Off-to-College Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your first year at college. These are just suggestions; you should adapt this list to suit your own situation.
To save packing or shipping, it might make sense to buy some of these items after you arrive.
| 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 | |
