I can be a little detailed sometimes. My packing list for RIT was no exception. Traveling from Texas to NY meant that I wasn’t going to be able to drive up, so I had to bring everything I wanted in three suitcases. I bought the rest when I arrived in Rochester.
I am an art major, so I have a little more on my supply lists you might need. I have also added some things I’ve heard from friends that was important to them. If you have any questions about specific items, please reach out to me!
If I have put an asterisk by it, it means I view it as an essential to everyone, but again you can use your best discretion!
Bedroom Items:
- *Bedspread/comforter
- *Extra-long sheets/pillowcase
- Extra set of sheets
- *Pillow
- Mattress pad (make sure to check regulations)
- Desk lamp
- Energy-efficient light bulbs
- Trunks, crates, or other storage containers
- Under bed storage
- Bed raisers
- Bookends
- Trash Basket (NOTE: your room will come with one trash can and recycle bin, so you probably don’t need another one!)
- Bulletin Board
- Poster mounts for photos and posters
- 3M Command Strips to hang decorations/towels, etc.
- Febreeze
- Any pictures, posters
- Christmas Lights
- Big lamp or light for the room, this really helps with the atmosphere so you don’t have to have the big lights on all the time!
- Flashlight and batteries
- Bedside Hanging Bin
- Blankets
- Sleep Mask
- Tension Rod + Curtain (I bought a curtain to cover my closet, and it helped with my room aesthetic a lot!)
Tech Items:
- Speakers
- Alarm Clock
- Power bank
- Camera and Camera Charger
- Cell Phone Chargers
- Disk Drive for Laptop
- Long Ethernet Cable (10ft - 25ft depending on your room)
- Any adaptors your computer needs
- Backup Device for your computer
- Printer, Printer Ink, Printer Paper
- *2 power strips (surge protector)
- Computer Mouse/Keyboard
- Desktop Computer
Bathroom Items:
- *Shower Caddy (that drains well!)
- *Towels
- Washcloths
- *Shampoo and Conditioner
- *Body Wash
- Shaving Cream
- Bathrobe
- *Shower shoes
- Toothbrush
- Extra toothbrush (when yours falls on the ground on your way to the bathroom, you will thank me for this suggestion) :)
- Hair Straightener/Blow Dryer
- Beauty products (Makeup, Skin Moisturizer, Nail Polish Remover, Nail Clippers, Brushes, Tweezers)
- Other bathroom items (Cotton Balls, Hair Brush, Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Small Mirror, Q-Tips, Razor)
- First aid kit (Band-aids, Neosporin, Ibuprofen/Asprin, Cough drops, Small Sunscreen, Safety Pins)
- Extra roll of toilet paper
Laundry Supplies:
- *Clothes basket, hamper, or laundry basket (Ones that fold up are best)
- Hangers
- *Detergent (RIT has high-efficiency washers, so you can buy HE detergent!)
- Stain Remover
- Iron and small portable ironing board
Clothing Items
This is a little bit more flexible depending on the person, but here are some more generic suggestions.
- *Nice Clothing - I recommend having at least one business professional outfit, in case you decide to go to the career fair, etc.
- A note on T-shirts: you will get a lot of these, so you don’t have to bring too many
- *Winter Clothing:
- Hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Snow boots
- Jackets
- SOCKS! (more than you think you need)
- Rain Clothing:
- Rain jacket
- Rain Boots
- Umbrella
Food:
- Dish soap, sponge
- Refrigerator (No larger than 5 cubic feet)
- Microwaveable dishes, cups, mugs, bowls, and silverware (at least one of each)
- Tissues, paper towels, napkins
- Snacks (Bottled Water, Cereal, Easy Mac, Granola Bars, Juice, Microwave Popcorn, Ramen, Soda)
School Supply Items:
- *Backpack
- School supplies: (Agenda or Planner, Envelopes and stamps, Folders, Glue sticks, Double sided tape, Paper Clips, Mechanical Pencils, Pens, Post-its, Rubber Bands, Ruler, Scissors, Stapler, Staples, Three-hole Punch, White-out, Push Pins for Bulletin Board, Highlighters, Index Cards, Notebooks, Notebook Paper)
- Batteries
- Duct Tape
Misc Items:
- Water Bottle
- Travel Mug (for hot drinks)
- A few checks
- *Debit or Credit Cards
- *License/ID
- Passport (if you might go to Canada)
- A second form of ID (Passport, Social Security, etc. used for on-campus job opportunities)
- List of Emergency Contacts
- *Medical Insurance Card
- Sunglasses
- Games to play
- Tool kit (Screwdriver, pliers, wreck, hammer)
- Door stopper
- Sewing kit
- Medications
- *Fan (an essential if you are in a non-air conditioned room! A lot of people will put a box spring in the window)
- Mini Vacuum (nice in case your RA is not around, I’ve used mine in my apartment as well)
Packing for college isn't the easiest thing. Please reach out to me if you have any questions. Here's what my rooms like looked like my first year:
When I lived in Ellingson (the layout of these rooms can change a lot more), I lofted my bed and had my desk sitting next to it. Note the curtain in front of my closet!
In NRH, the layout is the standard each person has a side. I lowered my bed, and put my desk at the foot of the bed!