Just a little advice from those of us who've been there.

What Is Provided

• Desk and desk chair
• Wastebasket and recycling bin
• Bed and mattress
• Dresser/Closet
• Mirror
• Ceiling light
• Bookshelves
• Telephone
• Common area television lounge with kitchen (complete with sink, refrigerator, microwave and stove/oven unit)

What Not to Bring

• Pets (except fish)
• Waterbeds
• Candles/incense
• Halogen lamps
• Hot plates
• Appliances with open heating elements
• Lofts
• Weapons/firearms/firecrackers

Personal Items

• Medical Insurance Card
• Credit Card
• Identification (You'll need at least two of these if you want to be employed on campus or open a bank account in Northfield)
• Passport (current or expired)
• Drivers License or State ID
• Original Social Security Card
• Certified Birth Certificate
• Blank check for payroll purposes

Clothing

Essential:

• Shirts
• Sweaters
• Pants/Shorts
• Skirts/Dresses
• Lots of clean underwear and socks
• Shoes
• Cold weather clothing
• Warm winter coat
• Gloves/mittens
• Scarf/winter hat/ear muffs
• Swimsuit
• Clothes hangers

Nice to Have:

• Watch
• Boots
• Raincoat
• Sandals
• Slippers
• Snowboots
• At least one dressy outfit

Sleeping Needs

Essential:

• Sheets for correct mattress size (80" long twin)
• Pillows and pillow cases
• Mattress pad
• Blanket or comforter
• Alarm Clock

Nice to Have:

• Throw pillows
• Egg crate mattress pad
• Fleece blanket
• An extra set of bed linens

School Supplies

Essential:

• Pens, pencils, markers and highlighters
• Thesaurus
• Dictionary
• Foreign language dictionary
• Folders, notebooks and paper
• Paper clips/stapler/tape/safety pins
• Calculator
• Knapsack, bookbag or backpack

Nice to Have:

• Fun books to read
• Term paper writing guide
• Citation/reference manual
• Binders
• Printer
• Disks/CD-R/RW/flashdrive
• Surge protector
• Small screw driver
• Extra printer paper
• Software
• Post Its
• White Out
• If you wish to use your desk for other work, a small computer table is nice

Bath and Kitchen

Essential:

• Towels/washcloths
• Bathrobe or large towel
• Thongs, flip-flops or shower shoes
• Shampoo, conditioner and soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Plates, mugs, cups, silverware, etc.
• Band-Aids/small first aid kit
• Hairbrush/comb
• Other toiletries
• Necessary prescriptions, medicine and vitamins
• Extra glasses/contacts/contact solution
• Laundry basket/bag and detergent
• Sunscreen and insect repellant

Nice to Have:

• Shower caddy, basket or bucket for toiletries
• Small sewing kit to fix buttons
• Paper towels, dish towels, sponges, dish clothes
• A pot, baking pan or cookie sheet
• Hot pot (no hot plates or open coils)
• Baking sheet, bowl, frying pan

A Little Extra Something

(non-essential things to make life easier; items with an asterisk (*) are highly recommended)

• Musical Instrument, sheet music
• Extra wastebasket
• Snack Food*
• Posters and Plastic-Tac or removable poster squares (recommended for hanging posters)*
• Memo board/dry-erase board for room door*
• Plants
• Stuffed Animals
• Stereo with headphones*
• Portable music player (CD, MP3)
• CD/Cassette holder or booklet*
• Television, VCR and videos
• Throw rug (all halls are carpeted)
• Cordless phone/cell phone
• Answering machine (or voice mail services can be purchased through Telecommunications)*
• Desk lamp
• Floor lamps if you don't like fluorescent lighting (but no halogen lamps!)*
• Under-bed storage boxes or storage crates (milk crates are popular)*
• Frisbee
• Hacky sac/games/cards
• Sports equipment
• Bicycle with lock (U-lock variety is highly recommended, can be purchased at sporting goods store or through Carleton Security)
• Craft and hobby supplies
• Bean bag or inflatable chair
• Flashlight
• Fan for hot days and circulation*
• Extension cord (three wire ground-heavy duty)*
• Iron with small ironing board
• Hair care products that may not be available locally
• Umbrella*
• Camera & film*
• Stationary, envelopes and stamps
• Small tool kit*
• Cash for snacks, newspapers, etc.
• Plastic airtight containers for food*
• Small refrigerator (3.6 cubic feet or smaller, these can also be rented)
• Small lockable box for valuables
• Humidifier

If this looks like too much to bring, fear not! You can always mail things to yourself at Carleton. Many items on this list also can be purchased from the Carleton Bookstore or from local merchants. Don't forget to contact your roommate so you don't double up on shareable items like stereos, TVs, answering machines, etc. And remember, when in doubt, don't pack it.