A College Checklist is just the thing you need to start the school year off on the right foot! Adjusting to dorm life can be challenging for an incoming freshman, so make sure you send him or her off to school with little pieces of home such as family pictures, favorite smelling laundry detergent, preferred snacks and a list of email addresses and phone numbers to stay in touch.
The Essential Must-Have College Checklist
Our college checklist is divided by categories to make it easier to see what you need and check off the things you have already packed. Having these essentials will prevent your student from doing a lot of unnecessary shopping when they arrive at their new digs.
Dorm Room College Checklist
| Alarm clock | Bicycle | ||
| Lamp | Bike helmet | ||
| Trash can | Bike tire pump | ||
| Storage bins | Bike lock | ||
| Under bed storage | Umbrella | ||
| Bulletin board/push pins | Light bulbs | ||
| Dry erase wall calendar | Backpack | ||
| Mini toolkit | Sports equipment | ||
| Picture hangers | Deck of cards | ||
| Book light | Pair of dice | ||
| Bean bag chair | Area rug | ||
| Futon | Posters/wall art | ||
| Foldable step ladder | Shoe rack | ||
| Duct tape | Yoga mat | ||
| Flashlight | Safety whistle | ||
| Batteries | Debit card/credit card | ||
| Hooks | Wristlet/wallet | ||
| Swiffer | Sunglasses | ||
| Door mirror | Insect repellent | ||
| Closet organizers | I.D./driver’s license |
Laundry College Checklist
| Laundry basket | |
| Laundry bag | |
| Detergent | |
| Fabric softener | |
| Stain remover | |
| Portable stain stick | |
| Foldable drying rack | |
| Lint brush | |
| Mini sewing kit | |
| Safety pins | |
| Lingerie bag | |
| Iron | |
| Ironing board | |
| Quarters for the machine |
Bedding College Checklist
| Sheets | |
| Pillowcases | |
| Pillows | |
| Comforter/bedspread | |
| Throw blanket | |
| Mattress pad | |
| Bed skirt | |
| Air mattress | |
| Bed risers | |
| Ear plugs |
Bathroom College Checklist
| Bath towels | Nail clippers | ||
| Hand towels | Hairstyling products | ||
| Washcloths | Brush/comb | ||
| Shower caddy | Tweezers | ||
| Shower flip flops | Hair dryer | ||
| Shampoo/conditioner | Curling iron | ||
| Body wash/soap | Flat iron | ||
| Face soap | Razor/shaving cream | ||
| Toothbrush/toothpaste | Cotton swabs/cotton pads | ||
| Toothbrush holder | Makeup remover | ||
| Dental floss | Moisturizer | ||
| Cup | Eye cream | ||
| Mouthwash | Makeup | ||
| Deodorant | Over door towel rack | ||
| Air Freshener | Scale | ||
| Lotion | Tissues | ||
| Pumice | Lip balm | ||
| Nail file | Nail polish/remover |
First Aid College Checklist
| First Aid Kit | |
| Aspirin | |
| Pain reliever/anti-inflammatory meds | |
| Vitamins | |
| Adhesive bandages | |
| Cough drops | |
| Cold medicine/decongestant | |
| Allergy medication | |
| Antacids | |
| Diarrhea medicine | |
| Sunblock | |
| Aloe | |
| Eye drops | |
| Wax hair removal | |
| Ice pack/heat pack |
Kitchen College Checklist
| Paper towels | Energy shots | ||
| Trash bags | Ramen noodles | ||
| Can/bottle opener | Soup | ||
| All purpose cleaner | Granola bars | ||
| Dish soap | Popcorn | ||
| Food storage containers | Peanut butter | ||
| Microwaveable plate | Jelly | ||
| Microwaveable bowl | Favorite Snacks | ||
| Mug | Easy mac & cheese | ||
| Drinking glass | Instant oatmeal | ||
| Fork/spoon/knife | Coffee | ||
| Water bottle | Creamer | ||
| Chip clips | Sugar |
Small Appliances Checklist
| Fan | |
| Space heater | |
| Microwave | |
| Small fridge | |
| Hand vacuum | |
| Humidifier | |
| Electric kettle | |
| Coffee maker |
Electronics College Checklist
| Computer/laptop/tablet | DVD player | ||
| Printer | Favorite movies | ||
| Cell phone | Extension cords | ||
| Camera | Surge protector | ||
| Portable speakers | Ethernet cable | ||
| Headphones | Video gaming system | ||
| MP3 player | Video games | ||
| TV | USB flash drives |
Clothing Checklist
| Underwear | Light/heavy jacket | ||
| Socks | Gloves/scarf/hat | ||
| Pants/jeans | Baseball hat | ||
| Shirts/blouses | Swimsuit | ||
| Sweats | Athletic shoes | ||
| Pajamas | Walking shoes/sneakers | ||
| Workout clothes | Boots | ||
| Slippers | Business casual outfit | ||
| Robe | Dressy/formal clothing | ||
| Sweaters | Hangers |
School Supplies Checklist
| Folders | Post-it notes | ||
| Notebooks | Rubber bands | ||
| Daily planner | Ruler | ||
| Recording device | Scissors | ||
| Stapler/staples | Paper clips/binder clips | ||
| Scotch tape | Desk organizer | ||
| Printer paper | Stamps | ||
| Pens/pencils | Envelopes | ||
| Highlighters | List of addresses/emails | ||
| Index cards | Journal | ||
| Labels | Emergency contacts |
College Checklist For Being A Good Roommate
Going away to college is an exciting time! While you need a college checklist for all of the items you need to bring, don’t forget to add the 3 Cs to your list: Courtesy, Communication and Compromise! Keep this advice as part of your permanent college checklist rules of thumb! They apply not only to people you have never met before, but even roommates who are currently friends of yours. The 3 Cs will go a long way in making living with one another a joyful experience.
Courtesy: Be respectful of one another and take care to treat each other’s bad habits or flaws as you would like yours to be handled with you. Remember that you are in the same boat and probably all a little homesick, so be supportive of one another’s activities, interests and lifestyle differences.
Communication: Make sure to be open and honest with your feelings and be receptive to constructive criticism as well. Most students experience a lack of privacy from what they were used to at home. Communicate your needs rather than getting frustrated with the situation. Ask your roommate to join extra-curricular activities with you to build your relationship.
Compromise: There is always a solution if you work together to solve a problem. Meet in the middle and you will both feel as if your needs have been heard if not met. Be open to suggestions and don’t be afraid to share your perspective. You might just learn something!
Keep the 3 Cs on your college checklist and your freshman is bound to have a highly successful transition into his or her new home away from home!
We hope our college checklist is helpful. Share this with all of your friends who are sending their kids off to school too! While you are crossing off items from the best college checklist ever, don’t forget to pick up some personalized collegiate ornaments to send as Christmas decorations before midterms! They will love showing their school spirit. We have over 60 colleges and universities to choose from!