Dorm Room Basics: What to Pack and What to Leave at Home

Because space is limited in dorm rooms, knowing what to pack and what to leave at home is crucial. Your teen will probably want to pack most of her belongings, so you may need to coach her on what should be left behind. Here is a guide to help you and your child pack for dorm room living. 

What to Pack

The Big Stuff
Make sure your student gets in contact with his roommate before purchasing any big items for the dorm room. They can divide up what to bring so there will be enough space for everything. These big items may include:

• A mini fridge
• Microwave (if allowed by the college)
• TV
• Stereo

Room Essentials
The dorm room should be your child's home away from home, so don't forget to pack:

• Bedding (extra long twin-size sheets, comforter, pillows, mattress pad)
• Computer
• Desk lamp
• Phone
• Alarm clock
• Rug
• Wastebasket
• Filing cabinet
• Small fan

Clothing
If your teen will be able to come home from time to time during the school year, she doesn't need to pack clothes for every season. She should pack for one season and then switch the clothes out the next time she is home. This will leave her with a lot more closet space. Just make sure she packs:

• Jeans
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long sleeved shirts
• Walking shoes
• 10-day supply of underwear and socks
• Two formal outfits
• Swimsuit
• Raincoat
• Pajamas

Laundry Essentials
You won't be there to do laundry for your child, but you can make sure he has the right items to do it himself.

• Laundry bag
• Detergent
• Fabric softener
• Stain remover stick
• Rolls of quarters
• Sewing kit
• Iron

Toiletries
Your child will have to share a bathroom, so be sure to pack a tote so she can carry the following items to and from the restroom:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Soap
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Comb/brush
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
• Lotion
• Hair dryer
• Towels/washcloths
• Robe
• Shower shoes
• Makeup/perfume

Miscellaneous Items
These items are often overlooked during the packing process, so be sure to put them on your child's list:

• Hangers
• Umbrella
• First-aid kit
• Checkbook
• Health Insurance Info
• Cleaning supplies
• Flashlight
• Power strip
• Basic tools
• Plastic cups/plates/utensils

What to Leave at Home

Basic Furniture
The dorm room should already be furnished with the basics, so leave these items at home:

• Bed
• Dresser
• Desk
• Desk chair

Objectionable Items
Your child's college has a list of items that students CANNOT bring, so be sure to check that list. The most common items on these lists are:

• Some electric appliances
• Candles
• Halogen lamps
• Gas/charcoal grills
• Weapons
• Explosives/fireworks
• Pets

Items She Just Thinks She Can't Live Without
Because your teen is so used to her bedroom at home, she probably wants to pack as many items from her room as possible to try and recreate it. But make sure she keeps it at a minimum; there will not be room for:

• Her collection of stuffed animals (she should pick out her favorite one)
• High school yearbooks
• A lot of frames with pics of family, friends, pets, etc. (she should toss out the picture frames and make a collage to hang on the wall instead)
• Knickknacks

For tips on how to make your teen's dorm room a cozy place to live, click here.

Posted: 8/2/2006