• College Packing List

     

     homeschool health Lee Binz, The HomeScholar

    What Your Student Will Need to Move From Homeschool to College

Beating Homeschool Burnout - in a Nutshell

It is an exciting day for some and sad for others: the day your homeschool graduate moves from home to college! Before they head out to that new adventure though, they need to pack! When you consider how small the typical dorm room is, developing a reasonable college packing list can be challenging. On the one hand, they need to avoid borrowing everything from their neighbors. But you also don’t want to arrive with a pod full of stuff that won’t fit in a tiny dorm room. Space is usually at a premium, so think efficiency as you plan.

The following college packing list contains items that will likely be needed during the year. Some items may be restricted by your university, so check their policy before buying electrical equipment such as microwaves, refrigerators, and toaster ovens.

If possible, try to have your child contact their future roommate(s) prior to arrival. They can coordinate supplies together so they don’t have two of everything cluttering up the space. If one roommate buys the microwave and the other gets the refrigerator, they both save money. And young women particularly seem to like to coordinate decor.

You won't be able to purchase everything on this college packing list. But using this list, your child should have what they need most - except for you, of course. They will still need you and need to know you love them!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte.

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Bedding and Decor

College Packing List - Technology

Technology

  • Laptop computer (Tip: Even techie teens may not know how to maintain and care for technology, so service protection is a good idea.)
  • Printer with ink
  • Surge protector
  • 3-prong extension cords
  • Ethernet cord and/or wireless router
  • Television
  • DVD or Blu-Ray player they you have a TV
  • Netflix/Hulu Plus/Amazon membership (student must be mature enough to not abuse this)
  • Stereo or radio
  • Wireless headphones
  • Compact speaker system or bluetooth speaker
  • Streaming service for music
  • Flash drive for portable file storage
  • Digital camera (if not using their smartphone)
  • Rechargeable batteries with charger
  • Smartphone or cell phone (and charger) with good service/coverage at the college

School Supplies

  • Textbooks
  • Pens
  • Pencils, mechanical pencils
  • Notebooks
  • Binders
  • Folders
  • Highlighters
  • Dry-erase marker
  • Markers
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
  • Printer paper
  • Calculator
  • Desk storage tools
  • Dayplanner or calendar
  • Rubber bands
  • Paper clips
  • Thumbtacks, push pins, or Sticky Tac to put up posters
  • Sticky notes
College Packing List - Kitchen Supplies

Kitchen Supplies

  • Small refrigerator, or a micro-fridge combo unit (Tip: As with all electronics, make sure you check the university policy first. They may restrict the size of the refrigerator!)
  • Microwave
  • Coffee maker/espresso machine
  • Can opener
  • Toaster/toaster oven (if allowed)
  • Hot pad (if allowed)
  • Microwaveable plates
  • Microwaveable cups or mugs
  • Microwaveable bowls
  • Glasses
  • Forks, knives, spoons
  • Cutting knife

Cleaning Supplies

  • Hand soap
  • Dish soap
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Nonabrasive bathroom cleanser
  • Dusting spray/cloths
  • Sponges
College Packing List - Clothing Needs

Clothing

  • Mark all clothing with a Sharpie
  • Bath robe
  • Slippers
  • Shower shoes, flip flops, or Crocs
  • Underwear - 1 month’s supply (really)
  • Raincoat
  • Light jacket
  • Winter/heavy coat
  • Mittens, scarf, hat
  • Rain shoes/boots
  • Swimsuit(s)
  • Workout and/or sports clothes
  • “Dress” clothes and shoes (for guys, this means a blazer, tie, or suit)
  • “Grubby” clothes
  • Comfortable clothes and shoes to go to class in

Laundry

Documents

  • Driver's license or state ID
  • Health insurance card
  • Social security card
  • Health records
  • Friends and family contact list
  • Access to money (bank account, bank card, credit card, etc.)

Miscellaneous

What you should leave at home

Don’t bring anything your child does not or will not use. Don’t bring anything expensive they won’t use (like letterman jackets, for example). Leave behind firearms, even if they hunt or shoot for sport. Leave behind expensive clothes and jewelry that may be stolen. And sorry, they can’t bring pets. I do know plenty of college kids that bring a stuffed animal, though, and a cozy blanket can be very comforting during moments of homesickness or cold-sickness.

If You Need Help Letting Go, Check Out the College Launch Solution!

The HomeScholar College Packing List

Homeschool to College Packing List Pin

Recommended Resources

5 Mistakes Homeschooling High School

Learn how to identify and avoid the big blunders repeated by countless homeschool parents!

The First Mistake may cripple your plans if your child ever changes their mind (and what teenager doesn't!) The Second Mistake may leave your child unprepared for college! The Third Mistake may result in the loss of thousands of dollars in financial aid! The Fourth Mistake may cause your child to be lost in the crowd during college admission. The Fifth Mistake may render your kid unable to gain admission to the college of their dreams! 


Creating Homeschool Balance

Homeschool graduation isn't the finish line! Get expert help to launch teens into college and career success. 

It is more complex than ever to prepare your homeschooler for college. Desperate parents are increasingly turning to professional college coaching that costs thousands. But is spending a fortune on a college admission coach necessary or just a result of fear?

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, says you can be your teen's best coach to help them get into college! All you need is a little knowledge, encouragement, accountability, and investment. This book will give you all that and a lot more! You will learn strategies to propel your teen into college and career success!

Solution for Going from Homeschool to College

I believe YOU are your student's best homeschool guidance counselor and can become your student's best college admissions coach. The only thing that is missing is knowledge!

The College Launch Solution (CLS) will teach you how to be your child's best college coach. You won't have to scour the internet for information - the College Launch Solution will present it to you conveniently in one place. You won't have to wonder if you have done enough - the College Launch Solution will show you all you need to do and when it needs to be done.

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Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's FREE Resource Guide "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School" and more freebies:  HomeHighSchoolHelp.com/freebies.
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