the ultimate list of what u NEED to pack for ur college dorm *brutally honest edition* 

“Get the second pillow not the second set of sheets” yeahhhh just in case you, hypothetically, leave for a weekend then come back to your dorm to a random spot on your pillow… thanks for the advice Sydney👌👌

Im packing rn, the timing is EVERYTHING

Can we appreciate the fact that she made a spreadsheet for us! Like you can tell that she genuinely wants to help us out.

I would recommend bringing wash cloths/rags instead of a loofa! They’re more versatile, less mildewy and gross than a loofa, easier to store, etc. In my dorm I would hang it with my towel after my shower to dry then toss it in the laundry bin after to get washed. I brought about 8 or 10, just depends on how frequently you do laundry. Way easier and cleaner :-)

"don't bring a dry erase board calender" me... I legit use it every day regardless of having a planner..

shouting into the void: LIBRARIES HAVE FREE TEXTBOOKS!!!!!

Here is a tip about laundry for avoiding crowds: 6 am on any day. I also had to walk under an busy archway (like outside) to get to my laundry room because I was in a building with a split first floor. So I was motivated to go avoid people since I didn’t want people walking by to just see me outside with a clothes hamper.

pov: you’re packing for college, bingeing all of syds college videos, stressing outa your mind when this video pops up and comes to the rescue

I was literally having a breakdown about what to pack for college and the notification for this showed up. You are my savior 🙏🏼.

I would say, another useful object, at least for me, was a can opener. For those times when you eat in the dorm, and need to open up canned goods.

Basically, there's alot of variety of what a person needs based on their personality or specific school. Pretty much everybody overpacks freshman year, it's okay, you learn. If you're going home over breaks for sure then what is helpful is packing some clothes seasonally or taking some stuff home that you didn't use (especially if you realize you need to bring stuff back to school that you didn't think of.) I didn't feel like I needed a mattress pad ever, my school's beds were adjustable in height, I never used a desk lamp, a printer was very useful for me because I'd print out papers last minute or at night and either the library wasn't open or I wouldn't want to trek across campus to spend money to print, etc.

i actively have used my phone calendar, a bullet journal, AND my dry erase calendar to stay on top of everything and i’m about to be a junior

if you have a communal bathroom- get a wrap towel!!! It’s literally the best purchase i’ve made

I graduated 3 years ago but lived in the dorms all 4 years so I came to check out if this list is accurate. I'd agree with pretty much all of this. I'd also recommend having extra chargers in your backpack (phone, computer). If you have a HIKE to class and don't go back to your dorm during the day between classes, you'll want to have your phone and laptop chargers with you. also, I went to school in an urban setting. crime happens, protect yourself. I had pepper spray (check if its allowed at your school) and a personal alarm (handheld, you pull a little string and it sets off an alarm) attached to my room keys.

it’s not syd if it’s not brutally honest

the fireball is iconic.. ALSO bed bath and beyond has so many college "Essentials" that are scams. Don't fail for them :) One thing you didn't mention is to ACTUALLY bring bowls, plates, and metal silverware. Even if it's one set of each, it is so much easier that constantly buying paper products which are horrible for the environment. Also, you do NOT need a brita if you live in a dorm because it will take up most of your mini fridge... because if you like healthy food and want to use your fridge for most of that, you are going to have NO space because of your brita ... so leave it at home unless you want to waste your money on a meal plan :)

Me, a Senior in college who has commuted the past 3 years of college and is commuting in the Fall as well: ✍🏼 No ✍🏼 Loofa ✍🏼 Got it! ☑

for people who enjoy having your room smell nice, i HIGHLY recommend buying a small oil diffuser and a few essential oils that you like. it is SO MUCH less expensive then buying a lot of candles and risking burning down your building.

I would recommend a small clothes steamer! It is much more portable than an iron and it doesn’t need a board or a flat surface to work properly. It’s hard to just forgo an iron ESPECIALLY if you are the type who hates to fold clothes as soon as you take them out of the dryer.

Omg i needed this video so bad. I’m in a dorm this year and I got no clue what I need

I'd really recommend doing your laundry on week days, late at night if you've the energy because the chances of unoccupied laundry machines and empty rooms is substantially higher.

i’m finally going into college this year and can actually apply this advice to my life, i feel like i’ve unlocked a new level to watching your videos :) thanks for being all cool and wise and such i couldn’t do it without ya

Senior in college but I'm still watching this video! (and I just bought a few new things for my dorm, including the EXACT storage ottoman you linked in the Google Sheet)

if you are living with a roommate: earplugs and/or eye mask! sometimes your sleep schedules won’t line up and that’s okay! but i found these ESSENTIAL when i’d want to go to bed early or take a nap during the day:)

oh & professional outfit is SO IMPORTANT regardless of your major - we have a pre-med/medical fraternity & it was required for interviews and even general meetings to dress business casual/formal & some clubs required it as well - so 10/10 recommend having something

turning 27 in a month, been out of college for over 5 years, commuted all 4 years of college, never watched one of your videos before, but this came up on my home page and i of course had to watch

As a former RA toasters and hot plates are typically banned in college dorms.

My state/school literally has 100 degree weather in August, then snow in September with sun the next day, plus lots of days of rain. You need to pack for all weather 😅😂

The mesh shower caddies can be washed in the washing machine!

If you do prefer loofahs, buy 5-6 at the beginning of each semester and change them every 2 weeks. Same with sponges for dishes - buy a multi-pack and make sure you change them out!

I’m literally pre-packing a month before I’m leaving 1: to avoid last minute panic packing 2: I need to deep clean my depression room 3: I have to prepare my room for my cat because it’s gonna become his room when I leave

Why did I watch this whole video? I'm going into my fourth year of college and I've lived at home this whole time. I literally take all online classes.

the fact that I was coming on to youtube to watch a video like this... and you are the one making it makes me happy :)

I’m literally packing rn you’re a god send 😭

if you have some sort of internship or clinical hours where you have to look professional, I would recommend getting a steamer, they are like 15 dollars on amazon and they are so easy to use

dude the spreadsheet is crazy thanks so much!

I know it sounds odd but I recommend bringing a small bucket. Its useful when the hot water isnt working or during water maintenance. Also easier to wash dishes. You can use it for storage when not in use :)

I actually need to see this. This is the first one that didn't tell me to bring tapestries and extra chairs.

As a international first year student, I appreciate this work!! I was thinking about these informations like…. A LOT! Thank you. I’ll be looking forward more college videos like this ;))

Not me being an RA and taking notes because last year was foggy 😭🥴 also, you can wash the mesh caddies and it’s much more easier to do that than cleaning up plastic mildew on the plastic caddies!!

our laundry room was open 24/7, best believe I was in there at 2 am procrastinating my school work - and with the umbrella, I was like the only kid carrying an umbrella around when it was about to storm, so it started pouring & I opened it & almost became mary poppins - so that was an F - I ended up just sulking in the rain

Syd always has the most creative intros I’m here for it😂

Graduated from college 7 years ago but still fully invested in this advice 😂🙃

My college allows thumb tacks to hang stuff! Perfect timing for this video, I’m leaving in less than 2 weeks! Thank you!!

hell yeahhh… moving out in two weeks and I only have my towels, sheets, and comforter 😅

BRO WHAT THE PAINTERS TAPE TRICK IS SO GOOD

I'm an incoming junior, and you have been my college guru/mentor since I was a senior college. 🌝

i didn’t go to college and don’t plan on it but i love watching ppl talk about what to bring to college lmaooo

realized syd didn’t bleep one of the curses and it made my night

If you have a communal bathroom I suggest a robe. My friend had one and honestly she said it made life easier. Also remember if those hallways are accessible to all genders then there might be guys hanging out in hallways talking to other people in your hall. I think a robe would be nice for more coverage. (If you don’t care then a regular towel will do.) you could change in the bathroom but sometimes it’s easier to change in your room.

Me who leaves in 11 days and hasn’t packed anything yet 😭😂 but thankfully everything’s together just not in a suitcase

I would also add to the essentials one of those giant desk calendars (I hang mine up on the wall). I write literally everything on it (classes, meetings, events, major tests, etc.), and color code it. It's way easier than finding whatever you need on your phone or laptop. And then I would say DON'T bring a million pairs of shoes. My roommate last year had a giant pile that she never touched and my roommate this year brought home more than half of what she brought at the beginning of the year. You're gonna wear your shower shoes, maybe a pair of sneakers, maybe some boots, and maybe some slippers. Even if you're a shoe person, you're not going to be by the second month.

Thanks for being honest about this stuff, because we don't want to waste money on not important things

i use a dry erase board (a regular blank one, to put extra stuff on it) and the calendar one along with my agenda and my phone's notes + google calendar to keep track of everything bc my memory is trash. if you feel you need one, get one. But if you find yourself not using it much, sell it to others in your dorm hall or online. that's just my advice for anyone who may be in between on getting one

Not even a second of the video in and I already feel called out lmao 🤡😂

please this is EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED

As a guy who carries around a wallet, I feel singled out.

Ngl The bed that I had was comfortable and I ended up stuffing my mattress pad in a closet for the semester. The desk lamp was the most useful for me!

Having a lofted did give me a lot of space but I honestly hated it and the latter stuck out so far that it was a waste of space anyways, if your roommate is cool you can’t bunk your beds, everyone I know who did that had the most usable space and that was rad. Also bring a bunch of bandaids because literally no one on my floor ever had bandaids, shower shoes are your friend and get a bathrobe if you don’t already have one (I also recommend slippers) you really don’t need a whole dinner set like one bowl one plate one mug and one set of silverware you don’t need more than that AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY BUT BRING A CAN OPENER. And most schools have communal printers that are like 10¢ a page and those are cool but there’s normally a line so it all depends on if you’re fine with waiting. And the last advice I can give is Save every paper or assignment someplace like google docs (even if that’s not where you right your papers) copy and paste it there just in case something happens like it didn’t save to your flash drive or something because you can access that from your phone or any computer

I LOVE this video syd but I wanna add a note abt the iron/ironing board point: I have some shirts w iron ons that need attention to keep the decal on, so I’m bringing an iron and I bought an ironing mat instead of bringing an ironing board. you can just spread the mat on your desk/floor/whatever, iron on it, and then it folds up really flat. mine even came w an iron rest, and it was really cheap. hope this helps someone!

I'm packing right now and your list has been a godsend (and yes, I've had this video saved since August and I leave in a bit over a week now). I've shared it with my parents and we're using it to make sure I get everything. Literally please accept my eternal gratitude and thanks, you've made this already stressful time a little bit less stressful. Thank you thank you thank you :))))

A few things I’d also add as a junior, microwaveable bowls, portable charger(for phone or headphones when you don’t want to walk all the way back to your dorm just to charge them and walk back to wherever you are), deck of cards or something leisurely that you can do with others(helps make friends faster), my roommates and I played poker almost everyday. Also ALWAYS have gum, deodorant, and some sort of body spray in your backpack. Maybe you woke up with 10 minutes to get to class and you need a shower on the go, maybe it’s 100° out and you’re all sweaty by the time you get to your first class.

retweet on the textbooks!!!! ive found pdfs of textbooks or the reading is optional half the time etc im a senior and i swear i've purchased maybe 2 textbooks IF THAT in my time so wait till the first day/week of class to sus out if you really need it (STEM major)

Thank you!! I’ve been binging all your old vids and college packing lists, and I was so excited when I saw the pop up!

If you is going to cook…get a crock pot…my college had an ice storm and food was limited in the dining hall…I made a shit ton of potato soup and became the best dorm on the floor

sydney is the best person alive

I low key recommend getting white sheets because they’re easier to get stains out of. Like you can just throw a little bleach on it

the only one i disagree with is rhe dry erase calendar, or at least a dry erase board, because that shit SAVED ME. i can’t use regular planners because i never remember to use them but the dry erase board screams my assignments to me and makes it impossible to ignore

when I’m not moving into a dorm but I watch the entirety of this video because syd is so entertaining ⭐️👏

Been watching you for years now I’m finally going to college this fall!!! Your advice is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

love to watch this as someone in her 5th year of college who never lived in a traditional 2-person dorm room (community college grads rise!!)

For clothes: 2 weeksish of pjs and "daily" or casual clothes and under garmets. And a couple of nicer clothes. Nicer clothes are easies to figure how much u need as the school year goes on. Also NO high school related clothes

Regular ding the ironing board- if you are someone who does a lot of ironing or atleast regularly then still don’t bring an iron & ironing board. Instead just bring a handheld steamer. That way you can steam anything (not just clothing) & you don’t have to deal with the board.

don't have a dorm cause going to cc but I still find these vids so satisfying lol

My freshman year of college started in 2010 and yet this video captured my attention throughout.

YESSSSS I’ve been so distracted by my senior year really ending a couple weeks ago and my brothers a pain so he won’t help me know what to pack

Definitely bring 2 sets of sheets and rotate them, when you are washing one set put the second set on. Also once my water bottle wasn’t all the way closed and leaked all over my sheets at like midnight second set of sheets was lifesaver. Having a white comforter is not a problem- you just need to wash it and put a bit a bleach in the machine. It will stay white and any stains come right out. Just my experience, but everyone has to do what works for them.

I recommend an electric kettle!! its good to have access to boiling water if you want to make tea, hot chocolate, disinfect something, etc…

I already graduated a year ago but yet here i am. I absolutely agree with syd!

Always putting so much time and effort into us 💖💖💖 will forever be my fav Syd

You know you're a fan of Syd's vids when you watch the entire ads (including at least three 13-minute videos talking about if you should take a gap year before medical school 😂)

** Try not to do anything in bed other than sleep ** your mental health will thank you. Doing homework especially in bed is a bad idea, you need a space where your mind is not working and if you do homework in bed when you actually try to go to bed your mind will not shut off. This look me 2 years to find out. I know it’s tempting but you’re also way more productive when you’re in a designated study area

I am most definitely a “weirdo like you”😂 I always sleep on top of the comforter! It’s just comfier and easier

i’m living my dorm life vicariously through this 20 min video even tho i literally commute to college 🙃

I LEAVE FOR MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE IN TWO WEEKS BLESS U

Im short and I use a bath sheet.I’m like to wrap myself in my towel after washing and even being short the only way to do that is to use a bath sheep. Screw normal towels bath sheets are the way to go. Especially if you don’t have a private bathroom. Regular towels are just bath sheets for kids.

Omg this is so helpful. I know you mentioned a fan, what about a space heater? I'm worried my dorms gonna be so cold in the winter!

god bless the spreadsheet holy lord ily

Thanks Syd! I have literally a week left...

Good luck to your brother next year! Thank you for the recommendations!

I kept whacking my head on my ceiling while making my bed or getting up last year in my dorm

Oh my gosh this video came out at literally the perfect time!! So perfect, thanks so much!!!

You are the best Syd! Wishing you a good luck! 👍😁👍

I used my dry erase calendar for math problems and it honestly was so nice to use

Im going to college this fall IM SO EXITED

i absolutely love your videos i’m moving ny- ca for college in september and i’m completely lost, watching your videos have helped :)

Me, a rising sophomore, watching an extremely accurate and useful video and what and what not to bring :3

Not me watching this as a junior in college… also as a junior in college, i can 100% agree w everything said in this video

One appliance I would recommend is a hot water kettle, they are around $30 and saved my life

I’m not even going to college or Uni yet and this is so useful