The Ultimate Dorm Checklist for College-Bound Kids

This comprehensive list should definitely cover the basics and then some.

The Ultimate Dorm Checklist for College-Bound Kids

It's time to send your child off to "real world preparation camp," AKA college. If they are planning to live on campus, it isn't just books they'll need. In fact, you might be surprised just how much stuff it takes to live like a grown up.

Luckily, dorm living means having roommates, so there's a good chance that between everyone who will be living in the dorm, all the necessities will be covered.

But in the event that your child is the most responsible and prepared, this comprehensive list should definitely cover the basics and then some.

Bedroom

In most cases, all that will be provided by the dorm is the bed and mattress. Assume that all bedding will need to be provided and make your child's room and sleeping area as comfortable as possible! If the dorms offer a housing tour prior to moving in, they should let you know exactly what you'll need. Take a look at this handy little guide from DormSmart for making sure you get the right size bedding.

- Sheets
- Mattress pad/protector
- Blanket(s)
- Comforter
- Pillow case(s)
- Full length mirror
- Lamp
- Bulletin board

Bathroom

Some dorms have community-style bathrooms and showers, so if your child's is not private, you'll definitely want to make sure that they have their own towels and a place to keep their toiletries for showering.

If the dorm is more apartment style and has a bathroom that is only used by your child and the other roommates, there might be a few shared items that can be distributed evenly among them.

- Towels (bath, hand and washcloths)
- Bath mat
- Shower curtain (if applicable)

Toiletries

- Shampoo & conditioner
- Body wash
- Shower shoes — (these will probably not be needed for private bath areas)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Shaving Cream
- Razors
- Lotion
- Shower caddy
- Loofah
- Blow dryer
- Sunscreen
- Q-tips
- Hair styling tools
- Soap
- Hair brush
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Cotton balls
- Contact solution
- Makeup remover
- Hair gel/hairspray
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Feminine products
- Face wash & moisturizer
- Toilet paper
- Shower cap

Medicine

- Allergy pills
- Band-aids
- Pepto Bismal
- Cough medicine/cough drops
- Pain reliever
- Neosporin
- Eye drops
- Thermometer
- Daily vitamins
- First aid kit

School

This list is a good place to start, but each class' professor will let your child know what specific supplies and/or books they'll need. Some may require items that are not listed but these are the most commonly used.

- Backpack/book bag
- Calculator
- Highlighters
- Pens & pencils
- Index cards
- Notebooks
- Post-its
- Scissors
- Sharpies
- Day planner
- Stapler
- Staple remover
- Folders
- Rubber bands
- Pencil sharpener
- Envelopes & stamps
- Scotch tape
- Push pins
- Pencil holder
- Laptop
- Loose leaf paper
- Thumbtacks

Laundry

Unless your grown child is planning to come home every weekend and do laundry at your house, this list is very important!

There are very few, if any, dorms that have washers and dryers in the dorm room, so you will need to stock up on all the supplies for your child to do laundry in the shared laundry room.

- Laundry bag/hamper
- Detergent
- Dryer sheets
- Quarters
- Fabric softener
- Stain remover
- Iron & ironing board
- Lint roller

Living Space

This refers to both the bedroom and the living area. There might be some items here that other roommates are planning to bring, or that more than one tenant can provide. You want your child's dorm to feel like home and be a reflection of their personal style and tastes.

- Alarm clock
- Television stand
- Furniture
- Decor
- Floor lamp
- Wall art

Kitchen

Some dorms have communal kitchens or eating areas that are already furnished with appliances. However, you can often find very inexpensive dishes and kitchen gadgets at garage sales and second hand stores. It's wise to have these items on hand, with or without a shared eating area.

- Microwave
- Pots & pans
- Mini fridge
- Silverware
- Toaster
- Drying rack
- Tupperware
- Dishes
- Drinkware
- Chip clips
- Can opener
- Dish soap
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Paper plates
- Ziploc bags
- Dish towels
- Hand mits

Food

Even if your child will be on a meal plan at school, we all know that college students need stockpiles of snacks to help them re-energize throughout the day. Most of these are quick and easy so your child can grab and go. If they're running late or can't get to an on campus eatery before a test, these can be hunger (and time) life savers.

- Ramen noodles
- Frozen pizza
- Cereal
- Mac n' cheese
- Granola bars
- Popcorn
- Bread
- Soup
- Bottled water
- Minute rice
- Fruit
- Frozen veggies
- Peanut butter
- Instant oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Chips
- Chip dip/salsa
- Milk

Organization/Storage

Most dorm rooms offer little storage space, and it's usually shared between roommates. Make the most of what space your child does have by getting organized with items like these.

- Under bed storage
- Over the door organizer
- Storage cubes
- Shoe rack
- Computer desk

Cleaning Supplies

Unfortunately, dorms usually do not have hired cleaning staff. Maintaining a germ-free environment is the responsibility of those living in the dorm. So load up on these supplies to make sure your child always has what they need to clean up spills and other messes.

- Disinfecting wipes
- All-purpose cleaner
- Windex
- Vacuum
- Swiffer mop
- Trash can & trash bags
- Sponges
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Hand soap
- Broom
- Dust pan

Electronics

Not all of these are necessities by any means. But with our ever-evolving technological world, it helps to have these things around. Some may be needed for school related reasons and others are strictly for entertainment.

- Cell phone charger
- Computer & printer
- Television
- DVD or Blu-Ray player
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Power strip
- USB flash drive
- Extension cord(s)
- Headphones

Miscellaneous

You never know when your child might need some of these often overlooked items. Even if they never get used, it's a good idea to at least have them within reach. Some of these might already be on your list of things to pack, but consider the others on this list for those unexpected moments when your child might need them.

- Rain boots
- Umbrella
- Gym/weekender bag
- Bike lock
- Workout clothes
- Swimsuit
- Safety pins
- Light bulbs
- Sewing kit
- Tool kit