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Institute
College Dorm Shopping List

 

 

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

Antibacterial gel (for room & backpack)

Band Aids 

Basic first aid kit

Birth control

Body wash or soap

Cotton pads

Deodorant

Ear plugs

Eye mask for bright rooms

Facemask(s)

Floss

Hair accessories

Hair brush/combs

Hair dryer/iron/curler

Hand soap for bathroom (if they have a bath attached to their room)

Lotion

Makeup

Makeup remover

Mouthwash

Perfume/cologne

Rubbing alcohol

Shampoo/Conditioner/other hair products

Sports tape/wraps

Tampons/pads

Thermometer

Tissues

Toilet paper*

Toothbrush(es)

Toothpaste

MEDICINE

Allergy meds

Anti-diarrhea meds

Anti-itch cream

Antibiotic cream

Cough drops

Daytime cold meds

Emergen-C or Airborne packets

Gas-X

Nighttime cold meds

Pain reliever 

Pepto Bismol 

Prescription drugs (with enough refills for semester)

Sudafed

Throat lozenges 

Tums

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Backpack 

Bulletin board and pins*

Dry erase board and dry erase pens*

Envelopes (legal size)

External hard drive

Highlighters

Notebook (multi-subject)

Pens/pencils/erasers

Post-it notes 

Postage stamps 

Printer*

Printer ink and paper

Scissors

Stapler and staples

Tape

Thank you or blank note cards

Thumb drive

BEDDING/TOWELS

Back rest for bed

Bed lifts*

Comforter

Decorative pillows

Mattress pad

Mattress protector

Pillow protectors

Pillows

Sheets (2 sets) – check if bed is X-long

Stuffed animals/comfort item

Throw blanket

Towels (2 sets)

LAUNDRY

Dryer sheets

Folding clothes drying rack

Instructions for doing laundry

Iron

Ironing board (folding)

Laundry basket/bag

Laundry detergent/bleach

Spray Starch

Stain remover

KITCHEN

Bottle/can opener

Chip clips

Microwave*

Microwaveable plates/bowls/mugs

Mini fridge*

Reusable straws

Reusable water bottle

Rolling cart for snacks

Small sharp knife

Thin cutting board

Utensils

GROCERIES

Breakfast bars, oatmeal, easy options before early AM class

Chicken soup

Favorite condiments like hot sauce, salt & pepper

Honey for tea

Other favorite food/drinks

Saltine crackers for upset stomach

Snacks like popcorn, pretzels, trail mix or nuts

Tea bags (caffeine-free) for when they are sick with a sore throat

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Air fresheners/odor eliminators

Bottle brush cleaner to clean reusable water bottle

Broom/dustpan

Cleaning cloth

Dish soap

Lysol spray

Lysol wipes

Paper towels

Sponges

Swiffer/pads/liquid

Trash bags for small cans

 

OTHER STUFF

Area rug

Basic tool kit

Batteries

Bedside caddy (to hold laptop, etc. if you sleep up high)

Desk/clip-on fan

Desk/clip-on lamp* and light bulbs

Door stopper*

Extension cord with multiple plugs and surge protector*

Extra-long phone charging cord

Flashlight and batteries

Foot stool with storage

IKEA shopping bags for moving things in/out

Long mirror*

Personal safe for passport, good jewelry, small high value items

Plastic milk crates for storing stuff like laundry soap on top of wardrobe

Portable cell phone power bank/cord

Shelves (freestanding) for top of desk*

Shower caddy that will dry easily 

Shower curtain/liner*

Shower shoes

Space-savings hangers

Sports equipment

Tape measurer

Tension rod and window curtain*

Three-drawer plastic storage units or other under-bed storage*

Trash can and recycling bin*

Umbrella

Wall art/tapestries/photos of friends and family

Wall-safe adhesive like 3M hooks or putty*

 

*Check your college’s website for what items are provided in the room, suggested items to bring and those that are forbidden. Also: coordinate with your student’s roommate to see what they’re bringing to avoid duplicates.

Happy Student
Female Student with Laptop
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