Moving to College Packing List

Why Is Packing for College So Stressful?

Moving to a new state to go to university sure is exciting as you are moving out for the first time and on a path to your independence. Whether you are moving into a college dorm or trying to figure out what you need to rent an apartment, you’re bound to feel some anxiety about moving out and find yourself wondering what to do before moving to another state and what to pack for college.

You don’t want to overpack and have no place to put the things you brought with you, but you also don’t want to forget anything you might need. So, we prepared the ultimate packing list for college with tips for you to know how to move efficiently and avoid the common moving mistakes.

A Checklist Will Help You Stay Organized

First things first – create a checklist for moving to another state. This is the best way to act and stay organized during this hectic period. Think of all the things you’ll need – school supplies, clothing, bedding, personal care items, kitchen stuff, and don’t forget about the packing materials for moving. Update your dorm room checklist along the way if you think of something else you might find useful.

No1 on College Essentials List – Desk and School Supplies

Let’s get the school stuff out of the way first as it is least likely you’ll need it during your vacation – except for your laptop, of course. Figure out what you won’t require immediately and get it once you get there to lighten your load. Depending on your courses, you might require some extra items, but here are the essentials for your desk and the things you need for college.

The Ultimate List of University School Supplies

So, if you are wondering what to bring to the college dorm, here’s the ultimate packing list for college when it comes to school supplies.

• Laptop, its charger, and its bag
• Headphones
• Textbooks
• A pencil case with pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, and erasers
• Markers, highlighters
• Paper and paper clips
• Sticky notes
• Planner
• Stapler
• Calculator

Don’t Forget About the Important Documents

Believe it or not, documents are some of the most commonly forgotten things to pack when going to uni. It seems that future freshmen get too consumed about the clothes that they forget social security cards or medical records. So, our most important tip: pack the important documents for college first and then figure out the rest.

Laundry – Clothing, Bedding, and Bathroom Stuff

While you won’t learn to appreciate sleep until later in life (probably not before you learn how to find a job after college), you want to make sure that the amount of sleep you do get is on a comfy bed. So bring nice sheets, pillows and pillowcases, a blanket or two (depending on the state and its weather), and a mattress cover.

Set a Reasonable Limit for Clothing – Don’t Bring Everything You Have

Whether you are using a packing service, or intend to pack by yourself – don’t forget the space-related issue – you might end up sharing a small room with another person, and you simply won’t have space for your entire closet. You don’t want to end up having to rent a storage unit, do you? Keep in mind that you will likely be going back home on seasonal breaks, so you can bring or return some clothing on such trips. Go all out on underwear (you’ll always need clean underwear), focus on comfy clothes, but bring something fancy, too. You could use a laundry bag or laundry basket, as well.

Here’s a list of the must-haves when it comes to clothes:

• Underwear and socks
• Pants/jeans
• Shirts/blouses
• Sweaters
• One set of business-casual clothes
• A couple of fancy outfits
• Light/heavy jackets
• Pajamas and sweats
• 1 pair of boots
• 2 pair of comfy sneakers
• 1 pair of dress shoes
• Gloves, scarf, hat, and other winter wear if necessary
• Slippers
• 1 swimsuit

Bathroom Stuff and Cleaning Supplies

Besides your own personal hygiene products, such as shower essentials, you should bring a first-aid kit and a thermometer, cold medicine, allergy medicine (if any), and birth control. This is also a time you will learn to clean after yourself, if you haven’t already, so you will have to bring a mop, rubber gloves, and some basic cleaning supplies, too, and buy the rest once you get there. Don’t forget to clean the bathroom – and especially the shower – before using it.

Kitchen Stuff You Won’t Be Able to Go Without

This is also a time you will learn to do some basic cooking. When it comes to kitchen appliances, see if your roommate is willing to share, and make arrangements as to who will bring what. Having a bunch of appliances and electronics and no storage space is the last thing you want when moving state to state and it will increase the cost if using an interstate moving service, so split that load into half. Here are the most important items:

• Mini vacuum
• Microwave
• Microwave-safe food containers
• Pots and a frying pan
• Dishes, mugs, and utensils
• Dish detergent
• A trash can and trash bags
• Oven mitts

One Final Touch to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

Saying bye to friends and family and moving to another state alone is not easy, and it’s perfectly normal to experience depression after moving state to state. When these feelings arise, it would help to have something in your room to remind you of home, family, and friends. So, bring some photo frames with photos of your loved ones, your old posters and paintings, and that lamp you got from your dad. Feel free to add a little final touch to make your new room feel like home and get ready to embark on a new chapter of your life.