All you really need is a backpack and a Windows laptop. Pencils and a 50 cent notebook for each class is good too. That’s about it. Make sure you save all your work on google drive. You’ll be surprised how often laptops get lost or end- up at the bottom of swimming pools.
Surge protectors with varying cord lengths. Long ones are handy as some colleges will not allow extension cords.
Some students find it convenient to have printer in room, so I purchased an inexpensive B&W laser printer.
I would say flip flops for the shower!
Buy this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.
A good flashlight. You never know when the lights will go out. Second a good surge protector.
Ditto on the printer - they are so cheap and invaluable - why have to go outside or trek across campus to get to one? Yes to flashlight, fan and toolkit - NH college Mom as well and he is using fan year round.
Flashlight or headlamp - always be prepared as you never know electricity out or a fire.
If you live off campus and are up above 2 floors a window ladder is a great “extra”.
All great suggestions. My kids would add noise cancelling headphones to the list.
I love the small desk top fan. Even with air conditioning, moving is work and you can work up a sweat getting everything in place, especially if you start moving that heavy dorm furniture. Read your residence hall rules. DS’s college allowed surge protectors but not extension cords. No fairy lights, no flags, wall hangings or curtains due to fire codes. Leave some things to buy at college and with your new dorm mates. DS’s school had a poster fair and they had a organized trip to Target/Walmart for finishing touches.