College Packing List

We found out on Friday that Annie will be living in the dorm right next to Leo’s at Notre Dame. We’re all pretty excited. I’m only sad that we only have a few more weeks of summer left!

With Annie being our fourth, my college packing game is TIGHT! Here is my go-to list:

THE LIST

Bedding:

Mattress pad

Sheets (most college dorm beds are twin XL…this was news to me! these are the best sheets!)

Blanket

Comforter This one for girls or this one for boys (also, leave yourself a little time to launder the bedding before you move it. For some reason, no matter where I’ve bought sheets or comforters from, they have a smell. I love making my kids’ beds at school when they have that washed-at-home smell.)

Pillow

Body pillow (My daughter Grace had this because her bed was right up against a cement wall and this gave her a little cushion)

Headboard (this is more decorative than functional)

Under bed storage

Bath:

Shower caddy

Shower shoes (flip flops or slides)

Towels

Rug for in front of room sink

Toiletries (including hand soap and dish soap for room sink if there is one)

First aid: Bandaids, cold medicine, pain reliever, vitamins

Room:

Makeup mirror

Custom light with Annie’s name

Table lamps

9-drawer dresser (will double as a nightstand as it will be tall enough for Annie’s lofted bed)

Rug (this one) or this one

Mini fridge

Trunk for all the stuff that doesn’t fit anywhere else (Grace used this as a coffee table and stored her shoes in it)

Love seat or futon (Facebook Marketplace is also great for this)

TV (Facebook Marketplace is great for this, too)

Collapsable hamper

Laundry basket 

Tide pods (kids seem to like this over the big jug of detergent) and Color Grabbers (in case those reds get washed with those whites–my friend Jen told me about these)

Steamer

Hangers

Fan (even if the dorm has air conditioning, this seems to come in handy)

Closet/wardrobe:

Stackers for sweaters

Shoe rack or over-the-door shoe bag

Hangers

Desk:

School supplies

Desk lamp

Extension cords

Surge protectors

Laptop

Backpack/book bag

Extras:

Water bottle

Coffee maker

Travel coffee mug

Place setting (or plastic and paper ones that they can just throw away work great, too)

Snacks

Cleaning items (paper towels, disinfectant, Swiffer sweeper)

A good winter coat if they’re going somewhere cold

Boots

Umbrella

Pro Tips:

–If you’re driving like we do, we bring all of the clothes already on hangers and then we could just hang them right up when we get into the room.

These are great bags for packing and moving things. I think they ship well, too.

–Last year, I asked Eddie if he could give me his “must-have” ideas for school and they were pretty funny. These might be helpful, too.

–If you are still looking for a place to stay at Notre Dame, here’s a wonderful rental that one of my readers shared with me last year. My family stayed here for one of the games and it was wonderful!

–And one more little story I put together last August after I moved Grace in for her senior year.

As always, just holler if you have any questions. Good luck!

xo,

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will make a small commission–almost as if I were your personal shopper. I appreciate your support!

My name is Ann Marie Scheidler and I'm thrilled you've decided to check out my blog. I'm a pearl-loving yogi with a thing for travel, a weakness for beautiful bags, and a passion for storytelling. In this space, I'll be sharing stories about my family, go-to recipes, my wellness journey, fashion and beauty favorites, and my love for Chicago’s North Shore. I find new inspiration wherever I go. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride!

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