Pack smarter, not harder: Syracuse University dorm living do’s and don’ts
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Move-in day has a way of exposing every hasty decision and unnecessary, last-minute Amazon find. Each August, incoming Syracuse University students line up outside freshmen dorms with more possessions than their room could ever hold.
As soon as you get to campus, it’s time to unload your car’s worth of belongings and cart them up to your dorm. The minifridge gets plugged in, the fitted sheets are put on and all of a sudden there’s a heaping pile of stuff with nowhere to go. Blue Ikea bags lay forgotten as you try to cram your closet with junk. Dorm rooms have a way of humbling even the most organized packers.
Here’s what you should bring — and what you should leave in the garage — for your first year in the 315.
Do bring: Mattress topper
A standard dorm mattress is thin, old and stiff. Long story short: They’re not built for eight months of sleeping. A 4-inch memory foam mattress topper is essential for a good night’s sleep. Pair it with a mattress encasement and a couple of pillows for maximum comfort.
Don’t bring: Extra bedding
Additional blankets or throw pillows are bulky and will take up more space than they’re worth. Instead of crowding an already crammed room for an item that you may use twice or that’ll fall off your bed, opt for a duvet or comforter that’s easy to wash — and only grab one extra set of sheets.
Do bring: Woozoo fan
If you’re on social media, chances are your algorithm is filled with college and dorm necessities. You’ve definitely been inundated with content about the IRIS Woozoo fan. The crazy part is — the fan’s actually worth it. Compact and remote-controlled, the fan offers big benefits in a small footprint. The cooling device may be small, but it sure is mighty. As an alternative, bring any small oscillating fan with multiple settings.
Don’t bring: Space heater
Most dorms prohibit a space heater entirely, including SU. Not only is it an obvious fire hazard, but the heater makes the room feel more stuffy and tiny than it actually is. Rely on your dorm radiator, which often blasts heat in the Syracuse winter, and let your resident advisor know if it gets too cold.
Do bring: Reusable water bottle and mug
A water bottle that can be refilled at water stations across campus will save money on vending machines and plastic bottles — and is easy to wash in any communal sink. Mugs mean that you can make tea or coffee in your dorm room for a late-night self-care session or an early exam.
Don’t bring: Full kitchen set
Not only will you end up schlepping to the dining hall anyway for meals, but a set of pots, pans and dishes will overpower the bit of storage capacity that you do have. Plug-in appliances with open flames are against code, and they’re a hassle to begin with. If you don’t want your dorm to smell like grease or fire, stick to basic microwave ramen.
Do bring: Small or vanity mirror
Whether it be for makeup, hair or touching up before your 8 a.m. class, a small standing mirror for your desk works wonders. Portable enough to be tucked away for extra room, a small mirror is great for retouches.
Don’t bring: Full-length mirror
Do yourself a favor and don’t worry about packing or shipping a full-length mirror: Most SU dorms already have one hanging in the closet.
Do bring: A basic first-aid kit
Ibuprofen, antacid tablets and Band-Aids are a standard kit — and probably the things you’ll use most. Throw in some cold medicine for the winter months, and you’ll be set for a year’s worth of sneezes and sniffles.
Don’t bring: A full medicine cabinet
Overpacking applies to the practical part of dorm living too. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on medications you might need for any illness under the sun, build your collection as you go. The CVS just off Marshall Street will be your best friend.
Do bring: Command hooks
Coats, towels and bags all need places to go too. Instead of overfilling your closet, pop command hooks on the edge of your bed or on the side of your desk to add extra storage for the little belongings you might not have considered.
Don’t bring: Extra furniture
Contrary to the belief of some interior designers specializing in dorm rooms, you do not need a love seat for your open double. Extra chairs and seats will leave zero wiggle room in your room. Bring a pillow or blanket to cover your SU-provided desk chair to add comfortable seating.
By the time your bed is lofted and the posters go up, your room might not look like the one on your Pinterest board. But it will be somewhere you can live functionally for 75% of the year without getting cabin fever (most of the time). Pack smart, and ditch the things that would end up in the dumpster by October.
