This post will give you a free ultimate college essentials packing list and will show you everything you actually need to pack for college in 2021.
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Packing to move into college and your dorm, especially for the first time can be so overwhelming, right!? That’s why I created this college essentials packing list so that you know exactly what you’ll actually use and should pack for college. Even if you have a general idea of what to bring you may still feel like you’re missing something!
Luckily I have moved into a college dorm two times now so I know what’s best to pack and what’s better off staying at home. Here are all the essentials you need to pack when moving to college and into your dorm!
This post goes over everything on my college essentials packing list in extreme detail. The list is so helpful and will make packing a lot easier!
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If you want an even bigger college packing list that includes absolutely everything you could ever need, click here.
This post is all about the ultimate college essentials packing list.
Bathroom Essentials:
Body Towels:
Obviously, body towels are a must for college! I recommend packing 2-3 towels. If you’re looking for some new ones, definitely check Target. Their towels are super nice quality and they aren’t expensive at all. I liked Target’s body wrap towel above because so many girls in college love it, especially if you have to use communal bathrooms!
It has a hook-and-loop closure along the top so it’s very secure and you don’t have to worry about holding it up. Such a smart idea for college!
It’s also a good idea to bring a couple of hand towels so that you don’t have to keep using paper towels.
Wash Clothes:
Wash clothes are just always handy to have! You can use them to wash your face, take off makeup or even put them on your forehead if you’re hot or have a headache at night.
Shower Caddy:
A shower caddy is one of the most USEFUL college essentials, especially if you’re using communal bathrooms. It will help you organize all of your bathroom items so that you don’t have to grab a million different items every time you go to the bathroom.
Make sure to get one with a handle so that you can hang it up if there is a hook outside your shower stall. Trust me, a shower caddy just makes everything a lot easier!
Shower Shoes:
College bathrooms and showers are gross! You’ll definitely want to bring some cheap shower shoes to use. I just use some cheap flip-flops from Old Navy and they are perfect!
Deodorant:
A long-lasting and fresh-smelling deodorant that you can wear all day is the best. I love Secret deodorant and think it always smells so good. Also, make sure to keep an extra deodorant in your backpack in case you forget to put it on in the morning.
(Related Post: Ultimate List of School Supplies Your College Backpack Needs To Have)
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 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.
Tooth Paste:
Colgate Optic White is my favorite toothpaste! It has a really good flavor and even whitens your teeth! Try to get a value pack so that you can save some money.
Floss:
Flossing is super important but I would be lying if I said I did it every night, haha. I definitely recommend bringing floss packers to college because they make flossing a lot easier and quicker! I am definitely more likely to floss with these than regular floss.
Retainer & Case:
Make sure to pack your retainers and a case if you have them. If you need a new case, Amazon has a lot of cute colors!
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 cleanser to clean mine and it works great!
Shampoo & Conditioner:
I love Dove shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc! It always smells so good and leaves my hair and skin feeling silky smooth!
Body Wash:
This body wash is the best! It makes my skin feel so soft and is really good for dry skin. It also smells very clean and refreshing!
Face Wash:
Make sure to bring your favorite face wash to college! One of my favorites is Cetaphil daily facial cleanser because it is dermatologist recommended and really good for dry skin.
I also love it because it allows me to take off my everyday makeup without having to use makeup remover which just makes things even easier!
Lotion:
Moisturizing your skin is so important, especially in college! My skin is DRY and this is one of my favorite face moisturizers. It softens, smooths and leaves my skin glowing!
Razors:
Make sure to pack some razors for college as well.
Shaving Cream:
Shaving cream is also important to pack! Try to pack one that you like and works well on your skin.
Tampons & Pads:
I definitely recommend bringing extra pads and tampons to college so that you don’t have to worry about buying them during the semester. In my opinion, 
U by Kotex is by far the best pad brand because the wings actually stick!
Hair Brush/Comb:
The Wet Brush is a life changer! It’s cheap and works so well, especially when your hair is wet or tangled. They also come in a lot of cute colors.
If you haven’t tried this brush yet, get it, you will love it!
Hair Appliances:
Straightener, curler, blow dryer. Make sure to pack all of your favorites! And if you’re looking for a new hair straightener, I linked my all-time favorite one above. I’ve been using mine since middle school and it still works great!
Hair Ties & Accessories:
Think scrunchies, hair ties, barrettes, and any other hair accessories you know you’ll wear.
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.
Chapstick:
One of my pet peeves is when my lips are chapped and I don’t have any chapstick on me. It’s just such an uncomfortable feeling which is why I try to keep extra chapstick everywhere (my backpack, desk, jacket, etc.)
My favorite chapstick is Glossier’s Balm Dotcom because it keeps my lips super hydrated! My flavor is coconut and my close second is the mango. Both are amazing! Coconut is untinted and the Mango has a pretty peachy rose tint.
Cotton Swabs:
There isn’t much to say about this one but they are just helpful to have, haha.
Glasses & Case:
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 & Case:
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 used Biotrue solution and it works great!
Sunscreen & Aloe:
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.
Bug Spray:
I also recommend bringing mosquito repellent or bug spray of some sort just in case you need it.
Makeup & Supplies:
I definitely recommend trying to only bring your everyday/favorite makeup and makeup supplies to college. That way you just pack what you know you’ll use and won’t end up taking up unnecessary space in your room.
Most days, all I wear is mascara and my Glossier tinted balm dotcom. Occasionally, I will throw on a tinted moisturizer, blush, and some highlighter. I also recommend bringing your favorite brushes and a makeup sponge!
I linked my favorite tinted moisturizer above, it’s really good and lasts all day!
Bedroom Essentials:
Mattress Topper:
Mattress toppers are SO important because college mattresses are the worst! They are hard, not comfy, and pretty much guaranteed to make your back hurt. A mattress topper will be your best friend in college and will make your bed extremely cozy!
I have a 4-inch mattress topper super similar to the one above and it’s perfect! Seriously, you’ll get the best, hotel-like sleep of your life with a good mattress topper (and you’ll never wanna go back)!!
I recommend getting 4″ or more and make sure that you get a twin XL size to fit the standard dorm bed size.
Related Post: The Top 4 Best Amazon Mattress Toppers You Will Love!
Comforter:
Picking out your dorm room comforter is so much fun because it kind of acts as a base for the rest of your decor! Personally, I like having a white or light-colored comforter so that I can add other accent colors in with a fuzzy blanket and other decorations.
Freshman year, I used this white comforter from Amazon. It’s cute, soft, and inexpensive for the quality. Sophomore year, ocm.com was nice enough to gift me one of their light pink comforter sets. It is such a nice comforter that I’m definitely going to use for the rest of college.
I also found another cute white comforter set on Target that I linked above. Target really does have everything, especially when it comes to bedding so it’s another great place to look!
Sheets:
If your comforter set doesn’t come with new sheets, it’s always nice to bring a new pair of cozy sheets to college! It’s best to pack two sets of sheets so that you can rotate them and don’t have to worry about washing them the same day that you take them off your bed.
Pillows:
Bringing 1-2 pillows is perfect for college.
Pillow Cases:
If your sheet set doesn’t come with pillowcases make sure to bring a few to college.
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!
Decorations:
One of my FAVORITE parts about moving into a dorm room is decorating! One of the easiest ways to decorate is with string lights. They are really cute and add light to your room which is so helpful because dorm rooms are usually pretty dark. The lights above even have clips for pictures which will make your room feel more homey.
Fun-Tak:
If you want to hang up any pictures or decorations that aren’t super heavy, fun-tak is the best!! It’s super sticky and doesn’t damage walls so it’s perfect for dorm rooms. I use fun-tak for all of my picture walls and it works so good!
Command Hooks:
Command hooks are dorm room gold haha! They make it so easy to hang up decorations and won’t damage the walls. It’s best to bring command hooks in all different sizes so that you can easily hang up things with different weights.
Under-Bed Storage:
Under the bed storage is literally the secret to living in a tiny dorm room. One of my favorite under-bed storage items is a storage ottoman like the one above. They hold a lot of items, create extra seating if a freind comes over and can even be used as a stool to get into a raised bed.
Extra Containers:
Storage. storage. storage. is everything when it comes to dorm rooms! Extra containers to help organize all of your things is a super helpful storage item. For my sophomore year dorm room, I used 3 containers just like the one above on the top shelf in my closet. It looked really cute and provided a lot of extra space for all of my stuff.
Mirror:
It’s so nice to have a full-length mirror in your dorm so that you can see your outfit and how you look before leaving your room. Target has really nice full-length mirrors that are perfect for a dorm and super inexpensive.
School Supply Essentials:
Backpack:
I used a North Face backpack in high school and now in college and it is great! It has a ton of space for my laptop and all of my books.
It comes in a ton of cute colors, so you’ll definitely be able to find one that fits your style!
Related Post: 27+ Cute College Bags For Girls!
Planner:
I am super picky when it comes to planners and this Day Designer by Blue Sky planner is so good! You’re going to be busy in college and using a planner is a great way to stay organized.
I definitely recommend finding a planner that you love so that you are more inclined to actually use it. This planner comes in different sizes too, I used the 5 x 8-inch size all throughout my sophomore year and it was perfect!
I use the daily/monthly layout because it gives you an entire page for each day of the month which allows you to time-block your schedule for the day which is super helpful.
Textbooks:
I definitely recommend renting as many of your textbooks as you can! Look up the ISBN number on google and look for the place with the cheapest option. I also find that e-books work great and are usually cheaper.
I have used Amazon and Chegg.com to rent textbooks in the past and both websites have saved me so much money!
Pencils & Pens:
I love colored pens and I’m always looking for the best ones! These are my favorite so far because they come in a lot of colors, have a fine point, and best of all they don’t bleed through paper so I can use them in my planner without any issues.
Highlighters:
Highlighters are super helpful to use when reading long passages of text, checking off your to-dos, and taking notes. Sharpie brand highlighters are great too!
Binders/Notebooks:
I have always been more of a notebook and folder girl than binders so I usually use a 1 subject notebook and folder for every class (and I color code them so it’s easier).
However, ever since the pandemic, I have started to use my laptop a lot more to take notes during class so you might not even need notebooks.
Stapler & Staples:
This stapler is so cute and would look so good on your dorm room desk! I love the brand Sugar Paper from Target. All of their stuff is so aesthetic!
Tape & Dispenser:
I love this tape dispenser too! Tape always comes in handy, so it’s a great thing to keep on your desk.
Scissors:
These gold scissors are also the Sugar Paper brand from Target and they are so nice! They would look so cute on your desk as well.
Sticky Notes:
Sticky notes are so useful to have in college! You can use them to take quick notes, bookmark your books, or even write positive messages on to decorate your dorm.
Freshman year, my suitemates and I decorated our bathroom mirror with positive sticky notes and it was really cute!
Index Cards:
Index cards are super handy to have, especially if you like making flashcards to study!
White-Out:
White-out is another smart school supply to pack in case you make a mistake that you want to erase. Correction tape is my favorite white-out!
First Aid & Medicine Essentials
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!
Band-aids:
It’s always handy to have band-aids in all different sizes! You never know when you or a friend may need one.
Neosporin:
Neosporin is a great way to prevent infection and minimize scars! I definitely recommend having some in your first-aid supplies.
Hydrocortisone:
The best anti-itch cream! This is great for mosquito bites and itchy skin.
Ibuprofen:
It’s always good to have some pain medicine on hand in case you get cramps or a headache.
Tylenol:
Tylenol is another pain medicine I like to have with me in case I’m not feeling well.
Allergy Medicine:
I have terrible seasonal allergies and this has been working really well for me for the last month. If you have an allergy medicine that works for you, pack it.
Clothing Essentials You’ll Actually Wear!
Bras & Sport Bras:
Make sure to pack bras and sport bras for college! When I was packing my clothes for college before freshman year, I was so excited to pack all of my cute clothes and outfits, I almost forgot the essentials like bras, socks, and underwear.
Underwear:
Another essential! I find seamless underwear the best to have in college because I wear leggings so often.
Shirts:
Pack all of your favorite shirts including tank tops, basic t-shirts, and any other shirts you know you’ll actually wear. It’s super easy to over pack when it comes to clothes so try to only bring what you know you’ll get use out of.
Athletic Wear:
If you’re planning to exercise in college, bring some cute and comfy athletic wear.
Sweatshirts:
You will definitely want comfy sweatshirts or crew-necks to lounge around your dorm and go to class in! They are just so easy to throw on in the morning, look cute and are so cozy, especially on chilly days.
Sweaters:
When the weather starts getting cooler, I loved wearing sweaters! American Eagle, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls are my favorite places to shop for cute sweaters!
Jeans:
Bring your favorite pairs of jeans to school too! Jeans are the best because you can pair them with almost any shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt.
Leggings:
Leggings are one of the most important college clothing essentials! I practically live in my leggings at school. If you’re looking for some comfy and really good quality leggings, definitely check out Fabletics (I’m literally wearing mine now) or Lulu Lemon.
Shorts:
Bring a couple pairs of your favorite shorts to school too. I can only wear shorts for a couple of weeks before it gets too cold but they are great to have then!
Jackets:
If you’re going to a state where it gets cold in the winter, bring a quality winter jacket!! I go to school in Rhode Island and it gets really windy and cold there. College is a little different than high school because you’ll be walking outside more to get to different buildings so you’ll definitely want a warm coat during the cold winter months.
Pajamas:
Bring your favorite pajamas too. I usually just sleep in sweatpants and a T-shirt but my roommates always have such cute pajama sets. Bring whatever Pjs you know you’ll be comfy in and will wear.
Dresses:
You’ll definitely want a couple staple dresses in your closet that you can pull out in case there is a fancier occasion. Convocation, induction ceremonies, sorority events, etc come up a lot quicker than you think and it’s better to just have 1-2 cute dresses you can throw on.
The dress above is a great example of a simple staple dress that you can dress up or down depending on the occasion. Plus, it’s such a beautiful dress, I want it!!
Swimsuits:
If you’re going somewhere near the beach or down south, make sure to bring a couple of your favorite swimsuits.
Socks & Shoes:
White converse are one of my favorite shoes. They are cute, go with basically any outfit, and are so easy to throw on. I definitely recommend bringing your favorite cute sneakers like converse, vans, keds, or air force ones that you can wear with any outfit.
Also, bring a fancier shoe like heels or sandals and regular sneakers that you can work out in. Pack some shower shoes too (I just use cheap Old Navy flip-flops and they work great).
Face Masks:
We most likely won’t need face masks as often this coming school year, but it’s still smart to bring a couple of cute ones that you can throw on with your outfit in case.
Jewelry:
In my opinion, the best jewelry to wear in college is simple and dainty pieces that look good with any outfit. I gave my friend the necklace above for her birthday and it looks so good on her and with her outfits.
Try not to bring all of your jewelry to college. It will take up space and get unorganized fast. Just bring the essential pieces that you love and will wear a lot.
Sunglasses:
Bring some cute sunglasses to college for the sunny days!
Accessories:
Bring your favorite accessories too! Think scrunchies, barettes, hair scarves, belts, hats, and any other accessories you love.
Kitchen Essentials
Microwave:
It’s super helpful to have a microwave in your dorm room! Make sure to coordinate buying dorm appliances like this with your roommate so that you don’t have two of everything.
Also, check your school’s rules about what type of microwave you’re allowed to have.
Mini Fridge:
I loved having a mini fridge in my room! It’s a great way to have cold bottles of water and store food you buy from the grocery store in case you don’t always want to eat in the dining hall.
Microwavable Dishes:
It is super helpful to have your own set of microwavable dishes! Target has a really cute line of them that are so cheap and good quality. My roommates and I used these bowls in our dorm last year and they are great!
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.
Napkins:
Napkins always come in handy!
Paper Towels:
I try my best to use hand towels when I can but something about having a couple rolls of paper towels is just always useful.
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 cute colors.
Snacks:
Snacks, snacks, snacks! They are so important in college, haha! Make sure to pack all of your favorites, you won’t be sorry.
Chip Bag Clips:
These clips are super helpful and look cute!
Cleaning Essentials
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:
A garbage can is great to have near your desk so that you can throw things out easily.
Trash Bags:
I buy these exact trash bags from Amazon for my dorm and they smell amazing! They are the perfect size for a small garbage can and are a great price.
Hamper:
This would be a great hamper because it stays open and would look cute in your dorm! You may also be able to find something similar at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.
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!
Hand Sanitizer:
I love having hand sanitizer on my desk so that I can make sure my hands are always clean. It’s also helpful to keep some in your backpack.
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.
Small 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.
You definitely don’t need multiple vacuums in your room so make sure to coordinate with your roommate.
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!
Dish Detergent:
Dawn dish detergent is my favorite! It smells so good and works very well.
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.
Electronics Essentials
Cell Phone:
This is obvious, but it’s so important that it has to be on the list!
Long Phone Charger (10ft):
Long phone chargers are so helpful to have, especially in your dorm because sometimes the outlet isn’t super close to your bed. This way, you can still charge your phone while lying in bed!
Laptop & Charger:
Every college student needs a quality laptop for college! This is the laptop I’ve used throughout college so far and still use it today. It is super light, works great, and is even touch screen too!
Long Surge Protector:
Most colleges don’t allow extension cords but do allow surge protectors. This is the one I use in my dorm room and it works great! It has a ton of outlets and still extends a helpful length.
Airpods/Ear Phones:
Make sure to bring air-pods or headphones to college so that you can listen to music! They are also helpful so that you can listen to your phone without disrupting your roommates. I have the air-pods above and use them everyday!
Calculator & Charger:
College math and economic classes will most likely require a graphing calculator. If you have one from high school, pack it. If not, wait until you get your syllabus so that you know you’re getting the right one.
Random Essentials (you’ll be so happy you packed)
Student ID Holder:
This Popwallet is one of my all-time favorite college essentials because it’s helped me every day of college for the past two years! It is basically a pop socket and wallet combined which is so nice. It’s super secure, not too bulky, and holds 4-5 cards.
It’s really 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. I love having it on the back of my phone because 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!
Stationery:
Bring some note-cards so that you can send letters to your friends and family! It’s also smart to bring some birthday cards so that you don’t have to worry about getting them before someone’s birthday.
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:
Hangers, hangers, hangers! If you have the closet space I find it easier to hang the majority of my clothes so that I can find them easier. I also like using the same color hangers so that my closet looks more cohesive and neat.
Wallet:
It’s nice to have a wallet that you can take shopping or around town if your ever want to. The wallet above is from Target and it’s perfect!
Heating Pad:
A heating pad is so so helpful for cramps! I definitely recommend bringing one to college so that you can use it when you’re not feeling well.
Quarters for Laundry:
I know that some schools require quarters for laundry so if that’s your school, make sure to pack a lot!
Beach Towles:
Sometimes it’s hard to remember to pack bath towels and beach towels but if you’re going to a school near the beach or where you’ll be swimming, bring some beach towels!
Sports/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.
Thank you for reading this post that gives you a free ultimate college essentials packing list and shows you everything you actually need to pack for college in 2021. I hope that you enjoyed this post and found it helpful!
