A dorm checklist for girls is a must-have! With this, you will be sure that you won't forget to pack your essential things! College students out there need this list!
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WHEN SHOULD I START PACKING FOR MY DORM?
I know you must be eager for the term to start after receiving your letter of acceptance from college. Your days are busy in the meantime with seeking to hang out with friends and make the most of the final few free days.
No matter how much stuff you have happening and going on with your life, you will need to make time to prepare for college. But, the question is how long should you really give yourself to be prepared and all packed up? And most importantly, when do you need to start packing?
The most important factor to consider here is your schedule. However, the ideal time to begin is 2 weeks prior to moving into your apartment or dorm. You will have more than enough time to prepare thanks to this timeline. Plus, you won't have to worry about finding every single item at the very last minute.
Additionally, you'll have lots of extra time to buy anything you don't currently own. And you would not want to worry about anything as tedious as packing during the last few days you have, which might be quite emotional. Make an effort to finish packing at least a couple of days beforehand.
When you are unable to begin packing weeks ahead of time due to let's say summer job commitments, academic obligations, or travel plans, at least begin to browse this ultimate dorm checklist for girls. This way, you will be able to check the items before you get to packing.
On the other hand, if you have nothing else planned or have got nothing better to do – you better start packing up! Instead of just laying down in bed or watching tv all day. Time is precious, you have got to make every single day count even if you just start out small.
WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT BRING TO A DORM?
Finding out what to bring to college may seem like the most difficult part of packing, but it turns out that how to pack for college is just as crucial, if not more so. Relocating to student accommodation involves some creativity.
To save up space for your dorm room and your closet. Here is a list of items that is not that important to bring just yet:
- SEASONAL CLOTHES
It is advisable to leave behind bulky winter clothing, such as boots and your coats, if you intend to travel back to the house just before the cold season arrives. You'll be able to replace them once the moment arises with the shorts and summer dresses that are now going to take up the number one spot in your dorm room closet.
This will depend on which area you will be studying at. Just be sure to pack the appropriate clothing you will need for your stay at college.
- PROHIBITED ITEMS
Almost all institutions and/or student accommodation units have restrictions on what guests are allowed to bring in. And sadly, certain items including your toaster, treasured candles, and yes, string lights might be prohibited.
Before you pack, check with your dorm to make sure you aren't packing anything that you aren't apparently allowed to have with you. If they have a list that you can get from them that would be great so you could get a copy.
- CLOTHES THAT YOU DON'T REALLY WEAR
Don't think “what if”. If you thought that then it probably shouldn't be on your ultimate college packing list in the first place. You won't likely wear a piece of clothing to college if you haven't worn it at home in over a year.
Usually, students will wear their go-to basics from home as well as their go-to favorites at school, despite the fact that many students have idealistic concepts about how they would dress on campus. So, when you start packing up your clothes, keep in mind that you won't be able to wear all of them.
- LARGE BULK LUGGAGE
Before you choose which bags you will be using to pack up your dorm essentials, check out the space you will be given. If there are spaces below the dorm beds and you won't use the area for anything else, you can use that space to store your bags and luggage.
Stick to foldable, recyclable boxes since you very likely won't have space in your college dorm to store a piece of luggage. If you don't have a strategy for getting it back to your house after the day you have moved in to your college room.
- SHAREABLE STUFF
Most of the time, your college student will get to meet their new roommate before moving in. If so, they might wish to plan ahead and talk about things that you and her can share together. In this manner, there won't be additional things that will take up that extra space.
Here are some of the few things that you and your roommate could probably share together:
- Mini Fridge
- Long Mirror
- Microwave Oven
- Television (If allowed)
- Blow Dryer
Your teen and her roommate may need to bring less stuff to college if they feel willing and comfortable to share some stuff. Furthermore, it makes the room more spacious, improving the comfort of the dorm.
- FURNITURE
Almost all of the time, a student will have all the needed furnishings they require in their dorm room. At the very least, there should be a chair, study table, and bed. Unless the closet has built-in drawers or shelves, there is typically also a dresser or wardrobe.
While initially, it could seem like a great option to bring a beloved chair, a side table, or other such belongings, there often isn't enough room provided. Even if the furniture fits, there won't be much room to move around, giving the impression that the room is unreasonably small.
Even though you might believe you want a comfortable chair or couch in your room, you will probably simply end up feeling cramped and dissatisfied. Many residence halls forbid students from removing or replacing the conventional dorm room furniture, therefore some students bring their own desk chairs in the hopes of pulling to switching out the provided furniture.
- SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Even if you are a serious athlete, refrain from bringing a lot of sports equipment. You do not really need that much gear taking up valuable space in your room. Better yet, go and check out the college athletic departments because most likely they will provide every piece of gear you could ever imagine and may need.
- TOO MANY SHOES
It is a pretty excellent idea to only pack footwear you use frequently due to the limited capacity. Remember, your feet will be your mode of transportation while on campus, so be sure your footwear is suitable for long walks.
HOW CAN I AVOID OVERPACKING FOR MY DORM?
For the majority of college students, the challenge is to fit a lot of belongings in a cramped, common area. And to do so, you must have a plan and must be organized with the things you are bringing along with you to college.
Even while it can't be fixed with a quick trip to the shop, overpacking is just as simple as underpacking. If you overpack, you and your roommate may have a very small area. It's crucial to make an effort to prevent this as soon as you can.
Having a list and then reviewing it is another way to avoid making this error. Naturally, you'll want to carry basics, goods for your interests, and other things. But be sure you don't bring things you really don't need. This is where this dorm checklist for girls comes in handy.
This printable checklist will have all the necessary items that you need with you while staying in a dorm room. Some you might not need but most you will definitely have packed up with you. These items don't have a count on how much you are going to need with you but you should know the limitation.
Once you have picked out a date and timeline of when you will start packing up your things, remember to browse through this list first. You can take out things that you feel you won't need right away. Here are also some ways that can help you avoid overpacking:
- LAY OUT EVERYTHING
You can place every single item in an area until you have completed your list of things to bring. Once that is done, you would be able to see just how much you are going to bring to the dorm. Imagine the dorm space you have.
And if you think that the things you have placed aside are too much then you probably should take out a few items. For example, you wanted to bring 5 sets of bed sheets. Consider only bringing 2 sets. The same goes for the rest of your things.
- COORDINATE WITH YOUR ROOMMATE
Find out who your future roommate is going to be and reach out to her. You and her might even come up with a plan that can save you both the extra item on your list. If you are both okay with it, you can assign each other things that you can share and bring.
This will not only be limited to appliances but if you and she are willing to share toiletries. Wouldn't that be awesome? You can shop together before classes start too. That would also mean that there are lesser things for you to put inside the car. It will be a win-win for both of you.
- MAP OUT YOUR ROOM SPACE
Go ahead, visit your dorm room and check out the space you will have. This will help you imagine the space you are going to have much clearer. When you are able to map out your room space before you pack, that will be so much help to you.
Once you know how much space you have in your dorm room, you can easily know how much stuff you can bring with you. Knowing what your dorm looks like in advance can also help you start envisioning how you are supposed to arrange and sort your things once you get there.
- VALID REASON FOR AN ITEM
Make sure to check each item before putting them inside the box. If it doesn't pass the “valid test” then it is not worth bringing with you. Sort your things and ask yourself why are you packing a specific item. When you don't know the answer to that question, leave it!
Do not convince yourself if you can't think of a valid reason just so you can pack that item. Let's say you wanted to bring lots of room decoration. Think about it, will you really be able to put everything up? You can bring some of it but not all. You wouldn't want that extra clutter. Plus, it will just accumulate dust.
- USUAL OUTFITS
Are you planning to get a makeover before classes start? If not, chances are you will still be wearing the outfits you usually wear back home. Let's face it, you are not going to be able to wear every piece of clothing you are going to bring with you.
If you ask me, just bring clothes and your prepared outfits that you really wear. The only piece of wardrobe that you need lots of is underwear. That is a must because you will be absolutely sure that you are going to need them every day.
PRINTABLE DORM CHECKLIST FOR GIRLS
I know you are excited to get this printable dorm checklist for girls. Please remember that this is for your own personal use and the download file cannot be shared or altered. Feel free to share the link to this post with friends so they can download and use the printable too!
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Having a list of things to bring will save you lots of time and space in your duffel bag or boxes. This printable checklist has will include stuff that you are going to need for the following:
- BED SPACE
For your bed, you might or might not need a mattress. Check your school's website if there is any info about the provided bed. You will know then if a mattress is needed or not. The same goes with the pillows but usually, you are going to have to bring your own.
And of course, you need to have them covered up. You need to pack some bed sheets, pillowcases for your pillows, and your favorite blanket. Don't forget to also bring an alarm clock with you. You might have the time and can set an alarm on your phone but it is better to have an alarm clock to avoid oversleeping.
- BATHROOM NEEDS
You can run some of the items on this list with your new roommate. Like the shower curtain, bath rug, hair dryer, straightener, and curler. You can maybe bring one of each shower curtain and bath rug then take turns using them.
As for the hair dryer, straightener, and curler, you can just bring 1 and share. Just so you have more space for other things. If you have the same preference for the toiletries you will be using, you can half and share the expenses.
- LAUNDRY ESSENTIALS
If it is your first time doing your own laundry, don't worry! I've got you covered. All the items you will be needing to do laundry will be on this list – detergent, bleach, fabric conditioner, and your own laundry basket. This list will also include other cleaning things you will need and for sure going to use.
- SNACKS AND UTENSILS
A lot of times, college students often forget that they are also going to need to have their own utensils, plates, cooking ware, cups, etc. You are going to be on your own and don't expect to eat take-outs all the time. It's not good for your health and it is definitely not going to be cheap.
Stock on some snacks and drinks because surely you are going to look for them as you do your late night studies. Maybe not so much since you will be sharing a mini fridge with your new roomie.
- DESK STUFF
A desk lamp, extension cords, chargers, pens, notepads, books, desk shelves, and trashcan – these are the useful things on your desk that will make studying more efficient. And these are some of the things that most people forget.
- WARDROBE ACCESSORIES
Just because your clothes are hidden inside your closet doesn't mean they shouldn't be organized. Hangers, storage cabinets, and a shoe rack should help you keep your things sorted out well. Having an organized closet is important so you won't get to your classes late.
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