2017 Back to College Packing List
It's August 1! Which means it's officially time for back-to-school [AKA, my favorite season]. I've always loved buying school supplies, picking out stuff for my dorm, and just prepping for the new year. This year is different though, I'm going into my senior year at college and I couldn't be more sentimental about everything I do.
The nostalgia is already hitting hard and the year hasn't even started yet. As a rising senior who has lived in a dorm, apartment, and now off-campus house in college, I feel like it was appropriate to use my knowledge to create an ultimate college packing list.
I've created both a digital image and downloadable PDF (which includes additional notes pages to help you shop!) of the packing list. This list is specifically for moving into a dorm, but the basics apply for an apartment or house as well. And keep in mind going through this list that these are the basics you will need in a dorm, and a few things I've found helpful; there will be other things you may decide you need or want. Use the note pages on the PDF print-out to your advantage! Write down anything extra you think you'll need, make a list of clothing you think you'll need to pack, or even anything you already have!
There are a few items on my list I feel may need an explanation..
| Duvet Cover |
I added duvet cover to this because after having a 2 different comforters my freshman year I couldn't handle how gross they got. You can't fit a comforter in the washing machines at [my] school, and getting them to the laundromat is difficult if you don't have a car. A duvet cover is a great solution. I bought a duvet cover my sophomore year and it changed the game. Washing it with my sheets not only made me feel better about how clean my space was, but I also noticed that I got sick less often and my skin cleared up. I still bring my duvet inserts home on breaks to wash them or to a laundromat if I can't get home.
| Second Laundry Basket |
Theres nothing worse than being lazy and not wanting to fold your clean laundry but more dirty laundry is piling up. Or, wanting to separate loads based on color, or having delicates that can't dry and you want to bring them back upstairs to hang, but you also want to leave your basket in the laundry room for the rest of your clothes. Honestly, the college laundry struggle is real guys. Having a second basket or even a laundry bag (what I used) was just what I needed!
| Tampons, Pads, Panty Liners |
I added this one for two reasons:
- if you get your period, it may be cheaper to get them at a local surplus store. I live in New England where BJs and Sam's Club are popular places to get things in bulk.
- If you don't experience a period (for medical reasons, or you are on birth control or other medication that may cause you to not experience a period) having a few of these on you will be so helpful! You will be that person in class or on the floor easily making friends because you always have someones back. For my first two years of college I was on birth control and not experiencing a monthly period, but I still kept one of each of these in my backpack and they came in handy numerous times! You can easily purchase a variety pack at Target.
| Board Game / Cards |
I brought a travel Scrabble and my roommate had a deck of cards and Cards Against Humanity my freshman year. You never know when you're going to want to just do something mindless with some of your new friends on your floor and having one on hand is a lot cheaper than paying $25 at Target for a board game.
| Printer |
My university, as well as most that I know, provide you with a few dollars to use toward the on-campus printers. Check your schools policy because you may have free printing on your campus! I added a printer to this list though, because even though printing was available on campus for relatively cheap, printing in your room is so much easier and more convienent. I am someone who likes to print out their readings for class to highlight and mark them up, so having a personal printer made more sense for me.
When is everyone moving back to school?! Are you an incoming freshman, or are you as nostalgic and old as I am?!
xoxo
AME
