What Not To Bring To College

If you’re wondering what not to bring to college, here are things you absolutely should not bring when moving into the dorms. These are some of the things I regret bringing to college that I did not use!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.

If you’re starting to pack for college or are starting to think about what you’ll need, you’re probably also trying to figure out what not to bring to college.

It can be super hard to know what you’ll actually need in the dorms if you’ve never lived in one before. I remember when I moved into the dorms I was SO confused about what to bring, and I ended up bringing stuff I absolutely didn’t need that just ended up taking up precious space.

Here are the things you should NOT bring to college!

This post is all about what not to bring to college.

1. Full Sized Vacuum

One thing I really regretted bringing to college with me was a full sized vacuum. It took up way too much space, and I hardly ever used it.

Bring This Instead

Small Vacuum

BUY ON AMAZON

You do want to have a vacuum on hand just in case, though. I have this small vacuum for my apartment, and it would be perfect to have for your dorm room! It’d fit so nicely in the closet or under the bed.

2. Iron & Ironing Board

You absolutely do not need to bring an iron or an ironing board with you to the dorms. They’d be super inconvenient to try to store, and in my entire time living in the dorms, I never saw anyone bust out an iron and an ironing board.

Plus, your dorm might already have one you could use if you really needed it!

Bring This Instead

Wrinkle Release Spray

BUY ON AMAZON

This stuff was an absolute god send when I was in college. I was obsessed. You spray some on your clothes, shake them out, and BOOM! The wrinkles are all gone. It’s like magic! The first time I ever used this stuff I was mind-blown.

It’s super quick and convenient to use if you need to de-wrinkle your clothes, and I highly recommend. I also would use the steam from the shower to de-wrinkle my clothes when I was living in the dorms. You just get your bathroom really steamy and hang the clothes in there, and it usually does the trick!

3. Lots Of Clothes

When I first moved into the dorms, I made the mistake of bringing wayyyy too many clothes. Specifically high school t-shirts and clothes that weren’t in season.

My advice would be to only bring clothes you’ll need for that season. Also, I packed so many high school themed t-shirts that I hardly wore. You get so many free t-shirts from college events as well.

So, try to only pack the clothes you need!

4. Too Many Shoes

This is along the same lines as bringing too many clothes, but try to cut down on how many shoes you’re bringing. Shoes specifically take up SO much space, and it’s hard to find a place to put them in a dorm.

You should really be fine with a couple pairs of tennis shoes, a pair of heels/ going out shoes, and a pair of warm weather/ cold weather shoes, depending on the season.

If you’re going to be walking to class from your dorm every day, I’d also recommend investing in a pair of rain boots! I didn’t even consider the fact that I might need these until the day I had to walk to class in the pouring rain and had to walk around all day in soaking wet tennis shoes because I didn’t have rain boots.

5. Too Many Dishes

You really only need a few of each kind of dinnerware, like plates, bowls, mugs, and cups. I’d say 4 of each at most.

Also, I would not bring real dishes. Plastic dishes are perfect for the dorms. I recommend getting a pack like this:

BUY ON AMAZON

6. Lots Of Cleaning Supplies

You do not need a bunch of different cleaning supplies for your dorm room. Having a lot will just take up an unnecessary amount of space. This is one of my biggest recommendations for what not to bring to college. You really should be fine with just the essentials.

Here is my list of the only cleaning supplies you actually do need for the dorms.

7. A Desktop Computer

Whether you’re a gamer who likes to use a computer or just someone who has a computer that they use, bringing a desktop computer to the dorms is not a good idea.

It would take up a ton of space in your desk area. You should be able to do everything you need from a laptop (coming from someone who was addicted to playing League Of Legends when I was living in the dorms).

8. Beauty Stuff You Won’t Use

You do not want to clutter your dorm room/ dorm bathroom with ton of beauty products/ toiletries you won’t actually use consistently. Especially if you’re going to have to carry everything to a communal bathroom every time you need to get ready. I brought a bunch of makeup with me to college that I never ended up using.

I would just bring your tried and tested products that you use every day and can’t live without.

When it comes to hair tools, those also take up a bunch of space. If you don’t use a hair dryer consistently, don’t bring a hair dryer. Same with any other hair tool. Only bring what you KNOW you’ll use.

My other advice would be to try heatless hairstyles! They’re so quick and convenient because you go to sleep in them, wake up, take them out, and your hair is already done. I’m writing this and right now my hair is curled from my heatless curls I did last night with my bathrobe sash lol.

9. Bed Risers

I’ve seen bed risers recommended on a lot of “dorm essentials” list, but nobody I know who has lived in the dorms used bed risers (myself included). I think they’re an antiquated method of making your bed a little higher, but unless you’re living in a super old dorm that hasn’t updated anything in a long time, your dorm bed should already be adjustable.

If you’re wondering what not to bring to college, these are one of the things you probably don’t need.

10. Extra Bedding

Extra bedding is not going to be worth the extra space it’ll take up. I’d MAYBE suggest bringing an extra set of sheets. Other than that, you should be fine with just one comforter, a throw blanket, and pillow cases. I also swore by my weighted blanket in college, so if you think that’ll help you when it comes to stress/ anxiety, it’s worth it.

You should be able to just strip your bedding when it needs washed, wash it, and put it all back on. That’s what I did when living in the dorms.

11. Big Luggage

Luggage takes up SO much room. If you bring a ton of luggage, odds are, there won’t be anywhere to store it. I’d recommend packing things in bags that can collapse and be stored nicely. I also packed clothes in my laundry hamper since I was going to be bringing that anyway.

12. Expensive Things

It is not uncommon for things to get stolen from dorm rooms. I had no idea about this when I was moving in, but luckily my dad had me get a padlock so I could lock expensive things in my desk when I left.

BUY ON AMAZON

You could also get a safe like this one! This one is great because it is big enough to fit a laptop.

13. Pots & Pans

Even if you’re someone who likes to cook, the odds of you needing pots and pans to cook with are very slim. I cooked all the time in my dorm, and I always used either an electric skillet or a crock pot.

Here are the kitchen appliances I actually used in my dorm room!

14. Candles

Most, if not all, dorms do NOT allow candles. Well, you can have candles, but you won’t be allowed to light them because they’re a fire hazard.

If you do bring candles, be mindful that you will only be able to use them as decor.

15. Things Your Roommate Is Already Bringing

It’s good to communicate with your roommate about things you’re both bringing so you don’t end up with duplicates of things that are taking up space. For example, I’m pretty sure my roommate and I both brought vacuums when I moved into the dorms. We did not need two vacuums.

This is especially important when it comes to things you could share, like cleaning supplies and appliances.

This post was all about what not to bring to college.

More Posts You’ll Love:

Genius Dorm Room Closet Organization Hacks You Need To Try

The Best Dorm Room Layout Ideas To Maximize Your Space

12 Essential Dorm Room Cleaning Supplies You Actually Need For Your Dorm

If you liked this post and would like to be notified of the next time I post, be sure to subscribe by hitting the button below! See you next time! 🙂

Join the Ryality Community

What Not To Bring To College | 15 Things You Really Don’t Need In Your Dorm Room