Since it is now August, I thought it might be a good time to post a packing list. Hopefully, I’m posting early enough that you’ll be able to hunt everything down! I’ve divided the list into a few parts. The first part is absolute essentials, or the things that you cannot live without in residence. I’d consider packing these all together to make unpacking easier, especially if you’re going to unpack gradually. Then there is academics and clothing. Next I have a list of things that are entirely optional, but I found invaluable in residence. Finally, I conclude with things that you are not allowed to bring to residence.
This might not be the perfect list for you (and I very well may have forgotten something crucial!) but hopefully it will be a good reference for you!
Absolute essentials:
My best suggestion for this is to keep a notepad (or a note on your phone!) with you for a few days. You touch anything, you write it down. This will help you know what sort of things you use most and will need at school. Some things will still need to be left behind, though – like your cat and your couch.
Sheets
Pillow
Bedspread/quilt/comforter – preferably not white, so as to keep it looking clean and new
Towels
Toiletries
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Hair brush and/or comb
- Shaving cream, razors, etc.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Pads/tampons
- Hair straightener/dryer/curler
- Tissues
- Lotion
- Loofah/bath scrubie/wash cloth
Coat hangers
Laundry basket and detergent
Quarters for laundry – 4 quarters per load, both washer and dryer
Backpack or messenger bag
Laptop computer
Simple first aid kit with band-aids and a thermometer
Any medication you might need, including pain relievers or allergy medicine
Charging cables for any electronics
Flashlight – The power went out twice in the whole year, but for that half hour I would have done anything to have a flashlight.
Photo ID – Driver’s License, Health Card, any important documentation that you might need
Flip flops for the shower
Academics:
Binders
Filler paper or notebooks
Pens
Pencils, erasers – a must for multiple-choice exams!
White out
Highlighters
Any notes from previous courses that might be helpful – For example, if you took Spanish in Grade 12 and are continuing to study it in the fall, a study sheet you wrote out for exams might be a handy reference.
Stapler and staples – I found a mini-stapler at Staples that used full size staples. It came with 1000 staples and cost less than $5.
Three hole punch – the thin ones that can fit in a binder are perfect.
Push pins for bulletin board that comes with the room
Scissors
Flash drive
Surge protector
Desk lamp
Tape
Clothing:
Comfortable clothes – t-shirts, jeans, sweaters, yoga pants etc
Lots of socks and underwear
Workout clothes and gym shoes, bathing suit – and any athletic equipment you might need
A few fancier items for special occasions
A light jacket – for fall
A winter coat, preferably long – You may wish to leave this at home and only bring it when you come back from Thanksgiving break, but keep in mind that the weather in London is unpredictable at best.
Boots – both rain boots and winter boots
Hat, mittens, scarf
Slippers or flip flops for around rez
Jewellery/hair accessories/nail polish
Super nice things to have:
A cozy blanket for movie nights in the lounge
A mini-fridge (no larger than 3 cubic feet!) – There is a shared one on each floor, but I really liked having my own.
Mattress topper – You can pay as much or as little as you want. I got mine for $20 and loved it so much that when I moved home for the summer I kept using it!
Some snacks for between meals or late night study sessions – microwavable popcorn, fruit snacks, pudding cups, apple sauce etc
A kettle (must have automatic shut-off) and teas, coffees, hot chocolate powder
Air freshener
Command hooks for hanging posters, calendar etc.
An umbrella – I had one of the ones that fold up really small, and I kept it in my backpack so I always had it.
An under-the-bed storage box – While there is a fair amount of storage in the rooms, I still found myself shoving stuff under my bed. Great for that winter coat when you don’t need it.
A printer – I loved having mine. I didn’t have any problems with it at all. However, I know a lot of people that had printer troubles ten minutes before their assignment was due. If you do decide to bring a printer, don’t forget the cable that hooks it up to your computer, paper, and ink! If you decide against a printer, there are printers in the library that you can use for a small fee.
Small fan – It can still be quite warm in September, so a small fan can be a great thing to bring. I would often sleep with mine on the lowest setting (even in January!) to have some white noise.
A deck of cards – I didn’t actually use this at all after O-Week, but it was fantastic to have that week for getting to know people.
An iPod, iPad, e-reader or camera – Just keep in mind that it is best to leave any items of extreme value –whether monetary or sentimental – at home!
Earplugs
Water bottle, mugs, tupperwear containers, plate, fork and spoon, dish soap – There is a microwave on each floor, so if you have leftovers from dinner, you can re-heat them the next day for lunch. I brought reusable, microwave safe containers from my local Chinese Take-Out. I also brought sturdy plastic cutlery, so that it wasn’t a big deal if I accidentally threw one out, but they still lasted for multiple uses.
Alarm Clock – I, like many people I knew at school, used my phone alarm for every day wake up calls, but exam mornings I would set my alarm clock, too, just to be safe.
Posters, photos, anything that will make your room yours
A simple sewing kit – Even if it’s just an arm’s-length of thread in a few colours with a needle and some safety pins, this can be really helpful in a pinch.
Stamps, envelopes, blank note cards for thank yous or birthdays
Ziploc bags and chip clips – I used these for anything and everything.
Some favourite movies and books
Duct tape
Things NOT TO BRING: (as found in the Rez FAQs)
- Cooking appliances
- Halogen lamps including lava lamps (sorry, they pose a fire hazard)
- Pets
- Candles & incense (Again, fire hazard)
- Extra furniture
Also, you don’t need to bring a garbage can or recycling bin, as these will be provided. Do not pack in alcholic beverage boxes as they will not be carried up by the Sophs.
Please let me know if I’ve forgotten anything so that I can add it to the list! Let me know if you have any questions and good luck with your shopping! :)
32 days until you all move in!!
Amazing list, Sarah.
I used pretty much all of this in first year. What I found really important was the stapler- some profs deduct marks if it’s not stapled together, and there’s not always time to run to the library.
Also, I’m not sure if this was written in, but an air freshener! Your dorm room is small, and can start to smell if it’s not always clean (trust me). Make sure it’s cool with your roommate, but we went through so many cans of febreze. (Especially when you come back after the winter break, or reading week).
Oh and the umbrella thing…SUPER important. Each time it rained, I seemed to be caught in it. NOT fun. It’s my third year and I’m finally going to accept the fact that I’d rather walk around with an umbrella, than not have one at all.
Sarah, this list is amazing.
I want to bring my mouse, he is more of a little brother than a pet.
His cage doesn’t take up much room and he rarely gets out but always comes back.
He is a people person, it has been months since he bit the last person (they totally deserved it). I am willing to pay extra as it is an extra resident (LOL) How do you think Brescia will feel about my little brother?
kk…so…I promise to do my best to let you know what else to bring, as I used your dorm list religiously for move in day…what a lifesaver!!
Here it goes…sorry if I am missing something :(
-Smoothie maker
-Air popcorn maker- with automatic switch-Dry clothes rack- to dry clothes that can’t go into the dryer
-Shoe rack- if you need one
-Bring layers of clothes- even if its winter season, keep some short sleeved/tank shirts handy because some rooms will be like a sauna, while others will be cooler
-Heated blanket
-Cleaning supplies for your room- custodians do not clean our rooms- a vacuum is provided, however you will need windex to clean your mirrors and antibacterial agents (ie Fantastic or Grime Eater) to clean any other surfaces in your room
-File folder- to organize notes or incoming mail
-Glow in the Dark Ceiling Stars- to have something special to look up and see at night…
-Mini White board to stick on your dorm door- to write messages, to do lists etc :)
-Jewellery Box or holder to protect your necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc
-Duo-tangs or brown envelopes that can hold a portfolio- for any written assignments to keep them together and protected (easiest for your professors to transport your classes’ papers to their marking areas and back to you :)