The Ultimate College Dorm Checklist So You Can Feel Prepared
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Summer might feel like it’s still in full swing, but believe it or not, class will be back in session in just a few weeks. Soon, students from kindergarten on up will be picking out new backpacks, stocking up on pencils and notebooks, and gathering all the school supplies they’ll need for the 2025-2026 school year. For kids heading off to college, however, dorm room back-to-school shopping is a whole new ball game. After all, you’re setting up a space that’s going to function as a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and office all at once—and that takes a bit of planning!
To help get you started, we compiled an extensive checklist of college dorm essentials to start the year off right. Because when you come prepared, you actually have time to focus on school (and of course, new friends and adventures!) rather than a running list of stuff you need to panic-buy from Amazon. Whether you’re rooming alone or splitting the shopping duties with a few suitemates, our college dorm checklist covers everything you need to prep for the semester ahead. From shower caddies to mini fridges to stylish storage and more, you’ll find nearly everything you’ll need on our dorm packing list.
Dorm Room Organizers
Organization is key to keeping a dorm room functional. Before you fill your cart, check with your school to see what furniture and accessories are provided. Then fill in the gaps with these handy organizational tools.
- Wall hooks and double-sided tape
- Shoe organizer
- Wall calendar
- Bed risers
- Underbed storage
- Lockable safe
- Trash can and trash bags
- Extra storage drawers
- Storage cart
Dorm Space Saviors
Bed and Laundry Supplies
Clean clothes and a comfy bed are keys to college life, so stock up on bedding and laundry supplies. Chances are, your dorm room will come with a basic bed frame and mattress, but you’ll need more than that to create a cozy sleep space and comfy linens.
- Dorm bedsheets and pillowcases
- Comforter and/or duvet set
- Pillows
- Reading pillow
- Waterproof mattress protector
- Mattress topper
- Bath towels and washcloths
- Sleep eye mask
- Ear plugs
- Laundry basket or hamper
- Laundry detergent
- Dryer sheets or dryer balls
- Laundry stain remover
- Lint roller
- Clothes steamer
- Clothing drying rack
Laundry Must-Haves
Jonathan’s Pick
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Desk Supplies
The items below are a great start to making sure you’re prepared for class, but the specific desk supplies you’ll need will depend on what you plan to study. Begin with this list, and scoop up everything else you need once you get your syllabi.
- Desk organizer
- Pens
- Permanent markers
- Highlighters
- Academic planner
- Spiral notebooks
- 3-ring binders
- File folders
- Scissors
- Office tape
- Sticky notes
- Index cards
- Reading light
- Whiteboard and dry-erase markers
- Charging station
Workspace Heroes
Electronics
Electronic devices are more omnipresent for this gen of college kids than any before, so making sure you have what you need to stay connected is vital. And remember, you can never have too many spare charging cords!
- Smart TV
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Bluetooth speaker
- Laptop computer
- Computer case
- Long charging cords
- Portable battery pack
- Thumb drive
- External hard drive
- Surge protector power strip
- Bluetooth headphones or earbuds
- eBook reader or some of their favorite books
Must-Have Tech Gear
Toiletries
If this is your first time living away from home, communal bathrooms can take a bit of getting used to. Stock up on our suggestions below, and you’ll be prepared to take care of yourself no matter what the restroom setup looks like in your new digs.
- Shower caddy
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body soap
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Tweezers
- Hand soap
- Face cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Body lotion
- Sunscreen
- Contact lens solution
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothbrush cover
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouthwash
- Tissues
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton balls and/or cotton pads
- Hairbrush and/or comb
- Hair styling products and hair ties
- Hair dryer
- Shower flip flops
- Emery boards
- Basic sewing kit
- Air freshener
- First aid kit
- Dopp kit and/or makeup organizer
- Prescription medications
- Basic over-the-counter medicine
- Feminine hygiene products
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
Tried and True Toiletries
Kitchen Items
Maybe you’re in a dorm with a shared kitchen, or perhaps a sink is all you have to start with to create a functional cooking space. Either way, unless you plan on eating out every single meal (and never bringing home leftovers), you’ll need to equip yourself with some basic cooking essentials.
- Mini fridge
- Microwave
- Chip clips
- Can opener
- Kitchen knives
- Cutting board
- Plates and cutlery (either reusable or disposable)
- Basic cooking utensils
- Basic pot and pan (if you have access to a stovetop)
- Dish drying rack
- Electric kettle
- Coffee maker (and coffee!)
- Sugar/sweetener
- Salt and pepper
- Dish soap and sponges
- Multipurpose kitchen towels
- Microwave-safe food storage containers
- Filtered water pitcher
- Insulated water bottle
- Insulated coffee mug
- Resealable food storage baggies
- Paper towels
- All-purpose cleaner
- Snacks
- Just-add-water foods
Kitchen Favorites
As Seen on Social
Stardrops The Pink Stuff: The Miracle Cleaning Paste and Multi-Purpose Spray 2-pack Bundle
Clothing
What you wear tells your new classmates a lot about who you are, so put your best foot forward and showcase your unique style! In addition to everyday ensembles, consider packing one-off outfits like a business-casual look or a swimsuit for days where that might come in handy.
- Backpack
- Dress shoes
- Athletic shoes
- Everyday shoes
- Hangers
- Robe
- Swimsuits
- Undergarments
- Belts
- Socks
- Climate-appropriate outerwear
- Pajamas
- Exercise clothes
- Clothes for class
- Casual weekend clothes
- At least one set of business attire
Clothing Essentials
Miscellaneous Items
You’re shopping isn’t done just yet! The items below might be miscellaneous, but they’re just as essential as the rest of our dorm room checklist.
- Fan
- Duct tape
- Stepstool
- Basic toolkit
- Full-length mirror
- Mini vacuum
- Disinfecting wipes
- Broom and dustpan
- Floor lamp
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Wall art
- Umbrella
- Backup eyeglasses
- Workout equipment
- Air purifier
The Best of All the Rest
Documents
Sure, you can probably access most of your important information online or in the cloud, but we recommend having hard copies on hand, too. Put together a packet and store it in a secure spot, like a fireproof safe, just in case you need it.
- Drivers license/passport/government-issued ID
- Social security number
- Credit card and/or debit card
- Health insurance card
- Emergency contact numbers
- Blood type and medical history
- List of prescription medications and dosages (including eyeglass prescription)
- Copies of banking logins and routing numbers
Dorm Room Bedding That Feels As Cozy As Home
To specifically fit your undergrad’s style and needs.
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Amy Gordon
Amy Gordon is a freelance writer and editor who splits her time between New York, NY and Vieques, PR. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll probably find her on a plane with her nose in a book, in the Caribbean snorkeling through coral reefs, or on the couch watching true crime TV. Learn more and read her work at www.amygordonmedia.com.
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