Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your first year at college. These are just suggestions, so adjust them for your own needs and the setup of your dorm room. To save time and cut shipping costs, you might want to buy some things after you arrive. You could also pack for one season at a time and swap items when you go home during breaks.

Dorm Room Organization and Storage

  • Bedside lamp
  • Small trash can
  • Storage boxes or bins
  • Under-bed storage trays
  • Desk lamp
  • Fan
  • Clothes drying rack
  • Bulletin board with pushpins
  • Dry-erase wall calendar or board
  • Small toolkit (with screwdriver, hammer and wrench)
  • Picture hangers (use double-sided tape for concrete walls)

College Linens and Laundry Supplies

  • Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets — check with your college for the right size, as some twin beds are extra long)
  • Towels (3 each of bath, hand and face)
  • Pillows (2)
  • Mattress pad (make sure it’s the correct size for your bed)
  • Blankets (2)
  • Comforter or bedspread
  • Clothes hangers
  • Laundry bag or basket
  • Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover
  • Lint roller
  • Small sewing kit

Desk Supplies

  • Memory cards and USB flash drives for storing files
  • Stapler with staples
  • Printer paper (if you bring a printer)
  • Pens and pencils
  • Pencil holder and sharpener
  • Notebooks
  • Folder with pockets
  • Labels in different sizes
  • 3 × 5 index cards
  • Sticky notes
  • Paper clips and binder clips
  • Rubber bands
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Highlighters in different colors
  • Ruler
  • Stackable desk trays (at least 4)
  • Stamps and envelopes
  • Extra printer cartridges (if you have a printer)
  • Notecards or personal stationery

Electronics & Technology for First-Year Students

  • Laptop (a printer is optional since most colleges have computer labs for printing)
  • Portable speakers (for playing music from your laptop or MP3 player)
  • HDMI cable and Ethernet cable (check if your dorm has wireless internet)
  • Surge protector
  • Extension cords
  • 3-to-2 prong adapters
  • Headphones
  • Camera
  • Cell phone
  • Charging cables

Shared-with-Roommate Items

  • Audio system
  • Television
  • Coffeemaker, hot pot or microwave (if allowed)
  • Mini fridge (if not already provided)
  • Area rug
  • Posters or artwork

Toiletries, Beauty & Hygiene

  • Antacid
  • Pain relievers like aspirin
  • Vitamins
  • Medicine for diarrhea
  • Band-aids and antibiotic ointment
  • Cough drops
  • Shower caddy
  • Shower shoes (flip-flops)
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Hair styling products
  • Bath soap and face soap
  • Travel soap container(s)
  • Toothpaste and toothbrush
  • Dental floss
  • Comb or hairbrush
  • Tweezers
  • Nail clippers
  • Hair dryer, straightener or curling iron
  • Razor with shaving cream
  • Body lotion or facial moisturizer
  • Cotton swabs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Contact lens supplies

Clothing

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Pants, jeans or leggings
  • T-shirts or blouses
  • Sweatshirts or sweatpants
  • Pajamas
  • Slippers and/or flip-flops
  • Sweaters
  • Light and heavy jackets
  • Gloves, scarf, hat (and other weather gear if needed)
  • One pair of boots
  • Two pairs of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
  • One set of business-casual clothes
  • One pair of dress shoes
  • Swimsuit
  • Bathrobe
  • Sleep mask

Household & Kitchen Items

  • Paper towels
  • Trash bags
  • Light bulbs
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Plastic storage bags
  • Food containers
  • Dish soap
  • Wet wipes
  • Tissues
  • Bowl, plate and cup
  • Coffee mug
  • Water bottle
  • Forks, spoons and knives
  • Can or bottle opener

Miscellaneous

  • Umbrella
  • Backpack
  • Sports gear
  • Spare pair of eyeglasses

Frequently Asked Questions About Dorm Rooms

What’s a dorm room?

A dorm room, short for dormitory, is on-campus housing for college students, often called a residence hall. Some dorms are shared by two, three or four students, while others are meant for just one person. Many dorm rooms don’t have their own bathrooms — instead, everyone on the same hallway uses one or two shared bathrooms. You can ask for a private room but it might not be available if there are many students needing a place to stay.

What comes in a dorm room?

Most dorm rooms come with basic furniture like a bed, desk, chair and lamp. Some colleges also provide a small fridge and/or microwave. Each student usually gets their own closet for clothes, shoes and personal items. While the bed comes with a mattress, you’ll need to bring your own sheets, pillowcases and other bedding.

How big is a college dorm room?

The size of a dorm room depends on how many people it’s meant to house. A room for three students will be bigger than one for a single student. The number of rooms in the hallway can also affect the size — if there are 12 rooms on a hall, they might be smaller but if there are only six, the rooms are likely to be bigger.

How does a college dorm room work?

Once you tell the college you want to live on campus, they assign you a room in a dorm or residence hall. You’ll also get the names of your roommate(s) and the official move-in date. Sometimes, roommates connect before classes begin to plan who will bring optional items like a mini fridge or microwave. When you arrive, you and your roommate(s) choose your beds. On move-in day, you’ll also meet the resident assistant (RA) — usually an older student — who can answer questions about your room, the dorm and campus life.