What to Bring to College: The Ultimate College Packing List

Dorm mattresses aren't always very soft, so you have two options: either #dealwithit, or get this. (Honestly it's really comfortable)

For when your roommate needs sleep but you have 5,000 more pages of calculus homework. I recommend a clamp light like this one, especially if you have a loft bed.

Dorm HVAC systems sometimes like to test your will to live. So you'll need a blanket.

This is our laptop upgrade pick (unless you're a Mac user). Similar specs to the Acer, but it's much thinner/lighter and will have better build quality.

Having a second display to work with is monstrously helpful for many, many different majors. Just avoid the temptation to throw up Netflix on it while you're working.

This is the BEST mouse pad. That's the only reason I'm listing it. You can probably find a regular cloth mouse pad under your couch cushions, but this one is just amazing. I keep one in my backpack all the time.

One Drive to store them all, one Drive to save them....If you need a lot of storage space, it's often cheaper to use a portable hard drive than to buy a laptop with a bigger internal drive.

If you live on campus, you might not actually need a printer, as there's probably a computer lab nearby. But if you live OFF campus, owning a printer can be really handy. This one works well and doesn't cost too much.

You don't know what you're missing until you actually use a gaming mouse. This one performs incredibly well and can be had at a great price.

Until we figure out pocket-sized cold fusion reactors, these will have to do. Seriously a great way to make friends - people always need batteries.

For reading textbooks or serving as backlighting for your next Insta selfie #wokeuplikethis

Because everyone knows that your pens and pencils are seriously trying to take over your desk.

For your whiteboard. Make sure to get an eraser, or your embarrassing caricature of your RA may be stuck there forever.

For when you go to a college or live in an apartment complex that still requires payment in paper checks.

Because the odds are good that the only outlet is on the complete opposite side of the room as your desk.

For unspeakable secrets...or old homework.

For math and stuff...and drawing little pictures of your professor when no one's looking.

The first step to becoming a flash card guru.

Journaling is a superb form of self-reflection--it's like free therapy. Plus, it gives something your great-great grandkids can look back on and say, "They used Facebook back then? Woah! Now everything is just wired directly into your brain."

If you don't want to fool with sharpening pencils, go the mechanical route. I find them especially great for math homework or really any task where you need to write really small and neatly while still being able to erase.

Some people do still write on this stuff, believe it or not.

It's all fun and games until you knock it over, scattering pencils, pushpins, and paperclips as far as the eye can see. "Shoot," you think, "my room will never be safe to walk barefoot again."

One strip to rule them all.

The proper way to affix paper to your corkboard is by throwing shuriken, but it takes a while to master. Use these in the meantime.

I use mine to measure my beard, but they're also handy for drawing straight lines.

To sever that which must not remain joined.

It sticks things to things.

Because someone in your family or friend group will send you mail, and it's only polite to respond.

...I believe you have it.

Get sticky with it. For marking important passages in books without damaging the pages, these little guys are a miracle.

From reminders to grocery lists to amusing pranks to play on your roommates, sticky notes might be the most versatile school/office supply there is.

If you want the storage benefits of an elevated bed without the brain trauma hazards of lofting, then pick up a pack of these. I recommend having a friend help you install them.

A great way to get around fast and stay healthy. Really saves time if your campus is large and/or spread out. Bonus points for wheelies. Note: this link is for Amazon, but if there's a local bike shop in your town, I recommend checking there first.

Keep those tires inflated for maximum speed and comfort.

This speaker's battery lasts forever, it's small enough to throw in a bag, and it's loud enough to fill a dorm room or apartment living room with decent sound. I use mine every day and have bought no less than four more as gifts for friends.

Gotta keep that floor on sweep.

I'm not going to say I've raced these up and down the hall with my roommates...but I'm not going to say I haven't.

"Every problem in the world can be fixed with one of two items. If it moves and it shouldn't, duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, WD-40." - some engineer at some point, probably

Loud music can be great when you're jumping up and down to it at a concert...but less than thrilling when it's blaring from the room next door while you're trying to sleep. Good earplugs make all the difference. Note: pair with a sleep mask for best results.

I'm still not sure what every tool is for, but this is really handy. Plus it kind of makes me feel like Batman.

For storing important documents, embarrassing photos, and the One Ring.

For shredding, carving, or just coasting to class. Note: I've linked to Amazon here, but if you have a local skate shop in your area, I highly recommend going there instead.

Because sometimes your roommate wants to stay up till 3 am studying...or maybe you're a vampire, I dunno. Pair with earplugs for best results.

Textbooks can be expensive - it sucks. But they don't always have to be like that. This link takes you to my favorite site for finding the best deals on textbooks. I also strongly suggest checking your college's library or looking into digital versions of your books.

Maybe unnecessary if you attend college on the moon, but for most places it's handy to have a quality umbrella that you can store in your bag.

I use a set of these to store my alphabetized, mint condition collection of rare Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, but they work pretty well for anything that you need but don't use regularly.

When the broom's not enough (or if you have carpet), bring out the big guns.

Coffee is love, coffee is life - and this is my FAVORITE coffee making device. It's cheap, but the coffee it produces tastes amazing. It's like French press coffee without the grit.

Sure, they work for cookies, but you can also use them to bake, roast, or toast just about anything imaginable.

Bonbowl is a compact induction cooktop that lets you cook and eat out of the same bowl. Prepare rice, cook eggs, reheat leftovers, and much more. It's perfect for a small dorm room or apartment without a stove. Use the code CIG20 at checkout to get $20 off.

As someone who has opened cans with a pocket knife before, I strongly suggest getting one of these instead.

You don't realize what a brilliant invention they are until you're without them and are forced to use duct tape instead.

To make a truly potent and delicious cup of coffee, grind your own beans fresh. Pair with the Aeropress for best results.

For pasta, every college student's best friend. Can also work as a steamer basket when combined with a pot.

It steams, boils, and roils. What more could you want?

Because eating off paper plates gets old fast.

Those dirty dishes won't clean themselves.

Not to be confused with "software" or "hardware."

Any time you need to get something from one container to another without spilling, you'll be happy to have some funnels. They also work as funny little hats.

A quality knife that will make you feel like you're in a scene from Ratatouille.

Cooking your own food a couple times a week (and then reheating as you need it) is a great way to save time and money. These microwave safe containers are what you need to keep that food fresh throughout the week. These will make you less likely to turn to frozen pizza bagels when you're tired and just want something to eat.

For those of you who don't have hands made of asbestos.

For cleaning and wiping.

If you've ever tried to cut pizza with a butter knife, you'll appreciate how necessary one of these is.

If you live in a house or apartment, these are handy to have, though they're often included.

For all your stirring, flipping, and mixing needs.

Scrub-a-dub-dub.

For gripping and grasping. Also for pretending that you're Zoidberg from Futurama.

For making baskets and tossing rubbish. Note: often provided with your dorm room, so check before buying.

I use one to wash the silk ascot from my Austin Powers cosplay, but they work well for any delicate garments.

Roll, roll, roll the lint, gently off your clothes.

For when you bust a move so hard that you rip your pants.

To stain is human; to remove stains is...OxiClean?

Undoubtedly invented by the same extraterrestrial geniuses that brought us Command strips, these are great for hanging coats and towels.

Bathroom floors can be slippery.

Don't be grimy; keep it shiny.

Your university will almost certainly give these away by the fistful, so you probably don't need to buy them.

For when you don't feel like clothes but also don't feel like being cold and making everyone uncomfortable.

Unless you're secretly Catwoman, you'll probably want a pair of these.

Imagine how shocked I was when I arrived in my apartment and found that a shower curtain wasn't included. Don't be like me; pick one of these up. And make sure to close it all the way, because there's nothing worse than stumbling into the bathroom at 3 AM only to find your socks soaked by the puddle someone left after showering.

These are easy to forget, but a shower curtain isn't much use if you can't hang it up. And no, you shouldn't try to use rubber bands and paper clips for this (speaking from personal experience).

Shower floors can be slippery, too.

You may look a little chalky, but you'll be thankful you used it when you're older.

For taking care of business. If you live in a dorm with community bathrooms, this will usually be provided.

For all your plucking needs.

Some of the best evidence that aliens have visited Earth, these can attach anything to the wall. One of the great marvels of our time.

They add a touch of home, and they're great for keeping out the literal eye of Sauron that is the streetlight outside your window. Some dorms include curtain rods, but it really depends.

Not just for holidays, these lights provide a pleasant ambient alternative to the industrial fluorescents that most dorms have.

How else will you know if you have spinach in your teeth? Note: many dorms come with one of these, so check before buying.

If you don't want the responsibility of a pet but still enjoy caring for a living thing, plants are the perfect choice. Just make sure to water them or they'll get sad.

The wall is just a blank canvas...or something like that. Pair with Command strips for best results.

For your daily dose of soothing, saline illumination.

Sort of like Scrabble, but without the board and a lot more fast-paced.

I'll always remember it as "how I got to know people freshman year."

If Civilization were a board game...er, I mean, "tabletop strategy game."

A crazy, fun card game that I'm still not sure I fully understand.

"Hut, hut, hike!"

I use mine for disc golf.

For battling the zombies...or your hallmates (or maybe both. Maybe you have zombie hallmates?)

For Euchre, poker, and 52 pickup.