The Ultimate College Packing List

Written by Lauren Smyth

The only things you really need for a semester at Hillsdale are a good work ethic and a desire to learn. But paper and a pen sure would be handy, as would a hundred other odds and ends that you might not realize you need until you show up to campus without them. Here’s a college packing list that will keep you from bringing too much of the wrong things, so that you have plenty of space for the right things.

The Backpack/Desk

You’ll need:

Pencils

Pens

Notebooks (even if you have an iPad—here’s why)

Required books

Study bag (here’s a guide to the best options)

Calculator

Charging cables

Good to have:

Pencil case

Sticky tabs

Hand sanitizer

Earbuds or headphones (noise canceling is a worthwhile investment)

Binder (for storing loose-leaf assignments and printouts)

Laptop or tablet with keyboard

Highlighters

Rubber erasers

Scissors

Index cards

Tape

Stationery

Portable battery (to charge phones and tablets)

The Room

You’ll need:

Linens (including a mattress cover, sheets, a comforter/quilt, a warm blanket, and a pillow)

Surge protector

Laundry basket (but no quarters—laundry is free!)

Command strips and hooks

Good to have:

Mattress pad

Bluetooth speaker

HEPA air purifier (for seasonal allergies)

Floor rug (preferably one that can handle dirty shoes)

Drawer/cabinet liner

Fan

Odd assortment of indoor plants (to get you through the winter)

Lamps, fake candles, or other mood lighting

Low bed risers

Shoe rack

The Bathroom

You’ll need:

Towels (at least 2), washcloths, and hand towels

Shower caddy

First aid kit

Medications

Prescription glasses/contacts

Good to have:

Bath mat

Shower hooks

Shower shoes

Cold, flu, and stomach medicines

Thermometer

Heating pad

Toothbrush storage

Small mirrors

The Closet

You’ll need:

Clothes that can be layered (here’s how Hillsdale students typically dress)

A cold-weather coat (preferably a long one!)

Other cold-weather gear, such as hats, scarves, and gloves

A business formal outfit (for dinners, performances, etc.)

One or two business casual outfits

Hangers

Underwear and socks

Shoes (formal, informal, comfortable, and rugged)

Good to have:

A handheld steamer (to replace a bulky ironing board)

Mini sewing kit

Stain remover pen

Lint brush

The Kitchen

You’ll need:

Food storage container

Hot water kettle

Reusable water bottle

Good to have:

Coffeemaker

Dishes (for cooking and eating)

Mini fridge

Filtered water pitcher

Cleaning supplies (but don’t expect to be cleaning regularly, since housekeeping will take care of weekly chores such as sweeping and taking out trash)

The Great Outdoors

You’ll need:

Sports equipment

Good to have:

Swimsuit

Picnic blanket

Bug spray

Sunscreen

Umbrella

Pepper spray

Flashlight

Sunglasses

The File Folder

You’ll need:

Driver’s license

Social Security card and/or birth certificate

Credit/debit cards

School ID

Health insurance card

Good to have:

Medical records

Passport

Checkbook

Stuff You Shouldn’t Bring

Real candles

Wireless printers (these can knock out a dorm’s wifi—and printing is free at the library!)

Space heaters (unless you want to be remembered as that one guy/gal who set their dorm on fire)

A TV (classrooms and dorm lobbies are equipped)

Too many decorations

Too many books

Microwaves, toasters, blenders, and other noisy or hazardous kitchen appliances

Furniture

Alarm clocks

Trash cans (they’re included)

A pet fish (no animals allowed)

Stuff to Buy When You Arrive

Shampoo/conditioner/shower soap

Hand soap

Laundry detergent

Snacks

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Any small consumables

Aerosols (like Lysol, hairspray, perfume, etc.)

Cosmetics

Stuff You Absolutely Don’t Need (But Might Enjoy Having)

Study timer (separate from your phone or other electronics)

E-reader

Computer monitor, external keyboard, and wireless mouse

Posters/wall art

String lights

Bicycle

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Lauren Smyth, ’25, is an economics major and journalism minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

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Published in August 2023