?
One fridge, one microwave, one rug, one TV, one fan. Message before move-in day and split the list — the second of anything just takes up floor space in a room designed for two desks.
Use this packing list on your site or in a forum post
Free to reuse, embed as a screenshot, or hand out in class — a link back is appreciated but not required.