1. Every Single Piece of Clothing You Own
I know—it’s tempting to bring your entire wardrobe, especially if you’re moving far from home. But trust me, those four bins of “just in case” tops will never see daylight.
What to bring instead: A capsule wardrobe of comfy basics, layering pieces, and weather-appropriate outerwear. You’ll rotate through the same favorites more than you think, and laundry day will come quicker than you expect.
2. Your Full Skincare/Haircare Arsenal
College bathrooms = shared, tiny, and not spa-worthy. Your 15-step skincare routine? Not ideal when someone’s knocking on the door because you’ve been in there for 20 minutes.
Skip: Full-size bottles, salon tools you rarely use, niche beauty gadgets.
Bring: Travel-sized essentials, multi-use products, and a simple routine that works even on 3-hours-of-sleep mornings.
3. Bulky Furniture
A velvet ottoman with hidden storage? Chic, but probably unnecessary. Most dorms already provide beds, desks, chairs, and dressers.
Don’t bring: Lounge chairs, side tables, or extra desks. You’ll be shocked at how little room you have to move around as is.
Do bring: Space-saving items like over-the-bed storage shelves, foldable ottomans, or under-bed bins if allowed.
4. Kitchen Gadgets (That You Think You’ll Use)
Unless your dorm has a kitchen and you’re a culinary goddess, leave the blender, waffle iron, and rice cooker at home.
Most common offenders: Air fryers, toasters, pots and pans, electric grills—most are banned or just collect dust.
Instead: A mini fridge (if allowed), a microwave, and your fave mug or reusable cup.
5. A Ton of Decorative Pillows
They look amazing on Pinterest, but once you realize you have to toss 12 pillows off your bed every night just to sleep… yeah, no.
Bring: 1-2 cute accent pillows and a cozy throw blanket to get that aesthetic without the chaos.
6. Your Entire Book Collection
We love a bookworm moment, but textbooks, notebooks, and class readings will already be taking up a ton of space.
What to do instead: Bring a Kindle or e-reader if you like reading for fun, or limit yourself to 2-3 must-haves.
7. Expensive or Sentimental Items
You’ll be living with strangers (at least at first), and dorms don’t always feel super secure.
Keep at home: Jewelry, family heirlooms, designer bags, or anything you’d be devastated to lose.
8. High School Memorabilia
I’m talking trophies, prom photos, spirit wear, and every note your BFF passed you in chem class.
Why not? A little nostalgia is fine, but this is your fresh start! You’re creating new memories now—leave the locker decor behind.
9. A Printer
I know it sounds convenient, but most schools offer free or super cheap printing in the library or student center. Your printer will be a dusty paperweight.
Bonus: You’ll save on ink and avoid dealing with jammed paper in the middle of a panic print-job moment.
10. Seasonal Clothes (Right Away)
Packing all your winter gear in August? Nooope.
Do this instead: Bring warm-weather essentials for fall semester, then swap clothes out during a trip home or ask your fam to ship stuff when it cools down.
📦 Bonus: Other “Nice to Have” Items That You Won’t Use
- Ironing board & iron: Too bulky. Use a handheld steamer or wrinkle release spray.
- TV: Laptops do the trick. Dorm WiFi usually isn’t made for streaming on multiple devices anyway.
- Formal wear: Unless you’re in Greek life or attending tons of events, one nice outfit is plenty.
- Excessive school supplies: You’ll probably only use a few notebooks and pens. Office Depot haul? Not necessary.
💡 Quick Tips to Keep You From Overpacking
- Check with your roommate: Don’t end up with two microwaves or three area rugs.
- Look up your dorm layout: Knowing the furniture setup and room size helps you plan better.
- Use a “maybe” box: Pack one box of items you think you’ll want, but don’t immediately unpack. If you haven’t touched it in a month… you probably don’t need it.
✨ Encouraging Takeaway
Packing for college is so exciting—and a little overwhelming. But you don’t need to bring everything to feel ready. Focus on what you’ll actually use, what makes your space feel like you, and leave the rest. Trust me, future-you will thank you when you’re not climbing over an unused rice cooker to get to your desk.
Want a checklist of what to bring instead? I've got you covered—check out my College Dorm Essentials Checklist.
