College Emergency Kit Checklist: Affordable Essentials for Dorm Life

Let’s be real. Most college students are just trying to survive roommate drama and 8 a.m. classes – they’re probably not thinking about emergency preparedness.

But campus life can throw curveballs: storms, blackouts, lockdowns, or even just a night without Wi-Fi (scary, we know).

That’s where a college emergency kit comes in. We’re talking a realistic, affordable, under-the-bed stash that can get a student through 72 hours of “uh-oh” situations—without taking up space meant for overpriced textbooks and hoodies.

Here’s your college emergency kit checklist, complete with budget-friendly, dorm-approved items you can grab online (and yes, they all fit in one bag).

📡🔦 Information + Light

When the lights go out, so does the Wi-Fi. These keep your student connected and out of the dark:

Portable Solar Phone Charger
Keep phones alive when the power’s out. Every student’s lifeline.
👉 Get it here

LED Rechargeable Headlamp
Hands-free light for dark dorms or nighttime walks during blackouts.
👉 Grab one

Emergency Weather Radio
Stay informed when Wi-Fi goes down. Doubles as flashlight + charger.
👉 Add to cart

Heads up! Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy something—at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the lights on (literally, in case of a power outage) and most importantly helps us spread the word that prepping can be simple and fun! Thank you for supporting our mission here at Chicken Little Preps.

🛏️ Warmth + Shelter

Because dorm blankets were not designed for survival situations:

Emergency Bivvy
Think of this as a super-charged space blanket. Compact and cozy.
👉 Check it out

🍳 Food + Water Prep

DoorDash doesn’t deliver during a blackout, and the fire department doesn’t appreciate indoor campfires. Be sure to review campus policy and the rules of safe camp cooking.

Camping Cookware Set
Lightweight, stackable, and perfect for boiling water or soup.
👉 View on Amazon

Dual Fuel Portable Camp Stove
Emergency cooking indoors (with good ventilation) or outdoors. 
👉 Check it out

Portable Power Station & Electric Hot Plate
While pricer, a safer option than an open flame.  Add solar panels for extra peace of mind.
👉 See electric hot plate here and portable power station here

Waterproof Match Storage Box
Because soggy matches don’t work. 
👉 Get one

Personal Water Filter
No bottled water? No problem. Filters water straight from the tap (or worse).
👉 Buy now

🩹 Health + Safety

Because “I’ll be fine” doesn’t work for sprains, cuts, or broken glass:

First Aid Kit
Not just for scraped knees—this one’s stocked and compact.
👉 Shop it

Work Gloves
For broken glass, rough repairs, or handling debris safely.
👉 Pick up a pair

Multitool
Scissors, screwdriver, knife—basically everything but a can of Red Bull.
👉 Get yours

Small Trash Bags
One bag, a dozen survival uses (and only one involves trash).
👉 Get yours

🗺️ Navigation + Backup

GPS is great… until it’s not:

Compass
You never know when GPS will ghost you.
👉 Buy here

Laminated Maps
Old-school navigation for when phones fail.
👉 Shop here

🎒 The Bag

Grab an old backpack or check out the option below:  

Hiking Backpack
Durable and roomy enough for all your gear. Still comfortable to carry.
👉 See this one

Next Steps

Gather up your preps items, fill a bag, and be sure to add some electrolytes, energy gels, and your college student’s favorite shelf-stable snacks and foods. Need more ideas? Check out How to Build a 72-Hour Food & Water Supply.

Be sure to also add cash in small denominations. Because the ATM doesn’t always work in an emergency.

And always, always make sure they have plenty of water on hand. 

Final Tip

Keep this bag in an easy-to-reach spot—under the bed or in a closet. Check it once per semester and update anything that’s expired or gone missing.

Your college student might roll their eyes now, but if the power goes out for 3 days, they’ll thank you and Chicken Little.

Now Your Student is Prepared… Is Your Home Emergency Ready?

Learn how to start emergency prepping with our step-by-step guide. Practical prepping helps get you ready for anything and more importantly – it helps you sleep a little easier.