The Most Common Things College Students Forget to Pack (And Wish They Had)

You’ve checked the college packing list twice and even so something can be forgotten amidst the flurry of emotions. If you forget something, it can be sent! If you haven’t left for school, there’s still time to pack it.

Here are the most common items college students wish they had (either now or during the semester), but forgot to pack.

🧳 Essentials They Often Forget to Pack

• Phone charger (or an extra one)

• Power strip or surge protector

• Shower shoes (flip-flops for communal showers)

• Towels (more than one)

• Laundry supplies (detergent, basket/bag, dryer sheets)

• First-aid kit (band-aids, pain relievers, cold meds)

• Reusable water bottle

• Important documents (ID, health insurance card, student ID, bank info)

• Clothing for all seasons (especially rain gear or winter wear)

• Hangers

• Desk lamp or bedside light

• Command hooks or wall-safe tape (for decorating)

• Can opener or basic utensils (microwaveable bowls, forks, etc.)

🧠 Academic Things They Forget

• Notebooks or binders (people assume they'll go all digital)

• Calculator (if required)

• Planner or calendar

• Chargers for laptop/tablet

• Backups for files (cloud storage, USB drive)

🧼 Hygiene/Personal Care

• Shower caddy

• Toilet paper (in some dorms, not always provided)

• Nail clippers or tweezers

• Cold medicine or allergy meds

• Thermometer

• Razor/shaving cream

🛏️ Dorm Comfort Items

• Mattress topper or pad

• Extra set of sheets

• Pillow(s)

• Fan (many dorms aren’t air-conditioned)

• Earplugs or white noise machine

💰 Practical/Miscellaneous

• Quarters or card for laundry

• Health insurance info or prescription refills

• Basic toolkit (screwdriver, scissors, tape)

• Sewing kit

• Umbrella

This is a great list to revisit during winter break since often things go missing or get broken throughout the semester. 

Looking for more tips on settling in to your small space living in dorms and apartments, check out The Lighter Home’s article “Maximizing Space in Dorms and Apartments: Smart Tips for Small Living”

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