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How to Pack for Your Dorm Room

By eHow Education Editor

Rate: (22 Ratings)

Your dorm room will be your new home for the months to come. Take what you need to make it comfortable.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Alarm Clocks
Stereos
Surge Protectors
Televisions
Bed Linens
Blankets
Desk Lamps
Irons
Laundry Baskets
Throw Rugs
Towels
Wastebaskets
First Aid Kits
Microwaves
Small Refrigerators
School Supplies
Computers
Sleeping Bags
Flashlights

Step1

Try to contact your roommate ahead of time to find out what he or she plans to bring.

Step2

Make sure you are not duplicating large items such as televisions, stereos or telephones.

Step3

Find out what size bed your dorm room has and pack linens accordingly.

Step4

Determine how likely it is that you will need dressy, formal or "date" clothes. For instance, if you are planning to join a sorority or fraternity, you will probably need more formal clothes than if you're not.

Step5

Bring mostly casual wear for studying. Try to select clothes that can all be washed in the same cycle if you want to make laundry easier.

Step6

Pack a bathrobe, shower slippers, towels, and personal care items such as your hair dryer.

Step7

Toss in some school supplies, but remember that you can buy those on campus.

Step8

Pack your computer equipment securely in the boxes it came in, and be sure to bring a good power strip.

Step9

Take posters and tapestries for wall coverings. Take personal photos and mementos to dress up shelves and desks, and to remind you of home.

Step10

Bring throw rugs or used carpet as floor coverings.

Step11

Pack emergency items such as battery-operated radios and flashlights, as well as practical items such as a hot pot, mini refrigerator or microwave, if such things are allowed.

Tips & Warnings

Most dorm beds are extra-long twins, which are about 80 to 84 inches in length. If you tend to get cold during the night, consider taking an extra blanket or two.
Sleeping bags make good portable beds for camping trips or extra guests.
Some dorms charge a fee for holes left in the walls. Use double-sided tape for hanging posters.

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Comments

linds1207 said

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on 6/11/2007 I always had a hard time moving all of my dorm stuff back and forth in my small car. I just read this great article on ChickSpeak about Mad Packers, a shipping and storage company designed exclusively to help college students. Read more about Mad Packers at http://chickspeak.com/blog/2007/04/22/mad-packing-skills/

positiveplaces said

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on 1/2/2007 The best gift my best friend gave me when I went off to live in a dorm (he was a year ahead of me) was a wastebasket packed with basic cleaning supplies, a small dustpan and "broomette", a toilet bowl brush, shower curtain and toilet paper!

outdoorperson said

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on 10/23/2006 Do not bring anything too expensive. It may get stolen. This is never fun for anyone...

Anonymous said

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on 8/26/2006 Buy a hanging plastic shoe case. Instead of putting shoes into the holes, roll up pants or T-shirts and slide them in. It saves a lot of drawer space, plus it's easier than shuffling through messy drawers.

Anonymous said

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on 8/13/2006 Remember that containers that seal tightly are always best, especially for food. Try to buy the clear ones, so you can see what's inside without too much hassle. Once you've got them, use them. Bugs love the taste of cardboard, so putting cereal, etc., into sealed containers is a better bet than leaving it in a box on the shelf. Try to keep in mind that even if you're very clean, others in your dorm probably won't be, and bugs will migrate. Take the time to wipe off the outside of any of your food containers when you've finished with them. Little drips and drabs of food are very enticing to small creatures. Another fact is that bugs - especially cockroaches - will move along through plumbing inlets to look for water. Keep your sink wiped dry to help avoid this. And of course, take out your garbage and keep your sink empty. Bugs and mice can be discouraged, but it's extremely hard to get rid of them once they've moved in!

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