My two checked bags || My dad and my brother saying bye at the airport
Hello, hello! If you are an out of state student looking for some packing guidance, look no further. I remember prior to moving into college I searched all around the internet looking for a good packing list. All of them were so long though, who did they think I was? A billionaire? There is no way I was willing to pay the overweight luggage fee or the extra luggage fee. Airlines charge for everything, one checked bag is $25, how ridiculous. Everything is so overpriced. Anyways, if you’re looking for a minimalistic packing list with all the actual essentials that you will need. You have found the place!
In my case, I packed four bags. Two of them were my carry-ons (a duffel bag and a backpack), the other was my checked bag ($25) and the last one was my mom’s checked bag that I filled with my stuff ($25).
Friendly advice: Don’t overpack. Overpacking is the worst. Think about how hard it will be to move out. Pack as minimally as possible.
Back Pack Carry-On:
This bag consists of all the expensive and important objects.
- Electronics (iPad, Computer, Camera, Cellphone, Speaker, Chargers, etc…)
- Personal important documents (Anything you need for applying for jobs [birth certificate, social security…], anything you need for financial aid, etc…)
- Wallet
- Keys
- Make-up
- Water bottle
- Umbrella
Duffel Bag Carry-On:
This bag consisted of all clothing and beauty supplies I love and use the most.
- Clothes! Clothes! Clothes! (My carry on clothing is usually my favorite clothing and my underwear, in case my checked bags get lost.)
- Make-up collection
- Hair straightener
- Swimsuit
Checked Bag #1:
- All of the left over clothing (Pijamas, random shirts, pants)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, perfume, deodorant etc…)
- Jewelry
Checked Bag #2:
This bag consisted of all the heavy things.
- Favorite blanket
- Favorite pillow
- Multiple winter jackets
- Shoes (2 pairs of day to day sneakers, 1 pair of work out shoes, 1 pair of heels, 1 pair of rain boots, 1 pair of booties, 1 pair of shower shoes/flip flops, 1 pair of Birkenstocks.)
- Toiletries
Once you’re in Iowa, buy the other items, such as:
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, loofah, toothpaste)
- Shower caddy
- Towels (I got 3: one for my body, one for my hair, one for my face)
- Mattress pad
- Sheets and pillow cases
- Pillows (I got two, I’m a pillow hugger)
- Decorative plant
- Calendar
- Hangers
- School supplies (Agenda, notebooks, textbooks, pencils, etc…)
- Cleaning supplies (Wet wipes)
- Post-it notes
- Desk lamp
- Pencil holder
- Vanity mirror
- Snacks! (You’ll get hungry at the most random times of the day, like 3am, trust me you’ll want something to munch on.)
- Pads, tampons, etc…
- Medicine and first aid kits
- Lint roller, tide stick, wrinkle remover spray
I hope this helped someone! Good luck moving out and moving into your new home! 🙂
Note: I’m lucky enough to have had a roommate who lives in Iowa and brought a mini-fridge and a microwave from her house. I’m also very minimalistic, so I’m not into decking out my dorm room and putting fairy lights and pictures everywhere, which is why my packing and shopping list is so tiny, but if you’re into that I recommend buying all of those things in Iowa just so you don’t have to carry so many bags! 🙂