What to Bring ( And Leave at Home)
As if planning your academic future isn't enough pressure, odds are your freshman year at college will also be your first time away from home. Everyone from big box stores to relatives and friends wants to tell you what to bring, but do you really need bed risers or your goldfish? Coordinate with your roommate to eliminate overlap (you will not need two ironing boards — trust us), then stock up with this real-life list of things to bring to college.
Eating In
Tech and Entertainment
Academic Basics
Cleaning Up and Organizing
Gear
Don't Forget
Leave at Home
Room Basics
- Sheets, blanket, comforter and mattress pad (XL twin)
- Pillows
- Towels/washcloths
- Desk lamp
- Waste basket
- Under bed storage (if you won't be lofting your bed)
- Robe
- Shower shoes and slippers
- Toiletries including suncreen
- Hangers
- First-aid kit
- Fan
- Plants
- Posters or wall decor
- Shower tote
- Personal Photos
Eating In
- Microwave (under 900 watts)
- Mini fridge (under 4.1 cubic feet)
- Pitcher with water filter
- Utensils, Mugs, plates and bowls
- Can opener, pizza cutter
- Paper plates, aluminum foil and plastic bags
- Pantry basics (peanut butter, popcorn, soup, oatmeal packets, coffee, tea)
Tech and Entertainment
- Cell phone charger
- Power strip
- Cable organizer
- MP3 player
- Speakers or docking station
- Headphones or earbuds
- TV (For Streaming)
Academic Basics
- Desk supplies (index cards, highlighters, sticky notes)
- Ethernet cord
- Laptop or desktop computer
- Flash drives
- Printer (with paper and extra ink) you can also print in any of the campus computer labs
- Bulletin board, dry erase board
- Book light
Cleaning Up and Organizing
- Dish detergent
- Sponge and dishcloth
- Disinfecting wipes
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Febreze
- Hand-held vacuum/ broom
- Laundry supplies (bag, HE detergent, fabric softener)
- Instant stain remover
- 3M wall hooks
Gear
- Long pants and closed toe shoes for labs
- Raincoat and umbrella
- Bike and bike lock (U-lock is best)
- Backpack
- Swimsuit
- Clothes
- Water bottle
- Travel mug
Don't Forget
- Important paperwork (health insurance card, driver's license)
- If you plan to work on campus you will need I-9 identification materials
- Emergency contact numbers
- Batteries
- House key for home!
- ID card holder
Leave at Home
- Air Fryers
- Crock pots
- Barbecues
- Candles or other open flames
- Wax warmers over 15 watts, one per bedroom
- Oil Diffusers
- Combustion engines
- Flammable materials such as paint thinner, gasoline or motor oil
- Gasoline or electrical powered vehicles
- Halogen lamps
- Holiday/string lights (unless low wattage, less than 12 watts)
- Hookahs
- Hot plates
- Hot pots
- Incense
- Instapots
- Lava lamps
- Microwaves over 900 watt usage
- Neon signs
- Portable Ovens
- Space heaters (with the exception of those which may be temporarily issued by University
staff)
- Stoves (electric, wood, charcoal or gas)