College Student Printable Packing Checklist: Moving Day Must-Haves

By Mary | Senior Staff Writer

Jul 21, 2018 @ 8:35 PM MDT

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Are you ready for college moving day?

Wondering about the best back to school items to make your college moving day easier? Fear not: we’ve got a printable checklist of things to take along! Although every campus offers different amenities and has different rules, this checklist is sure to make it SO much easier to remember the essentials while shopping, packing, and moving!

PRINT HERE

In addition, you can even customize this list! 🙌🏻

To customize it how you’d like, select only the items that you want below, click on the Print icon at the bottom of this post, and print a list with just those items! Now if only finals were this easy! 🤣

And if you’re wondering what stores are the best to shop for the items on your list, be sure to check your local Dollar Tree first – as everything is just $1 each (or less)! Also, you can find awesome deals at stores like Big Lots, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and even Amazon.

NOTE: This checklist is not a onlineprehensive list and you may or may not need all of the items listed. Many schools will tell you what is and is not allowed, what is provided, and what is not and what to expect when you get there. Be sure to check with your specific college or university.

Also, many schools provide the dimensions for dorm rooms, beds, and windows to give you a good idea of sizes you’ll need, so check with them to be safe before making purchases.

Bed & Bath Items:

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Twin XL size sheets

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Twin XL mattress topper and protector

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onlineforter

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Blankets

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Pillows/Pillowcases

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Reading bedrest pillow

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Bed risers or blocks (for more space)

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Bath towels, wash cloth, hand towels

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Under bed storage bins

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Shower caddy with holes

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Shower shoes or flip flops

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Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc)

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Hair dryer

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Toilet paper

Office/Desk Supplies:

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Laptop

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Desk lamp

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Printer (if not using center on campus)

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Printer paper (if bringing a printer)

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Surge protector/extension cords

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HDMI cord, Ethernet cord

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Memory cards and USB flash drive

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Portable speakers

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Headphones

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Camera (if not using cell phone)

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Stapler (and staples)

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Sticky notes

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Bulletin board and push pins

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Dry erase wall calendar and markers

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Desk organizer

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School supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc)

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Scissors

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Pencil sharpener

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Tape and dispenser

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Envelopes and stamps

Dorm Room Items:

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Hanging strips and hooks for pictures/posters

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Posters/wall decor

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Over-the-door shoe organizer

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Full-length mirror

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Floor lamp (plus light bulbs)

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Rolling cart with drawers

Laundry/Cleaning Supplies:

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Laundry basket with wheels

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Laundry detergent

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Clothes hangers

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Iron and small ironing board

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Collapsible drying rack

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Fabric softener and stain remover

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Lint brush

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Disinfectant wipes

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Paper towels

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Kleenex or facial tissues

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Cleaning supplies (dish soap, etc)

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Quarters (if no laundry card)

Kitchen/Household:

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Food storage containers

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Plastic storage bags

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Plates, cups, bowls

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Basic silverware set

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Reusable water bottle

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Can opener (manual) and bottle opener

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Travel coffee mug (for taking to class)

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Dish sponge and towels

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Hot pot or coffee-maker (if allowed)

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Microwave (if allowed)

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Small fridge (if allowed)

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Trash bags

Important Documents:

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Insurance cards

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Credit/Debit/Prepaid card

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List of emergency contacts

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Social Security card

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Small storage safe with lock

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Bank info/checks (see this deal on checks!)

Miscellaneous:

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Toolkit (hammer, screwdriver, etc.)

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Written by Mary for Hip2Save. Mary is a proud mom to 3 kids in Austin, TX, who thrives off running long distance, bargain shopping, warm weather, a yummy latte…and a little Candy Crush from time to time. She loves quality time with family & friends and sharing great deals with others.

Join The Discussion

onlinements 17

3boys July 21, 2018 at 12:15 pm MST

Mom of two current college students…
Drop:
trashcan (most rooms already have them, some even have recycle bins too)
full-length mirror
bulletin board or white board (choose one or a onlinebination, some kids will hang a small white board outside the door for messages)
laundry basket *with wheels* (my kids like one from Target that hangs on a hook or closet rod and has straps like a backpack), floor space is precious.
fabric softener – actually sets stains in clothes
Re-think laundry pods – most have too much detergent and that actually makes the clothes/bedding stiffer.
Iron & ironing board
drying rack (again, floor space is precious – they can hang wet items on hangers around the room if needed)
Social Security card won’t be needed unless they are applying for a passport or a job. Scan it and keep a copy in their Google Drive.
envelopes & stamps – only needed if they want to send bday cards

Add:
plastic shoe boxes: fill one with first aid & cold supplies, second with school supplies, third with (ear buds, HDMI cable, ethernet cable, spare light bulb, etc).
milk crates – great for hauling items to/from college; in dorm room can stack on their sides for ‘bookcase’ type storage.
make sure the floor rug is washable!

Get them used to using Google Drive / Microsoft OneDrive / Dropbox for *everything* if their onlineputer crashes or gets stolen then they can still access their school work (a Chromebook is fantastic for college and will automatically use Google Drive).
My one college student (an hour away) and I use a Google Keep note for reminders of what they need/want for the next visit.

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dona July 23, 2018 at 12:14 pm MST

Thank you for this!

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Gisette July 21, 2018 at 12:30 pm MST

Good list! Just don’t let your child bring every single item from their home bedroom. Our daughters roommate last year had so much stuff it looked so cluttered on her side of the room. Less is more – I promise!

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Laura July 21, 2018 at 12:48 pm MST

Yes, bring only about a third of that list and you should be good! We made a pile in the dining room of everything we thought might be needed. I went through it with my son item by item and got rid of about half of it. This spring I had him bring back things he did not need or use and about 20% made it back home again. So, don’t get carried away. All that stuff has to be transported and then stored (at sometimes great expense) so only bring essentials!

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Desiree July 21, 2018 at 1:22 pm MST

Great advice above! My two college girls love laundry pods. They’re onlinefortable using them because its what we use at home. Both said no to fabric softener. Both schools provided a recycle bin but no trash can, so agree with checking to confirm what your kid’s school actually provides. For girls, I find the biggest challenge tends to be limiting amount of clothes/shoes (keep it seasonal) and limiting the amount of “cute” decor that soon beonlinees clutter in a small room.

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Tia July 21, 2018 at 2:46 pm MST

Oh how I wish I could be preparing to head to college. These kids have it so easy these days with their unlimited phone plans and Google! Lol

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AZ July 21, 2018 at 3:31 pm MST

I’d definitely go w/ liquid detergent over pods as the latter is much more expensive and most college students are on a strict budget. Also for college students that have a car, it’s better for them to take less stuff w/them on moving day since they can always go grab whatever is needed from Target etc. once classes start.

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bdubs July 21, 2018 at 3:47 pm MST

Under documents, it’s been suggested to get a HIPPA waiver and a medical POA so if anything happens you (parents) can be contacted and make decisions for them.
Our school requests laundry pods so kids don’t overfill the washers.
Door stop to keep the dorm door open to meet new people
We also had our kids shop the cheapest store around — our house! Towels, dishes, utensils, pans, most bedding, etc. WE all have extras. Save the new stuff for when they need it.

One thing we found out about the hard way — don’t pay for anything with a credit/debit card to the school. Most charge a 3-4% fee for using credit. Do an electronic check wherever possible.

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Sara July 21, 2018 at 10:12 pm MST

Unless the student is married, has kids, or has already designated someone else, I’m pretty sure the parents already have that power as next of kin.

The only exceptions to not using a credit/debit card would be retail locations like the campus bookstore and dining locations. Those places don’t charge a fee like the administrative side of the school.

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bdubs July 22, 2018 at 11:22 am MST

https://www.legalserviceslink.online/blog/why-college-students-should-sign-a-health-care-proxy-and-power-of-attorney

It’s not 100% that you will have that access.

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Sara July 21, 2018 at 10:02 pm MST

Instead of brining the actual social security card, bring several paper copies. Also, bring several paper copies of their birth certificate. Make several paper copies of the front and back of their drivers license/state id.

Cloud only copies of anything are no good if that storage service or all available onlineputers are down. Paper copies and flash drives are better. No internet access required. Paper copies can be accessed immediately. Cloud copies and flash drives take time that you may not have.

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Sara July 21, 2018 at 10:03 pm MST

*bringing, not brining

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Cindy July 23, 2018 at 8:47 am MST

The original is required for a job/work study though.

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Sara July 23, 2018 at 11:00 pm MST

My work study job only asked for copies. That way they didn’t have to use their time or paper to make copies from the originals. They made me do it.

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MBell July 22, 2018 at 8:34 am MST

Great list! For locked storage, we used a filing cabinet which provides a great base for printer. Basic silverware set is listed twice FYI. We used cotton shower curtain to cover closet clutter. Inexpensive blackout curtains and rod from IKEA (hung using onlinemand strips) were much appreciated by our son. $99 refrigerator with separate freezer from Costco has worked great. Bed risers and over the door hooks are not permitted in some dorms so check ahead.

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Jodi P July 22, 2018 at 10:11 am MST

DON’T BRING………………High School stuff. Photos, yearbooks, awards, team clothing, bedding in high school colors, etc. N.O.B.O.D.Y. cares what high school you went to, or about your high school friends, or about how great you were in high school. Cloaking yourself and your room in your high school stuff just tells everyone that you don’t really want to be at college, you don’t have room for new friends, and you don’t want to grow up. Time for new friends and new memories!

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Jodi P July 22, 2018 at 10:19 am MST

Now I’m getting nostalgic for college dorm life! LOL That was thirty years ago, before cell phones, internet, and even personal onlineputers. I live a few blocks from my old college, and I’m still nostalgic when I drive there.

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College Student Printable Packing Checklist: Moving Day Must-Haves

Are you ready for college moving day?

PRINT HERE

Bed & Bath Items:

Office/Desk Supplies:

Dorm Room Items:

Laundry/Cleaning Supplies:

Kitchen/Household:

Important Documents:

Miscellaneous:

FREE 6-Month Amazon Prime Membership for College Students! Yes, really!

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College Student Printable Packing Checklist: Moving Day Must-Haves

Share this:

Are you ready for college moving day?

PRINT HERE

Bed & Bath Items:

Office/Desk Supplies:

Dorm Room Items:

Laundry/Cleaning Supplies:

Kitchen/Household:

Important Documents:

Miscellaneous:

FREE 6-Month Amazon Prime Membership for College Students! Yes, really!

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