CARLY A. HEITLINGER

The College “Don’t Forget” Packing List

college packing list

• Clothing:

• Pack more underwear… really, the more the merrier! You’ll be glad you did when you can push out laundry day a little more

• 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. 

• Business suit… you never know when a presentation will pop up or if you land an internship interview, be prepared and ready!

• Rain boots… the time you realize you forgot rainboots will be the day you have to walk across campus during a September monsoon. 

• Rain jacket… should definitely have a hood!

• Puffer jacket… for the seasonally-too-soon cold front in October you weren’t expecting until December.

• 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.

• Formal dress… fancy schmancy events do happen from time to time, this way you won’t have to spend a fortune the day before.

• Cocktail dress… this should be appropriate for a reception with professors and deans in attendance.

• Random:

• Duffle bag… for a roadtrip to visit your roommate’s parents (home cooked meals….)

• Carry-on luggage… when you eventually need to go home for Thanksgiving.

• Noise canceling headphones… the library is loud and your roommate chews gum even louder

• Playing cards… just good to have.

• Checks… sometimes Paypal and Chase quickpay just won’t cut it.

• Medical history/prescription refills… for the Strep throat that the entire dorm gets, replacement contact lenses, and surprise allergic reaction.

• Emergency phone numbers… in hard copy: grandparents, doctors, best friends from home, etc.

• Extra posti-its and index cards… the school supplies you’ll use the most of.

• Bed:

• Extra pillows… pillows make sitting on the floor with friends and studying on your bed better.

• Mattress pad… have you ever actually spent the night on a XL twin without one? It’s not okay.

• 2 sets of sheets… again, the laundry situation…

• Stackable plastic bins with drawers… lifesavers for dorm storage. Two stacks of three drawers for under the bed

• Bed risers… so your stackable bins will fit.

• Dorm:

• Tower fan… because you may be able to control the temperature from in your room, but the building is switched to “heat” until May.

• Tool kit… be the hero of your floor with the Phillips head.

• First aid kit… just to be safe.

• Batteries… half of the things you need require batteries and you won’t know until your mouse doesn’t work anymore.

• Wrinkle release spray… LOL, who’s going to actually iron?

• Flashlight… the power will go off at least five times.

• Coffee maker… when you’re inevitably in a rush the next morning.

• 3M Strips & Hooks… space savers and they won’t get you in trouble with the RA during inspections

• Extension cords & Power strip… everything’s gotta charge and there just aren’t enough outlets.

• Duct Tape… something will break and you won’t know how else to fix it.

• Zip ties… because electrical cords everywhere can be a messy nightmare.

• Curtains… you can sleep in without mom making you wake up!

• Air freshener… when you need to freshen up but don’t want to do a dorm room deep clean

• Closet:

• Slim hangers… more space equals more clothes.

• Closet door shoe organizer… great for organizing all kinds of accessories, not just shoes.

• Garment bag… to keep your nice clothes wrinkle free and smelling fresh.

• Jewelry storage… little boxes to store in drawers and things to hang your huge statement necklace collection on.