Off-to-College Checklist
Your child can use this checklist to make sure to pack everything necessary for the first year of college. These are just suggestions; adapt this list to suit your child's own situation.
To save packing or shipping, it might make sense for your child to buy some of these items after arriving on campus.
| Clothing | |
|---|---|
| 14 sets of underwear | |
| 14 pairs of socks (more if you play sports) | |
| 5 pairs of pants/jeans | |
| 14 shirts/blouses | |
| 2 sets of sweats | |
| Pajamas | |
| Slippers and/or flip-flops | |
| 2 sweaters | |
| Light/heavy jackets | |
| Gloves/scarf/hat | |
| 1 pair of boots | |
| 2 pairs of sneakers or comfortable/walking shoes | |
| 1 set of business-casual clothes | |
| 1 pair of dress shoes | |
| 1 swimsuit | |
| Room Needs/Storage | |
| Bedside lamp | |
| Alarm clock/clock radio | |
| Wastepaper basket | |
| Storage bins | |
| Under-the-bed storage trays | |
| Desk lamp | |
| Fan | |
| Drying rack for laundry | |
| Bulletin board and pushpins | |
| Dry-erase wall calendar/board | |
| Toolkit | |
| Picture hangers | |
| Electronics | |
| Computer and printer | |
| Phone cord/Ethernet cord for computer | |
| Surge protector | |
| Extension cords | |
| 3-2 prong adapters | |
| Portable music player | |
| Headphones | |
| Camera | |
| Cell phone | |
| Linens/Laundry Supplies | |
| Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets. Check with college for size needed — some college twin beds are extra long.) | |
| Towels (3 each of bath, hand and face) | |
| Pillows (2) | |
| Mattress pad (Check with college for size needed.) | |
| Blankets (2) | |
| Comforter/bedspread | |
| Clothes hangers | |
| Laundry bag/basket | |
| Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover | |
| Roll(s) of quarters | |
| Lint brush | |
| Sewing kit | |
| Toiletries | |
| Antacid | |
| Aspirin or other pain relievers | |
| Vitamins | |
| Antidiarrheal medicine | |
| Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment | |
| Cough drops | |
| Shower tote | |
| Shampoo and conditioner | |
| Hairstyling products | |
| Bath and face soap | |
| Travel soap container(s) | |
| Toothpaste and toothbrush | |
| Dental floss | |
| Comb/brush | |
| Tweezers | |
| Nail clippers | |
| Hair dryer | |
| Razor and shaving cream | |
| Lotion and/or facial moisturizer | |
| Cotton swabs | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Umbrella | |
| Backpack | |
| Sports equipment | |
| Office/Desk Supplies | |
| Electronic storage media such as CDs/DVDs, memory cards and USB flash drives | |
| Stapler and staples | |
| Printer paper | |
| Pens and pencils | |
| Pencil holder and sharpener | |
| Notebooks | |
| Folder with pockets | |
| Labels of various sizes | |
| 3 x 5 cards | |
| Sticky notes | |
| Paper clips and binder clips | |
| Rubber bands | |
| Scissors | |
| Highlighter pens (multiple colors) | |
| Ruler | |
| Stackable desk trays (at least 4) | |
| Hanging files or folders | |
| Dictionary | |
| Thesaurus | |
| Stamps and envelopes | |
| Shared Items — Check with roommate(s) | |
| Audio equipment | |
| TV and VCR/DVD player | |
| Coffeemaker/hot pot | |
| Microwave/toaster oven/hot plate, if allowed | |
| Small refrigerator | |
| Area rug | |
| Posters/art | |
| Household and Kitchen Items | |
| Paper towels | |
| Trash bags | |
| Lightbulbs | |
| All-purpose cleaner | |
| Plastic storage bags | |
| Food-storage containers | |
| Dish soap | |
| Wet wipes | |
| Tissues | |
| Bowl, plate and cup | |
| Coffee mug | |
| Silverware | |
| Can/bottle opener | |
