
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.


