Most college packing lists are for girls – so, if you are a guy and want to know what to pack you may be feeling a little lost. Well, help is here!
You can find out the top categories that you will need for your packing list as well as what should be included under each category too.
What are the Top Categories for a College Packing List for Guys?
The top categories to add to your checklist are clothing, personal documents, bedding, shower, organization, study materials, and dining – these categories will ensure that you have the most important basics to help you acclimate to college in those first few months.
What Clothing Items Should You Pack for College?
When it comes to clothing items, it is best not to pack everything that you own. This is particularly true if you aren’t too far away from home. These are all items that you can get shipped to you later on.
That being said, make sure to pack every pair of underwear and socks that you own. You may not get around to doing laundry as often as you like and these aren’t items that you want to run out of.
If you are planning on going to visit your parents after your first semester, then only take clothes suitable for the current season. This includes footwear as well.
Of course, if it is winter, still take some short-sleeved shirts that you can lounge in your dorm room. And, make sure to have a sweater or hoodie or two during the summer months in case it gets chilly at night.
Don’t forget to pack at least one pair of swimming shorts as you can never be sure when you need them.
Now, 99 percent of the time, you will be in informal wear. Still, make sure to take at least one formal outfit. In case you will be attending any interviews or have any professional presentations, then you may need to wear a suit.
What Are the Personal Documents You Will Need to Take with You?
It is important for you to have all the main documents with you. This is because you will need these documents for everything from opening up new accounts to paying medical bills if you get sick.
Due to this, you should have your social security card, driving license, a copy of your birth certificate, medical insurance, bank documents, car registration, car insurance, and financial aid forms.
As you will not be carrying most of these items around with you, you may want to buy a small safe for your room. Lock these documents up in the safe so that you will always have access when you need them.
What Kind of Bedding Will You Need?
Before you buy any kind of bedding, get the exact dimensions of the beds and mattresses in your dorm room. This is the only way to guarantee that what you get is going to fit these.
You should get the basics like pillows and blankets or duvets. In addition to this, you should also consider comfort.
Dorm room mattresses aren’t the most comfortable. So, getting a mattress topper, pad, or enhancer, can go a long way in ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep.
You should also get a mattress protector. This is a good way to put some distance between you and a public mattress. It is also a great way to ensure that if you spill anything on your bed that it isn’t going to leak all the way to the mattress.
You will also need to get pillowcases, bedspreads, duvet covers, etc. It is a good idea to get about two sets of these to start with. This way, you will have a spare when you launder one set.
Choose dark, neutral colors so that they will work with whatever you decide to do with your dorm room.
What Will You Need for the Dorm Showers?
In dorms, the showers are communal. This means that you can’t leave your personal items there. Instead, you have to take them back and forth.
Due to this, you are going to need a shower caddy. Look for one with a hook so that you can hang it on the shower. If you want to minimize hassle, check out mesh shower caddies. These dry pretty quickly so you don’t have to worry about cleaning them out.
The one thing that you absolutely can’t forget is shower slippers or sandals. As it is a communal area, you should avoid walking barefoot here. Always wear your slippers or sandals when taking a shower.
What Kind of Organization Materials Will You Need?
Not only are dorm rooms small but you will also be sharing this space with someone else. As a result, keeping your things stored properly and well organized is the key to preventing your room from looking like a mess.
Check to see how much space you have under your bed. Then, look for under-bed storage units. This is a great way to keep items that you don’t need on a daily basis out of sight. You can also use it as a place to store your shoes.
It is a good idea to get a small bedside table with a few drawers. Not only is this a great place to keep your phone but it will add up to extra storage as well.
Since you have limited closet space, make the most of it. Look for dividers and small storage boxes. This will allow you to keep your things neat with minimal effort.
If you do have a bit of extra room, then you should look into getting a small chest of drawers or something similar – not only can this function as storage but can also be a great study space.
What Study Materials Will You Need?
Your laptop and laptop charger are going to be your top study accompaniments but you are going to need other things as well. A well-fitting laptop sleeve or cover can make carrying these around a lot easier.
This includes notebooks and accompanying stationary – pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. Although this can seem old school, sometimes you need to jot down notes or write something down to really understand or remember it.
Post It notes and flags can also be really useful study aids.
A backpack is important as well. Look for one with thick padded straps and lots of pockets. This will allow you to easily move from one environment to another, carrying everything that you will need.
What Items Will You Require for Dining?
Now, there are some items that you should discuss with your roommate ahead of time. This includes a microwave and a mini fridge.
These are key items for a dorm room but it may not make sense for both of you to bring one. You may want to talk about splitting the cost for each of these items but remember to discuss how you are going to divvy up your belongings later on.
Alternatively, you can have one person buy the mini fridge and the other one bring the microwave and you both decide to share.
You should also stock up on microwave-safe bowls as well as utensils and mugs, glasses, or cups. Plastic is the best bet as you don’t have to worry about anything breaking.
Get a good water filter or water bottle with a filter and you can skip buying bottles of water. Not only will this save you money but it will make your room less messy too.
What Should You Add to Your College Packing List for Guys?
You should make sure to add personal documents, bedding, shower items, storage items or units, clothing, study materials, and dining items to your packing list before you leave for college – you will then be well-stocked enough to survive a few semesters without needing anything else.
