The Ultimate College Packing List for Girls

Heading college for the first time is exciting as it comes with many ‘firsts’– leaving the family for the first time, moving out of the home for the first time, living in a dorm, or another type of student home for the first time. 

But you’re not going to start a life from scratch and you can make the living colourful by packing the essential stuff while packing for college. 

But what are the essentials that need to be stuffed inside the suitcase? I know the mere thought of packing the wardrobe into a too-small closet can be nerve-wracking. To help you, we have got an ultimate college packing list for girls.

Whether you are moving into a dorm or an apartment, or any similar place, our ultimate college packing list for girls can be your hand guide for what to bring into the college.

Here is our college packing list for girls.

Clothing accessories

Moving to college, I don’t think anyone needs to tell you that clothes need to be on the college packing list. Pick the clothing accessories that speak your style while you also need to consider the climate.  

• Undergarments
• Sportswear
• Shapewear
• Bras
• Sports bras
• Socks
• Pajamas
• Everyday pants (including jeans and leggings)
• Everyday tops
• Skirts
• Tank tops
• Bandeau
• Cardigans
• Clutch
• Going out clothes
• Activewear
• Business casual wear
• Semi-formal wear
• Rain boots
• Sneakers
• Going out shoes, including a comfortable pair of heels
• Sunglasses
• Belt
• Jewelry
• Going out purse
• Everyday purse

Based on where the college is, you may also need:

• Jackets for multiple seasons
• Hats
• Gloves
• Scarf
• Winter boots
• Bathing suit(s)

Bed/sleep essentials

Consider that you need to sleep soundly and would require stuff that supports proper relaxation at night. This means the ultimate college packing list girls should also have: 

• Bed Bug-proof mattress cover 
• Mattress pad
• Comforter or duvet 
• Foam topper 
• Twin XL sheet set
• Under-bed storage containers
• Twin XL bed skirt 
• Blanket
• Pillow/pillowcases
• Earplugs and sleeping mask 

Toiletries

Always look fresh and pretty on the campus and for that you may need to stock up toiletries. It is always good to have large sizes of toiletries at the beginning of the year as you won’t need to worry about buying them frequently. 

• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes (a.k.a. flip flops)
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Face wash
• Loofah
• Body towels (at least two)
• Hand towels (at least two)
• Deodorant
• Body lotion
• Moisturizer
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Cotton pads and/or cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Makeup remover
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tampons and/or pads
• Shaving cream
• Razors
• Perfume
• Hairspray
• Chapstick
• Cosmetics
• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Hairbrush
• Tweezers
• Straightening iron
• Curling iron
• Hair ties
• Hair clips
• Hair straightener

• Curling iron
• Tampons/pads/feminine hygiene products
• Makeup
• Makeup remover
• Cotton pads
• Toner
• Face scrub
• Body scrub/exfoliator
• Bobby pins
• Hair ties & accessories
• Hair mask/treatment
• Pumice stone
• Nail file
• Face masks
• Self-tanner
• Wax strips

Makeup items

Do not forget to pack your makeup essentials as you need to look both charming and elegant in college and outside. Almost every item needs to find a place in your bag.

• Foundation 
• Concealer 
• Moisturizing primer 
• Primer serum 
• Makeup brushes 
• Bronzer 
• Setting powder 
• Eyeshadow 
• Eyeliner 
• Mascara 
• Lip and cheek tint 
• Setting spray 
• Liquid lipstick 
• Hydrating lip balm

Desk and school items

As you’re moving for academic purposes, you cannot miss out on college supplies from the bag. Ensure you have almost every desk or school item so that you don’t have to search for one after reaching the new place.

• Backpack
• Lunchbox
• Notebooks
• Notebook paper
• Notecards
• Academic Planner
• Or a bullet journal
• Graph paper
• Binder
• Folders
• Pens & pencils
• Highlighters
• Calculator (or just use an app on your phone)
• Ruler
• Paperclips & binder clips
• Sticky notes
• Index cards
• Stapler & staples
• Scissors
• Whiteout
• Tape
• Desk organizer
• Glue

Laundry and cleaning

The chances of your dorm room getting messy are high as your parents are not there. Keeping them clean is important and you need to take cleaning essentials along with them while moving to the college.

• Broom and dustpan
• Handheld vacuum
• Laundry basket or bag
• Laundry detergent
• Lingerie bag
• Stain stick
• Dryer sheets
• Folding drying rack
• Mini steamer
• Lint brush
• Bleach pen/stain remover
• Handheld vacuum
• Disinfecting wipes
• Quarters for laundry (if required)
• Disinfectant cleaning wipes
• A small bottle of dish soap
• Sponge
• Air freshening spray

Documents and IDs

As you’re moving to a faraway place, it is crucial to carry all required documents along with you. You may not know when the need arises. Keep all important documents safely in the bag.

• Birth certificate
• Driver License
• Student ID
• Social security card
• Debit & credit cards
• Checks
• Passport
• Banking information
• Car registration & insurance information
• Medical & dental cards

 Room furnishing

As you would be staying in the room for the next few years, you would need to make it appear sophisticated and all furnishing items need to find a place in your bag. 

• Desk lamp 
• Alarm clock 
• Hangers 
• Folding chair Self-adhesive, removable wall hooks
• Posters
• Poster putty
• Framed photos 
• Dry erase board
• Wastebasket 
• Lap desk 

Electronic items

Think of your college dorm as a mini-apartment. You would be spending most hours of the day there and would need all the comforts. This means you cannot skip some of the electronic items from the essentials list.

• Computer essentials 
• Cell phone and charger
• Printer and ink cartridge 
• USB drive
• External hard drive
• Extension cords
• Flashlight
• Travel charger
• Docking station with small speakers 
• Headphone
• Microwave oven
• Coffee maker
• Gaming console
• Earbuds/headphones
• HDMI cable

Kitchen stuff

Your college may have a cafeteria or dining room but often you may feel like having something in your dorm room and it is better to have facilities for that. 

• Plates and bowls (two or three)

• Eating utensils (two or three sets)
• Paper towels
• Filtered water pitcher (make sure you get one that fits in your mini-fridge)
• Knives
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Chip clips
• Tinfoil
• Disinfecting wipes
• Dustpan
• Mug (one or two)
• Travel mug
• Drinking glasses (one or two)
• Travel water bottle
• Plastic food storage
• Reusable sandwich bags

Medical

As dorm rooms don’t come with stocked medical cabinets, you must have all important medicines in stock for an emergency. Whether you have a food allergy or medical history, having all basic medicines in stock will save you from running to the drugstore at the last minute. 

• Allergy medicine
• Aloe lotion
• Antiseptic wipes
• Cortisone cream
• Vaseline
• Bandages
• Blister bandages
• First aid kit
• Birth control 
• Condoms
• Menstrual pain medication
• Cold medicine 
• Decongestant
• Throat drops/lozenges
• Throat spray
• Eye drops
• Hot and cold packs
• Humidifier
• Insect repellent
• Multivitamins
• Supplements (i.e., iron pills)
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Prescription medicine
• Prescription refill information
• Retainer/mouthguard
• Rubbing alcohol
• Thermometer
• Thermometer covers
• Upset stomach medication

What you should not bring to college?

Till now we were discussing what you need to bring to the college. We will now see what not to bring.

What not to bring to the college is subjective. It may vary with person and college. We here list out general items that you don’t need in the packing list for girls. 

• Window AC units
• Bed risers
• Sewing kit
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Alarm clock
• Light bulbs
• TV
• DVD player
• Printer & printer supplies
• Pets
• An excessive amount of decorative pillows
• Dishes & utensils

Additional tips for girls planning to move to college

Here are a few pointers to ensure that packing for the dorms is as easy and stress-free as possible.

• Don’t pack everything in your room

You need to know that dorm rooms are small in size. When you have a roommate to share the space with, it would be too tough to keep every item. Pack only those items that you would need daily. 

• Coordinate with the roommate

When it comes to big items, such as a mini-fridge or an area rug, it is not just you but even the roommate who would be using it. Coordinate with the roommate who will be bringing it as just one item is a need in a room and this will also save the space. 

• Hire moving companies

College students normally do not hire professional movers. Normally they prefer packing and taking the boxes with the help of friends or parents downstairs and later at the college. But when you call in professional moving companies, this can be easier. Consider roping in a professional moving company in your area.

• Pack an essentials bag

As the moving day is always chaotic, the chances of losing small items are high. It is always good to have an essential bag in which you can keep the toiletries, medicines, keys, and other basic things that you may require anytime. 

• Ensure non-allowed items are not in the bag

Your bag mustn’t have non-permitted items. Read the dorm policies and confirm the items you can take with you. You will be surprised to see many expected items on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

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