Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your first year at college. These are just suggestions; you should adapt this list to suit your own situation.
To save packing/shipping, it might be wise to buy some of these items after you arrive.
| Clothing |
| ❑ |
14 sets of underwear |
| ❑ |
14 pairs of socks (more if you play sports) |
| ❑ |
5 pairs of pants/jeans |
| ❑ |
14 shirts/blouses |
| ❑ |
2 sets of sweats |
| ❑ |
Pajamas |
| ❑ |
Slippers and/or flip-flops |
| ❑ |
2 sweaters |
| ❑ |
Light/heavy jackets |
| ❑ |
Gloves/scarf/hat |
| ❑ |
1 pair of boots |
| ❑ |
2 pairs of sneakers or comfortable/walking shoes |
| ❑ |
1 set of business-casual clothes |
| ❑ |
1 pair of dress shoes |
| ❑ |
1 swimsuit |
|
|
| Room Needs/Storage |
| ❑ |
Bedside lamp |
| ❑ |
Alarm clock/clock radio |
| ❑ |
Wastepaper basket |
| ❑ |
Storage bins |
| ❑ |
Under-the-bed storage trays |
| ❑ |
Desk lamp |
| ❑ |
Fan |
| ❑ |
Drying rack for laundry |
| ❑ |
Dry-erase wall calendar/board |
| ❑ |
Toolkit |
| ❑ |
Picture hangers |
|
|
| Electronics |
| ❑ |
Computer and printer |
| ❑ |
Phone cord/Ethernet cord for computer |
| ❑ |
Surge protector |
| ❑ |
Extension cords |
| ❑ |
3-2 prong adapters |
| ❑ |
Portable music player |
| ❑ |
Headphones |
| ❑ |
Camera |
| ❑ |
Cell phone |
|
|
| Linens/Laundry Supplies |
| ❑ |
Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets. Check with college for size needed — some college twin beds are extra long.) |
| ❑ |
Towels (3 each of bath, hand and face) |
| ❑ |
Pillows (2) |
| ❑ |
Mattress pad (Check with college for size needed.) |
| ❑ |
Blankets (2) |
| ❑ |
Comforter/bedspread |
| ❑ |
Clothes hangers |
| ❑ |
Laundry bag/basket |
| ❑ |
Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover |
| ❑ |
Roll(s) of quarters |
| ❑ |
Lint brush |
| ❑ |
Sewing kit |
|
|
| Toiletries |
| ❑ |
Antacid |
| ❑ |
Aspirin or other pain relievers |
| ❑ |
Vitamins |
| ❑ |
Antidiarrheal medicine |
| ❑ |
Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment |
| ❑ |
Cough drops |
| ❑ |
Shower tote |
| ❑ |
Shampoo and conditioner |
| ❑ |
Hairstyling products |
| ❑ |
Bath and face soap |
| ❑ |
Travel soap container(s) |
| ❑ |
Toothpaste and toothbrush |
| ❑ |
Dental floss |
| ❑ |
Comb/brush |
| ❑ |
Tweezers |
| ❑ |
Nail clippers |
| ❑ |
Hair dryer |
| ❑ |
Razor and shaving cream |
| ❑ |
Lotion and/or facial moisturizer |
| ❑ |
Cotton swabs |
|
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| Miscellaneous |
| ❑ |
Umbrella |
| ❑ |
Backpack |
| ❑ |
Sports equipment |
|
|
| Office/Desk Supplies |
| ❑ |
Electronic storage media such as CDs/DVDs, memory cards and USB flash drives |
| ❑ |
Stapler and staples |
| ❑ |
Printer paper |
| ❑ |
Pens and pencils |
| ❑ |
Pencil holder and sharpener |
| ❑ |
Notebooks |
| ❑ |
Folder with pockets |
| ❑ |
Labels of various sizes |
| ❑ |
3 x 5 cards |
| ❑ |
Sticky notes |
| ❑ |
Paper clips and binder clips |
| ❑ |
Rubber bands |
| ❑ |
Scissors |
| ❑ |
Highlighter pens (multiple colors) |
| ❑ |
Ruler |
| ❑ |
Stackable desk trays (at least 4) |
| ❑ |
Hanging files or folders |
| ❑ |
Dictionary |
| ❑ |
Thesaurus |
| ❑ |
Stamps and envelopes |
|
|
| Shared Items — Check with roommate(s) |
| ❑ |
Audio equipment |
| ❑ |
TV and VCR/DVD player |
| ❑ |
Coffeemaker/hot pot |
| ❑ |
Microwave/toaster oven/hot plate, if allowed |
| ❑ |
Small refrigerator |
| ❑ |
Area rug |
| ❑ |
Posters/art |
|
|
| Household and Kitchen Items |
| ❑ |
Paper towels |
| ❑ |
Trash bags |
| ❑ |
Lightbulbs |
| ❑ |
All-purpose cleaner |
| ❑ |
Plastic storage bags |
| ❑ |
Food-storage containers |
| ❑ |
Dish soap |
| ❑ |
Wet wipes |
| ❑ |
Tissues |
| ❑ |
Bowl, plate and cup |
| ❑ |
Coffee mug |
| ❑ |
Silverware |
| ❑ |
Can/bottle opener |
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