This post is about the ultimate college packing list for boys dorm room and everything you should pack for college!
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If you’re a parent wondering what your son should pack for college or if you’re a guy about to move into college, this post is for you!
When I was packing for my freshman year of college, I had no idea what to bring. After my freshman year, I decided to make a college packing list for girls to help make college packing a lot easier for others. I finally made a guys version of the list which you can get for free by filling out the form above.
I created this post and a free college packing list to completely change your college packing experience. This post is full of everything guys will need to bring to college and the best college packing secrets that are actually helpful!
Bathroom
Body Towels
This set comes with two big towels. I recommend packing 2-3 towels for college.
Shower Caddy
A mesh shower caddy is super helpful at college, especially if you’re using communal bathrooms. You can keep all of your shower supplies inside of it which is very convenient.
Hand Towels
If you have your own bathroom or share one with roommates, bring some hand towels so that you don’t have to keep buying paper towels. Pick a specific color so that you always know which ones are yours.
Shower Shoes
Shower shoes come in very handy at college because the shower floors are NASTY even if you have your own bathroom shower. Any old flip flops will work great!
Shampoo & Conditioner
Dove is one of my favorite brands! It always makes my hair super soft and smells so good. The 2 pack above will last a while and is a great price!
Body Wash
This body wash has great reviews and looks like it smells really good.
Face Wash
I have super sensitive skin and Neutrogena is the best facial cleanser that I have ever used. It is very gentle and recommended by dermatologists. Something about being at college makes my skin a lot dryer than usual which is why washing your face regularly, even for guys, is so important!
Shaving Cream & Razor
Make sure to pack razors and shaving cream for college.
Lotion
Moisturizing your skin is so important, especially in college! For some reason my skin always gets dryer when I’m at school.
Cologne
Don’t forget to pack your favorite cologne for college.
Toothbrush
Every college student needs to pack a quality toothbrush for college! Trust me, with all of the late-night snacking and junk food, you’re going to want a toothbrush that really does the trick. I got this Philips toothbrush for Christmas and it’s SO good! My roommate uses the same one and we both love it.
It’s super powerful and comes in different colors so you can get one that matches your style. It also comes with a cover so you don’t have to worry about any germs getting on your toothbrush.
Toothpaste
I definitely recommend bringing a value pack of toothpaste to college so that when you run out, you already have another tube ready.
Retainer & Case
If you wear retainers, don’t forget to bring them and your case.
Retainer Cleaner
Retainers get super gross after a while which is why it’s really important to clean them every so often. I use denture/retainer cleaner to clean mine and it works great!
Hand Soap
I definitely recommend bringing a couple bottles of hand soup, because it goes quickly, especially if you’re sharing a bathroom with roommates.
Tweezers
Tweezers are good to have in case you need them.
Deodorant
A long-lasting and fresh-smelling deodorant that you can wear all day is the best. I recommend keeping extra deodorant in your gym bag and backpack in case you forget to put it on in the morning.
Floss
Flossing is super important but I would be lying if I said I did it every night, haha. I definitely recommend bringing floss pics to college because they make flossing a lot easier and quicker! I am definitely more likely to floss with these than regular floss.
Mouthwash
If you use mouthwash regularly or think you would find it useful to have in your dorm, pack some.
Tissues
Definitely keep tissues in your dorm and backpack. You never know when you’ll need them and they are so handy to have.
Nail/Toenail Clipper
Definitely pack a nail and toenail clipper.
Sunscreen
I feel like no matter where you go (unless it’s super up north) it’s always smart to have sunscreen and aloe close by. Sunburns are so painful and just not worth it.
Buy Spray
I also recommend bringing mosquito repellent or bug spray of some sort just in case you need it.
Chapstick
One of my pet peeves is not having chap stick on me when my lips are chapped. Because of this, I always have chap stick on me. I keep one in my dorm desk drawer, backpack, and wallet.
If you’re lips are prone to getting chapped, I definitely recommend packing your favorite chap stick.
Hair Brush
The Wet Brush brand is my favorite! I use my Wet brush every day and it’s so good at actually detangling your hair.
Glasses
Don’t forget to pack your glasses and their case for college if you have them. I wear contacts and glasses and it’s so nice being able to switch between the two!
Contacts
Same goes for this one, make sure to pack your contacts and case if you have them.
Contact Solution
If you wear contacts, you’ll also want to pack your favorite solution. I’ve always use Biotrue solution and it works great!
Electronics
Cell Phone
I know this is super obvious but I wanted to include it since it’s so important!
10ft Phone Charger
Make sure to pack a long phone charger (10 feet or more) for college. Usually, the outlets in dorm rooms are not conveniently located.
A long charger will allow you to use your phone while it is charging!
Laptop & Charger
A laptop is one of the most important pieces of technology that you will need in college! I do so much work on my laptop in college.
If you’re looking for a perfect college laptop, I recommend this ASUS laptop. It is the one that I used during my freshman year of college and still use today. I have the Core m3 version which works great!
Long Surge Protector
Extension cords aren’t allowed in most dorm rooms because they are fire hazards. An easy replacement is a long surge protector or power strip. I use this Belkin power strip and it works great!
Portable Speaker
If you want to play music in your dorm room bring a speaker. I have this OontZ speaker and it’s awesome! The sound is super clear and it’s a pretty inexpensive speaker.
Calculator & Charger
If you have a graphing calculator don’t forget to bring it to college! If you need to buy one make sure to check with your college to see which version they recommend.
AirPods/Earbuds
Earbuds are super helpful in college, especially if you’re living with roommates.
If you’re living with roommates you won’t want to disturb them at night. Earbuds will allow you to listen to music or be on your phone without bothering others.
Batteries
I brought a lot of batteries to college and didn’t really need them. Only bring a couple extra for any products you have that use batteries. If you are using string lights make sure to check what kind of batteries they need.
Usb Drive
I actually didn’t use a USB Drive in college because I saved everything on google docs. It is probably much more secure to use a USB Drive. Definitely bring one if you think you will use it.
Camera
If you have a real camera that you want to pack in addition to your phone camera, you totally can!
**Television
On my Ultimate College Packing List **=requires extra space in dorm room. A television definitely requires extra room. I lived in a quad my freshman year and there was no room for a TV.
If you don’t have enough room for a TV, I promise it is not the end of the world. If you do have enough room the TV above is perfect for dorm rooms!
**Fire Stick
My roommates and I bought this for our college apartment junior year and loved it! It makes it so easy to watch shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, and really any other streaming network you can think of!
**Printer
Having a printer in your dorm room also requires extra space. Personally, I did not find it necessary to have a printer in my room. There was a printer in my building and it didn’t cost very much money to print.
However, I know some students love having a printer in their room so I wanted to include it on this list. Maybe it’s something that you and your roommates can all chip in for?
**Portable Projector
Being able to use a projector in your room also requires extra space. My freshman year dorm room had a blank wall in it that would have been perfect for projecting movies on!
My roommates and I always talked about getting a projector for our movie nights but we never bought one. One of my friends brought over hers and it was so much fun to use. It will definitely take your movie nights to the next level!
Clothing
One of my best tips when it comes to packing clothes for college is to only pack clothes that you know you will actually get a lot of use out of. Before my freshman year, I thought it would be nice having all of my clothes but it ended up just being super stressful!
Shirts
Pack your favorite short sleeve and long sleeve shirts (if you’re going somewhere that is cold or windy). I recommend bringing 7-8 shirts.
Under T-Shirts
If you wear white undershirts, definitely pack some for college.
Dress Shirts
Sometimes there are formal events at college that you’ll want to wear a nicer shirt to. Definitely bring a couple dress shirts in case you need them.
Pants
Bring a couple of your favorite pants to college as well.
Jeans
Jeans can be a good clothing item to have in your closet at college!
Shorts
Make sure to pack your favorite pairs of shorts for college as well.
Athletic Shorts
Bring some athletic shorts for working out and lounging around your dorm.
Boxers
Sweatshirts
College students basically live in sweatshirts at college so definitely bring your favorites!
If you’re like me and like a lot of sweatshirts (and know you will get a lot of use out of them) I would bring your favorite 4-5. If you don’t think you will wear sweatshirts a lot then save space and bring 1-2.
Sweatpants
Sweatpants are my favorite! I wear them around my dorm at night and sleep in them. If you wear sweatpants a lot, I recommend bringing 2-3 pairs!
Socks
Definitely pack like 7-8 pairs of your favorite socks.
Belt
1-2 belts is a good amount to pack.
Baseball Caps
Baseball caps are a great accessory and perfect for wearing around town and to school sports games on sunny days!
Gloves
If it’s cold where you’re going to college, definitely bring some gloves. I go to school is Rhode Island and it gets COLD so I definitely recommend gloves if you’re going somewhere like that.
Sunglasses
Sun glasses are another great accessory for sunny days.
Rain Jacket
A rain jacket was probably the smartest clothing item I brought to college.
It rained a lot this year in Rhode Island and my rain jacket came in super handy! I definitely recommend bringing a rain jacket even if you don’t think you’ll need it.
Winter Jacket
If you are going to school somewhere chilly make sure to bring a good winter jacket!
Swimsuit
The number of swimsuits you need will vary based on where you’re going to school. My college is by the beach but by the time school starts the water is pretty cold! Two bathing suits was enough for me.
If you are going to school somewhere warmer and will be swimming more often, definitely bring more bathing suits!
If you are planning to join a swim club or swim team, you will need a couple of one-piece bathing suits as well!
Shoes
One pair of athletic sneakers and 2-3 pairs of other sneakers (converse, vans, etc.) is a perfect amount! I got the most use out of my converse sneakers.
Pajamas
I wear t-shirts and sweatpants for pajamas but if you have pajamas that you wear, I would bring your favorite 2 sets.
Sports Clothing (If Needed)
If you’re planning to join any sports teams or clubs, make sure to pack any clothing or equipment that you would need for it.
Kitchen
Microwave
I use my microwave all of the time in my dorm room! You can reheat left overs, make ramen noodles, and pop popcorn. I definitely recommend getting a microwave for your dorm.
Mini Fridge
Having a mini fridge in your dorm room is so convenient! You can keep food from the grocery store, Brita water, and sodas cold thanks to a mini fridge. I also like being able to store food from the dining hall inside it.
Paper Plates
Having paper plates in your room is very helpful, especially when you order takeout with friends!
Plastic Silverware
It’s super helpful to have silverware in your room in case you order take-out, make ramen, or any other food. It’s also good to have extra silverware if your friends come over to eat with you.
Microwavable Dishes
My roommates and I use microwavable dishes like this all of the time in college. Target also has a really good line of plastic dishes that are microwavable and inexpensive.
Water Bottle
Having a reusable water bottle that you can take with you to classes and refill during the day is so helpful in college! My favorite water bottles are my Hydro-flask and Super Sparrow bottles. They are good quality, keep my drink cold for hours and come in all different colors.
Mini Keurig
Do you like coffee, tea, hot chocolate and/or roman noodles? If so, you’ll get tons of use out of a Keurig! My roommates and I use ours all of the time to make hot chocolate and it works great.
Water Filter (Brita)
Having a Brita in your room is a super easy and convenient way to have access to filtered water. My roommates and I get so much use out of our Brita at college!
Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags always come in handy at college. You can easily pack a sandwich or other snacks in them that you can take on the go.
Mugs
Bring 1-2 mugs to college if you like coffee, hot chocolate, tea, soup, or ramen noodles. They make eating hotter drinks and foods a lot easier.
Snacks
Make sure that you have a lot of snacks for your dorm room! I recommend having a lot of granola bars and fruit snacks in case you wake up in the morning late and need something to eat super quickly on the way to class.
You should also stock up on all your favorite snacks! Some of my favorites are popcorn, ramen noodles, mac & cheese, cheez its, Chex mix, goldfish, etc.
Also, keep a couple of extra snacks in your backpack in case you get hungry during the day.
Gum
If you like chewing gum, pack some for college. I try to keep a pack in my backpack and desk so that I always have some.
School Supplies
Backpack
It’s essential to bring a super spacious and quality backpack to college! Chances are you will be using it a lot, so make sure that it’s comfortable and has a lot of room! I use a North Face backpack and really like it.
Textbooks
If you have any textbooks shipped to your house, don’t forget to pack them for college.
Pencils
Pack your favorite writing utensils for college. Make sure that you have some #2 pencils as well.
Highlighters
I love using highlighters, especially for my notes! Zebra double-ended highlighters are one of my favorite brands! One side is like a marker-pen and the other side is a highlighter. They are great for doodling and writing in your planner!
Pens
I really like writing my notes with pens in college. These pens have great reviews!!
Binders
I don’t use binders in college, but if you think you will definitely bring them.
Folders
Personally, I like using a folder and notebook for every class. It helps me stay more organized.
Notebook
Spiral-bound notebooks work the best for me! I try to keep the color of my folder and notebook the same for each particular class.
Tape
For some reason, I had the hardest time keeping track of my tape in college! I definitely recommend keeping it in a cute dispenser on your desk so that it’s more accessible.
Binder Dividers
If you’re using binders, make sure to bring some binder dividers to help keep yourself more organized.
Stapler
It is very handy to have a stapler and staples in your dorm room!
Staples
Make sure to pack some staples for your stapler as well.
3 Hole Punch
Personally, I didn’t use a 3 hole punch or regular hole punch in college because I don’t use binders. However, bring one if you think you’ll use it!
Scissors
Make sure to bring some quality scissors to college.
Paper Clips
Paper clips are very practical to have around.
Sticky Notes
Bring quality sticky notes to college! Cheap sticky notes don’t stick and are super annoying. Post-it is the best sticky note brand!
Index Cards
Index cards are super important to bring to college, especially if you like to make flashcards to study.
Planner
Having a good planner is super important in college! I love planners and could literally shop for the perfect one for hours.
It is a great place to write down assignments, to dos, and your weekly schedule so that you can stay organized!
First Aid & Medicine
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or healthcare professional. All over-the-counter medicines recommended below should only be taken as prescribed on the back of the bottle based on your age and condition. Thank you!
Bandaids
I promise Band-Aid brand bandages are the best quality and actually stick! Most importantly, they are affordable as well.
Neosporin
Neosporin is my favorite antibiotic ointment. It is good to have in college in case you get a cut or injury.
Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone is handy to have in case you get a bug bite.
First Aid Kit
I brought a Welly first aid kit to college and it was actually very helpful! It has little travel sizes pouches of hand sanitizer, neosporin, and hydrocortisone. It also has cute band-aids.
Ibuprofen/Tylenol
It’s always good to have some pain medicine on hand in case you need it or get a headache.
Allergy Medicine
I have terrible seasonal allergies. If you have an allergy medicine that works for you, pack it.
Tums
Tums are just helpful to have in case you need them one day.
Vitamins
Vitamins are always good to take!
Cold & Flu Medicine
NyQuil and DayQuil always work the best for me when I have a cold. It’s smart to bring some common cold medicines in case you ever need them.
Bedroom & Decor
*Mattress Topper
College dorm room beds are not comfortable at all which is why having a mattress topper is so helpful! I have a four-inch mattress topper similar to the one above and it makes my bed so much more comfortable.
*Mattress Protector
This will keep your dorm room mattress clean and protected. Dorm room mattresses aren’t always the cleanest, so this will definitely help!
*Sheets
This sheet set is perfect for guys going to college because it comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillowcase.
4. *Pillows and Pillowcases:
It’s always nice to get new pillows for your dorm room. These king size pillows have great reviews and look very soft!
*Comforter
Every college student needs a nice comforter for their dorm bed.
Blanket
A blanket will add a pop of color to your room and keep you warm on cold nights!
Fan
Dorm rooms can get super hot even if they have air conditioning. I definitely recommend bringing a mini fan that you can put near your bed. It will make all the difference and you’ll be so happy you have it!
Storage Ottoman/Stool
Under-bed storage is a game changer in college. Dorm rooms are small so you will want to maximize your space with under-bed storage.
You can use a storage ottoman as under-bed storage, a stool if your bed is raised and as extra seating when friends come over.
Lamp
A lamp is great dorm room decor and practical if you’re doing homework at your desk or in bed.
**Curtains
Curtains really help to make your room feel homier. Even if you don’t think you need curtains, you will be so glad that you have them once you see your room all put together.
**Rugs
A rug will also help to bring your dorm room together and add some more color into your room.
Tapestry/Flag
A tapestry is very similar to a wall flag but they have so many different designs! Tapestries are great for dorm rooms because they are an easy way to add more color into your room.
Battery Lights
LED light strips are very popular guy dorm room decor. You can hang them around the top of your walls. It will make your room a lot brighter too which is really good because dorm rooms are dark so you’ll want as many lights as possible.
Fun-Tak (The Best!)
Fun-tak is the best way to hang up light decorations and pictures in your dorm room. It will not peel the paint of the walls so it’s very dorm room friendly!
Command Hooks
Command hooks are the best way to hang up heavier items in your dorm room. They are also dorm room wall friendly!
Cleaning
Laundry Detergent
Tide Pods are easy, work great, and are perfect for college students, especially if it’s your first time starting to do laundry by yourself.
Tide is my favorite detergent and always leaves my clothes smelling so good!
Dryer Sheets
Bounce dryer sheets work really well and will leave your clothes feeling very soft.
Trash Can & Bags
A garbage can is great to have near your desk so that you can throw things out easily.
All-Purpose Cleaner
You’re definitely going to want your own all purpose cleaner that you can use to clean your dorm with. Lysol works really well and smells great!
Tide To Go
Tide to go is one of my favorite cleaning products! Somehow I am always using it in college and it never fails to get stains out. If you’re going to college, bring this! You’ll be so happy that you did.
Laundry Basket
This would be a great hamper because it stays open and could fit under you’re bed or in your closet.
Paper Towels
Paper towels just always seem to come in handy at college.
Vacuum
My roommate brought a small vacuum for our room and it was really nice to have! This cordless vacuum is the vacuum one of my college friends has and she loves it! She let my roommate and I borrow it and it works so well.
Broom & Dustpan
A broom and dustpan is so helpful to have in your dorm! My freshman year roommates and I used ours almost every day.
Disinfectant Spray
Lysol wipes or spray is a good way to kill germs in your room! Every week or two (two weeks is honestly probably too long) I would spray this stuff everywhere in my dorm, especially the places my roommate and I would touch a lot.
Light switches, door handles, door code pad, microwave handle and buttons, fridge handle, and anywhere else I could think of. It’s the best!
Sponge
I find it helpful to bring a lot of sponges in a specific color so that you can differentiate yours from your roommates. Sponges can get really dirty and germy quickly so it’s best to use your own and change them often.
Dawn Soap
Dawn dish detergent is my favorite! It smells so good and works very well.
Organization
Knowing how to organize everything can be super stressful! That’s okay though because I have some awesome tips for you!
Because I lived in a quad my freshman year, I literally had a small corner of the room to myself. After a lot of trial and error, I learned how to use the limited space to my advantage. Keep these tips in mind!
Under Bed Storage
Under the bed storage will be your best friend in college, especially if you have a small room! I recommend raising or lofting your bed so that you have maximum storage!
I raised my bed and was able to fit the wooden dresser my school provided me with, a plastic drawer unit (like the one above), a snack bin, my hamper, and a couple of other random items under my bed.
Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers are a great way to keep drawers organized. The organizers below will make your life so much easier because everything will have a place and you won’t be living in clutter.
Extra Drawer Unit
Having an extra drawer unit to keep some of your items is very helpful! This would also be a good bed-side table.
Pen/Pencil Holder
It’s very helpful to have a pencil/pen holder on your desk so that you always have a writing utensil nearby.
Container For Snacks
A pocket organizer is by far the best way to organize miscellaneous items in your dorm room. I have one like this on the inside of my closet door and it makes finding things so much easier.
All of my belongings have a home and I don’t have to spend 10 minutes looking for where I put things like my trash bags or scrunchies. My roommates also use a pocket organizer and really like it!
Extra Containers:
Cute extra containers are always helpful! I used three containers just like this and put them on the top shelf of my closet.They were the perfect place to put miscellaneous items and didn’t make my closet look unorganized or messy becuase they aren’t see-through.
Important Random Items
Important Cards Holder
It’s SUPER important to have a place to keep your student ID card in college because you’ll need it for a lot of things on campus.
This is one of my favorite products because since my cards are safe on the back of my phone I don’t have to worry about always carrying something else like a wallet or wristlet (that I would probably lose) around campus. I already bring my phone with me everywhere so it’s super practical!
Wallet
If you have a wallet that you like to carry, definitely pack it.
ID (License)
Make sure to pack your ID.
Umbrella
It’s super helpful to have a quality umbrella that you can use to walk to class on rainy days. You will be so happy that you have one!
Hangers
Definitely bring some hangers to hang your clothes.
Beach Towels
It’s really easy to forget to also pack beach towels but if you’re going to a school near the beach or where you’ll be swimming, bring some beach towels!
Portable Clothing Steamer
I hate ironing! It’s probably one of my least favorite activities (I know, I’m dramatic) but because of my hatred towards ironing, my mom bought me a portable clothing steamer and it’s so much better!
Extra Light Bulb
Bring an extra lightbulb for your desk lamp.
Favorite Books
You probably won’t have a ton of time to read for fun but I still recommend bringing a couple of books that you really want to read. You can always read for a little while before bed.
Quarters For Laundry
I know that some schools require quarters for laundry so if that’s your school, make sure to pack a lot!
Sport/Club Gear
If you’re going to play a particular sport or join a club that requires gear, don’t forget to pack any that you have at home.
Flashlight
You might want to bring a flashlight in case the power goes out. If not, you can always use your phone.
Alarm Clock
If you don’t trust your phone’s alarm to wake you up, you might need an actual alarm clock. This one is actually cute too!
Mini Tool Kit
You really don’t need this but if it makes you feel better to have a few tools (hammer and maybe a screwdriver) they can’t hurt to bring.
Face Masks
If we are still wearing face masks when you’re packing for college, make sure to pack some.
Important Documents
Make sure to also pack the important documents below. Sometimes when you’re singing up for various things at school like an on-campus job or a bank account that is closer, you’ll need these documents.
Banking Information
Social Security Card
Copy of Covid Vaccination Card
Thank you for reading this post all about the ultimate college packing list for boys dorm room and everything you should pack for college. I hope that it helps you pack!
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