Dorm Packing Checklist: Everything You Need for Move-In Day

By | July 23, 2026

Packing for the first year of college can feel overwhelming — stressful, expensive and all too easy to put off until the last minute.

To make things easier for you and your teen, I’ve put together an affordable, practical checklist of dorm essentials based on my own freshman dorm packing experience, which may or may not have occurred in the final week before move-in day.

Bedding

  • Two sets of twin bed sheets
  • At least one blanket, two pillows and cases and/or a duvet cover or comforter
  • Mattress pad

Laundry

  • Tide Pods
  • Laundry basket, preferably the classic white plastic basket or a cloth foldable option
  • Dryer sheets
  • Quarters or the required app with adequate funds to digitally pay for the laundry machine

Bathroom

  • One large bottle each of shampoo, conditioner and body wash
  • Makeup bag or small pouch to carry essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, makeup and other self-care necessities
  • Two to three towels
  • Shower caddy
  • Shower shoes (affordable options include old flip-flops or shevalues’ Shower Shoes for Women/Men, which are available for $9 on Amazon)
  • Bathrobe

School Supplies

  • Two extension cords
  • Computer, phone and other electronic chargers
  • Pens or pencils (don’t bother buying a printer … almost all dorms have access to a printer in their common area)
  • At least two folders and notebooks for organization
  • Agenda
  • Backpack
  • Headphones or earbuds (these are much needed for quiet time when living with a roommate)
  • Other essentials, depending on your child’s major, like calculators, graphing paper, highlighters, etc.
  • Pencil case or container
  • Scissors
  • Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment

Comfort & Basic Needs

  • Miniature plug-in or chargeable fan or standing plug-in fan
  • Small lamp or string lights
  • A bar cart to hold food items, knick-knacks or school supplies
  • Tote bag for groceries and other items
  • Mirror to hang on the door or stand up against a wall
  • Trash can and trash bags
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Hand soap

Kitchenware

  • A set of five knives, forks and spoons (if the dorm does not have a sink, consider replacing them with a plastic-made option)
  • Paper towels
  • Dish soap if the dorm has a sink
  • Five bowls and five plates (if the dorm does not have a sink, consider replacing them with paper-made options)
  • Food essentials and snacks that are not temperature-controlled (granola bars, ramen, pretzels, chips, etc.)
  • Mini-fridge to store refrigerated groceries (this is not a necessity if your child has a meal plan) Brita with a filter
  • Microwave, if not provided
  • Can opener
  • Chip clips
  • One large mixing bowl and a mixing spoon
  • Cutting knife with a cover
  • At least two mugs and water cups
  • Ziploc bags
  • Thermos or a large water bottle

Closet

  • Hangers (Make sure you pack light in terms of clothing. This can take up a lot of space, so it is more efficient to bring the items you use most frequently. Ensure you pack one pair of good walking shoes.)
  • Bins to store clothing or extra items

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