---
title: To Bring or Not to Bring? Terps Weigh In Before Move-In.
date: 2026-08-24T09:33:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/to-bring-or-not-to-bring-terp-weigh-in-before-move-in"
section: Articles
---
# To Bring or Not to Bring? Terps Weigh In Before Move-In.

*August 24, 2026* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Say yes to an instant camera, ditch the water pitcher, and more

*Movein vmorgan 1920x1080 — (Illustrations by Valerie Morgan)*

<span>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.</span>

<span>But what do you really need when packing to move into a residence hall?</span>

<span>New University of Maryland students arriving on campus this week should start with the </span>[<span>Department of Resident Life’s list</span>](https://reslife.umd.edu/moving-breaks/before-move)<span> 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. </span>

<span>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: </span>


### 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


*Illustration of laundry hamper with wheels*



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

— Maria Teresa Bazdekis ’26, *@m.bazdekis*


## But NO:


*Illustration of water pitcher with filter*



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



### For a comfy room


## YES to:


- Rug: I<span id="docs-internal-guid-e99d75b7-7fff-880d-d55d-c3df79b58f09">t “helps to make the room feel more like home and breaks up the tile.”—Erin Ashleigh ’27 (@\_esteve2023\_)</span>
- Mattress topper
- Fan
- Bed riser


*Illustration of a Bluetooth sleep headband*



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

— Ari Packer ’27, *@ajpacker3000*


## But NO:


*Illustration of a black cat*



- 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


*Illustration of popcorn, peanut butter and apple*



## But NO:


- <span>Electric cooktop</span>
- <span>Microwave </span>
- <span>Air fryer </span>



### For trekking across campus


## YES to:


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


*Illustration of small hand-held electric fan*



## But NO:


- <span id="docs-internal-guid-23bfbb77-7fff-82fd-de92-8124d99f7f61">E-scooters (they’re prohibited inside the residence halls)</span>



### For funsies


## YES to:


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


*Illustration of instant camera with photo coming out*



> 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:


*Illustration of candles*



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



### The intangible


## YES to:


- <span>An open mind</span>
- <span>Terp pride!</span>





**Topics:** [Campus &amp; Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [Department of Resident Life](https://today.umd.edu/topic/department-resident-life)