Moving into a dorm

The list adapts to you

Answer the questions and only the items you need stay on the list. Your answers carry over to the app and the file.

• Do you have a roommate? No, a single roomYes

Items on the list: 18 of 18 · Show all

Work through the list in order. Hide the notes when you know what to do.

1. Check what the room already provides

   A bed, desk and closet are often included by default — get the dorm's exact list before buying duplicates.

2. Read the dorm's rules in advance

   Quiet hours, guest policy, banned appliances — rules differ far more between dorms than you'd expect.

3. Reach out to your roommate ahead of time Yes

   Who's bringing the fridge or the rug so you don't duplicate, and talk through sleep schedules — before move-in, not on the first night.

4. Agree on basic shared-room rules Yes

   Guests, cleaning, evening noise — one conversation in the first week saves months of awkwardness later.

5. Get a shower caddy for the communal bathroom

   If the bathroom is shared down the hall, a portable caddy beats carrying everything by hand each trip.

6. Pack flip-flops for the shared shower

   Hygiene in a shared bathroom isn't something to skip in the first week.

7. Check insurance for personal belongings

   The dorm usually isn't liable for lost or damaged personal items — check whether a parent's policy covers it or you need your own.

8. Find out how laundry works

   Paid or free, first-come or scheduled, whether you need a mesh bag for delicates — better learned in advance than on the first laundry day.

9. Learn the mailing address and package pickup process

   Your room number or the dorm's mailroom — get the exact address format before ordering anything or updating official mail.

10. Bring a surge-protected power strip

    Rooms usually have fewer outlets than one student's gadgets need, let alone two.

11. Check the list of banned items

    Space heaters, open-coil kettles, candles — common fire-safety bans, worth checking before packing them at all.

12. Bring an extra lock for valuables

    A lockable drawer or case for documents, electronics and cash — a dorm room sees more foot traffic than a private one.

13. Sort out food: a meal plan or cooking yourself

    Whether there's a floor kitchen, what's allowed to cook in-room, and whether the dining hall schedule actually matches yours.

14. Save the resident advisor and security contacts

    For a maintenance issue, a conflict, or an emergency — saved from day one, not looked up when you already need it.

15. Check room dimensions before buying anything bulky

    The room is usually smaller than the website photos suggest — measure before hauling in a big rug or dresser.

16. Bring something familiar from home

    A photo, a favorite blanket, a small familiar object — genuinely helps through the first anxious weeks away from home.

17. Update your address where it matters

    Bank, doctor, important subscriptions — the dorm address, if you plan to receive mail there directly.

18. Learn the campus layout and route to classes

    Walk the route ahead of time rather than hunting for a classroom late on the first morning.