This dorm room checklist gifts you a list of necessities for college-bound freshman students.  I will even give you a PDF printable checklist to mark off as you go.

Dorm Room Checklist

If you’re looking for more info on college — check out my other posts:

• Helping your child apply for college
• My take on the college admissions scandal
• I also have some other awesome college items in my 18-Year-Old-Boy Gift Guide

I also have an episode of my podcast on sending my kid to college:

Gifts For College-Bound Students

A note from a mom who’s having a hard time letting go:

Filling your dorm room is the STUDENT’S job.  We decided to give a lot of presents for my son’s 18th birthday that would help him adult (things he probably wouldn’t have thought of himself) — but be sure that THEY are the main ones getting these items together.  Remember, now is the time to BE an adult!

My friend Katie has a great post on gift ideas for college students.

Dorm Room Gifts

Here is what I got my son for his 18th birthday (might spark some ideas for you — many of the items are linked to below):

Printable PDF Dorm Room Checklist

College Freshman Necessities

Things to check in your dorm first:

What exactly is furnished, is there (most of these are standard, but you never know)

• Desk
• Bed (with a mattress)
• Fridge
• Microwave
• Dresser/storage options

Once you find out these things, you can start to fill in gaps.  Btw, my friend Katie has a great post on Christmas ideas for college students, you might like as well!

College Dorm Room Checklist for Freshman

Linen Dorm List

• Bedding (sheets, comforter, pillowcases) — be SURE to check the length of the bed (most seem to have Twin XL) — these sheets are a great option, I love the reviews & the price tag!
• Pillow — again, these have great reviews & price.
• Towels — THIS is a great price for 3 piece set

Hygiene Dorm Checklist for Freshman

A lot of these are AWESOME to get at the dollar store, you may even have some of it around the house you can corral together cheaper — I’m sharing links to show you awesome products or what I’m talking about in some cases.

• Nail clippers — the reviews for this set made me want to get them.
• Razor — this set gets great reviews, and I love these to prevent nicks — but something like Dollar Shave Club might be a good investment to be sent to the dorm.
• Tweezers — this seems to be the brand everyone loves!
• Q-tips/cotton balls — be sure to get a container to keep them in (because dirty q-tips do no one any good) — this pack is pretty cool
• Safety Pins — a small container makes finding them easier
• Shower Caddy — this one looks handy (and will prevent mold)
• First Aid Kit — I got him one just like this
• Brush — hopefully they have one…
• Toothbrush/Paste — my son is checking the Quip…
• Makeup/beauty/hair products (I would suggest limiting these as much as possible….

(a lot of these things I corraled from my house, and put in a small container from Daiso — like this one)

Medication Dorm Checklist for Freshman

Unless it’s medication they take frequently, I would recommend getting bottles/pill packs at the dollar store.  The bottles aren’t big, but can be helpful if they are stuck and need some meds asap.

• Benedryl
• Pepto
• Tums
• Hydrocortisone
• Allergy medicine
• Tylenol
• Ibuprofen

Housekeeping Dorm Checklist for Freshman

• Microwaveable bowl — we got this kind because my kid loves ramen and soup.  Cooks in the microwave and you can still have a cool bowl to hold.
• Collapsible Bowl — I got mine one of these because he loves popcorn — thought it might be handy for other things
• Duster — I got a small duster because I am his mom.  Sort of like one of these (great to find at the dollar store — I found mine at Daiso)
• Mr Clean Magic Eraser — gotta love ’em!
• Cleaning Supplies — because I’m not sure how much of a priority cleaning will be I just got him some of these.
• Lint Roller — this one is handy for all sorts of things
• Small broom/dust bin — this one is sized perfectly!
• Screwdriver — one with a few different heads is awfully handy!
• Chopsticks/utensils — yup, because chopsticks are easier to clean….
• Measuring Tape — because my kid is majoring in engineering and “needs” one…
• Scraper — can’t tell you how handy these are, so I sent my kid off with one
• Sewing Kit — I have zero idea if this will get used — but this one even comes with an emergency helper book.
• Dish Towels — they don’t need a ton of them, but these can be used for several things — spills, hot items out of the microwave, etc.
• Flashlight — there’s likely to be at least one power outage…. or a sock behind a bed…. these look pretty handy!
• Hamper/laundry basket — I always had one that doubled up — like this one
• Can opener — always handy, I would get one of these…
• Dishes/silverware — find these cheaply at Target, or Amazon has these that look great!
• Hangers — I love these
• Trash Can
• Shower Shoes (especially if you have a communal shower)
• Shower curtain (I’d get it at the dollar store — but Amazon has a lot of cheap ones)
• Clock — I have an Amazon Alexa in one of these — and I love it.

Oh, and just in case your freshman has a new car — don’t miss the car lover’s gift guide!

Office Supply Checklist for Freshman

• Paperclips
• Binder clips (can be helpful for lots of things) — Amazon has a cool set of all these types of things.
• 3 hole punch — there are awesome cheap ones out there
• Stapler — great ones here
• Scissors
• Power Strip — I’d get one that has some USB power options as well.
• Desk Lamp
• Ethernet Cables
• Batteries

And, my Freshman son’s favorite gift….

a $50 Costco Cash card.  Whether it’s food, or being able to walk in and get a hot dog — since he won’t have his own membership, he’s pretty thrilled (holders of a Costco Cash Card don’t need a membership to purchase at the store).

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If you liked this post, you might be struggling with your almost adult too — be sure to check out my practical parenting series and check out my other parenting posts below that.

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