What to Bring to College: The Best College Packing List EVER

Contains Content Sponsored by Mylan, Brita and L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze

Click here to download a printable version of this list!

We at HC know there are few things more daunting than packing up your life to move into your (really tiny) dorm or apartment at college, especially if you’re a freshman. What do you need to bring with you? What sounds like a great idea to pack now, but will just end up unused and taking up precious closet space? What if you forget something important (hello, health insurance card) and you can’t get it until Thanksgiving?

Lucky for you, we know exactly what you need to bring to college. Just use this all-inclusive checklist that covers everything from bedding to food to medicine, to help you avoid having any of those awful “oh-no-I-forgot-X-important-thing” moments on move-in day.

Click here to download a printable version of this list!

Bedding

Bedbug-protecting mattress cover
Foam topper
Mattress pad
Twin XL sheet set (and an extra set)
Duvet and duvet cover or comforter set
Twin XL bed skirt
Pillows
Pillowcases
Reading pillow
Throw blanket
Throw pillows
Underbed storage
Sleeping bag or air mattress

Room

Additional seating (beanbag chair, folding chair, comfy chair, etc.)
Futon
Couch cushion
Cushion cover
Bedside table
Dining table
Alarm clock
Wall clock
Bedside lamp
Floor lamp
Lampshade
Hanging lamp
String lights
Coffee table
Area rug
Bed risers
Bed net
Adhesive hooks and strips (that come off cleanly)
Bulletin board and/or dry erase board
Push pins/magnets/whiteboard markers
Posters
Wall art
Photos
Picture frames or photo clips
Closet organizer
Hangers
Skirt hangers
Over-the-door storage units
Space bags
Curtain rods (if needed)
Curtains
Fan
Space cooler
Wall mirror/full-length mirror
Jewelry organizer
Jewelry safe
Clothes rack
Stepladder
Trashcan
Candles
Candle holder
Plants
Brita Stream (Features filters-as-you-pour technology)
Shelves
Drawers
Utility cart
Shoe rack
Vase
Decorative baskets

Laundry

Laundry hamper or bag
Lingerie bag
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Color catchers
Fabric softener
Stain remover
Dryer sheets
Drying rack
Garment bag
Iron
Ironing board
Lint brush
Portable stain remover pen
Quarters
Sewing kit

Food

Bulk snacks (candy, granola, dried fruit, etc.)
Bottled water
Granola bars
Popcorn
Cereal
Coffee
Coffee creamer
Sugar
Instant hot chocolate
Microwaveable mac and cheese
Ramen
Soup
Instant oatmeal
Peanut butter and jelly

Desk/School Supplies

Backpack
Tote bag
Binder clips
Paper clips
Binders
Business cards
Calculator
Calendar
Clicker (if you need one for class)
Desk chair
Desk lamp
Desk organizer
Envelopes
Stamps
Cards/notes to send home
File folder for important documents
Desk storage box
Folders
Glue
Notebook paper
Notebooks
Notepads
Index cards
Sticky notes
Journal
Laptop fan/stand
Pencil case
Pencil sharpener
Pencils
Erasers
Pens/colored pens
Permanent marker
Highlighters
White out
Planner
Portfolio/portfolio case for interviews
Lunchbox
Rubber bands
Ruler
Scissors
Stapler
Staples
Staple remover
Tape
Textbooks
Three-hole punch

Kitchen Supplies

Blender
Microwave (if your school allows it)
Mini fridge (if your school allows it)
Toaster (if your school allows it)
Coffee maker
Oven mitt
Water boiler
Water filter pitcher
Water filters
Reusable water bottle
Utensils
Dishes
Mugs
Travel mug
Bottle opener
Can opener
Chip clips
Napkins
Food storage containers
Plastic wrap
Paper plates
Sealable plastic bags
Tinfoil
Dish towels
Paper towels
Dishwashing soap
Hand soap
Disinfecting wipes
Glass cleaner
Sponges
Duster
Broom
Dustpan
Mini vacuum
Mop
Trash bags

Tech

Laptop
External hard drive
Flash drives
Keyboard
Wireless mouse
Lap desk/stand
Laptop Case
Camera
SD card for camera
E-reader
Tablet
Chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
Portable phone charger
Ethernet cable
HDMI cable
Extension cords
Adapters (HDMI, ethernet, etc)
Headphones and spare headphones
Speakers
Printer
Printer ink
Cord organizer
Printer paper
Router
Surge protectors
TV
TV stand
Batteries

Bathroom

Air freshener
Shower curtain and rings (if needed)
Shower mat
Shower organizer (if your school allows it)
Upgraded showerhead (if your school allows it)
Bathroom rug
Shower shoes
Shower cap
Shower caddy
Bath pouf
Loofah
Washcloths
Bath towels
Hand towels
Bathrobe
Tumbler/cup
Bathroom cleaning supplies (if you need them for your dorm: i.e., drain cleaner, glass cleaner, rubber gloves, shower cleaner, sponges, toilet brush, toilet cleaner)
Scale

Toiletries

Products

Self-tanner (HC Pick: Sublime Bronze, Self-Tanning Towelette, Medium + Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Mist, Medium)
Bar soap
Body wash
Body scrub (We love L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Scrub in Kiwi, Grapeseed and Cocoa!)
Lotion (HC Pick: Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion, Medium + Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk, Medium)
Shampoo (Obsessed with L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo)
Conditioner (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Conditioner)
Hair Treatments (Try iconic L'Oreal Paris duo Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment + Everpure Moisture Hair Sheet Mask)
Hair Color (Choose between L'Oreal Paris Colorista Spray + Colorista Semi Permanent + Feria Glam Grunge)
Cleanser (L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Liquid Moisturizer + Micellar Cleansing Water)
Moisturizer (Check out L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Liquid Moisturizer)
Mask (Try L'Oréal Paris Pure Clay Mask in Charcoal, Red Algae or Seaweed)
Acne medicine/cream
Shaving Cream
Waxing strips
Hair removal cream
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Foundation (We love L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation)
Concealer
Primer (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Primer)
Bronzer
Blush
Highlighter
Eye cream
Eyeshadow (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Eyeshadow Palette)
Eyeliner (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Eyeliner)
Mascara (Use L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara with Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer/Base)
Eyebrow pencil
Lip balm
Lipstick (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Les Chocolats Liquid Lipstick)
Makeup remover
Hair gel
Hair mousse
Hairspray (HC Pick: L'Oréal Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hold Mini)
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Antibacterial gel

Supplies

Hand mirror
Toothbrush
Floss
Toothbrush holder
Razor
Tweezers
Hairbrush
Comb
Bobby pins
Blow dryer
Diffusers
Hair curlers
Curling iron
Hair straightener
Hair ties
Hair clips
Headbands
Contacts, solution, and case
Eyeglasses and case
Eyeglass cleaner
Cotton balls
Cotton swabs
Tissues
Makeup brushes
Nail clippers
Nail files
Pumice stone
Tampons and pads
Toilet paper

Clothing

Bras
Underwear
Shapewear
Sports bras
Pajamas
Casual dresses
Little black dress
Semi-formal dresses
Formal dress
Going-out clothes
Long-sleeve shirts
Short-sleeve shirts
T-shirts
Tank tops
Jeans
Pants
Leggings/Yoga pants
Shorts
Skirts
Professional clothing (dress, dress pants, button-down shirts, skirts, blazers, shoes, purse)
Belts
Tights
Sweaters
Sweatpants
Sweatshirts
Fleece
Jackets
Raincoat
Winter coat
Gloves
Workout clothes
Athletic sneakers
Boots
Casual shoes
Flats
Flip-flops
Heels
Rain boots
Snow boots
Slipper socks
Socks
Socks for rain boots
Slippers
Sunglasses
Bathing suits
Hats
Scarves
Watch
Wristlet
Everyday purse
Formal clutch
Going-out purse
Change purse
Gym bag
Jewelry
Costume clothing for theme parties/extracurricular events