The College “Don’t Forget” Packing List
It’s been a little while since I last packed for living in a dorm room, but I thought it was worth bringing up again for you girls heading back to school– or for the moms who read with sons/daughters going back!
college packing list
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Clothing:
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Pack more underwear… really, the more the merrier! You’ll be glad you did when you can push out laundry day a little more
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Pack fewer t-shirts and pajamas… t-shirts are handed out like candy on campus so don’t overpack your old high school t-shirts and you really don’t need five pajama sets.
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Business suit… you never know when a presentation will pop up or if you land an internship interview, be prepared and ready!
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Rain boots… the time you realize you forgot rainboots will be the day you have to walk across campus during a September monsoon.
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Rain jacket… should definitely have a hood!
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Puffer jacket… for the seasonally-too-soon cold front in October you weren’t expecting until December.
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Some kind of costume… costume parties are inevitable, just make sure it’s one you’re okay with your grandma seeing photos of on Facebook.
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Formal dress… fancy schmancy events do happen from time to time, this way you won’t have to spend a fortune the day before.
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Cocktail dress… this should be appropriate for a reception with professors and deans in attendance.
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Random:
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Duffle bag… for a roadtrip to visit your roommate’s parents (home cooked meals….)
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Carry-on luggage… when you eventually need to go home for Thanksgiving.
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Noise canceling headphones… the library is loud and your roommate chews gum even louder
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Playing cards… just good to have.
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Checks… sometimes Paypal and Chase quickpay just won’t cut it.
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Medical history/prescription refills… for the Strep throat that the entire dorm gets, replacement contact lenses, and surprise allergic reaction.
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Emergency phone numbers… in hard copy: grandparents, doctors, best friends from home, etc.
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Extra posti-its and index cards… the school supplies you’ll use the most of.
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Bed:
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Extra pillows… pillows make sitting on the floor with friends and studying on your bed better.
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Mattress pad… have you ever actually spent the night on a XL twin without one? It’s not okay.
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2 sets of sheets… again, the laundry situation…
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Stackable plastic bins with drawers… lifesavers for dorm storage. Two stacks of three drawers for under the bed
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Bed risers… so your stackable bins will fit.
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Dorm:
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Tower fan… because you may be able to control the temperature from in your room, but the building is switched to “heat” until May.
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Tool kit… be the hero of your floor with the Phillips head.
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First aid kit… just to be safe.
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Batteries… half of the things you need require batteries and you won’t know until your mouse doesn’t work anymore.
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Wrinkle release spray… LOL, who’s going to actually iron?
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Flashlight… the power will go off at least five times.
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Coffee maker… when you’re inevitably in a rush the next morning.
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3M Strips & Hooks… space savers and they won’t get you in trouble with the RA during inspections
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Extension cords & Power strip… everything’s gotta charge and there just aren’t enough outlets.
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Duct Tape… something will break and you won’t know how else to fix it.
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Zip ties… because electrical cords everywhere can be a messy nightmare.
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Curtains… you can sleep in without mom making you wake up!
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Air freshener… when you need to freshen up but don’t want to do a dorm room deep clean
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Closet:
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Slim hangers… more space equals more clothes.
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Closet door shoe organizer… great for organizing all kinds of accessories, not just shoes.
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Garment bag… to keep your nice clothes wrinkle free and smelling fresh.
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Jewelry storage… little boxes to store in drawers and things to hang your huge statement necklace collection on.
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