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Student hanging lights on a wall in dorm room

College Dorm Checklist

Lehigh University has been undergoing lots of changes in regards to its housing options. However, that does not change the anxiety around packing for school.

There are several different freshman dorms and each has different dimensions. If you are buying furniture or rugs, it is important to check out the measurements of your room. All of the first-year housing options at Lehigh can be found here. The rooms come with a bed and mattress, desk and nightstand. As a result, you will need to fill in the blanks. Here is a checklist to help ease your mind and prepare you for the school year:

Bedding:

  • Extra long bottom sheet/top sheet
  • Blanket, comforter, throw, quilt, etc.
  • Pillows, pillow cases
  • Mattress pad

Desk:

  • Organizers for school supplies, stapler, tape
  • Desk lamp

Night Stand:

  • Desk lamp (no halogen bulbs)
  • Alarm clock

Closet:

  • Hangers
  • Hanging devices with drawers
  • Shoe rack

Door:

  • Full length mirror

Cleaning:

  • Handheld vacuum
  • Waste basket
  • Paper towels
  • Disinfectant wipes

Decorations:

  • Area rug
  • Posters
  • Pictures from home
  • Lights
  • Tape, thumbtacks

Storage:

  • Under bed drawers
  • Night stand

Wash:

  • Towels/washcloths
  • Shower caddy/tote
  • Shower supplies
  • Shower shoes
  • Bathrobe/towel wrap
  • Toiletries/cosmetics

Hair:

  • Hairbrush
  • Hair dryer/straightener/curling iron

Food:

  • Refrigerator and microwave (there is a service that includes a refrigerator and microwave)
  • Plastic forks, spoons, knives, plates, napkins
  • Snacks
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Hot reusable bottle mug

Laundry:

  • Laundry detergent
  • Hamper
  • Laundry bag
  • Stain stick
  • Drying rack

School Supplies:

  • Backpack or school bag
  • Computer
  • Notebooks, pens, binders, etc.

Other:

  • Fan
  • Power strip/extension cord
  • First aid kit
  • Insurance card/health insurance info
  • Driver’s license or ID card
  • Medication
  • Umbrella/rain gear
  • Command strips (These are essential in setting up a dorm room. They help hang things like decorations on walls. Additionally, they can be used as hooks for extra storage (jackets, towels, etc.). These can be purchased at CVS, Amazon, Target, etc. All product offerings for Command Strips can be found here.)

Optional:

  • Calendar/planner
  • Camera
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Free-standing lamp
  • Games, sports equipment
  • Musical instruments
  • Non-perishable snacks
  • Old notebooks for reference
  • Portable vacuum (Lehigh offers vacuums to borrow)
  • Posters and pictures
  • Printer
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Rugs
  • Sewing kits
  • Small refrigerator (less than 4.6 cubic feet)
  • Small TV
  • Stereo, radio, iPod, speakers
  • Storage bins, trunks or foot lockers
  • Telephone

What Not to Bring to College:

There are specifically items on the what not to bring to college list. Many of these involve safety concerns.

  • Candles
  • Electric blankets
  • Electric cooking appliances (including but not limited to coffee makers, toasters, toaster ovens, grills, griddles, hot pots, hot plates)
  • Halogen lamps/bulbs
  • Incandescent light bulbs
  • Microwave ovens
  • Over the door hanger
  • Pets (with the exception of fish in properly maintained aquariums of 10 gallons or less)
  • Portable heaters or air conditioners
  • Waterbeds
  • Weapons of any kind

Places to buy these items near Lehigh’s campus:

  • The Lehigh Store
  • Target
    • 912 Airport Center Dr, Allentown, PA 18109-9385
  • Marshalls & HomeGoods
    • 2144 W Union Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  • Ross Dress for Less
    • 926 Airport Center Rd, Allentown, PA 18109
  • Walmart
    • 3926 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18020
  • Lowe's
    • 1235 Martin Ct, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  • Wegmans
    • 5000 Wegmans Dr, Bethlehem, PA 18017
  • CVS
    • 305 W Fourth St, Bethlehem, PA 18015

 

Editor's note: This blog was updated on August 31, 2023.