The Ultimate Checklist of what every College Freshman would need for their Dorm Room in 2020
This checklist includes all the dorm room essentials that you are going to need to start your college life. Everything is sorted into categories with essential and recommended items listed.
Before you buy or pack anything, be sure to check your housing contract or ask your college housing about what items are and are not allowed in your dorm room. Each college have their own health and safety regulations that each resident must follow.
Also, check what amenities are included in your dorm room floor and building. For example, some colleges may or may not include a communal kitchen.
Being familiar with your college housing prior to moving in will make your life so much easier. Trust me, you do not want to be that freshman bringing pots and pans when there is no communal kitchen available.
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Okay, this is not a physical essential you need for your dorm room, but is definitely an essential to make your college and dorm room life so much easier. Most colleges are well-equipped with Amazon lockers throughout the campus where any student can stop by and pick up their orders.
With their free two-day shipping and in most cases, same day delivery, you can quickly purchase any dorm room essential that you forgot or need moving forward. On top of the free six-month trial, there are numerous benefits for students that are listed.
All you need is a .edu email and you can sign up today!
Prime Student Benefits
- Free Two-Day Shipping
- Unlimited streaming of Prime movies and TV shows
- Eligible to receive 50% off Amazon Prime
- Exclusive student discounts
2. Bedding/Bed Stuff
Purchasing the correct bedding and bed stuff are important to keep in mind when shopping as most, if not all, colleges provide Twin XL beds in their dorm rooms. The last thing you want to do is sleep on a used mattress without bed sheets cause you purchased a regular sized Twin bed sheet, instead of a Twin XL bed sheet.
See the checklist of essential and recommended bedding and bed stuff for the perfect first night in your dorm.
3. Bath and Toiletries
For toiletries, I would recommend only packing enough to fit in travel-size bottles and containers or none at all. With local student stores and Amazon Prime, you can easily purchase all the toiletries you need on the spot.
Whether you have your own private bathroom or a communal bathroom, you are going to need these items on the checklist.
4. Laptop
Unless you are living in a single dorm room, you probably aren’t going to have enough space to bring a regular computer. That’s why a laptop is the perfect choice to maximize the amount of desk space you have while having a laptop small enough to carry to class.
Listed are a few laptop recommendations that are perfect for any college student.
5. Laundry
Unless you are going back home every weekend, you have to learn how to do your own laundry and going to need all the supplies to do it correctly. But trust me, it will be easer than any exams you will take.
Thankfully, all you are going to need the first week is a laundry basket. All other supplies can be purchased later on through Amazon or a local store. Go over to the checklist to see my recommended laundry supplies.
Checklist:
6. Clothes and Personal Items
This doesn’t really need an explanation, but I’ll give you some advice. For clothes, I recommend packing light as you may not have enough closet space to accommodate everything you want to bring.
But definitely pack essential clothes for all the seasons. You can’t get away from wearing a tank top and basketball shorts everyday unless you live in LA.
For personal items, make sure you bring everything you need that you will not be able to retrieve from home anytime soon.
Checklist:
- Clothes (Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer)
- License / ID Card / Passport
- Medicine / Prescriptions
- Money / Wallet
- Phone
Now you may be wondering that was a short list. You forgot the alarm clock, desk lamp, trash can, desk chair, extra monitor, printer, and etc.
And no, I didn’t. This is where Amazon Prime comes into play. For most college freshmen, this is going to be a brand new experience of unmarked territory. And you’re not going to know exactly what you will need for your dorm room.
This checklist is only listing the essentials that you will need for your dorm room for the first week. After the first couple of nights, you will be able to purchase any items that you need to accommodate your ideal dorm room life moving forward.
And if the two-day free shipping is too slow, you can always check your local student stores near your dorm room or on campus to purchase any additional items you need. Trust me, they will have most, if not everything that you need to make your dorm room perfect.