Here's the list of everything I needed for college. Obviously everyone's needs vary but I tried to include all things I personally forgot to pack. For a checklist of these items and some additional tips click the link here.
Clothes
Since I knew that I was going home for school breaks, I decided that it was best to bring my summer clothing to college and then switch it out for warmer clothing when I headed home. For this list, though, I included both summer and winter items
- T shirts
- Shorts
- Jeans
- Jacket
- Coat
- Sweatshirts/Sweatpants
- Sweater
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Accessories (Sunglasses, Wallet, Purse, Gloves, Belt, Tie, Scarf, Jewelry, Hats/Caps, etc,)
- Pajamas
- Workout Clothing
- Socks
- Underwear/Bras
- Tank Tops
- Swimsuit/Swim trunks
- Dress Clothing (Dresses/Dress Shirt & Slacks [for class speeches, job interviews, church, etc.])
- Shoes (I brought Toms, Sandals, Sneakers, Converse, Dress Shoes, and Boots)
Food
When it comes to food, everyone's preferences and restrictions vary, so feel free to modify this list with your own groceries. In general, though, items with a long shelf-life are better.
Snacks/Dried Goods:
- Nuts
- Granola Bars
- Crackers
- Oatmeal
- Cereal/Granola
- Peanut butter/Jelly
- Canned tuna
- Canned soup/ Ramen
- Dried Rice/Dried Beans (If you get these in bulk you'll save a bunch)
- Salt and Pepper
- Spices and Condiments
- Coffee/Tea
- Protein Powder (I only had this after a family member bought it and gave it to me)
- Multivitamin (This is completely up to you but there will probably be times during the year that you eat like crap and don't always have time to give your health the attention it needs. Plus, I ended up finding a brand that I like for under $4 for 100 vitamins).
If you have refrigeration:
- Eggs (Note: this requires access to a stove and frying pan or at least a microwave)
- Yogurt
- Milk (I suggest a half gallon)
- Sliced Bread
- Cold Cuts/Sliced Cheese
Office Supplies
- Pencils
- Pens
- Pencil Cup
- Mini Pencil Sharpener (If you use wooden pencils)
- Scotch Tape
- Loose line paper & printer paper
- Scissors
- Forever Stamps (Even if you don't use them at college, you'll use them one day and they take up almost no space)
- Desk Calendar
- Planner (Only helpful if you are dedicated to keeping up with it)
- Multicolored Pens
- Sharpies
- Dry Erase Board/Markers
- Highlighters
- Multi-subject notebooks (Cannot recommend these enough for science classes for Premed majors)
- Wide binder
- Calculator
- Post-it note
- Big Erasers
- Duck Tape (It'll come in handy some time)
- Index Cards (If you like flashcards)
- Folders
- Paper Clips
- Ruler *
- Printer*
- Mini Stapler
- Colored Pencils
- Safety Goggles ( for science majors; check on syllabus )
- Rubber Bands
- Pencil Case
- Flash Drives (2)/ SD cards
Furniture and Bedding
- Pillows
- Storage Cubby
- Bed Set (Pillow Cases/Sheets/Covers)
- Throw Blanket/Quilt
- Rug
- Curtains
- Desk Lamp/Bed Lamp
Toiletries
- Towels (Washcloths, Hand Towels,Bath Towels)
- Hair Dryer/Flat Iron/Curling Iron
- Body Wash
- Face Wash
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Tissues
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hand Soap
- Tweezers
- Razor
- Shaving Cream
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Bugspray* (Only needed in areas where bugs are a problem)
- Hygiene Products
- Shower Caddy
- Hand Sanitizer
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Makeup/Makeup Remover/Nail Polish/Nail Polish Remover
- Hair Ties/Headbands/Hair Products
- Body Spray/Cologne/Perfume
- Hairbrush
- Toilet Paper
- Q tips*
Electronics
- Cell Phone & Charger
- Portable Phone Charger*
- Laptop & Charger
- Headphones/Earphones
- Mini Fridge (If one is not provided)
- Microwave (may also be provided)
- Electric Kettle/Coffee Maker
- Iron**
- Surge Protector
- Extension Cord
Cleaning Supplies
- Clorox Wipes
- Glass/Mirror Cleaner
- Trash Can/Bags
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Sponge
- Broom and Dustpan
- Mini Vacuum (I've seen ones as cheap as $15, but I can't vouch for the quality)
- Toilet Brush
- Disinfecting Spray
- Paper Towels
The Kitchen
Again, this depends on what is provided to you. I shared a stove/oven, microwave, and dishwasher with a few other girls, so I brought lots of cooking/baking items. Make sure you know what cooking equipment you have available before buying things you don't need.
- Tupperwear
- Ziploc bags
- Water Filter*
- Sponge
- Dish Soap
- Drying Towel/Drying Rack
- Silverware
- Plates/Paper Plates
- Bowls
- Cups
- Mugs
- Frying Pan
- Sauce Pan
- Oven Mitts
- Can Opener
- Spatula
- Measuring Cup/Spoons
- Cookie Sheet/Brownie Pan/Cupcake Pan (I like to bake)
- Microwave*
- Blender*
Laundry
- Laundry Bin/Bag
- Laundry Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
Money, Papers, and IDs
- Driver's License
- Debit Card/Credit Card/Checkbook
- Student ID
- Print-out of your class schedule
- Copy of personal information like vaccination records, a copy of your SS card, etc. (I made sure to keep this in a secure location in case I need it for something like a job interview)
Inside Your Room
- Spare batteries
- Big Mirror
- Screwdriver
- Contact Book (It's good to have your contacts written out in case something ever happens to your phone contacts)
- Hanging strips/hooks
- Lint Roller*
- Sewing Kit
- Earplugs
- Clear Plastic Bins
- Shower Curtain and Rings (If not provided)
- Hangers
- Shoe Hanger*
- Decorations* (Pictures, lights, pictures, tack board)
- Fan
First Aid Kit
- Band-aids (this is probably the only thing I would say not to skimp on- It stinks to have to use cheap bandages when you don't have to)
- Antibiotic cream
- Anti-itch cream
- Cold Medicine
- Cough Drops
- Vitamin C packets (these are a lifesaver when you feel a cold coming on)
- Pain/Headache Medicine
- Stomach Medicine
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Throat Syrup *( For most products I use whatever's cheapest, but in this case I feel like this is good enough to share. I'm in no way being sponsored by any product, but I can definitely vouch for this syrup right here for sore throats. )
- Ginger Chews (for an upset stomach)
What I forgot
- A reliable water bottle
- An umbrella/A good rain jacket/Rain Boots
- Air Freshener (Just trust me, it'll come in handy at some point during the year)
- Flashlight
- Light Bulb
- Plunger (I couldn't think of anything more embarrassing than being the one to bring a plunger to the dorm-I was wrong. The most embarassing thing would definitely be not having one when you need it)
- Lanyard for Student ID
- Nail Clippers
- Pepper Spray*
- Defense Whistle
What I didn't use:
- Ironing Board- I didn't have any reason to iron this year, but it was kind of nice knowing that my roommate brought one with her. If you don't have one a hair straightener sometimes works in a jam.
- Alarm Clock (for my alarm)- This one is up to you. I have a phone, which pretty much makes an alarm clock obsolete... except for the fact that I sometimes used it as a regular clock when I was too lazy to check my phone.
- My photo album- Okay, maybe it's just me on this one, but I thought that at college I would be spending my evenings wistfully leafing through my photo album. In reality, I only opened it once.
* = Optional
I hope you enjoyed my packing list :) There aren't very many specific items that a premed major needs in his or her freshman year, but as mentioned earlier I highly recommend a multi subject notebook for science classes. I quickly learned that using loose paper and single subject notebooks means lots of clutter.
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