Printable of college school supplies and bedding PDF
As your high school graduate prepares to make the move from home to dorm, keep this checklist of college school supplies and bedding handy.
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Help your high school graduate pack for dorm life with this handy list of needs. Remember, you can take advantage of back-to-school sales (and many states offer “” in late summer.
The primary “school supply” for every college student is a computer (and cell phone). Depending on what your child is studying, the laptop they have been using may not suffice. If your child is studying a quantitative field, make sure they get a computer that allows them to use robust data analysis tools.
Basic college school supplies
- No. 2 pencils or mechanical pencils
- Ballpoint pens in a variety of colors for note taking
- Notebooks or loose-leaf notebook paper
- Binder dividers (the kind with pockets for loose papers.)
- Sticky notes and flags (Many bookstores will allow students to sell back books that haven’t been written in or highlighted; use these tools to mark important passages and make notes in books without writing in them!)
Organizational helpers
- Three-hole punch
- Backpack/messenger bag
- Scotch tape
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Paper clips
- Mini stapler for last minute stapling emergencies
Study aids
- Index cards (for making flashcards.)
- Highlighters in a variety of colors
- Calculator (Check class requirements before investing in an expensive one. Graphing calculators, for example, are required in most college math and science classes.)
- Schedule/planner (While students may use their smartphones to set reminders about due dates, class times, and appointments, a hard copy can still come in handy.)
Basic bedding and living supplies
- Bedding
- Rug
- Roll of quarters or loaded laundry card (depending on what your school requires.)
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry tote (The laundry room may be a hike from their room.)
- Hangers
- Plastic cups, utensils, and plates
- Water bottle
- Can opener
- Garbage can
- Small refrigerator (Double check what size is allowed before purchasing.)
- Microwave oven
- Vitamins, allergy meds, and pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Cleaning wipes
- Air fresheners
- Flip flops or shower slippers to wear in the shower
- Case for carrying toiletries to and from the shower (Choose one that has holes in the bottom for drainage.)
- Desk lamp or book light
- First aid kit
- Handheld vacuum cleaner
- Ear plugs
- Extra storage, like a trunk, storage boxes, or underbed storage containers
Technology
- Laptop
- Printer (Most schools allow students access to printers; if so, this item may be unnecessary.)
- USB flash drive
- Power strips
- Extension cords
- Headphones
- Portable mobile phone charger
Fun stuff
- Board games
- Deck of cards
- Photos
- Wall art (and adhesive strips or hooks)
- Bulletin board/cork board/dry erase board (and necessary accessories)