Here is a range of possible items that many students have found necessary and useful. Please review so you don’t forget your essential items. Also, items mark with an asterisks are only applicable for students living in the residence halls, unless otherwise indicated.
*Bedding: Twin XL Bed Set (mattress pad, fitted sheet, sheets, comforter), pillow, pillow cases, and blankets. Residence Hall Linens and College Bedding Program is a good option to pick up on site.
Room Supplies: Alarm clock (or use cell phone), lamp, hangers, pop up laundry basket, flashlight, batteries, trash bags, posters/decorations, push pins or fun tack, tool kit (screwdriver), earplugs, storage boxes, small fan.
Food Supplies: Plate, bowl, silverware set, cup, mug, water bottle, can opener, chip clips, ziploc bags, paper towels.
Food: Granola bars, cereal, other quick snacks (easily picked up locally).
Technology: Cell phone + charger, earbuds/headphones, laptop (See UC Davis Recommended configurations) + charger + waterproof case, external keyboard and mouse, tablet + charger + case, flash drive, extension cord, surge protector, printer, printer paper, printer ink, ethernet and coaxial cable (depending on which dorm)
Clothes: Shirts (short and long sleeved), pants, shorts, Underwear, socks, tennis shoes, rain shoes/ hiking shoes/ boots, flip flops, sandals, slippers, jackets (light + warm), rainproof warm jacket, semi- formal wear, sports-wear, swim suit/goggles/beach towel, baseball cap, warm hat, gloves, pajamas, belts, Bathrobe
Accessories: Umbrellas, sunglasses, favourite sports equipment, large backpack (if possible, figure out waterproof covering), bag/purse, watch
Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner, soap, soap container (if you use bar soap), washcloths, razors, bath towels, toothbrush bag/container, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, hairbrush/comb, glasses/contacts/glass cleaner/contact solution, nail clippers, lotion, sunscreen, tissues, pads/tampons, shaving cream.
Laundry: Detergent pods, stain remover, clothes pins, and woolite (for hand washing)
School Supplies: Lined paper, binders/notebooks, folders, pencils(+lead), pens, highlighters, colored pencils/markers, dry erase markers, envelopes + stamps, ruler, post-its, scissors, mini-stapler + staples + staple remover, scotch tape, duct tape, 3-hole punch, glue (liquid + glue sticks), rubber bands, paper clips, white out, erasers, planner, pencil case, calculator, sharpies.
Pharmacy: Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, pain reliever, thermometer, Pepto bismol, anti-diarrhea medication, prescription medications (consult your family physician), acne cream, cough drops, cold medicine, Benedryl, box for pharmacy stuff.
Personal: Wallet, cash, credit cards, debit cards, driver’s license/ID/passport, check book, prescriptions (for medicine/glasses/contacts), insurance cards, any necessary passwords, gift cards, sense of humor.
Essential Aggie Transportation: Bicycle, helmet, U-lock, bicycle repair kit, bike pump.
Misc: Playing cards, games, map of UC Davis
Recommendations, Use luggage as under bed storage bins, Space under dorm beds is high, see through storage bins great for storage and containment. Reusable grocery bag, Get a free pen (from UC Davis events) and use for chemistry labs. It may get disgusting. Keep in plastic bag.
What Not To Bring
Please note, that some of the recommendations below are only applicable to incoming students moving into the residence halls and some are applicable to all students.
Appliances which are not UL-approved, torchiere halogen lamps, candles, space heaters, refrigerators and microwaves which are larger than the maximum allowable size (Note: the maximum allowable refrigerator size is 4.5 cubic feet and 35 inches tall; the maximum allowable microwave size is 800 watts), hot plates and burners, humidifiers (humidifiers have been known to cause mold; however, exceptions will be made if there is a medical need), weapons of any kind, including decorative swords and paintball guns, fireworks, firecrackers, flammable liquids, and other explosive or incendiary devices, Items which are illegal to possess, a car (Note: residence hall students may not purchase a parking permit), hoverboards – due to the recent fire danger and product recalls, large stereo equipment, amplifiers, cases of bottled water (Note: you won’t need to bring your own water as we provide each residence hall student with a new stainless steel bottle, and you can fill the bottle at residence hall bottle filling stations that provide free filtered water), toilet paper (Note: Student Housing provides toilet paper for residence hall bathrooms all year), computers running Windows XP (this applies for both freshman and transfer students).