Items in Green Are Common Purchases but Are Not Necessities

*All starred items can be divided up for purchase among room/suitemates and/or chosen together or agreed upon for coordinating their room.

Items in green are common purchases but are not necessities.

Bathroom

Shower Organizer*

(You only need this if you have your own or suite bathroom)

Shower Caddy

(You only need this if you will be carrying your own bath products back and forth with you. You are best off with a plastic, mesh type of caddy as it dries quickly, is easier to carry than a large plastic one, and it does not hold water)

2 Bath Towels/2 Hand Towels/4 Wash Cloths

(I would recommend a light color so that these do not need to be washed separately

Shower Curtain/Shower Curtain Rings*

(If you have your own or suite bathroom)

Curtain Rod (if not provided)*

Bathroom Rug*

Loofah

Toilet Paper* (if you have your own or suite bathroom)

Tissues

Bath Shoes (If you have a bathroom shared with the floor or if you are just a germaphobe!)

Toothbrush Holder*

(if you have your own or suite bathroom)

Trashcan For Bathroom*

(if you have your own or suite bathroom)

Bedding

Comforter or Duvet Set full-size

Pillows (Size and number of preference)

Bedbug Proof Mattress Cover (Xtra Long)

Mattress Topper For Comfort

Two Sets of Sheets (Xtra Long)

2X The # of Pillow Cases You Use On Your Bed

Throw Blanket

Body Pillow/Cover

A Pillow Made For Sitting up in Bed

Room Musts

Alarm Clock (unless you use your phone)

Floor Lamp

Desk Lamp

Full Length Mirror (door hanging)

Bulletin Board

Thin Hangars

Trashcan*

Hamper/Laundry Basket

Flashlight

Variety of Command Removable Hooks

Room Optional

Extra Seating*

Area Rug*

Bed Risers (not needed if you are lofting your bed)

Curtains/Rod*

Lockable Trunk or small safe

Futon*

Jewelry Organizer

Shoe Rack

Wall Art/Photos/tapestries*

Bed Skirt

Headboard

Decorative Throw Pillows

Microwave*

Mini-Refrigerator*

Coffee Maker/Individual Cup*

Bullet-Type Blender*

Fan

Suitcase or Duffle Bag (for wknd trips)

Basic Tools*

String Lights*

Air Purifier* (highly recommend)

Toiletries

Over-The-Counter-Meds

Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve, Day/Night Cold Medicine, Afrin, Upset Stomach Meds, Sinus Congestion, Benadryl. Menstrual Pain Meds, Acne Treatment, cough drops

Birth Control (uncomfortable subject but if you think your child is, or will be sexually active, it’s a must)

First-Aid

Band-aids, Antibacterial Ointment, Itch Cream, Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, Tweezers, Vaseline, thermometer

Razors/Shaving Cream

Feminine Items

Hand Soap

Body Soap/Body Wash

Shampoo/Conditioner

Hair Styling Products

Blow-Dryer/Straightener/Curler

Make-Up Remover/Face Wash

Bobby Pins/Hair Elastics/Headbands/Clips

Hairbrush/Comb

Personal Care Items

(Mouthwash, tweezers, nail clipper, nail file, eye-lash curler)

Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss/Mouthwash

Deodorant

Moisturizer

Chapstick/Lip Moisturizer

Bug Spray

Sunscreen

Make-up/Nail Products

Contacts and Care Products

Plunger* (if you have your own or suite bathroom)

Cleaning Supplies/Laundry

Detergent

Fabric Softener Sheets

Bleach

Stain Treatment

Glass Cleaner

Bathroom Cleaner (If you have your own or suite bathroom)

Small Sewing Kit

Ironing Board/Iron (If you use it)

Wrinkle-Release Spray

Glass Cleaner

Bathroom Cleaner (If you have your own or suite bathroom)

Disinfecting Wipes or Spray

Paper Towels

Broom/Dustpan*

Vacuum*

Sponge

School Supplies

Desk Organizer

Pens

Pencils (mechanical so you don’t need a sharpener)

Erasers

Highlighters

Printer Paper

Notebooks or Binders (professors will not usually specify required school supplies like in high school so buy whatever is preferred by the student)

Planner (if not using phone)

Lined Paper

Paper Clips

Ruler

Folders

Glue Sticks/Regular Glue

Sharpies

Colored Pencils

Post-Its

Scissors

Stapler/Staples

Tape

Backpack (big enough for laptop)

Printer Ink

Index Cards

Wall or Desk Calendar

Stamps/Envelopes

Technology and Such

Laptop Computer w/Microsoft Office Suite

Printer (while most universities have printers that can be used for free, I highly recommend having your own. College students do a lot of things last minute, and finding a line to wait to print something or that your margins are totally different on the school printer, etc)

Calculator (Only needed if you’re taking a math class and then you might need a specific calculator, so wait to purchase until you know)

Clicker (same as with the calculator. Wait and see if a professor requires it because it’s not cheap. There is also a “paid” app clicker now)

Ethernet Cable(s)

HDMI Cables (if you have a tv and cable)

Several Extension Cords

At least 2 Surge Protectors

Grounded, Multi-Outlet Tap

Flash Drive

Television (if desired)

Router (if required, most often not needed)

Headphones

Laptop Case/Laptop Lock

Batteries

Light Bulbs

Phone Charger

Documentation

Driver’s License or State ID Card

Health Insurance Card

Prescription Insurance Card

ATM Card/Credit Card/Checkbook

Car Registration & Insurance (if you have a car at school)

For the following – I don’t recommend having these sensitive originals with them at school unless travel or some other reason requires them to. You might have a file on their computer with copies of these items or at least on file on your computer so you can send quickly if needed.

Birth Certificate

Social Security Card (although they should know their number)

Passport

Enrollment and Financial Aid Documentation

Clothing and Such

Okay, I’m not going to even attempt a list of clothing expect some things of importance not to forget and some are needs based on geographical area.

Umbrella and or Raincoat

Rain boots/Snow boots/Flip-Flops

Gloves/Hats/Scarves/Warm Coat

Light Jacket

Sunglasses

Bathing Suits

Pool/Beach Towels

Belt(s)

Slippers/Slipper Socks

Wallet/Small Purse

Gym Bag/Gym Clothes

Watch (unless you prefer your phone)

Personal Hobby Items

Miscellaneous

Garbage Bags*

Various Sized Ziploc Bags

Snack Bag Clips

Personal Protection Items If legal

(Pepper Spray, Whistle)

Refillable Water Bottle(s)

Travel Mug

Lap Desk

Blow Up Mattress (if you think they’ll be visitors)

Storage Bins

Disposable Paper Plates/Cups/Napkins/Forks/Spoons

Can Opener

Bed-Side Shelf or Storage

Basic Food

Water Bottles

Coffee Pods

Chips/Cookies

Breakfast Bars/Protein Bars

Anything Microwavable

(mac and cheese, popcorn, canned soup, ramen, hot chocolate)

Cereal/Instant Oatmeal

Coffee Pods/Creamer

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