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Step 1: Read the room inventory
Open the official housing page for your assigned building. Write down the bed size, furniture, appliance package, bathroom type, closet dimensions if provided, and anything explicitly prohibited. Do this before shopping.
Step 2: Split the shared list
A room rarely needs two printers, two large trash cans, two rugs, or duplicate cleaning supplies. Make one shared list and assign an owner to every item.
- Floor or desk fan
- Small vacuum or broom
- Trash and recycling bins
- Approved refrigerator or microwave, if not supplied
- Shared cleaning supplies
Step 3: Pack in four zones
Sort everything into sleep, shower, study, and daily care. This makes it easier to see duplicates and unpack in the order you will need things.
Step 4: Build a first-night bag
Keep the first night separate from the main boxes.
- Photo ID and check-in instructions
- Medication and health information
- Phone charger
- One change of clothes and sleepwear
- Toiletries, towel, shower shoes, and bedding
- Water and an easy snack
Step 5: Make a buy-later list
Storage, rugs, extra seating, and decor are much easier to judge after you see the real room. Waiting a week is a strategy, not a failure to prepare.
The universal leave-home list
Campus rules always win, but these are commonly restricted or unnecessary.
- Candles, incense, and open flames
- Halogen lamps and open-coil appliances
- Space heaters and personal air conditioners
- Extra furniture before measuring
- Wireless routers that interfere with campus networks
- A semester's worth of toiletries or snacks
Turn the advice into a plan.
The free two-page checklist gives you the core list, the roommate prompts, and a place to flag campus rules.
Get the free PDF