Off-to-College Checklist Basics

When you go off to college there are a ton of things you need to take with you, and your text books and class schedule are only the beginning. If you don’t take a checklist, chances are you will forget some of the important stuff, and spend most of your first week running back and forth to the store, getting all of the stuff you forgot. Instead of wasting time and money at the store, use the following checklist so that you can bring as much of this stuff as you can from home.

Room Needs

Most of this stuff you can get from your room at home, but you may need to pick some of it up. Just remember, even if you did not use it a ton at home, you may in college when your hours change, and the way you spend your time changes some as well.

Make sure you bring sufficient storage for your things.

Lamp
Alarm
Trash can
Storage
Hangers
Bulletin board/dry erase

Electronics

College is all about the electronic age. You need to be able to get online, research, stay in contact with professors, etc. So, don’t forget to take some of these basic electronic with you, as you may find they cost more than you expect.

Computer
Printer
Phone cord
Ethernet cord
Headphones
Surge protector
Extension cords
Music player

Kitchen Supplies

You have to eat, and while you might hope to eat out a lot or even in the cafeteria on a meal plan, it is still good to have a few kitchen supplies for those late nights, or early mornings when the dining rooms aren’t open.
Cups
Bowls
Plates
Mug
Fork, knife, spoon
Can opener
Tupperware

Desk Supplies

School supplies and desk supplies are a staple of college. You have papers to send in, study materials to go over, flash cards to make, and more. Beyond school, you will be taking pictures with new friends, and all sorts of other things, so do not forget the following desk supplies.

Memory sticks
CD-Roms
Address book
Stapler and staples
Printed paper
Pens, pencils, markers
Notebooks
Pocket folders
Labels
3 x 5 cards
Paperclips
Rubber bands
Scissors
Ruler
Highlighter
Envelopes/stamps
Dictionary and thesaurus

Linens

While most college rooms come furnished, you need your own linens for your bed, and to shower, etc. It would be kind of weird to use other’s, so make sure you take along the following:

Sheets and pillowcases
Towels
Pillows
Mattress pad
Blankets
Comforter

Laundry

Mom isn’t going to be able to do your laundry anymore, and even if you have always done it yourself, don’t forget to take stuff with you to make it easier to keep your clothes clean and stain free.

Stain remover
Quarters for laundry mat
Lint brush
Sewing kit

Toiletries

Beyond the basic toiletries, don’t forget to take along some of the extra stuff you seem to just “have” at home.

Medicine
Band-aides
Shower stuff
Hair styling products
Soaps
Tweezers, clippers, razors
Floss and toothpaste
Lotion

Other stuff

Cleaning supplies
Household products (light bulbs, trash bags, Ziploc bags)
Storage containers