What to Bring to College

If it is your first time moving to campus, you are probably wondering what to bring with you and what to leave at home.

A great place to start, if you will have a roommate, is to contact them to find out what they plan to bring so you can avoid having duplicate items. Then, use this list of items below to help you get started on your packing.

Students carry bags and boxes to a dorm during move-in.
Be Prepared for Move-In Day

Double check your packing list to ensure you are bringing not only the basics, but anything additional you'd miss from home.

  • Bed & Bath Items
    • Sheets/pillowcases (bring extra long 80” sheets)
    • Comforter
    • Blanket
    • Pillow
    • Towels
    • Shower tote
    • Wastebasket
    • Toiletries
    • Hairdryer
    • Curling iron
    • Shower shoes
    • Bathrobe
    • Toilet paper (suite bathrooms only)
    • Cup
    • Paper plates
    • Plastic cups and flatware
    • Storage containers
    • Iron/ironing board
    • Laundry bag or basket
  • Basics
    • Backpack
    • School supplies  (index cards, highlighters, sticky notes)
    • Water bottle
    • Drawer organizer
    • Hangers
    • Seasonable clothing
    • Laundry supplies (bag, detergent, fabric softener)
    • Instant stain remover
    • Dish soap
    • Sponge and dishcloth
    • Disinfecting wipes
    • Paper towels
    • Tissues
    • Hand-held vacuum
    • Umbrella/raincoat
    • Extra glasses/contacts
    • Over-the-counter medications
    • Copies of prescriptions (medicines and glasses)
    • First aid kit
    • Small sewing kit
    • Small tool kit
    • Sports gear
  • Decor
    • Bulletin board
    • Dry erase board
    • Posters
    • Family pictures
    • Calendar
    • Artwork
    • Throw pillows
    • Throw blanket
    • Closet organizer
  • Electronics & Hardware
    • Desk lamp
    • Free-standing fan
    • Phone charger
    • Surge protector (UL approved outlet strip with a circuit breaker)
    • Flashlight/batteries
    • Stereo/radio/CD player
    • Headphones/earbuds
    • TV and cable cord
    • Video games
    • Laptop/printer/extra printer ink
    • Flash drives
    • Refrigerator (4.4 cu. ft. or less)
    • Microwave (1.0 cu. ft. or less)
    • Coffee maker
  • Important Documents
    • ID (Driver license, passport, student ID)
    • Bank documents
    • Credit card and debit card
    • Health/Insurance Cards
  • Items Not Allowed
    • Cooking equipment with an exposed heating coil or that does not shut off automatically (toaster ovens, hot plates, woks, steam cookers, deep fryers, electric skillets, gas or charcoal grills, etc.)
    • Halogen lamps, electric heaters, candles and incense
    • Extension cords and multi-plug extenders/outlets
    • Ceiling fans
    • Weapons of any kind including handguns, rifles, shotguns, firearms, knives, darts, archery equipment, B-B guns, fireworks, etc.
    • Animals or pets (only fish are allowed)
    • Aquariums over 10 gallons
    • Alcoholic beverages for students under 21 years of age, illegal substances or paraphernalia
    • Irreplaceable personal items or objects of great value