Your Essential College Packing List
Congratulations on your admission! You’re about to begin a new chapter in your life. Moving into a residence hall and living in a dorm room is a completely new and different experience, and it’s easy to forget the little things when planning what to bring to college. But fear not! We’ve pulled together a complete college packing list to help you figure out what you really need to bring to college, and learn what you can leave out of those moving boxes. Read on for your dorm essentials.
College Checklist: The Essentials
- Twin XL Bedsheets/Blankets/Comforter/Pillows
- Bring the whole nine yards! Optionally, if you prefer a softer bed, a twin XL mattress topper is also helpful. Winters get cold up in Vermont, and having an extra-soft blanket during the colder months is helpful.
- Computer/Laptop/Tablet
- Depending on your major, some sort of electronic device to take notes and do assignments on is a helpful item to bring. All dorms include an Ethernet port if you would like to utilize an Ethernet cable. (Make sure not to forget your chargers!)
- Fan
- For the warmer months, a small fan is helpful. (The maximum size is up to 12 inches.)
- Minifridge
- Minifridges are allowed in the dorms. They’re helpful for nights out in local Burlington restaurants to keep your leftovers!
- First-Aid Kit
- Make sure to pack Band-Aids, Neosporin, any pain medication, cold medicine, cough drops, etc.
- Laundry Supplies
- Depending on your preference, you will need some spare change to do laundry. (At Champlain we utilize the Laundry Connect App.) As well as a liquid detergent, and optionally drier sheets.
- Surge Protected Cords
- Each dorm comes with a couple of outlets, but to maximize your plugs, grab a surge protector. (Extension cords are a fire hazard and not allowed!)
- Shower Supplies
- These include shower shoes (flipflops, Crocs, sandals, etc), towels, shampoo and conditioner, and body wash. Any washcloth, loofa, or other body sponge is also useful to pack. A bathrobe is a good option to pack as well. Don’t forget the shower caddy to carry these items to and from the bathroom!
- Decorations
- This dorm is your home, so make it feel like yours! Bring any (non-expensive) sentimental items such as your favorite stuffed animal, posters (which can be applied with painters tape or small push-pins), tapestries, etc.
- Notebook/Pens/Backpack
- Don’t forget your school supplies! Make sure you have an extra notebook, pencils, and a backpack or tote bag to carry them around campus.
- Winter Gear/Warm Clothes
- Scarves, gloves, and a heavy jacket are a necessity in Vermont. Snow boots and—if you plan on doing a lot of walking—attachable traction support like MICROspikes or crampons are important. If you want to take advantage of the many ski resorts close to campus, more heavy-duty snow pants will be required. (Did you know: Champlain students have access to deeply discounted season passes to Sugarbush.)
- Hygiene Products
- Including, but not limited to: feminine hygiene products, deodorant, perfume/cologne, nail clippers, and any shaving materials.
Your Home Away From Home
From Victorian-era mansions to contemporary, apartment-style living, students make their residence halls their own.
194 St. Paul
Located less than a mile from campus, 194 St. Paul Street provides students easy access to both what downtown Burlington has to offer and main campus.
Juniper Hall
Like its sister buildings, Valcour and Butler Halls, Juniper has single and double rooms, a fully equipped communal kitchen, a central fireplace, and a large first floor common room.
McDonald Hall
This stately Victorian-era hall underwent a renovation in 2022 yet preserved its rich 126-year history. The building is now 100% fossil-fuel free and uses green technologies for heating and cooling.
Most Often Forgotten
Now that you know what to bring to college as your absolute essentials, here are some things you should plan to add to your college checklist for when things come up that you wouldn’t expect! Some commonly forgotten items include:
- Medicine/Cold Medicine
- Especially during the winter months, making sure you have some cold medicine is a lifesaver!
- Umbrella and Rain Gear
- It tends to get a bit rainy during the beginning of the fall semester and end of spring. An umbrella, rain boots, or poncho go a long way.
- Winter Clothes
- Don’t forget plenty of sweaters, a jacket, scarves, gloves, and a warm hat/earmuffs.
- Batteries
- If you are bringing any devices that require batteries, don’t forget to bring a pack of them!
- Air Freshener
- While you can’t have candles or incense in your dorm, you can bring an air freshener.
- Screwdriver or Tool Kit
- If you have any furniture, electronics, or equipment to assemble when you arrive, you’ll be glad you’ve planned ahead.
- Utensils
- The dining hall is great, but sometimes you might want a cozy night in your dorm, fueled by take-out or leftovers.
- Bed Organizer/Nightstand
- If you’re planning to be on a bunked/lofted bed, get a fabric nightstand that attaches to the edge. If not, wait to see the size of your dorm, then get a small, light, portable nightstand.
- Water Bottle
- Stay hydrated and healthy, and have a place to slap all those stickers you’ll collect when you get here.
- Cleaning Supplies
- Again, so you can say hydrated and healthy. If you’re bringing a reusable water bottle, make sure to also get a small straw cleaner and dish soap.
What NOT to Bring to College
The Opposite of College Essentials
- Kitchen Devices (Air Fryer, toaster, coffee makers, etc.)
- Weapons
- Candles and Incense
- Extension Cords
- Air Conditioning Units/Space Heaters
- Pets and Animals (Except for approved service animals.)
- Printers
- LED Light Strips (Standard string lights are fine, though!)
- Bulky Furniture
- Expensive/Sentimental Items
- Alcohol/Marijuana
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my dorm come with?
At Champlain, all dorms come with a Twin XL bed, desk, and dresser. Contemporary dorms (like 194, Boardman, Valcour, Juniper, and Butler) and some Victorian Dorms (Summit, Jensen, and Bader) also have a kitchen.
When do I find out what dorm I’m in?
It varies by your graduation year, but incoming first-year students are commonly notified in early August, via email.
How do I find a roommate?
The first step of finding a roommate is to fill out the Roommate Profile on THD. Check out this video for more information on how the roommate selection process works.
Related Resources
See You Around Campus!
Now that you’ve got your college packing list and all the college essentials, you’re ready to join us in Burlington, VT! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Housing and Residential Life.
Looking for more information about Champlain College? Start here!
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