Calling All Uni-parents! Tips, Tricks, and a College Packing List for a Smooth Transition
Are your kids all grown up and ready to go off to college? It’s a major milestone for any young adult, but it’s also a transition that’s as daunting as it is exciting. If you’re the parent of a new university student, Mini Mall Storage has the tips and tricks you need to help them get organized and create a college packing list that’ll have your student feeling cool, comfortable, and ready for the challenges ahead.
Your child’s college packing list will depend on whether they’ll stay on campus or rent an apartment. For most students, staying in a dorm room is the more affordable option, so we’ll focus on what to pack for college when staying in a residence.
Things to Pack for College Dorm Life
Staying in a dorm room generally means you won’t need to worry about furniture, so you’re going to be focused on some in-room essentials that’ll make your student feel right at home. This could include some or all of the items in the following list. Be sure to check with the university for a list of items that are not allowed—for example, some residences will allow small appliances like a toaster oven or a microwave in the dorm room, while others will not.
For the Bed:
- Mattress pad
- Sheets (typically a Twin XL)
- Pillows and pillowcases
- Comforter or duvet
- An extra blanket or throw
For the Bath:
- A set of towels (bath, hand, and washcloth)
- Bathrobe
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.)
- Hygenic products
- Laundry basket
For the Desk:
- Lamp
- Desk organizer
- Pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, etc.
- Notebooks and binders
- Stapler, paper clips, binder clips, etc.
- Scissors, tape, and other desk supplies
- Printer, ink, and printing paper (optional—check with the university to see what printing services are available)
Electronics:
- Laptop or computer with accessories and cables (extra monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
- Power bars and extension cords
- Phone and chargers
- Headphones or earbuds
- An alarm clock
For Dining:
- Eating utensils (cups, bowls, plates, mugs, and utensils)
- Small appliances (if allowed) like a coffee maker, toaster, electric kettle, mini fridge, or toaster oven
- Pots and pans (if there’s access to a kitchen)
Extra Storage:
- Under-the-bed storage bins
- Clothes hangers
Miscellaneous:
- First-aid kit
- Sewing kit
- Flashlight
- Fan or portable air conditioner
- Laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets
- Medications (with copies of prescriptions)
- Paper towels and toilet paper (check with your dorm to see if they provide this)
- Umbrella
Personal Items:
- Posters
- Knick knacks
- Clothing (prepare for all seasons)
- Games
- Sports gear
If staying in an off-campus apartment, you’ll need to also consider furniture, appliances, and a more extensive list of cooking items.
Things to Keep in Mind
Pack light! There’s limited space in a dorm room—for example, you won’t want to send your son or daughter off to school with their entire comic book collection—things like that are best kept in storage. Check with the university to see what is included when staying in residence.
Don’t forget to bring essential identification documents like insurance papers, health care cards, driver’s licenses, and so on.
You can also check with the university for tips on preparing for life in residence. For example, the University of Waterloo in Ontario has a resource called Ultimate Guide: Living at Waterloo, with a series of student articles on how to make the most of your experience and set yourself up for success, including articles like “What’s it like to live in residence?” “Eating on campus 101,” and “Ways to personalize your room.” Encourage your child to contact the Student Services department to find similar resources at their college or university.
Need to free up more space? With grown children leaving home and starting their own adventures, it could be a good time to declutter your home and stash seasonal gear, sports equipment, extra furniture, and memorabilia in storage. Mini Mall Storage has a self storage unit for every need. Check out our size guide to discover which size unit would suit you best or give us a call to get started.
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