Pack Your Bag

Ready to move into your room? Excellent — check out our suggestions for things you’ll want to bring for your residential community, your classes, and your new life on campus!

  • Bedspread/Comforter
  • Blanket
  • Pillow
  • Twin X-long sheets (36”x80”)
  • Pillow Case
  • Hangers
  • Laundry Basket/Bag
  • Alarm Clock
  • Desk Lamp
  • Fan
  • Small Trash Can
  • Command Strips
  • Towels/wash cloths
  • Robe
  • Plastic caddy (to carry items to bathroom)
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Soap and soap container
  • Hair brush, comb
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Other personal hygiene products you use
  • Shower Shoes/Flip flops
  • Backpack or bag to carry books
  • Computer & accessories
  • Calendar/day planner
  • Notebooks/paper
  • Writing Utensils
  • Highlighters
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Scissors
  • Stapler & Staples
  • Scotch Tape
  • Calculator
  • Surge protector/power strip
  • Personal Medication
  • Movies/DVDs
  • Cold Medicine
  • Gaming System
  • Laundry Detergent/Dryer Sheets
  • Rain/Snow Apparel & Footwear
  • Flashlight/Batteries
  • Umbrella
  • Mugs/glasses
  • Sports/Recreation Equipment

Items to Leave Behind - Unless Living in Bayside, Almeida, or North Campus Apartment Style Housing:

  • Toaster Ovens
  • Toasters 
  • Hot Plates 
  • Indoor grills 

Items to Leave Behind - For All Residential Students:

  • Street signs
  • Incense
  • Candles
  • Firecrackers
  • Weapons
  • Metal tip darts
  • Cinder Blocks
  • Lofts
  • Waterbeds
  • Pets/Animals*
  • Vinyl Banners
  • Tapestries/Flags
  • Space Heaters
  • Air Conditioners
  • Halogen Lamps/Lights
  • Nail, Thumbtacks, duct tape/packaging tape
  • Extension cords (only UL approved power-strips are permitted)

*Unless a trained service animal or approved ESA. Visit the Student Accessibility Services Page for details on how to be approved!*

A Suggestion on Clothes 

Keep in mind that you may not need to bring every season of clothing with you on Check-in day. Bring clothing that is suitable for the warm weather of September and for the cooling off climate of October. During a trip home when the seasons are changing, bring home what you do not need anymore and bring back clothing for the winter months.

A first aid/health kit is on every “dorm essentials” list so that you have supplies on hand to use in the event you are injured or sick.  We recommend you bring the following items with you to school.  It is a complete list of everything a college student will need.

First Aid

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – fever/pain
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin) - fever/pain/inflammation
  • Instant ice packs/heat packs
  • Thermometer 
  • Band aids in various sizes
  • Bacitracin or Neosporin
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Antifungal cream and powder
  • Rolled gauze
  • Sterile gauze pads 2×2 and 4×4
  • Ace bandages in various sizes
  • Scissors
  • Rubbing alcohol 70%
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Chap Stick 
  • Artificial tears eye lubricant- (Gen Teal, Systane, Refresh) for dry eyes 
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellent
  • Aloe vera gel
  • Calamine lotion

Cough and Colds

  • Many of the combination products contain acetaminophen and are mistakenly taken along with more acetaminophen which can lead to liver toxicity and overdose.
  • Pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine (Sudafed)
  • Cough syrup/cough drops/throat lozenges
  • Guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin)
  • Vick’s vaporub
  • Nasal Saline Spray

Allergies

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Dramamine) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)

Stomach Ailments

  • Tums or Maalox
  • Gas-x
Student moving into college at RWU

Other Options to Consider

Microfridge Rental

Extra-Long Linen Program

Student Personal Property Insurance information

It’s also a good idea to connect with your future roommate(s) about larger items you might be bringing — like TVs and refrigerators — so you don’t end up with duplicates.

Download your copy of the College Survival List!