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Pack or Pass? Everything You Should—and Shouldn’t—Bring to Your New Dorm

Save money and time during Move-In with these helpful hints

Whether you’re a freshman or an incoming transfer student, as you get ready to move into Boston University, here’s a handy guide to what to pack—and what not to. 

The best rule of thumb is: do not overpack. Plenty of essentials are easy to share, borrow, or get from BU, and you definitely don’t want to fill your dorm with stuff you don’t need. However, there are some essentials you’ll absolutely want to prioritize.

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring—or leave behind—as a college student, plus the items BU will supply for you.

PACK

Hangers and stackable storage bins

Your dorms come equipped with the bare necessities, but you’ll want these extra bits to make the most of your storage space. Hangers are a great way to organize your closet, and stackable bins are perfect for underbed storage of everything from winter coats to your study snack supply.

A lamp and lightbulbs

Obviously, your BU housing will come with its own lighting. But if you prefer a softer glow to overhead fluorescents, bring your own lamp for late-night studying at your desk or setting the mood for movie night. Just make sure your bulb is LED and eco-friendly.

A small fan

Boston is famous for its cold winters, but you’ll have a couple months before the frost sets in, as well as a few warm days after spring thaw. Bring a fan if you’re worried about keeping cool at night, as BU doesn’t permit air-conditioning units in dorms. A fan that’s 12 inches or less in diameter is the perfect space-efficient solution. 

A power strip

Being able to plug everything into a single power source with a built-in circuit breaker will be a game changer when you’re trying to set up your dorm the way you want it. Bring a power strip so you can keep your phone, laptop, Kindle, and iPad charged, all while using your lamp. Power strips are permitted in University housing as long as they meet the following specifications:

A clothing steamer

Be prepared to look your best, be it for the first day of class or an internship interview. A creased shirt or wrinkled dress can be easily improved with a portable steamer—a small, affordable alternative to an ironing board. 

PASS

A fridge or microwave

Easily rent a microfridge from BU for all your dorm cooking needs. This option is better for the environment and your wallet, and means you won’t have to lug your own appliance to campus. Microfridges are perfect for the frozen meals and veggies you might want on hand on the days there’s no time to hit the dining hall. 

A vacuum cleaner

Vacuum cleaners are generally available from your hall or area residence office, so there’s no need to buy your own. Just borrow one when you need to get rid of the late-night snack crumbs that are sure to end up on your floor. 

A planner

We’ve all been sucked in by the lure of a beautiful personalized planner, but lugging another notebook around campus isn’t necessary. You’re almost guaranteed to end up using your Google calendar or Notes app to keep track of assignments (yes, even if you’re an old soul who loves writing on paper.) Websites like MyStudyLife and Notion can also help you plan your days.

A water filter

Everyone has their own opinion on the taste of tap water, but with over 100 bottle-filling stations on the Charles River Campus (find locations here), odds are there’ll be cold, tasty drinking water right near your dorm. So skip the Brita and save some space in your microfridge. 

A printer

Printers are expensive and a pain to travel with. So, in the rare case that you’ll need to print a physical copy of an assignment, know that all dorms and academic buildings have printers. BU gives every student a printing allowance, so no need to worry about funding your own printing.

Happy Move-In, Terriers!