Leaving home and moving into a dorm for the first time can feel both exciting and intimidating for new IU students. I remember how nervous I felt as an incoming freshman trying to organize everything I needed before move-in day.
Between dorm supplies, move-in preparation and adjusting to campus life, having the right essentials and planning ahead can help students feel more prepared for their first semester in Bloomington.
Bedding essentials
After long days of classes and campus activities, having a comfortable bed setup can make the transition to college life feel less stressful. A mattress topper, pillows, comforters and extra sheets can make residence hall beds feel more comfortable.
Bringing my personal blankets and pillows from home also helped my dorm room feel more personal and made adjusting to college easier during my freshman year.
Storage and organization
I quickly realized how small dorm rooms can feel, especially when sharing space with a roommate. Without enough organization, rooms can become cluttered quickly.
Under-bed bins, storage drawers, laundry hampers, desk organizers and closet hangers helped keep clothes, school supplies, snacks and personal belongings organized.
School supplies and technology essentials
College classes can feel overwhelming during the first few weeks of the semester without the right school supplies and technology. Laptops, chargers, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils and planners can help students stay organized as classes begin.
Items such as extension cords and power strips are also useful in dorm rooms with limited outlets, especially when you need to charge laptops, phones and other electronics all at once. Time-management tools such as an alarm clock also helped me stay on schedule and wake up on time for early morning classes.
Bathroom and cleaning products
Sharing communal bathrooms and living spaces can be one of the biggest adjustments for freshmen living in residence halls. Shower shoes, shower caddies, towels, toiletries and hand soap are everyday essentials for dorm living, especially when using communal bathrooms.
I found that keeping everything in a shower bag made trips to and from the bathroom much more convenient. Cleaning products such as disinfecting wipes, paper towels, laundry detergent and air freshener also helped keep my dorm room clean and comfortable.
Personal items and decorations
One of the most difficult parts of leaving home for college can be adjusting to a new environment without the familiar decorations and comforts of home. Bringing personal items such as your favorite posters, throw pillows, blankets and photos can help dorm rooms feel more welcoming during the first few weeks on campus.
One item I especially enjoyed having was a whiteboard on my door, which allowed people on my floor to leave positive messages, answer fun questions and get to know one another better throughout the semester.
Move-in dates and check-in information
Incoming freshmen will move into campus housing Aug. 18–19 and will receive additional information through their IU email accounts about scheduling move-in appointments. Students must first check in at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, located at 1001 E. 17th St., before heading to their assigned residence halls. Preparing ahead of time for check-in can help move-in day feel less stressful for students and families.
Move-in day tips
Before arriving on campus, students and parents can view room dimensions and layouts for assigned residence halls through the IU Housing website to better prepare for move-in day. Reusable moving bags or blue IKEA-style bags can make the move-in process faster because they are easier to carry through residence halls than large cardboard boxes and help keep belongings organized while unloading.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 Orienter.
