College school supplies list
- College school supplies are different from dorm bedding — pack both lists before move-in weekend.
- Start with backpack, laptop, notebooks, and folders; add a planner if your courses are heavy on deadlines.
- Check each syllabus for calculators, lab notebooks, or art supplies your major requires.
What you’ll likely need
A quick peek at must-bring and strongly suggested items for this trip. Your full checklist with checkboxes appears in a moment.
- Credit / debit cards
- Health insurance card
- Student ID
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Backpack
- Binders, folders & dividers
- Class schedule (printed or in phone calendar)
- Notebooks & composition books
- Pens, pencils & highlighters
- Textbooks (rent, buy, or digital)
- Emergency contact list
- USB drive or cloud backup plan
- Academic planner or calendar
- Printed syllabi or saved PDFs
Tips for this trip
- Campus stores mark up basics — buy pens and notebooks at home, then pick up anything niche locally.
- A surge-protected power strip belongs on the dorm list, not here — open our dorm packing list for room setup.
- Save syllabi as PDFs on day one — professors often list required tools on the first page.
More college packing lists guides on our college packing lists hub , or use the full packing tool
Common questions
What school supplies do college students need? +
Backpack, laptop, charger, pens, notebooks, binders, folders, and a planner. STEM majors may need a graphing calculator; art majors may need separate studio supplies from the syllabus.
Is this different from a dorm packing list? +
Yes. Dorm lists cover Twin XL bedding, shower caddy, and fridge coordination. This list is for classes and studying.
Can I print this college school supplies list? +
Yes — check off items, then Print / Save as PDF. Use Copy for spreadsheet to paste into Google Sheets before shopping.
Do I need a printer in my dorm? +
Most students use campus printing. Save desk space unless your program requires frequent drafts at home.