While packing for college is fun and exciting, it can also be a lot to handle. What do I pack? How much should I pack? What do I need? The questions are endless. When I was packing for my freshman dorm room I had all the basics down, but it wasn't until a few weeks after school began that I finally stopped having to buy more items that I didn't even think of bringing in the first place. Just remember, don't over pack because you don't have a ton of room, and be sure to discuss with your roommate(s) before buying certain items. Here's a list of everything I ended up needing in my dorm room, some items may be obvious, but there might also be items on this list that never even crossed your mind.

Bedding

• Memory foam topper

• Mattress cover

• Mattress pad

• Pillows and pillow cases

• Twin XL sheets and comforter

• Throw blanket

Bathroom supplies

• Shower caddy - plastic works best

• Hair wrap (2)

• Bath wraps or a bath robe, either will do (2)

• Bath towels (2)

• Washcloths (2)

• Loofa

Toiletries

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

• A pack of razors

• Body lotion

• Face lotion

• Deodorant

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Mouthwash

• Floss

• Makeup

• Makeup remover

• Contacts and solution

• Q-tips

• Face wash

• Medication

• Bandaids

• Cough drops

• Vitamins

Hair

• Brush

• Comb

• Bobby pins and hair ties

• Hairspray

• Heat styling tools

• Blow dryer

Other supplies…

• Nail clippers

• Tissues

• Tampons and pads

• Tweezers

• Mirror - full body mirror and makeup mirror

• Jewelry

• Pictures/posters

• Umbrella

• Purses - one or two

Room

• Hangers

• Additional seating - discuss with your roommate(s)

• Futon

• Comfy chair

• Lamps

• Desk lamp/bedside lamp

• Floor lamp - discuss with your roommate(s)

• Makeup organizer

• Command hooks

• Trashcan

• Bulletin boards/pushpins

Laundry

• Laundry detergent or pods

• Laundry basket

• Drying rack

• Stain remover

Clothing

Be wise about what you pack! The rule of thumb for packing clothes is that if you don't wear it home, you won't wear it at school, so don't pack it. I have found it helpful to pack for seasons, and when you go home for breaks you can switch out clothes if you need to. Be sure to pick and choose. You don't need five pairs of sweatpants or hoodies, you really only need one - don't over pack.

• Jeans - only a few pairs

• Shorts - only a few pairs

• Shirts/tanks

• T-shirts - not too many, you will get a lot of free shirt in college

• Sleeping/lounging

• Sweatshirts

• Leggings

• Pajamas

• Comfortable t-shirts

• Rain jacket

• Rain boots

• Gym shoes

• Any other shoes you wear on a daily basis

• Dresses - only two or three depending on how often you wear dresses

Kitchen/Household

• Plastic bowls, plates, and silverware - trust me, you won't want to do dishes too much so stick with plastic as much as possible

• Coffee mug

• A couple cups

• Plastic ater bottle

• Dish soap

• Trash bags

• Paper towels

• Tissues

• Clorox wipes

• Plastic snack bags

• Plastic storage box for food

• Mini vacuum (if not provided)

School/desk supplies

• Stapler/staples

• Printer paper

• One pack of pens, one pack of pencils, one pack of highlighters

• Holder for writing utensils

• Post-its

• Tape

• Scissors

• Index cards

• Ruler

• Stamps and envelopes

• Notebooks/binders/folders - wait until you know what you need for your classes

• Paper clips/binder clips

• Backpack

Electronics

• Laptop

• Extension cords

• Surge protector

• Headphones

• Chargers

• Flashdrive

Important documents

• Student ID

• License

• Health/dental insurance cards

• Debit/credit cards

• Any school documents (enrollment/financial aid)

• SSC

Shared items - check with your roommate(s) before buying any of these items!

• TV

• Coffeemaker (if allowed)

• Area rug

• Printer

Packing for your first year of college can extremely stressful, but hopefully this list will help! I wish I had a list of all the items I would need while packing for college that included more than your standard bedding, clothes and primary toiletry. It's easy to remember the basic items you need, but it's just as easy to forget the ones you may not use on a daily basis . Hopefully with this list you will be able to keep the number of trips home/to the store to pick up those extra items to minimum your first few months of college. Remember, pack only what you need. If you don't use it at home, you won't use it at school!