Things To Pack For Student Residence

What to bring and not to bring to Student Residence

Moving into student residence can be one of the highlights of your first year. However, most students unanimously agree that packing can be very stressful. It can be challenging to understand how you can pack everything you need in your parents’ car while leaving room for them and yourself. You have probably heard your mom say, ‘leave most of your things at home.” Heed that advice. Unless you know what you need and what you don’t need in a student residence, you will end up packing several bags and end up accumulating heaps of stuff within the next few months. One great thing about moving out of your childhood home is finding all of the memories and purging your closet. It is highly recommended to donate or sell some of the old things you don’t need any longer. Consider signing up for an account on Kijiji or VarageSale and post the items you no longer need. This will help you make some extra money you can take with you to school. Here are lists of the items you need to bring to student residence and items that are better left behind.

What to bring

Most student residences provide many amenities and perks which could save you from bringing unnecessary things from home. If you are packing, it is recommended that you begin with the essentials first. The moment you move into the student residence, get settled and meet with your roommate, you can discuss other items that you may need for the suite. Do not forget that Fall Break and Thanksgiving are opportunities you can bring other items that you need from home, such as extra bedding and winter clothing.

Here are essential items you should bring when moving to a student residence.

1. Bedroom items

Moving into student residence means you are venturing into an entirely new world where you’ll get the opportunity to make friends and create new habits. You will also get a chance to decorate your new bedroom. Here are the bedroom items you need.

• Bed linens
• Blankets, pillows, and a comforter
• Small furniture items such as a small bookshelf or a small dresser
• Clothes hangers and small under-bed storage unit
• Laundry basket
• Bedside lamp
• Decorative items such as posters, plants, photos, throws, or rugs
• Television (if only it is allowed in the student residence)
• Bedroom garbage bin

These are some of the items you need to transform your living space and probably make it exactly how you want it. If you must carry anything else, be sure to check the facility’s official website to find out if it is allowed.

2. Personal items

Some of the personal items that you need when moving to a student residence include:

• Phone charger
• Your laptop and its charger or desktop computer
• Headphones
• Small electronic appliances such as a humidifier and a small fan
• Study supplies such as notepads, highlighters, pencils, and pens
• Reusable water bottle
• Recommended extension cords and power bars

Your list of the personal items you’d like to bring to the residence might be longer. However, it’s essential to find out if some items are acceptable in the student residence. E.g., some residences do not allow tobacco.

3. Kitchen items

The kitchen is probably the area that needs many items that can be easily overlooked by new students. Here is a list of the kitchen items you need.

• Induction cooker
• Toaster oven or toaster
• Utensils and dishes
• Coffee maker and a kettle
• Pans and pots
• Cooking utensils
• Cups, glasses, and mugs
• A pair of scissors and a can opener
• Food storage containers

Find out if you’ll be able to share items like a toaster or coffee maker with your roommate. After all, you don’t need two coffee makers in a room; you need only one.

4. Cleaning supplies

Here is a list of cleaning supplies you need when moving to a student residence.

• Household disinfectant cleaner and wipes
• Small personal vacuum cleaner
• Swiffer wet cleaner & the replacement pads
• Fabric softener, dry sheets, and laundry detergent
• Hand soap, dish soap, dishcloths, and sponges
• Garbage bags
• Rubber gloves
• Kitchen towel and paper towel
• Duster

If you intend to carry other cleaning supplies, it’s essential to find out if such items are permitted in the student residence. Some items like garbage bins may be available in the apartment.

5. Bathroom items

Some student residence bathrooms are equipped with shower curtain hooks and other similar items. If the specific apartment you’ll be staying in doesn’t have such bathroom items, you may want to pack them. Here is the list of bathroom items that you need.

• Shower caddy
• Toilet paper
• Bath mat
• Toothpaste, toothbrush holder, and toothbrush
• Shower curtain
• Toilet brush & plunger

Bear in mind that you don’t have to pack everything. Just choose the essential personal items, kitchen items, cleaning supplies, bedroom items, and bathroom supplies you need. Whatever can’t fit in your parents’ car should be left at home.

What not to bring

There is a long list of items that you shouldn’t bring to student residence. These include:

• Freezer or fridge
• Open heat sources for cooking (they may not be allowed in residence for safety reasons)
• Pets
• Live plants
• Weapons or replicas
• Candles
• BBQ utensils
• Fake snow
• Nails or hooks to hang stuff on the walls
• Wi-Fi or modem (most student residences are equipped with LAN and Wi-Fi ports)
• Drugs
• Space heaters

Be sure to check the facility’s official website or residence guide to know what’s not allowed in residence. Also, find out the specific items or amenities offered by the residence. For example, if garbage bags and recycle bins are provided, you don’t need to carry one. It’s also important to first talk to your roommate before you move in. This way, you’ll be able to divide up the list of the items you need and see who should bring what. Be sure to learn tips about how to decorate your new student bedroom.