Eckerd College is an undergrad school on the Gulf of Mexico in St Petersburg, Florida. This is such a unique college I felt like incoming students needed a packing list exclusive to Eckerd. I’m a sophomore at Eckerd College and a first-generation college student. Just one year ago, I was in your shoes deciding what to pack (and not to pack) for my first year of college. Since I grew up in Michigan and was preparing to move to a very different climate with new geographical features (AKA the ocean), I knew my college packing list might be a little different from my friends. I hope you find this packing list helpful!
Florida Seasons
Although Florida is typically “warm” year round, you should probably pack more than just crop tops and bikinis. While the summers are long, hot, and humid, it’s also rainy season. June-November is hurricane season, and it rains almost every day for about 30 minutes.
Florida winter temperatures rarely reach the 40s. However, some days can be chilly. Even when it’s warm outside, the classrooms are much cooler, so I recommend packing a few light jackets.
What to Pack for College: Clothing Edition
If there is anything I’ve learned from organizing my clothes in a college dorm closet, it’s that I have way too many (or maybe the closet is just too small). If you live in traditional housing on campus, chances are you’ll have the wardrobe closet. If you live in Sigma or West Lodge, there are two closet spaces in the wall and one wardrobe.
While it may be tempting to pack your entire closet with “just in case clothes”, I promise you’ll be more organized in your small living space if you leave some things at home. It’s also important to recognize you might want to completely reinvent yourself and your style when you move to Eckerd. While my wardrobe didn’t change drastically when I moved here, I found myself wearing a lot more shorts and dresses than jeans and sweatshirts.
- College spirit wear
- Swimwear
- Raincoat
- Rain boots (optional)
- Tops (t-shirt, tank tops)
- Light jackets/sweatshirts
- Dresses
- 1 or 2 business casual outfits
- Underwear, bras, socks
- Bottoms (jeans, shorts, skirts, sweatpants)
- Athletic clothes
- Slippers
- Shoes you wear the most (1 pair of heels, sandals, gym shoes, beach shoes, sneakers, going out shoes, cowboy boots😜)
What to Pack for College: Laundry
If you live in traditional housing, the washer and dryers are outside the lounge and shared with everyone in the complex. If you live in Sigma or West Lodge, the laundry machines are free to use and inside a room on the first or second floor. Although the laundry machines are provided, you will need to bring all other laundry necessities!
- Detergent
- Downy wrinkle releaser
- Laundry bag
- Dryer sheets (optional)
What to Pack for College: Bathroom Supplies
Students living in traditional housing will have four bathrooms to share with about 19 students on the floor. There are four sinks outside the bathroom for brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc. The bathrooms include a shower, toilet, sink, and mirror with real door (not like a bathroom stall LOL). They are cleaned once a day by the cleaning staff and deep cleaned on the weekend.
If you live in Sigma or West Lodge, your bathroom is connected to your room and only shared between you and your roommates. While the cleaning staff will clean the toilet once a week, refill toilet paper, and soap, make sure you bring cleaning supplies to deep clean it yourself.
- Bath towels (2-4)
- Washcloths
- Paper towels
- Medication
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes
- Shower supplies (shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving cream, loofah)
- Skincare, tweezers
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Hair supplies
- Hand soap (optional)
- Trash can
- Trash bags
- Toothbrush holder
- Towel wrap/hair wrap
- Clorox wipes
- Antibacterial spray
- First aid kit
- Deodorant, cologne, perfume
- Reusable cotton rounds (to remove makeup)
Extra Supplies for Sigma & West Lodge
- Dish soap
- Bathroom rugs
- Shower curtain
- Storage (optional)
- Toothbrush holder
- Hand towels
- Shower organizer
What to Pack for College: School Supplies
The only thing you should need for the first day of college is your laptop and possibly a notebook with writing utensils. If you log in to the Eckerd Bookstore you can type in the CRN number for your class to see the textbooks required. Unless your professor says otherwise, I would wait until the first day of class to confirm you will actually need the textbook.
One of the best places to look for textbooks are at Trash 2 Treasure which will be open on move in day. Other websites I would check out are Amazon or Chegg. The campus bookstore sells textbooks and rentals also.
- Laptop
- Note taking items (iPad, notepad, pens/pencils)
- Textbooks (I don’t recommend buying your textbooks until you’re professors says you’ll need it!)
- Highlighters
- Sticky notes
- Calculator
- Backpack
- Scissors
- Index cards
- Folders
- Planner (paper or online)
- Stapler
- Tape
What to Pack for College: Dorm Essentials
- Mattress topper (MUST have)
- Bedside lamp
- Storage bins
- 2 sets of twin XL bedsheets
- Command hooks
- Area rug
- Decor
- Door mat (Sigma/West Lodge)
- Mini fridge with freezer
- Microwave
- Hangers
- Steamers
- Power strip
- Headphones or Earbuds (MUST have)
- Air purifier/ dehumidifier
- Reusable water bottle (85 water bottle filling stations at Eckerd)
- Reading pillow
- Reusable silverware, plates, cups
- Bed risers
- Diffuser to make your room smell good!
- Magic bullet, blender (optional)
- Keurig and coffee cups (optional)
- Vacuum/broom
- Umbrella
- Longboard/bike (optional)
- Small fan
- Food storage
- 10 ft charger
- Bug spray
- Drying rack for wet clothes (optional)
- Tissues
- Small mirror
- Power surge
- Door stopper (if you’re in traditional housing)
- Small safe (passport, money, valuable)
What to Pack for College: Beach Essentials
Eckerd College is only 10 minutes away from some of the best beaches in the nation! My favorite location for beach combing is Pass-A-Grille Beach, near the Don Cesar hotel! 🐚 On the weekends, I prefer Fort De Soto beach because there is more parking than other beaches. St Pete, Beach access is always beautiful, but the parking lot isn’t large. Eckerd has it’s own waterfront if you don’t want to leave campus!
- Beach towel
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Beach chair or blanket
- Speaker
- Goggles/snorkel
What NOT to Pack for College
- Printer
- Your entire wardrobe
- Iron/ironing board (bring a steamer or downy wrinkle releaser)
- Valuables
- Candles
- Hot plates (coffee pot, toaster, toaster oven)
- Large furniture
- Heaters & electric blankets
- Toilet paper
- Mattress
- Too many pillows, water bottles, blankets, stuffed animals, makeup, skincare
- Duplicate items with your roommate
- TV (wait to see what space you have)
- Too many cooking utensils (there are communal dishes)
- Large pets (wait until second semester!)
Don’t panic if you feel unprepared for college. Eckerd College is just off the highway and a short distance from Publix, CVS, and Walmart. You can always order anything you forgot to buy from Amazon or drive to nearby stores to grab what you need! Move-in day can be stressful, so have patience, take in the moment, and stay hydrated!
Be sure to prepare for arrival by reviewing the Autumn Term schedule and packing list provided by Eckerd. While you’re packing, be mindful of the impact your items have on environment! Here are reusable and plastic-free alternatives to take a look at while you’re deciding what to pack for Eckerd College! Reusable and plastic-free alternative Make sure to check out Trash to Treasure, Eckerd’s campus wide sale selling second hand items from students for “dirt cheap”. At Trash to Treasure there are used microwaves, fridges, lamps, bed risers, textbooks, bikes, cooking supplies, and dorm essentials. You never know what treasures you might find!
Go Tritons! XOXO