Leave the printer at home. 

Moving into your first dorm room can be either the most exciting or most terrifying part of your freshman year. Before my freshman year, I spent hours watching do-and-don’t videos by current college students, but how could I know for sure that my dorm experience would match up to theirs? Ultimately, I somehow ended up both over- and under-packing, showing up on move-in day with too much of what I didn’t need and not enough of what I did. 

This article aims to alleviate some of your moving anxiety by providing a Barnard/Columbia-specific list of items to bring and not bring to your first-year dorm. I’ll also go over some items that are easy to purchase around the campus area if you’re looking to save car space by picking up dorm supplies after you arrive. As a student who lives far away and typically moves in and out of my dorm without a car each year, I hope the insights I’ve gained via my unfortunate overpacking experiences will help set you up for a smooth and successful first-year moving experience!

As a disclaimer, this list is by no means comprehensive or one-size-fits-all. If there’s something on the Don’t Bring list you think you’ll really need, or something on the Bring list you think you can do without, trust your instincts! As a general piece of advice, remember that you can always wait until after you’ve settled in to make decisions about your dorm. Ordering an item—big or small—to your student mailbox is super simple, and you can always visit nearby stores to dorm shop during NSOP week!

Do Bring:

  • Shower caddy: As a first-year, your choice of shower caddy can make or break your communal bathroom experience. Many people have opinions on plastic vs. mesh. Personally, I think both are fine, but plastic is a lot sturdier and easier to clean. The main benefit of the mesh option is that it’s easy to hang on the shower stall hooks, so my advice is to go for the best of both worlds and find a plastic option that can hook to the stall door!
  • Laundry sheets: This may seem like a no-brainer, but I unfortunately did not have a brain as a freshman and left these at home. They reduce static, make your clothes softer, and—if scented—help get rid of the laundry room mystery smell!
  • Duvet cover (and bedding in general): A duvet cover is way easier to regularly wash in the tiny washing machines than a giant comforter, and generally helps your comforter last! Dorm mattresses are typically Twin XL, so in addition to blankets, be sure to grab the right-sized sheets.
  • Alternative lighting: This isn’t strictly necessary, but finding a way to light your room other than the white-fluorescent overhead light is generally recommended. I usually go for a combination of string lights and a yellow-light lamp, but the world is truly your oyster! Be sure to check out the Barnard and Columbia prohibited items lists to make sure your lights are up to safety standards.
  • Electric kettle: Again, not strictly necessary, but out of all the kitchen appliances you may be on the fence about bringing, this is the one I would recommend. There’s no other easy way to heat water without using the microwave or stove, and in corridor-style housing, the kitchenette could be a long walk away. Great for a variety of beverages, heating pads, and instant noodles.
  • Extension cord/surge protector: What’s the difference between an extension cord and a surge protector? Well, one is allowed and one isn’t, but people tend to use the terms interchangeably, so there’s a visual reference below. Dorm room charging ports tend to be placed in the least-convenient possible location, so this is a must unless you want to crawl under your bed every time you need to charge your phone. 
Surge protector

Don’t bring:

  • Printer: If you’ve done research elsewhere you’ve probably already heard this, but I must repeat it here. Even if you’re planning on printing every day, you still don’t need to bring your own printer. The campus-provided ones can sometimes be finicky to use, but assistance is readily available in the library—and best of all, they’re free! (in the sense that you’ve already paid for it through tuition).
  • (Too much) dishware: As a freshman in corridor-style housing, you really don’t need lots of dishware. At most, I’d recommend getting disposable dishware or one sturdy bowl and plate, or better yet, a blate! (or is it powl?) If the occasion for a fork, knife, or spoon arises, take some plastic ones from the dining halls! 
  • Unwieldy laundry basket: Freshman laundry can be a trial, and a hard-to-carry laundry basket will only add to your pain. Target has a cheap, collapsable mesh one if you’re unsure where to start. There’s also the classic laundry backpack option, which is what I went with freshman year. My review is that it’s sometimes helpful (especially on the stairs), but it can’t stand up by itself which can be annoying. Related: you don’t need quarters for the machines!
  • Trash can: The dorm-provided ones are small, but adequate. I’d recommend bringing your own medium-sized trash bags.
  • Actual furniture: Certain extra furniture items can be a fun way to spice up your room, but chairs, desks, a full-length mirror, closet space, and storage space are generally already provided. If you’re thinking of getting your own chair, wardrobe, or other large piece of furniture, I’d recommend waiting until you see your dorm room to get a sense of how much space is available to you.
  • Your entire wardrobe: It can be painful to leave certain clothing items behind, but you will almost certainly not end up wearing everything you bring—and clothes take up a lot of space in a suitcase. Bring the basics and your favorite items, and if you end up needing or wanting more, there are several affordable shopping options near campus! Use this as an opportunity to explore your style!

Helpful, but by no means necessary:

  • Brita pitcher: The main benefit to having a pitcher in freshman housing is not having to go all the way to the kitchenette every time you want water, but in terms of drinking water safely, the tap water is safe to drink.
  • Carpet: A carpet can really help your dorm room feel more homey, but try to avoid ones that are hard to clean (e.g. the Target/Amazon fluffy rug). It will quickly become rife with hair and crumbs.
  • School supplies: Some classes may require physical notebooks, folders, and/or binders (more or less so depending on your intended major), but I’d advise against bringing more than one of each to start with, if any. If you end up needing more, see the shopping options below!
  • Mini fridge: As someone who did not have a mini fridge as a freshman but wished I had, I would say that it has more benefits than downsides. Barnard kitchenettes most likely won’t have a full-sized fridge, so if you’re going to want to keep leftovers cold, this is the only way. The main downside is that you’ll have to find a way to move it in and out each year, but if there’s no space for it in your car at the end of the year, you can always donate it to the Green Sale! (more on that later).
  • Mattress topper: This is ultimately up to preference. I’d recommend not getting the two-inch foam ones. Also, a little-known fact: the blue dorm mattresses sometimes have a soft side and a firm side, so make sure it’s flipped to the one you want! You can usually tell which side is which just by sitting on it.
  • Keurig: If you already drink coffee every day, then having a machine is nice, but I’ve also heard many-a-tale of people getting one and then rarely or never using it. 
  • Mini-sewing kit: The need for one of these will probably come up at some point. 
  • One or two throw pillows: I don’t mean to crush your pillow castle dreams, but too many pillows can be a real hassle to transport. However, they’re still a super easy and fun way to decorate! Stick to one or two for maximum convenience, or wait until after you move in to get more.

Where can I buy dorm supplies near campus?

  • Barnard and Columbia green sales: An affordable and sustainable option for anything you might need in a dorm! All items are collected via student donations at the end of the spring during move out and resold at low prices. Barnard’s is typically held in the Glicker-Milstein Theater (Diana LL2), and Columbia’s in EC. Check out Barnard Sustainability’s instagram (@barnard_sustainability) and Columbia Eco Rep’s (@columbia.ecoreps) to stay up-to-date locations, hours, and what items are still available!
  • University Hardware Houseware (Broadway, between 113th and 114th): Kitchenware, cleaning supplies (including laundry pods and detergent, although the selection isn’t wide), appliances (incl. mini-fridges, but again, small selection), organizers, and decor (incl. a small selection of carpets)
  • Ivy League Stationers (right next to Shake Shack): General school supplies, Columbia/Barnard merch, chargers, tech, etc. There are much cheaper options, but this is the most conveniently located. 
  • Columbus Square shopping center (25-ish-minute walk or 15-ish-minute bus ride on the M11): Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Whole Foods
  • If you’re up for a bus or subway ride, there is a truly unlimited amount of options!

General tips

  • Communication with your roommate is key. Don’t end up with two full-sized carpets.
  • If you’re not sure about it, wait until you get to campus to buy it.
  • If your moving space is limited, look into vacuum seal bags for clothes and bedding.
  • Check out our Freshpeople Housing Reviews for information specific to your building!

Surge protector via Flickr

Header via Needpix and Canva