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Heading off to college is an exciting time filled with new experiences, new friends, and of course, a new living space: the dorm room. But before you head out, it’s important to make sure you’re equipped with all the essentials to make your dorm room feel like home. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ultimate college dorm checklist for girls, covering everything from what to pack to how much clothes to bring.
Everything on this list will help you thrive on your first year at college. When you move in, having these essentials for your dorm room will make sure you’re prepared for anything.
Let’s get started!
P.S: Make sure to personalize this list based on your specific needs and preferences!
When to Start Packing for College
The first question on many students’ minds is when to start packing for college. With the whirlwind of activities and adjustments during the first few weeks of college, it’s best to have your belongings sorted beforehand. Aim to start packing at least a few weeks before you leave for campus to avoid any lastminute stress on move-in day.
What Makes a Good Dorm
Before diving into packing, it’s important to consider what makes a good dorm. Some key factors include amenities like air conditioning, heating, suite style, closet space, and furniture. Take the time to compare the features of different dormitories on campus and prioritize them based on your preferences and needs.
What to Pack for College: Dorm Room Essentials for Girls
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of what to pack for college. Here’s a comprehensive list of essentials that every college girl should consider bringing:
Bedroom Essentials for College:
- Two sets of sheets (ideally twin XL sheets for covering your dorm bed)
- Comforter or Blanket
- A few pillows
- Cozy comforter
- Squishy mattress pad to make your bed super comfy
- Mattress Protector (Essential for keeping the mattress clean and hygienic)
- Throw Blanket (adds extra warmth and coziness to your bedding)
Bathroom Essentials for College:
- Shower Caddy (Convenient for carrying toiletries to and from the communal bathroom)
- Toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, shower shoes (flip-flops), deodorant, dental floss, toothpaste and toothbrush)
- Skin care essentials
- Towels (Bring a few bath, face and hand towels for personal use)
- Hairbrush or Comb
- Razor and Shaving Cream
- Feminine Hygiene Product (Stock up on pads, tampons)
- Toilet Paper (Make sure you have enough for your needs)
- Hand Soap / sanitizer
- Tissues (Handy for colds, allergies, or emergencies)
- Nail Clippers and Tweezers
- Hair Products (styling products or tools you use regularly)
- Any Medications or Personal Care Items (this may include any prescription medications or personal care items you may need)
Study Essentials for College:
- A lamp for your desk
- Stationary like pens, highlighters, notebooks, index cards and sticky notes. Also, a planner to keep track of your classes and assignments.
- Laptop & charging cables
- Printer (If you have the space and budget, I highly recommend having a printer in your dorm room)
- Calculator
- Headphones or Earbuds
- Desk Organizer (to store pens, pencils, paper clips, and other small items)
- Whiteboard or Corkboard (Hang a whiteboard or corkboard near your study area to jot down important reminders, to-do lists, or brainstorm ideas)
- Textbooks and Required Readings
- Dictionary and Thesaurus
- Power Strip and Extension Cord (With limited outlets in dorm rooms, a power strip and extension cord can come in handy for powering multiple devices at once)
- Timer or Pomodoro Technique App (A really cool app to break your study sessions into manageable chunks and stay focused)
- Backup Storage Device (Backup your important documents, projects, and assignments on a USB flash drive or cloud storage service to prevent data loss)
- Desk Fan or Air Purifier
- Lap Desk: Your dorm room might already have a desk, but let’s face it, sometimes it’s comfy to do homework in bed. That’s where the lap desk comes in handy. This one has spaces for your phone and tablet, a mousepad, a soft wrist pillow, and a wooden top to keep your devices cool. Plus, it’s easy to carry around with its handle.
By having these study essentials on hand, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle your college studies.
Storage Essentials for College:
- Slide some bins under your bed for extra storage space
- Hang up hooks on your door for jackets and bags
- Get some shelf organizers to keep your clothes and shoes neat
Kitchen Essentials for College:
- You’ll want some dishes that can go in the microwave
- Plastic Dinnerware and Utensils Set
- Brita Water Pitcher (If your dorm lacks a water refill station, a Brita pitcher can filter tap water for drinking)
- Air Freshener
- Stick Vacuum (A compact stick vacuum for quick and easy cleanup of small messes)
- Cleaning Supplies (Stock up on disinfecting wipes and other cleaning supplies)
- Laundry Supplies (essentials like laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets for laundry day)
If you’re a coffee lover like me, a minifridge and a coffee maker or electric kettle will come in handy.
College Dorm Checklist: Other Things to Consider when Packing for College
Personal Touches: Bring along some photos of your family and friends to make your room feel like home. Decorate with posters, string lights, and throw pillows to add your style. And toss in a rug for extra coziness.
Cleaning Supplies: Keep it simple with disinfectant wipes for quick cleanups, laundry detergent for washing clothes, and trash bags for throwing stuff away.
Electronics: Plug in your devices with power strips, and don’t forget your chargers and some headphones for listening to music or watching videos without bothering your roomie.
First Aid Kit: Bandages, pain relievers, cold medicine, and a thermometer should cover your basic first aid needs. Toss in some antiseptic wipes too, just in case.
Miscellaneous: Pack an umbrella for rainy days, a flashlight for emergencies, and a basic tool kit for little fixes. And a sewing kit can save the day if you ever need to mend your clothes.
How Much Clothes Should You Bring for College?
When it comes to packing clothes for college, less is always more. Aim to bring about 23 weeks’ worth of clothes, focusing on versatility and layering options. But make sure to pack enough underwear and multiple pairs of shoes for different occasions and weather situations.
I think that pretty much covers all of the essentials a freshmen year college girl would need in this college dorm checklist.
Heading off to college is an exciting adventure, and packing the right things can make all the difference in making your college life easier and your dorm room feel like home. And I’m sure by following this college dorm checklist, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle whatever comes your way during your college journey.
Happy packing and enjoy the ride!
