FOR REFERENCE: My freshman year I lived in mudge C1 in a semisuite double. I had a double room and shared a semiprivate bathroom with 3 other people. I am from California so I either had to pack stuff in my suitcases or buy it in Pittsburgh.
REMINDER: Think about storage when buying/bringing stuff! if you live farther than driving distance away and don’t have a place to keep stuff over summer, it can be hard to move your things around so try not to accumulate too much stuff if that’s a concern for you!
Key
- ✓✓✓ = necessary
- ✓✓ = very nice to have
- ✓ = helpful to have
Bedding
- ✓✓✓ sheet set(I only had one and I was fine but get two if you want)
- ✓✓✓ comforter/duvet (get a duvet cover for extra protection if you have a nice one)
- ✓✓✓ mattress protector (I had one idk how useful it was but it might make you feel better to have an extra layer of protection if you don’t trust the mattress)
- ✓✓✓ pillow(however many you want - I only had one! and throw pillows if you like the aesthetics but I didn’t have enough storage for those)
- ✓✓✓ stuffed animal(absolutely necessary)(you will be sad if you don’t bring one)
- ✓✓ mattress topper/pad (if you want - personally I didn’t need one)
- ✓ throw blanket(great for cuddling up at your desk or in common areas)
Appliances
- ✓✓✓ fan(if you have a no-ac dorm or for white noise if you’re into that)(I used mine a lot) (i recommend the woozoo from costco due to it being small and compact and easy to store)
- ✓✓✓ chargers
- ✓✓✓ headphones
- ✓✓ extension cords(2) (so nice to have, I like to have one by my desk and one by my bed)(outlets are in wierd places sometimes)
- ✓✓ lamp(not necessary but nice to have)(I used mine a lot at night when my roommate was asleep)
- ✓ portable charger (if your phone dies quickly like mine)
- ✓ airpods/equivalent (you can get cheap airpods knockoffs on Amazon, or if you prefer wired ones those are good to have on hand)
- ✓ batteries(if you have appliances that use them)
- ✓ speaker(if you want)(really nice for vibes or to play outside on a nice day)
- ✓ a monitor if you use one/have one (for the CS majors/gamers)
- ✓ mini fridge(if you want to buy one)
- ✓ microwave(if you want to buy one)
- ✓ water kettle or coffee maker(if you need caffeine)(if shipping to school address make sure the wattage is allowed or they will flag it but what they don’t know won’t hurt them if you buy it elsewhere)
Toiletries
- ✓✓✓ toothpaste/mouthwash/retainers
- ✓✓✓ toothbrush
- ✓✓✓ body wash
- ✓✓✓ shampoo/hair products
- ✓✓✓ hand towels
- ✓✓✓ towels
- ✓✓✓ deodorant
- ✓✓✓ floss
- ✓✓ laundry hamper/bag
- ✓✓ laundry detergent (i personally dont like tide pods and prefer liquid detergent but tide pods are easier to carry around - detergent sheets work pretty well and are very portable)
- ✓✓ shower caddy
- ✓✓ shower shoes
- ✓ lip balm
- ✓ lotion
- ✓ sunscreen
- ✓ skin care stuff
- ✓ nail clippers/file
- ✓ hair accessories
- ✓ hair comb/brush
- ✓ tissues
- ✓ hand sanitizer
- ✓ first aid kit/medicine
- ✓ cup/container for toothbrush
- ✓ small mirror
- ✓ large mirror
- ✓ robe(if you use one)(personally I didn’t)
- ✓ period supplies(if applicable)
- ✓ makeup (if you use or have it)
Medicine
- ✓✓✓ bandaids
- ✓✓✓ Tylenol/Ibuprofen/DayQuil/NyQuil/ cold stuff
- ✓ cough drops
- ✓ eye drops
- ✓ hydrocortisone
- ✓ vitamins tablets/gummies
Cleaning
- ✓✓✓ clorox wipes/equivalent
- ✓ broom
- ✓ vacuum
- ✓ swiffer
- ✓ dish soap
- ✓ sponge
- ✓ air freshener/scent
Food
- ✓✓✓ water bottle
- ✓✓ plate and bowl
- ✓✓ cutlery
- ✓✓ microwaveable mug
- ✓✓ tupperware/containers
- ✓ paper towels
- ✓ thermos bottle
- ✓ plastic baggies
- ✓ brita filter
Extra
- ✓✓✓ scissors(ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TRUST ME)
- ✓✓✓ 2 forms of ID (for US birth certificate, passport, and driver’s license work)! especially if you get a job and need I9 verification
- ✓✓ tool kit(screwdriver at least)
- ✓✓ tape
- ✓✓ phone wallet
- ✓ sewing kit
- ✓ calculator
- ✓ playing cards/other cute little games
- ✓ safety pins
- ✓ chip clips
- ✓ ruler + tape measure
- ✓ reusable grocery bags
- ✓ ice cube tray
- ✓ any cooking or baking stuff if you plan on it
- ✓ your fave snacks from home that aren’t commonly available
- ✓ some kind of cord or string to hang between your beds for air drying stuff
Organize
- ✓✓ drawer organizers
- ✓ storage bins
- ✓ command hooks
- ✓ command strips for decorations
Stationary
- ✓ highlighters
- ✓ pens
- ✓ pencils
- ✓ paper clips
- ✓ stapler
- ✓ notebooks/paper
- ✓ post it notes
- ✓ whiteboard/markers
- ✓ art supplies
- ✓ apple pencil/stylus
Clothing
- ✓✓✓ umbrella(absolute must!)
- ✓✓✓ heavy coat(you will die without one)
- ✓✓✓ snow/weather boots(absolute must)
- ✓✓✓ gloves
- ✓✓ layers!!! (hoodies/crewnecks - it’s really warm inside classrooms so it’s nice to have layers)
- ✓✓ one pair of nice shoes
- ✓✓ waterproof boots
- ✓ lighter rain coat
- ✓ sandals/slides to wear around your dorm and common areas
- ✓ a cute formal outfit
- ✓ any other clothes you want :)