Ask A Trojan: Freshman Move-In (Tips, Tricks & Packing Lists)
Hello there!
First of all, great question! Although I am not an international student, I will try my best to answer your question!
Freshman move-in day. I still remember the emotional mixture of excitement and nervousness as I started a new stage in my life.
I’m going to start with a few tips - the first being to buy things here in LA. This goes for both international and domestic students, especially ones who are flying here. There is only so much that you can fit in your suitcases and cars, and there is also a limited amount of space in your dorms. Therefore, buying some things like appliances, bedding, and basic supplies here can lighten your load and make you more efficient (I remember after I moved my stuff in, I went to Target with my mom to get more supplies and the store was filled with other USC students doing the same thing). Another tip is to use boxes (which is more for those driving up, but also relevant if you’re shipping things) because it will be easier to fit on carts or dollies as you move in.
Also, if you have a roommate, it is worth talking to them beforehand to coordinate bringing shared things like TVs or microwaves.
I didn’t order USC linens because I brought my own from home. However, I think that’s a good way to go since you are an international student and now linens will be one less thing to worry about getting when you arrive.
When it comes to buying things for your dorm, it ultimately depends on which building and room type you were assigned to (I was assigned to an apartment, so it may slightly differ from a suite or traditional dorm room). USC Housing should have sent you some papers and fliers about the basic things to bring like bedding, so I will be talking about other things NOT on the list that are worth bringing!
-Clothes - even though LA is almost always sunny, it’s worth having some clothing for the colder days. I would also recommend having some more professional pieces of clothing since USC has so many formal events and networking/career opportunities. (Tip: don’t overpack! Be efficient. The closets are half the size of the ones I have at home, so you’ll definitely need to decide what to bring and what to leave behind) – also don’t forget to bring/buy hangers!
-Laundry hamper and laundry detergent (optional: clothing steamer - an alternative to an iron, but still gets wrinkles out of your clothes)
-Toiletries - definitely recommend buying here in LA since you can easily find them at CVS or Target. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/body wash/conditioner, soap, face wash, lotions, etc. (aka the basics)
-Fan - my room did not have AC, but many of the freshman dorms do. I would check with your specific building to know what features it has.
-Cleaning supplies and kitchen supplies - Cleaning supplies are pretty universal, regardless of where you are living. It’s good to have some paper towels, cleaning wipes and sprays around. You don’t have to worry about vacuums, because your CSC’s should have some that you can check out. If your dorm (or apartment) has a kitchen, bring some pots, pans, utensils, plates, etc. (it’s probably a good idea to have some of those basic utensils or bowls/cups for a dorm as well)
-Lighting/lamps - once again, this depends on your dorm. However, from my observations, many of the USC housing units don’t have the brightest or most abundant lights, so in addition to a bright desk lamp (which is a must-have), it’s worth investing in another light or floor lamp
-Umbrella or rain jacket - okay, this is one is completely optional and some people might disagree with me, but it’s really nice to have on the rare days that it actually rains in LA (people get quite creative on rainy days… someday you’ll see what I mean)
-Storage cubes, boxes, racks, etc. - as I mentioned before, space is quite limited in most of the dorms, so using storage cubes, boxes, and shoe racks will help you make the most of it. It also helps you stay more organized. Many of these things can fit under your bed.
-Speakers (and earphones) - to play your tunes out loud and privately to yourself
-Whiteboard or calendar - this will be helpful to stay organized! It’s also worth investing in a planner!
-Brita water filter - I didn’t think it was necessary at first but I ended up using it a lot! It was easy to use and kept me hydrated.
-Shower caddy & robe - this is especially important for those living in the traditional dorms and have to share with the people on their floor.
-Key chain or lanyard - helpful to keep your keys and ID in one place
-Power strips and surge protector - I think some housing options come with them, but mine didn’t. This is super helpful when you have a million different things to plug into the wall
-Your Netflix account
-Decorations! Coordinate with your roommate :)
-Musical instruments - because who doesn’t love late-night jam sessions with your friends?
Things to leave behind:
-Mini-fridge and microwave (check with your dorm first) - many USC dorms seem to have these, so check your building first to see if you need it or not
-Printers - the CSC’s have them (for free!), and there are also many printer stations on campus, so I don’t think it’s necessary for you to bring a printer (you can always buy one later on if you want to)
I hope this helps!
- Anna Lipscomb ‘19
