Tufts Blogs

Packing for college can be seriously overwhelming. Especially for your first ever semester, knowing what you need for college before actually having been at college is a major challenge. I know I read through so many “College Packing Guides” online, but I couldn’t help but question whether or not there was some magical item not on the list that could make or break my dorm-living experience. Now, as a senior, I know that everyone is different, and everyone has a different “magical item” that makes dorm life easier for them. However, in the spirit of reflection and a little bit of helpful advice, here’s my #1 must-buy item and my #1 overpack mistake from my first year at Tufts. 

First Pick: The Mini Fridge 

If I could only bring one non-negotiable item to college, it would hands down be a mini fridge. Living in the dorms is a big shift from living at home—especially when it comes to food. All first-years on the Medford/Somerville Campus are enrolled in a full meal plan, which means you will have 400 meal swipes per semester. While this is super convenient (and I am a huge fan of Carm breakfast), it also means your food schedule and options are somewhat out of your hands. Having my own fridge gave me back a little bit of that control. Foods like fruit, leftovers, or just cold water were accessible to me in my room at all times. My first-year dorm had a communal fridge in the kitchen common room, but it felt so nice to have my own space, right next to my bed. Especially for a late-night snack after a long study session at Tisch, it made the adjustment to college feel a little more manageable. I now live in an off-campus house, but I still use a mini fridge. It has been a huge comfort to me throughout my four years of college.

Last Pick: Cotton T-Shirts 

Don’t get me wrong! I sleep in a cotton t-shirt every night. I truly do love them. But here’s what no one tells you: you will amass free t-shirts by simply existing as a college student. A lot of them. I got so many in my first year—one from Pre-O, one from Orientation, one from Tuftonia's Day, and more. It is now May of my senior year, and I have accumulated at least twenty Tufts tees, each from a different student group, event, or random giveaway. So yes, bring a few favorites, but trust me: save yourself the drawer space. Your Tufts t-shirt collection is about to build itself. 

In the end, you’ll never pack perfectly for college. There will always be things you didn’t think of, or didn’t end up needing. You learn so much about yourself from the experience of dorm-living, from how you like to organize your space to what little comforts make a place feel like home. So don’t stress too much before you get to campus! Everyone figures it out, and so will you.