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.

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