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The Ultimate Dorm Room Checklist [6 Free Printable Templates]

Most families know some of the basics a freshmen student needs to have when going to college. However, it can be quite hard to keep track of everything and ensure that you don’t end up forgetting some of the things that are important to you when you ship off to college. Of course, personal items from home may also come a long way in helping you with the transition, but you will need more than just the bedding and a laptop to get through college.

You can also download our ready-to-use dorm room checklist templates to make your work much easier. You can also use the template as a guide to making your comprehensive list of all the things you will need for your dorm room.

If you are attending a college out of state, it is important to check on the weather conditions of that state and pack the things you will need for that weather season. You may also consider contacting current students if you have access to them, what you should pack. If you don’t have access to them, don’t worry, we have compiled a dorm room checklist to help you get all the necessary things you will need when reporting to college.

Sections of Dorm Room Checklist

In the meantime, here is a list of all the things you will need to have when going to college:

Bath and Bedding

Most dorm room beds are a standard twin size, which can feel quite small to those who are used to sleeping on a double or queen-sized bed. When going to college, the goal is to make your bed as comfortable as it can be, since sleep plays a vital role in your overall health. Here are some of the things you should add to your dorm room checklist :

  • Mattress pads
  • Alarm clock
  • Throw blanket
  • Paper towels
  • Pillows
  • Shower bucket/caddy to carry items
  • Towels
  • Reading pillow
  • Bedsheets
  • Comforter
  • Under-bed storage
  • Shower shoes
  • Pillowcases
  • Tissue
  • Soap
  • Shampoo

Health and Grooming

Your health and grooming items should come first in your checklist. When going to college, you must pack all the necessary items for your health and grooming. If you have any health conditions, you must carry with you your prescription medicines. Other items to include in your dorm room checklist include:

  • Dental floss
  • Shower cap
  • Lotion/skin cosmetics
  • Travel soap container
  • Mouth wash
  • Nail clippers
  • Shaving kit
  • Air freshener
  • Scale
  • Loofah
  • Eye drops
  • Bathrobe
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo container
  • Q-tips
  • Handheld mirror
  • Heating pad
  • Cotton swabs
  • Make-up kit
  • Hair grooming tools
  • Shower gel or bath soap
  • Bathroom cleaning products
  • First aid kit
  • Air purifier
  • Shower mat
  • Prescription medicines and copies of each prescription

Clothes and Laundry

When you go to college, it is now time for you to clean up after yourself. Don’t let clutter and dirt make your dorm room messy. You will be responsible for the laundry and making sure; your clothes are clean and well organized. Add these items to your dorm room checklist and stock up these items as they will come in handy:

  • Bleach
  • Clothes
  • Laundry detergent
  • Underwear
  • Jeans
  • Shirts
  • Socks
  • Hat
  • Sportswear
  • Pyjamas
  • Dryer sheets
  • Laundry basket
  • Weather appropriate outer clothes
  • Stain remover stick
  • Sandals
  • Loungewear
  • Sweats
  • Laundry detergent
  • Sneakers
  • Belts
  • Hangers
  • Lint brush
  • Swimwear
  • Boots
  • Sunglasses
  • Coat rack
  • Starch
  • Gloves and scarf
  • Business wear
  • Suitcase/luggage
  • Ironing board
  • Hangers
  • Iron or steamer

Décor

It is easy to go through college, leaving blank walls and an undecorated room. But it wouldn’t be that home-away-from-home that everyone needs it to be. Giving your dorm room a personal touch with décor that fits every aspect of your lifestyle and personality is important to your comfort. If you are comfortable in your room, it will be a sanctuary for the rest that you need it to be. Some of the items you could add to your dorm room checklist include:

  • Posters
  • Curtains and spring rod
  • Bedside table
  • Stepladder
  • Fan
  • Adhesive hooks
  • Desk lamp
  • Rugs or a piece of carpet
  • Desk chair
  • Sticky wall mounts and removable adhesive hooks
  • Floor lamp
  • Bulletin board
  • Closet organizer
  • Over the door storage hanger
  • Decorative area rug
  • Clock
  • Trashcan
  • Bed risers

School Supplies

Your ultimate job as a student in college is to study. Learning means going to class, doing your homework, communicating with your classmate, and your professor. To accomplish all this, you need to add the following items to your dorm room checklist:

  • Pens
  • A sturdy backpack
  • Binders
  • Ruler
  • Stapler
  • Envelopes
  • Notebooks
  • Paper
  • Calendar or planner
  • Stamps
  • Calculator
  • Paper clips
  • Sticky notes
  • Whiteout
  • Tape
  • Printer paper
  • Extension cord
  • Markers
  • Tables
  • Hole punch
  • Index cards
  • Earphones
  • Computer mouse
  • Scissors
  • Desk storage
  • Highlighters

In case you want to read about how to craft a perfect college student cover letter, click here.

Electronics and Equipment

During your free time, it is important that you get your mind engaged. Whether it is listening to music, watching a movie, playing a game, or doing your assignments. Here is a list of some of the items you can consider bringing with you to your dorm room.

  • Tablet
  • DVD player
  • TV
  • HDMI cord
  • Computer/Laptop
  • Game system
  • Speakers/stereo

Food and Snacks

Some colleges offer food to the students, while some do not. It is important to first check with the school and understand their policies before shopping for food and snacks as some schools permit students to carry food while others do not. If you are permitted to carry food and snacks on the premises, make sure to add the following items to your dorm room checklist:

  • Foil
  • Sodas
  • Chips
  • Napkins
  • Plastic cups
  • Microwave
  • Coffee mugs
  • Can opener
  • Popcorn
  • Cereal
  • Small dish towel
  • Dish soap
  • Microwave-safe bowls
  • Small dish towel
  • Food storage containers
  • Small refrigerator
  • Pot and pan
  • Fruit snacks
  • Condiments
  • Ziplock bags
  • Disposable forks and spoons
  • Bread
  • Juice boxes
  • Bottled water
  • Sandwich meat
  • Peanut butter
  • Oven mitt

Misc.

As you go through the dorm room checklist, cross off anything that you have already packed in your bags. Go through the following to check if there is anything else you might need to add to your list:

  • Flashlight
  • Driver’s license
  • Umbrella
  • Medical insurance card
  • A small and inexpensive toolkit
  • Bicycle
  • Safety pins
  • Financial aid forms
  • Student ID
  • Car registration and insurance
  • Social security card
  • Emergency Contact
  • Bike lock
  • Debit card

Free Dorm Room Checklists

Following are editable dorm room checklists for you that can be downloaded for free and can be customized as per need:

dorm-room-checklist-pdf.jpg

Dorm-Room-Essentials-Checklist1.jpg

Dorm-Room-Checklist-for-Students.jpg

Dorm Room Checklist For Guys

College Dorm Checklist For Freshman

Dorm Room Essentials Sample

Printable Off to College Dorm Checklist

Ultimate College Packing List

Printable College Dorm Checklist

    Conclusion

    Before buying and packing anything, you must check with your school about what items are and are not allowed. Different schools have different policies on what the students can have when reporting. One school might allow students to have a microwave while another might have specific rules and regulations about what type and size of items are allowed. Make sure to carry all the items you will need in school. Also, note that these are just suggestions; you should adapt the list in a way that best suits your situation.

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