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🛏️ Dorm Packing List
Just the room: bedding, storage, lighting, cleaning, and laundry — with the items worth agreeing on with a roommate before two of everything shows up on move-in day.
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Extras | Reusable water bottle | 1 |
Free packing list — itinerarysheets.com/packing-lists/dorm/
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.
Dorm Packing List FAQ
What do I need for a dorm bed?
Two sets of sheets in the size your school lists — usually twin XL, which is 5 inches longer than a standard twin — plus a mattress pad or topper, a comforter, and pillows. Two sets means you can strip the bed on laundry day and still sleep in it that night.
How do I hang things up without damaging the walls?
Removable adhesive hooks and mounting strips, applied to clean paint and pulled straight down when you move out. Most housing contracts bill for nail holes, tape residue, and paint pulled off with a poster, so the tape you use in August decides what you pay in May.
What can I leave at home?
Anything the room already has — most come with a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and overhead light — plus the duplicate of whatever your roommate is bringing. Full-size appliances, printers, and off-season clothes are the usual regrets; you can get them at a break.
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.