What Not To Bring to College: 13 Things You Can Leave at Home
Packing for college can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re unsure of what you’ll actually need. Overpacking is a common mistake, but bringing too much stuff can leave you with cramped spaces and unnecessary stress.
I’ve been there. When I packed for my freshman year, I brought way more than I needed and ended up with boxes of unused items. To save you from the same hassle, I’m breaking down what NOT to bring to college, along with essential tips to make your packing smarter and simpler.
In this blog post, I’ll cover:
The 13 things you can leave at home
What you should pack instead
My top tips for stress-free packing
By the end, you’ll feel confident and ready to tackle move-in day with ease!
When I was packing for my first year of college, I felt like I needed to bring everything from home “just in case.” Extra clothes, duplicate gadgets, and even my entire high school memorabilia collection made it into my car. Fast forward to move-in day, I realized half of it wouldn’t even fit in my dorm room, and most of it went unused.
That’s when I learned the value of packing light and prioritizing what truly matters. Let me save you the headache with this detailed guide on what NOT to bring to college.
13 Things You Can Leave at Home
1. Too Many Clothes Dorm closets are tiny, so pack by season and plan to swap items during trips home. Stick to versatile basics you can mix and match.
2. Duplicate Items Coordinate with your roommates to avoid bringing multiples of big-ticket items like mini fridges, microwaves, or furniture.
3. Kitchen Gadgets You Won’t Use If you’re in a dorm, chances are you’ll barely use kitchen appliances. Keep it simple with one or two essentials.
4. Extra Bedding One set of sheets is enough. Wash and reuse to save space.
5. Oversized Toiletries Bulk toiletries take up too much room. Opt for smaller bottles and refill as needed.
6. Excessive Decor While it’s tempting to personalize every inch of your space, too much decor can make your room feel cluttered. Less is more.
7. Expensive Valuables Keep pricey items at home to avoid loss or theft. Only bring what you absolutely need.
8. Items Prohibited by Your Dorm Check your dorm’s rules before packing. Things like candles, space heaters, and certain appliances might not be allowed.
9. High School Memorabilia Leave bulky trophies and yearbooks behind. College is about starting fresh.
10. More Than One Set of Towels One towel set is sufficient. Wash regularly to save space.
11. Big Televisions Large TVs are unnecessary for dorm life. Opt for a laptop or smaller screen instead.
12. Too Many Cleaning Supplies Stick to basics like a multi-purpose cleaner and small vacuum. Dorms often have supplies you can borrow.
13. Non-Essential Appliances Don’t bring items like blenders or coffee makers unless you know you’ll use them regularly.
Feeling overwhelmed by your college packing list? Checkout this college packing checklist to make your move-in stress-free!
Essentials You Should Pack
1. Comfortable Outerwear Invest in a durable coat for chilly walks to class or nights out.
2. Multi-Purpose Shoes Bring versatile footwear like sneakers, boots, and casual flats.
3. Mattress Topper Dorm beds aren’t known for comfort. A good topper can make all the difference.
4. Reusable Water Bottle Stay hydrated with a quality bottle you can carry everywhere.
5. Mesh Shower Caddy Perfect for shared bathrooms, lightweight, and easy to clean.
Packing for college doesn’t have to be stressful. By avoiding unnecessary items and focusing on the essentials, you’ll save time, space, and energy. Plus, your dorm will feel organized and cozy from day one.
RELATED POSTS:
10 Time Management Tips Every College Student Needs to Know