Move Into the Dorm
What to pack (and what to leave home), how to survive check-in day, set up your room efficiently, and get through the first night.
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Bedding & Sleep
- Bring extra-long twin sheets (XL twin) — standard twin sheets don't fit most dorm mattresses
- Pack a mattress topper — dorm mattresses are notoriously thin; a 2-inch memory foam pad makes a real difference
- Bring earplugs and a white noise app or a physical sound machine — dorm hallways are loud at 2 a.m.
- Pack a sleep mask if you're a light sleeper and your roommate keeps different hours
Bath & Hygiene
- Get a shower caddy with drain holes and shower flip-flops — you'll be walking to a shared bathroom
- Buy a robe for the walk to the shower — you'll appreciate it on cold mornings
- Pack 2 full sets of towels and a washcloth set — laundry cycles are weekly at best
School Supplies
- Wait until after the first week of classes to buy textbooks — professors often change the syllabus and some books never get used
- Bring a laptop stand and external keyboard to use at your desk — this reduces neck strain during long study sessions
- Pack a USB hub — dorm rooms have too few outlets and your laptop may have only 2 USB ports
- Bring a surge protector power strip — you'll need it, and it protects your devices
Kitchen & Food
- Check with your RA about allowed appliances — most dorms prohibit toasters, hot plates, and keurigs with open heating elements; Keurig Mini is often OK
- Pack a mini fridge if allowed — share the cost with your roommate
- Bring a reusable water bottle, a few snacks, and instant coffee or tea for late nights
Check-In Day
- Arrive early — parking access and elevator use are shared with hundreds of other families
- Bring a cart or hand truck — most schools have them available but they go fast
- Measure and plan furniture arrangement before unloading — rearranging a full dorm room is brutal
Set Up
- Introduce yourself to your RA on day one — they're your resource for problems, quiet hours, and building-specific rules
- Meet your roommate and set expectations early: study hours, guest policies, overnight guests, and thermostat preferences
What NOT to Bring
- Don't bring your entire wardrobe — dorm closets are tiny; bring 2 weeks of clothing and rotate by season
- Don't bring a printer — use the campus print center, which is typically free or low-cost
- Don't bring candles — they're prohibited in nearly every dorm for fire safety reasons
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