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1. Heat and open-flame items
Candles, incense, hot plates, open-coil appliances, halogen lamps, space heaters, and certain cooking devices are commonly restricted. Read the exact policy instead of trusting a retailer's dorm label.
2. Duplicate appliances
Many rooms already include or restrict refrigerators and microwaves. Coffee makers and kettles may be allowed at one school and prohibited at another.
3. Unapproved power gear
Ordinary extension cords may be banned while specific surge-protected power strips are permitted. Confirm the required certification, cord length, and placement rules.
4. Extra furniture
Residence halls supply the core furniture and may not remove it. A chair, dresser, or shelving unit can consume the only flexible floor space before you know the layout.
5. Permanent wall solutions
Nails, screws, removable wallpaper, adhesive strips, and tension systems all depend on the surface and housing policy. Wait until you know the wall material and approved method.
6. Network equipment
Personal routers and some smart-home devices can interfere with campus networks or fail on enterprise Wi-Fi. Check campus technology guidance before packing them.
7. Bulk supplies
A semester of paper towels, toiletries, or snacks creates a storage problem. Bring a short starter supply and learn the local refill options.
8. Anything without an owner
If neither roommate knows who purchased a shared item or who keeps it after move-out, settle that before it enters the room.
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