This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.
Getting ready for college? Be sure to grab this Dorm Room Essentials Printable Checklist. Make sure you are prepared for college!
Dorm Room Essentials
Going to college is a big step in every teenager’s life. It is usually the first time they have lived on their own, it is the first time the parents have been without them! It is not only exciting, but stressful and emotional.
As a parent, you have to get your child ready to take on this next step, and that means making sure their dorm room has everything they need to make them feel comfortable and ready to take on this next adventure.
You will want to send them away with absolutely everything you can think of, but remember that dorm rooms are small and your child will be sharing a space with up to 3 other people, so you don’t want to pack more than what will fit! To help you get organized, I have had a checklist of essentials below. If you think of any I missed, be sure to share them in the comments so I can get them added.
You definitely want to minimize clutter and be as organized as possible, a small space can get cramped quick!
Here is a list of Dorm Room Essentials:
- Calculator – a real one, not just the one on their phone
- Lap top/Computer
- Extension cord and power strip
- Pens/pencils
- Stapler
- Printer and printer paper
- Backpack
- Cork board or white board to write down schedules, etc.
- Calendar – or get them used to using the one in their phone
- Storage bins
- Under-bed boxes – if they will fit!
- Flashlight
- Basic toolkit
- Band-aids
- Beauty supplies – brush, toothbrush, make-up, etc.
- Pain reliever
- 2 extra-long flat sheets
- 2 extra-long fitted sheets
- 2 standard pillowcases
- 2 pillows
- Extra-long comforter
- Pop-open hamper
- Soap and a container for it
- Shower caddy/basket
- Razor and shaving cream
- Trash can and some bags
- All purpose cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Alarm clock – or get them used to using the one in their phone
- Toilet Paper
Here are a few things that your child will want, but you will want to check and see if any of their roommates are bring one, you don’t need 4 TVs and 4 coffee makers in a small dorm room.
- DVD player
- TV
- Mini fridge
- Coffee maker
Just click the image above to print the Dorm Room Essentials Check List.
Where do you like to go your dorm room essentials shopping?
What are some of the items on your child’s Dorm Room Essentials Checklist?
Looking for more college preparation tips?
Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free
Tips On Getting Your High School Student Ready for College + Free Printable Checklist
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more tips, fabulous recipes and more!
I have a daughter that is in college and this is very helpful and I also have a niece who will be attending college, The list here will be very helpful for them and me..
@tisonlyme143
Some items have changed in 40 years, but many are the same.
Wish I had a comprehensive list like this one to keep me organized… I moved from one place to another while studying and I always forgot to bring along most of the stuff that I needed, ESPECIALLY in dorms. This sums everything up quite nicely, though, and it’s up to date with current necessities as well.
wow,i wish i had this list when my son was in college
This is great to have! Thanks!
This is an awesome checklist! The only thing I would add is a keurig if you have an extra one to take hahah. I loved having mine at school because they didn’t serve the best coffee and there were no coffee shops near campus.
This is a very useful list for my brother. I’ll show it to him before he goes off to college.
I like this great idea of having a checklist. I appreciate bringing this ultimately high valued printable to me.
What a great idea to have a checklist like this so things aren’t overlooked. Cant think of anything to add.
I’m going to share this with my neighbor great list it’ll help a lot
Very nice colors,variety,and the fact that most of it is washable.I am always on the look out for washable items!
How convenient having everything together & coordinating!
Love the black with vines and teal. But they are all beautiful. Good luck all!!!
I have twins getting ready to go to college next year. I need all of this times two!
Great prizes, always like the idea of a mattress cover. It protects you and the mattress
With 2 daughters in college, I have SO much to buy!
Great checklist. I’d only add a power bank or extra charger for their phone/tablets.
The list is very helpful. The only thing I might add is an ethernet cord. We had to buy one at the school store and it was so much more money than buying it at Staples.
This is a comprehensive list. Lots of wonderful ideas for college students.
Great list. I would add those little lap laptop tables and a reading light.
The egg crate pad is a must- the styles and colors of the sheets are fun! Great collection!
Seems simple, but pictures from home, a plant, knick knacks… things to make it feel more like “home”.
I love that – Thank you!
I love this list my nephew and niece are starting college for the first time in less than a month and this list will definitely help. Thank you
This is an excellent list but I would add some paper towels, facial tissue (Kleenex) and alarm clock. Make sure your extension cord has a power surge built in too.
It’s that time of year for many! 😉 Good of you to post up a helpful reminder all for the dorm list.
Off of the bedding, I’d say, handheld vacuum cleaner! 😉 Always useful, and small clock with radio and alarm.
The underbed storage solutions is mh fav.
I love the twin bedding set in grey and white color. It would look nice on my son’s bed.
This Dorm Essentials list is awesome, I can’t think of anything it’s missing except healthy snacks and foods that keep,to save money if you have a limited meal plan.
This is a great list of needed items! I would add a special “First Aid Kit” for colds and other illnesses. Nyquil cold and flu medicine (Nightime and Daytime), Pepto Bismo, Kleenex, throat lozenges, a list of contact info for local doctors and hospitals…
I’d say an all in one mattress protector and shower caddy. Never knew what bed bugs were until my sophomore year in college-ughhh.
I would add a Keurig or single serve coffee maker for mornings and those late night cram sessions.
Wonderful list — updated from when I went to college. Love the red plaid bedding
My daughter will be off to collage in 2 short years and has already been seriously looking at her choices. I guess it is time to start preparing now.
My sister is in college. She could use the sheet set and the towels when she starts back next month. It’s going by fast. It seems like yesterday she was graduating high school.
Great list! It seems I always needed more money for meals and groceries, gift cards for that were always appreciated!
This is a very comprehensive list. I wish I had had it for my sons. My favorite is the under the bed storage units.
Oh gosh this would help out my pocket book, I love the big list great idea very though. Thank you! For a chance
Great Giveaway! I guess the only other things I could think of would be a cell phone with a plan, and some pepper spray. Most dorms are rather small like the one my niece is entering, they already have TV’s and Mini fridges included there. How nice! This would be perfect! Thank you kindly for the opportunity and have a wonderful weekend!!
I think a microwave would be nice if allowed. Coins for the laundry room would be nice too.
Don’t forget shower shoes!
I would include a wellness/sickness box that not only had pain medicine but also includes things like antacid, multi symptom cold medicine, throat lozenges, condoms, hand sanitizer, travel packs of tissues, etc.
I love the list and I really am about to make some changes
This seems like a complete list!
This is terrific. My daughter can certainly benefit a lot from it. I wish I had this when I was college bound 🙂
I would add sanitizing wipes.
I am loving everything listed in this giveaway it is perfect!
Awesome! Thank you so much for the printable! Great planning tips!
You are more than welcome!
I would add rolls of quarters for doing laundry
My favorite is the extra long comforter.
I would add snacks & drinks to the list. I think they are definitely essential, especially for those late night study sessions.
I love all the great items you’ve listed would be a big help on a large list.
awesome list that we will use this year as my first child goes to college. i would add some homemade cookies,or favorite snacks,lol and maybe some family pictures. thank u
I definitely would want the mini fridge. For late night snacks.
Great list! I would add more towels and washcloths for the girls!
Great list! I would probably make sure to add a sturdy backpack or bag to carry books and computer to and from classes and gift cards to local grocery stores or restaurants to make sure they eat.
I’m taking my daughter back to college in 2 weeks. I love the tool kit idea.
I think the pop open hamper is my favorite because it makes it so easy to carry all your laundry to wash them. Also, I think I tiny rug would be nice because sometimes the dorm room floor is weird :/
Thanks so much for a great list. My oldest is starting college.
A Taser
I Like the printer, the bookbag and the towels the best.
Thank goodness for oversized bath sheets! Nice to wrap up in for the dash from the bathroom to the room!
An alarm clock is a must if they have early morning classes
A good pair of scissors, glue and tape.
A laptop is a must!
Such a great giveaway. I would add a picture of home so they always remember. Especially for the “not so sure days”
Extension cords and power strips are needed, outlets are never where they need to be.
I would love to have the Trash can and some bags
I think they need something for storage like the trunk they have