What to Skip When Packing for College: Save Your Money, Space, and Sanity

If you're anything like I was before freshman year, you've probably spent hours looking at college packing lists. One list says you need 50 things. Another says you need 150 things. Suddenly you're standing in Target wondering whether your future depends on owning a three-tier rolling cart, six decorative pillows, and a bedside lamp that also charges your phone. The truth? Most students overpack for college. And after a few years of dorm living, I've realized there are plenty of items that sound useful in theory but end up collecting dust all semester. So before you fill your cart with every "must-have" dorm product on the internet, here's what I would seriously consider skipping.

1. Too Many School Supplies

This is probably the biggest mistake incoming freshmen make.

Before college, I thought I needed:

• Multiple binders

• Folders for every class

• Several notebooks

• Colored pens

• Index cards

• Highlighters in every color imaginable

Then I got to college and realized most of my coursework was online. For most students, a notebook, pens, and a laptop are enough to start. You can always buy additional supplies after classes begin if you actually need them.

2. Excessive Storage Products

I know this sounds ironic because storage products appear on almost every dorm essentials list. But here's the thing: You don't know what needs organizing until you've moved in. Many students buy:

• Multiple plastic drawer towers

• Large shelving systems

• Closet organizers

• Desk organizers

Only to discover that the storage products take up more space than the items they're storing. Start with a few versatile solutions and add more if necessary.

3. Decorative Pillows

I know. They're cute. They look amazing in dorm room photos. But after move-in week, many decorative pillows spend the year:

• On the floor

• On a chair

• In a corner

• Being thrown across the room whenever you want to sleep

If you genuinely love them, go for it. If you're trying to save money or space, they're one of the easiest things to skip.

4. A Printer

This one surprises people. Before college, I assumed every student needed a printer. Then I got to campus and discovered my university already had printers everywhere. Libraries, academic buildings, residence halls, and student centers often provide printing options. Unless you know you'll be printing constantly, I'd wait before buying one.

5. Every Kitchen Gadget Imaginable

Dorm rooms aren't apartments. You don't need:

• A blender

• A toaster

• A coffee maker

• A panini press

• An air fryer

• A waffle maker

Especially because many residence halls don't allow certain appliances. Check your housing rules before purchasing anything with a plug.

6. Too Much Clothing

This is the one nobody wants to hear. You probably don't need your entire closet. College students tend to rotate through the same favorite outfits over and over again. Meanwhile, the clothes you thought you'd wear every week end up sitting untouched for months. Bring the basics. You can always swap seasonal clothes during breaks if needed.

7. Furniture Before Seeing Your Room

I've seen students buy:

• Shelving units

• Storage cabinets

• Large rugs

• Extra furniture

Before they even know what their dorm room looks like. Dorm layouts vary dramatically. Something that fits perfectly in one room may not fit at all in another. Wait until you've seen the space before making large purchases.

8. Anything You're Buying Because TikTok Told You To

This might be my most important advice. Social media loves "college must-haves."

The problem is that many of those recommendations solve problems you may never have.

Instead of asking:

"What is everyone else buying?"

Ask:

"Will I realistically use this every week?"

If the answer is no, you can probably wait.

So What Should You Prioritize?

If you're trying to build a smart college packing list, focus on the essentials:

• Bedding

• Toiletries

• A few storage solutions

• School supplies

• Technology

• Basic cleaning supplies

Everything else can be added later.

My Final Take

One of the best pieces of college advice I can give is this: You don't need to arrive on campus with everything figured out. College isn't a one-time shopping trip. There will be stores near campus. There will be Amazon deliveries. There will be Target runs with friends two weeks into the semester. The biggest packing mistake isn't forgetting something. It's spending money on things you never end up using. Start with the essentials, leave room for flexibility, and remember that it's much easier to buy something later than it is to move out with a room full of unnecessary stuff.

XOXO,

Broke College Girl