Need a good college dorm room packing list? I have you covered! Last year we officially crossed into the world of parenting college aged kids. Sending your kids off to school is a bit overwhelming, even more so if your kids are like mine and heading to school 6+ hours away. If they need something, there is no hopping in the car and driving it over.
It’s best to start making your list now and double checking it twice. Let’s get the dorm essentials right the first time and not have a lot of needs once you get them moved in!
Besides the obvious like clothes, underwear, and a laptop, here’s a great list of 40+ things you want to pack (or at least chat about whether they want them). If you start shopping now you’ll find lots of great deals and maybe even have time to hit thrift stores and online marketplace listings.
Dorm Room Packing List
Mattress Topper Twin XL
While dorms come with mattresses they are notoriously not comfortable. Grabbing a 2 inch mattress topper will make them sleep much better. Note there are some very expensive models, but most foam doesn’t last more than a year or two. Go cheaper, they won’t sleep in a Twin XL forever.
Zip up mattress pad or protector
Going along with the topper above… how many people have slept in this bed before you? It’s best to not really think about that. Just get a zip up mattress protector and sleep in peace. These are designed to not only to protect the mattress from spills but also you from allergens.
Pretty much every college uses the same Twin XL beds. Your twin sheets from home will be 6 inches too short. Go ahead and buy a new set, this will definitely make for a rough first day if you wait to find out at the dorm. My go-to would be these from Kohls. We see sales all the time and you won’t care if they never get washed and get thrown away after a year.
Looking to go on an adventure? Southwest Airlines is offering select one-way flights for super low fares. I’m talking as low as $49!!
To get this deal, you must book your flight by 7/29.
Continental U.S. travel valid 8/8 through 1/29/25. Travel to/from Hawaii, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and international valid 8/20 through 2/10/25. Restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates apply so just play around with dates and see what you can find!
A 21-day advance purchase is required. Seats and days are limited.
See more ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS!
We have great offers for Bubly Burst sparkling water drinks that you can pair with this week’s Publix sale. Score Bubly for just 80¢ a bottle with this eCoupon deal!
Publix Bubly Burst Sparkling Water Deal (ends 7/23 or 7/24):
- Bubly Burst, 16.9 oz, $1
-$2/10 Bubly Burst item, 16.9 oz, Publix eCoupon
(buy 10, makes it 80¢ each)
Check out the full Publix ad for more great deal ideas.
Right now Nordstrom is having one of their best sales of the year with their Anniversary Sale! Grab designer brands and more for up to 70% off!
Grab shoes, clothing, accessories and more.
Deal Ideas:
Cole Haan Menlo Skimmer Slingback Flat – $52.47 (reg. $160)
Spanx Faux Leather Leggings $64.99 (reg. $98)
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream $68 (reg. $105)
This sale is good for a limited time. Shipping is free on orders of $89+.
Read More→
Right now you can get a Craftsy Premium Membership for just 99¢! Good for one year, this membership typically costs $113!
Craftsy is a great resource if you like to create with your hands, including embroidery, cooking, drawing, and more – over 20 different categories. Get help, tips, and instruction from over 2,000 online crafts classes, as well as access to live content and events and a weekly newsletter!
This membership will automatically renew after a year at the regular price, so make sure to mark your calendar or set a reminder if you want to change your membership. It’s also easy to manage your membership when you are logged into your account.
Find more freebies.
DSW is offering this Backpack Duo for FREE when you spend $59+ on shoes! Plus, there are some great sales to help you save even more!
To get the freebie, enter DYNAMICDUO at checkout. This duo is regularly priced at $60, so this is a sweet bonus!
Check out some of the deals you can grab below.
Deal Ideas:
New Balance Women’s Dynasoft Nergize Sport V2 Sneaker – $49.98 (reg. $70)
also available in white
Brooks Women’s Revel 6 Running Shoe – $79.99 (reg. $100)
available in multiple colors
Birkenstock Women’s Boston EVA Clog – 59.96
available in multiple colors
This offer is valid through 7/21 while supplies last. Shipping is free for DSW VIP Members (free to join).
Here is a list of the deals from the new Walgreens ad that will start on Sunday, 7/21. Get FREE Crest toothpaste and more.
Register Rewards – Month Long
- $5 RR when you spend $20 in select Back-to-School Products (thru 8/31)
Wexford Notebooks or Tape, 2 for $5
(buy (2), makes it $2.50 ea.)
Ticonderoga No. 2 Pencils
-500 points WYB Ticonderoga Pencils, purchase $8, excl erasers, sharpeners, & refill accessories, limit 2, enter code N0REC before first receipt to get 2000 Bonus points, Fetch Rewards mobile app
Select Sharpie Writing Tools, 2 for $10
(buy (4), makes it $3.75 ea.)
Five Star School Supplies, B1G1 50% off
Five Star Mead Notebook, 100 sheets, $4.99 (on sale 2/$8 thru 7/27)
Five Star Mead Fat Lil Notebook, 200 sheets, $3.99
-.75/1 Five Star folders, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-.50/1 Five Star bonus – redeem any (2) Five Star offers, Ibotta mobile app
-$1.50 off Five Star Expanding Files, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Five Star Zipper Binders, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$1 off Five Star Pencil Pouches, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$1 off Five Star Wide Ruled products, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-.75/1 Five Star College Ruled products, any, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
(buy (2), use (2) $1 off ibotta, makes it $3 ea.)
Select Wexford Office or School Supplies, $3
Bic Office or School Supplies, B1G1 50% off
Post-It or Scotch Products, 2 for $8
(buy (2), makes it $4 ea.)
Paper Mate Pens, 2 for $5
(buy (2), makes it $2.50 ea.)
Wexford Erasers, Folders, Pencil Cases or Sharpeners, $1
Select Art Supplies, B1G1 50% off
brands pictured – Crayola, Elmers, Krazy Glue, Mr. Sketch, Sharpie, Wexford
BIC Pens, Highlighters or Wite Out, 2 for $5
pictured – BIC Cristal Pens (10 pack)
(buy (2), makes it $2.50 ea.)
Sharpie Permanent Markets, 2 ct, 2 for $6
(buy (2), makes it $3 ea.)
Uniball Pens, B1G1 - $5 RR WYB (2) select Pain Relief Items
Biofreeze Pain Relief
Biofreeze Pain Relieving Gel, 3 oz, $11.99
Biofreeze Overnight Roll-On or Cream, 2.5-3 oz, $13.99
-$3 off Biofreeze products, select, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$4 off Biofreeze Overnight product printable
-$3 off Biofreeze product, excl Overnight printable
-$3 off Biofreeze item, excl Overnight, Walgreens eCoupon
-$4 off Biofreeze Overnight item, Walgreens eCoupon
-$4 off Biofreeze item, limit 1, cannot use with other coupons, Checkout 51 mobile app
-$3 off Biofreeze item, excl Overnight, limit 1, cannot use with other coupons, Checkout 51 mobile app
(buy (2) at $11.99, use (2) $3 off, makes it $6.49 ea.)
Salonpas Pain Relief Patches, 6 ct, $14.50
-$1 off Salonpas Pain Relieving item, excl Hot Patch, Lidocaine Gel Patch 2 or 20 ct, $10-, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2), use $1 off, makes it $11.50 ea.)
Excedrin Pain Relief, 100 ct, $12.29
-$6/2 Voltaren 1.76 oz+, Advil, or Excedrin 36 ct+, Walgreens (EXP 7/27) eCoupon
(buy (2), use $6/2, makes it $6.79 ea.)
Select Advil Pain Relief Tablets, 80-100 ct, $10.99
-$6/2 Voltaren 1.76 oz+, Advil, or Excedrin 36 ct+, Walgreens (EXP 7/27) eCoupon
(buy (2), use $6/2, makes it $5.49 ea.)
Aspercreme with Lidocaine Roll-On Pain Relief Liquid, 2.5 oz, B1G1 50% off at $12.99
-$2 off Aspercreme products, select, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
(buy (2), use (2) $2 off ibotta, makes it $5.24 ea.)
Icy Hot Dry Spray, 4 oz, B1G1 50% off at $11.49
-.25/1 Icy Hot products, excl 1-ct patch, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
(buy (2), use (2) .25/1 ibotta, makes it $5.87 ea.)
Advil Targeted Relief Cream, $4 off
Select Tylenol Pain Relief
-$2 off Tylenol Pain Relief items, July Walgreens booklet or (EXP 7/27) eCoupon
-$2 off Tylenol or Tylenol PM or Tylenol Precise, excl Cold & Sinus, & trial, limit 1, Save 07/07
-$2 off Tylenol Precise or PM, excl Cold & Sinus, trial/travel size printable
-$3 off Tylenol adult 200 ct.+, excl Cold & Sinus, trial/travel size printable
-$2 off Tylenol or Motrin children’s product, excl children’s Cold & Flu printable
-$2 off Tylenol Adult , Precise, or PM, excl Cold & Sinus & trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
-$3 off Tylenol Adult item, 200 ct+, excl Cold & Sinus, & trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel, 3.53 oz, $18.49
-$2 off Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel, 3.5 oz + printable
-$6/2 Voltaren 1.76 oz+, Advil, or Excedrin 36 ct+, Walgreens (EXP 7/27) eCoupon
(buy (2), use $6/2, makes it $12.99 ea.)
ZzzQuil Adult or Children’s Sleep Aids, B1G1 50% off
-$1.50 off ZzzQuil products, excl Pure Zzz items, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off ZzzQuil Sleep Nasal Strips, excl trial, limit 2, Save 07/07 Read More→
Through today only at Lands’ End, you can get 50% off one-pice swimsuits and 40% off everything else!
Simply type the code ONE-PIECES at checkout to get this offer. Shop for a high-quality swimsuit and cover-up for the summer!
You’ll also get free shipping on any order size with the coupon code.
Deal Ideas
Women’s Chlorine Resistant Soft Cup Tugless Sporty One Piece Swimsuit – $65.99 (reg. $82.95)
– use code ONEPIECES
Makes it $32.99
Women’s SlenderSuit Grecian Tummy Control One Piece – $115.99 (reg. $144.95)
– use code ONEPIECES
Makes it $57.99
Girls One Piece Swimsuits – $37.95
– use code ONEPIECES
Makes it $18.97 shipped
Read More→
Head to your store starting Sunday, 7/21 to find these deals from the new Target weekly ad. Grab some great school supply deals!
Gift Card Deals
- $5 Target Gift Card WYB $30 on Select Hair Care Items
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo, 13 oz, $10.99
L’Oreal Ever Pure Shampoo, 6.8 oz, $8.99
OGX Shampoo, 13 oz, $7.99
Monday Shampoo, 12 oz, $6.99
Tresemme Extra Hold Hair Spray, 11 oz, $6.99
Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Scalp & Hair Oil Treatment, 4.2 oz, $12.99
Old Spice Swagger 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, 21.9 oz, $7.99 - $5 Target Gift Card WYB (2) Select Allergy Items priced $3.99+
Zyrtec 24HR Allergy Relief, 30 ct., $20.99
-$4 off Zyrtec Adult item, 24-40 ct, excl wipes (sign in) printable
(buy (2), use $4 off, makes it $16.49 ea. after gift card)
Allegra 24HR Tablets, 30 ct., $19.99
(buy (2), makes it $17.49 ea. after gift card) - $5 Target Gift Card WYB (2) Select Cough & Cold Items priced $3.99+
Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil Combo, 2 pk, $20.49
(buy (2), makes it $17.99 ea. after gift card)
Mucinex Fast Max Liquid Gels, 24 ct., $18.89
(buy (2), makes it $16.39 ea. after gift card) Read More→
