The Ultimate Packing Guide for Your New Off-Campus Housing or Dorm Room!
Hey there, fresh-faced Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students! Whether you're moving into a cozy dorm room in one of our three residence buildings or starting on your off-campus housing search adventure, I’ve got your back with the ultimate packing guide to make your life simpler.
I’ll be entering my fourth year of the Media Production program, and I’ve collected some pretty good tips from living alone off-campus over the past two years. If you’re like me, and you want to be over prepared three months in advance for a stress-free move-in rather than resort to the frantic last-minute packing, then here's a rundown of the essentials you'll need to make your new space feel like home!
Bedroom
Let's start with the basics. Sleep is the most important thing when you’re headed into university, therefore you want to make your dorm room/apartment/condo feel just like home. Pack your favourite sheets, a comfy pillow and a cozy blanket to ensure a good night's sleep. Don't forget a mattress topper for those extra long study sessions!
For me, I switched to a small single bed to allow for extra space in my room! Not all spaces are big, so prepare for a condensed version of your room back home.
Kitchenware Essentials
If you're moving into off-campus housing, a mini-fridge, microwave and a few kitchen essentials will make your culinary endeavors a breeze. I personally lived out of a double shelf mini-fridge during my first year in off-campus housing and somehow became a self-proclaimed chef!
Make sure to invest in a set of microwave-safe dishes, utensils, a few pots and pans, and don't forget the coffee maker! If you’re living with roommates, you may choose to share your kitchen appliances if you don't have enough storage space for individual personal items. When I lived in a house with five girls, I kept my own kitchenware when it came to utensils, plates and storage containers because we had the space to do so, but everything else was shared. However, this is not always the best idea if you don’t have the cleanest roommates!
This is one of the many Asian dishes I learned to whip up!
Organization is the Key to Life
Trust me when I say that staying organized is a game changer! Bring along some storage bins, additional shelving units, shoe closets, hanging organizers and desk accessories to keep your space neat and tidy. A cork board or a whiteboard are perfect for keeping important reminders!
Technology
As a TMU student who studies Media Production, technology is ESSENTIAL and has become my best friend — it will most likely be yours too. You can't forget to bring your laptop, headphones, chargers and power strips to juice up your devices!
For those long campus days or adventures off campus, a light-weight portable phone charger will be a lifesaver — I made the mistake of not bringing one on my first week. I would also consider noise-canceling headphones or earplugs for when you chose to study in noisier study halls or cafés.
Studying in Style
Make your study area inviting and as conducive to productivity as possible. Bringing along a desk lamp for late-night cram sessions and a comfortable ergonomic chair to prevent backaches (this will save you in your old age).
Tip: many Toronto condos/apartments don’t have ceiling lighting because of the natural window lighting in bedrooms. Speaking from personal experience, I would highly consider bringing additional lighting sources, purchasing a pack of bulbs to install into the available wall fixtures or even adding some popular TikTok LED’s. I added strip LEDs in my living room and bedroom, and they really elevated the aesthetic of the plain white walls.
I spend hours a day in my bedroom, so I made sure to make it as homey as possible! This is my room on a clean day.
Homey Touches
To make your new home feel even more homey, bring along some posters, plants, fairy lights or tapestries to add some color and life to your place. Make sure you know the rules for securing things to the wall before you hang anything up!
Bathroom Essentials
Try not to walk around campus with bad personal hygiene. Pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, shower caddy, towels and all the toiletries you can't live without! Whenever I find these items on sale, I stock up as much as possible and store them under the sink in my bathroom — it doesn't hurt to have extra!
I found a lot of quality bathroom items at stores like Marshalls, HomeSense and Winners, and let me tell you… shopping for my new condo was an obsession, and I instantly became an interior designer. I also recommend purchasing a shower curtain and bath mat as they will add some personality to your bathroom space, and even some nice wall art if you feel like being fancy!
Cleaning Supplies
Nobody likes a messy room! Make sure to pack some basic cleaning supplies like disinfectant wipes, a broom, dustpan, a vacuum cleaner and some toilet and shower cleaners. Cleaning regularly will help you stay on track with maintaining a healthy living environment and productivity levels… it will also impress your roommates!
I had my own bathroom last year and I really enjoyed decorating it!
Socializing Supplies
Have some fun! University is about making friends and new memories! Pack some board games, a deck of cards and even a portable speaker for random hangouts in your space.
First Aid Essentials
It's wise to be prepared for if anything happens, whether big or small. Pack a small first aid kit with pain relievers, band-aids and anything you may deem necessary for if you catch a cold. Your future self will thank you!
These are all just starting points. You can most definitely customize your packing list depending on your personal preferences and needs. Also, don't forget to coordinate with your roommates (if you have any) to avoid purchasing duplicate items!
This is such an exciting time and a new chapter in your life. Embrace these moments and make the most of it. Hopefully, this packing guide will support you with everything you need to settle into your new space seamlessly. Happy packing and good luck on your TMU journey!