What Should I Bring with Me When I Move to College?

Sam Bergeron
Jun 3
5 min read

Two college students relax in their cozy shared space, one reading and the other working on a laptop

Entering college isn’t just the start of a new educational journey – it also typically means moving out of your family’s house and living on your own, often for the first time. Maybe you’re moving across the country, or maybe you’re staying in the same city and just moving into a dorm down the street; either way, here are some helpful tips for packing and deciding what to bring with you.

Firstly, what NOT to bring to college move-in:

Many schools prohibit specific items in the residence halls on campus. Check your school’s student handbook or check in with the residence life staff if you have questions about their specific rules. This is a list of items that are prohibited in most residence halls on most campuses, typically for fire safety.

Window unit air conditioners and space heaters
Hot plates, toaster ovens, or other cooking implements
Waterbeds
Pets (with the exception of registered service animals or Emotional Support Animals)
Candles/incense
Flammable liquids
Weapons (real or fake)
Bicycles, skateboards, scooters (use is typically prohibited inside the dorms, though you can usually store these items elsewhere on campus if you plan to use them to get around)

There are also some items that students may feel inclined to bring with them, but that may not be necessary or useful in the long run.

Large, bulky furniture (armchairs, large beanbag chairs, desks, dressers, shelving units): most dorms come fully furnished and don’t have much extra space.
Too much clothing: you don’t need your entire closet! In fact, it’s smart to leave behind a good amount of comfortable clothing, so that you have clothes to wear (that you actually enjoy wearing) when you visit home during school breaks. It’s not fun to get home for the holidays and realize you only have old prom dresses or band uniforms to wear. :)
Kitchen appliances: most dorms have communal fridges and microwaves for student use, as well as more options in the dining halls for equipment that you may need.
Too many books: books are heavy! Most likely, you’ll be moving between different dorms each academic year, so try to make your moves as easy as possible for yourself by cutting down on heavy items and only bringing the books that are necessary for your classes or your mental wellbeing.
Excessive decor: many schools have fire safety rules about how much surface area you’re allowed to cover on the walls of your dorm. Don’t go too crazy with tapestries or posters.
Irreplaceable, highly valuable items: you never know what can happen in a dorm room. Play it safe by leaving your most valuable belongings behind.
Bulky luggage: you likely won’t have much storage space in your dorm, so try to pack your items in soft-sided luggage or smaller suitcases for ease of storage.
Bed risers: some schools allow these and some do not. For the most part, the height of dorm beds can be adjusted without the need for risers, and the safest choice is to avoid risers entirely.

Lastly, a reminder that these are just general rules and advice; if you have specific needs due to a disability or other accommodations, reach out to your school’s residence life staff to check in about what you can and can’t bring with you.

What TO bring to college move-in:

These are items that you’ll definitely want to have with you when you move. Make a checklist as you’re moving to ensure you don’t leave anything behind!

Season-appropriate clothing: make sure you know what kind of climate you’re moving to, and you can always ask admissions staff about whether or not it’s necessary to bring heavy winter clothing in that particular climate.
Cleaning supplies: a small broom and dustpan, disinfectant wipes for surfaces, a multipurpose cleaner, microfiber cleaning cloths, and a small trash can should be all you need, since most shared bathrooms are cleaned by school janitorial staff. If you’re going to have your own bathroom or a shared suite bathroom with other students, consider bringing some bathroom cleaning supplies as well.
Bedding: most dorms use twin XL beds, so make sure you get sheets and blankets that fit that size – regular twin sheets will not fit well on twin XL mattresses. Dorm mattresses can be somewhat uncomfortable as well, so if you prefer a soft mattress, consider bringing a memory foam mattress topper.
Small fans for airflow: depending on climate, the weather may be pretty hot when you first move into your dorm – and the dorm may not have air conditioning. Make sure to have at least one small fan to keep you cool until the fall weather settles in.
Toiletries: this is pretty self-explanatory. Bring what you’ll need for hygiene and self-care, and pack it into a shower caddy that you can carry to the shared bathroom. Even if the shared bathroom has storage shelves, it’s smart to keep your belongings locked up safely in your room when not in use to avoid theft or damage. Also bring shower shoes if you’re sharing showers with others, and at least one towel (though it can be helpful to have two, in case of laundry issues).
Laundry basket and laundry soap: this is also self-explanatory.
School supplies: a backpack or messenger bag, laptop/tablet, and planner are the top essentials. You may want to go on a shopping trip to gather other necessary school supplies after you’ve moved in, to make the move easier and ensure you don’t forget anything. Take note of the classes you’ll be taking in your first semester and the specific supplies you’ll need for those classes.
Textbooks: some schools have partnerships with local bookstores that allow you to get discounts on textbooks. You may also be able to find PDF versions of your books for free online, and some professors provide copies of textbooks on the first day of classes, so look into all of those options before buying anything. One other option is to ask around and see if any classmates have textbooks (from taking those classes in previous semesters) that they’d be willing to let you borrow.
Hobby items: are you an artist? A knitter? A musician? If your hobbies require specific equipment or materials, don’t forget to bring those with you. You won’t be spending 100% of your time in class or doing schoolwork, and hobbies are one of the best ways to avoid burnout and keep yourself stable during stressful weeks.
Medications: if you take any medications or supplements on a regular basis, make sure to bring these and get your prescriptions transferred to your new location so that you don’t miss any doses.
Important documents: you’ll typically get your student ID card when you arrive on campus, but if you already received it in the mail over the summer, don’t forget to bring it! Also bring any legal IDs you have, as well as any insurance documents you’ll need for medical purposes.
A small first-aid kit: your school will have a health center for larger-scale medical issues, but it’s smart to have a first-aid kit in your dorm room for small cuts and scrapes.
Items that bring you joy: once you’ve gathered all the essentials, don’t forget to pack the items that will make your dorm feel like home. This could be wall decor, photos, sentimental objects, or really anything else that you feel you can’t live without.