To Bring or Not to Bring? Terps Weigh In Before Move-In.

Your family's dining room might look like a Target and Amazon dump site. Your social feed is inundated with images of expensive (and soullessly) decorated dorm rooms. You know too much about IKEA's selection of floor lamps.

But what do you really need when packing to move into a residence hall?

New University of Maryland students arriving on campus this week should start with the Department of Resident Life’s list of recommended and forbidden items—make sure to coordinate with your roommate(s) so you’re not duplicating!—then get the scoop from current students and young alums. 

Maryland Today crowdsourced suggestions on Instagram, getting lots of advice about what should make the cut as you’re reaching for that just-in-case item to stuff into the back of your parents’ SUV—and just as importantly, what should stay in your childhood bedroom: 

To stay fresh-faced and bushy-tailed

YES to:

• Shower shoes
• Shower hook
• Basket for all your shower supplies
• Deodorant 
• First aid kit with basic medicine, vitamins

Laundry hamper with wheels: “It’ll make carrying your laundry so much easier!”

Maria Teresa Bazdekis ’26

@m.bazdekis

But NO:

• Brita pitcher: “Dorm floors have filtered water bottle fillers.”—Hayden S. ’27 @hayden.s05

For a comfy room

YES to:

• Rug: It “helps to make the room feel more like home and breaks up the tile.”—Erin Ashleigh ’27 (@_esteve2023_)
• Mattress topper
• Fan
• Bed riser

Bluetooth sleep headband: It “runs all night, lets you sleep to white noise and music.”

Ari Packer ’27

@ajpacker3000

But NO:

• U-Haul of stuff
• Too many pillows
• Pets (keep an eye out for UMPD's dogs Teddy and Sammy if you need some furry love!) 

For late-night (or all-day) cravings

YES to:

• Mini-fridge
• Snacks 

But NO:

• Electric cooktop
• Microwave 
• Air fryer 

For trekking across campus

YES to:

• Umbrella, rain jacket, rain boots 
• Sunglasses 
• Good walking shoes
• Mini fan for walking around campus in the heat

But NO:

• E-scooters (they’re prohibited inside the residence halls)

For funsies

YES to:

• Picture of something (or someone) from home
• “Sacrificial” items for Testudo
• Sunset lamp

Polaroid to take instant photos: “To take a picture every time a new friend comes into your dorm 🥹”

Raquel Ford ’26, M.S. ’27

@raquellford

But NO:

• Candles (they're a fire hazard; try a lamp with a warm bulb instead)

The intangible

YES to:

• An open mind
• Terp pride!