Packing for College: Off-Campus & Dorm Room Packing List

Are you the type to start an assignment the moment you receive it, or do you have a habit of putting it off till the night before it’s due? Regardless of your propensity for procrastination, packing for college is not something you’ll want to postpone till the night before your moving day, especially if you’re going to college across the country or in a different state.

For the most part, there are common items every freshman will need when they move to college. Whether you purchase these items before you move will depend on how far you’re moving. If you’re moving to college across the country, think carefully about what items you can wait to purchase till after you arrive, and only pack essentials and other items that are easy to transport long distance.

Get started with our college packing lists, including dorm checklists and must-have items for living off campus.

Dorm Checklist: Living on campus

If you’re living in dorms or other on-campus housing, chances are most of your furniture will be supplied for you and your college move will be a relatively simple one. Before you purchase or pack any of the items listed below, double check to make sure your dorm doesn’t already provide one. Most colleges will supply a checklist of what to bring; otherwise, use our dorm checklist to make sure you have everything you need:

Room needs

If you aren’t sure what you’ll need or are moving long distance, many of these items can wait until you arrive.

Desktop and work needs

If you’re going to college across the country, hold off on purchasing these items until after you arrive.

Electronics

You’ll likely want to bring your own electronic devices from home.

Linens and laundry

Linens and laundry items can be especially bulky, and will likely be easier to purchase after you arrive. If you have the space, packing an emergency fitted sheet can buy you some time in case you can’t make a shopping trip right away, you’re due to arrive after stores close, or if stores are sold out.

Toiletries

Toiletries are easy to find and readily available on most campuses, and they can quickly become heavy and cumbersome to move, so if you’re moving long distance for college, consider purchasing these items after you move in.

Clothing

Before you box up your entire wardrobe, think critically about what’s in your closet. Moving away to college is the perfect opportunity to downsize and get rid of the stuff you no longer wear.

When you’re packing your clothes, resist the temptation to pack everything and try to narrow your wardrobe down to items you will actually need.

In addition to your regular wardrobe, pack:

Important documents

Make sure you pack these documents in your personal vehicle, and keep them handy and easily accessible at all times.

Small appliances

Some dorms allow you to bring your own small appliances, but many have rules and regulations that prevent students from using potentially hazardous appliances. Check your dorm’s rules or find out whether your roommates plan to pack some of these items before you pack them yourself:

Household and kitchen items

If your dorm room has a small kitchen or you have access to a shared kitchen, you may also want to pack or purchase:

Other items

What NOT to bring to college

When you’re moving away to college, the biggest challenge you’ll face is not to overpack. Here’s what you definitely don’t need to bring along:

• Anything prohibited by your dorm. Double check what is and isn’t allowed before you start packing. Typically, you will not be permitted to bring: candles, space heaters, hot plates, incense, and anything that could be considered a fire hazard
• Anything your room comes with. Don’t bother packing anything your off-campus housing or dorm provides, such as a coffee maker, toaster, office chair, or desk lamp. Same goes for anything your roommates plan to bring—if you can, try to coordinate with them before you arrive to limit potential duplication.
• Your entire wardrobe. Chances are you’ll have much less space in your new closet than you’re used to—in addition to your everyday wardrobe, 1-2 suits or formal outfits and 1-2 pairs of nice shoes should be all you need.

• Organization tools. There’s no point buying organization tools for your dorm until you actually see how it’s laid out and how much space you’ll have.
• Hobbies, books, and collectibles. If you are a gamer, hobbyist, or collector, you don’t need to bring all your board games or video games—limit yourself to just your favorites.
• Pets. As hard as it can be to leave your cat, hamster, or fish behind, dorms do not allow pets.

Living off campus

Unless you’ve rented a furnished apartment, you’ll most likely need to provide your own furniture if you’ve decided to live off campus. In addition to all the items listed above, you’ll also need:

Kitchen

Living room

• Couch
• Coffee table and/or end tables
• Electronics and entertainment equipment

Other

What should you ship from home?

If you’re moving to college across the country or in a different state, getting your belongings from Point A to Point B may pose more of a challenge. Instead of renting a moving truck and driving yourself to college, it may be easier—and more economical—to pack as little as possible into one or two suitcases and purchase any furniture and other bulky items and incidentals once you arrive.