Bed linens – check. Toothbrush – check. What else should I pack for college?
Most college and university residence hall packing lists cover just about everything students will need when they come to college and are especially handy for first-year students. No one wants to arrive without their bed linens, towels, toothbrushes, school supplies, trash can, backpack and other essentials.
But after students settle in and classes start, they inevitably think, “Hey, I really need this,” or “You know, that would be handy!”
Above: First-year students and their families carry belongings into ETSU's residence halls on Move-In Day, assisted by members of student organizations, faculty and staff. (2023 ETSU file photo)
We asked a few highly experienced East Tennessee State University residence hall dwellers what items they can’t do without that don’t always appear on standard dorm packing lists.
Noah Cole, an RA (resident advisor) at Centennial Hall, is a senior computer science major from Yuma, Arizona. His go-to items include:
- A first aid kit and medicine. “Having a well-stocked first aid kit is crucial for handling minor injuries and illnesses,” he said. “It’s something you might not think to bring initially, but it’s invaluable when you need it.”
- A compact vacuum cleaner. “Keeping the dorm room clean can be a challenge, and a compact vacuum cleaner makes it much easier. It’s small enough to store easily but powerful enough to handle daily messes.”
- A portable air filter. “This helps keep the air clean, especially in shared spaces,” Noah said. “It’s particularly useful for those with allergies or sensitivities to dust and other particles.”
- A portable humidifier and dehumidifier. “Maintaining comfortable humidity levels in the dorm room can greatly improve your living environment,” he said.
Porsha Farmer, a Chattanooga native who served as an RA for three years, is now a resident director for Luntsford Apartments while completing her Master of Social Work degree. She recommends:
- A stick-on card holder. “Although it is for cell phones, I stick my card holder on the inside of my entrance door to store my student ID,” she said. “Since doing this, I haven’t forgotten my student ID. Students should not worry about purchasing this item, as many organizations will offer them during Welcome Week.”
- An expandable file folder to store and locate important documents.
- Hobby items. “Mine are puzzles, scrapbooking materials and a nail kit,” Porsha said.
Kristina Taylor of Hillsville, Virginia, is a first-year graduate student studying mental health counseling. She has lived on campus for three years and serves as resident director of Lucille Clement Hall. Kristina finds these items indispensable:
- Extra phone and laptop chargers. “Having one of each to keep in your room and extras to keep in your backpack at all times ensures that you always have a way to charge your devices,” Kristina said.
- A hanging shoe organizer – either one that hangs on the bar or over the door of the closet. “This helps keep your shoes organized in a compact space for easy access,” she said.
All that being said, you can find the info you need for Move-In 2024 here, including a list of things to pack!
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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