First-Year Student Packing Guide 

Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your first year at Boston College. Students are encouraged to pack lightly for the fall semester, bringing essential items only. These are just suggestions, you should adapt this list to suit your own situation. To save packing and shipping, it might make sense to buy some of these items after you arrive. Additionally, consider packing for one season at a time and switch items during semester breaks. 

Take It  (popular items to pack)

Extra-long twin sheets

Bed linens, blankets, pillows

Enclosed mattress pad (Egg crates/plain foam are prohibited)

Towels

Shower sandals

Bucket/tote for toiletries

Laundry basket and detergent

Calendar, planner, school supplies

Cleaning supplies

Small vacuum

Small fan

Desk lamp (LED preferred)

Television

Single serve coffee maker (internal heat source)

Power strip with external on/off switch (recommended at least a 6ft cord)

Hangers

Blue painters tape

Under-bed storage

Holiday lights (LED/UL, Two strands per room)

Microwave (max 800 watts) and mini-fridge (max 3.3 cubic feet)- Microfridges are available for rent

Iron with automatic shut off and ironing board

Headphones

Reusable Masks

Leave It (prohibited items) 

Non-university mattresses & furniture

Candles, hookahs, incense, and other sources of open flames

Space heaters

Electric blankets

Air conditioning units

Extension cords/Multi-outlet adapters

Barbeque grills

Lamps with more than three arms

Hover boards

High voltage microwave (over 800 watts)

Full-size refrigerator (over 3.3 cubic feet)

Hot plateToaster/ toaster oven

Electric frying pan

Sandwich grill/wa-e iron

Coffee Makers with external heating sources

Real or toy weapons

Alcohol, drugs, and related paraphernalia

Tobacco products (We are a smoke free Campus)