I know there are lists provided from the school, and various stores about what to bring, but I wanted advice from actual college students. Is there anything you didn’t think to bring but should have? And weird things that you forgot? Any other advice? At this point, all I’m positive about bringing is bedding and my clothes…
condoms
This packing list is good: https://static.housing.ucsb.edu/contracts/f15/mi-packing-list.pdf
Just a few things to remember: If you’re staying in a hall with communal bathrooms than bring a nice shower caddy. Also, get a tall laundry basket (rather than one of those that are longer and shorter), and a mini-fridge is fairly essential.
Pack what you need, because rooms get cluttered fast with 3 people in it.
ACTUALLY don’t bring condoms bc the first month of school you randomly get like 100 free. I’m just going to list off some things as i think of them:
-extra storage (like 3 drawer plastic things from target), or one of those hanging ones for shoes you can put in your closet)
-shower caddy
-shower towel
-shower shoes
-MATTRESS TOPPER (my 3-inch one from costco is literally the most valuable possession and my saving grace)
-laundry bag (hampers are overrated and take up too much space, i hung mine on the back of my closet door and it was perfect, also had a compartment in there I kept my tide pods in, got it form target)
-sleeping bag for when friend come to visit, you can store under your bunk
-tacs for your pictures, etc, they have cool walls in the dorms that are easy to tac
-lamp
-plug-in water boiler (not allowed but shhh, saved my life)
-a mug or two (you can eat food out of them too)
-shot glasses
-a couple forks/spoons
-a sponge and little thing of dish soap, you’ll eventually need it
-stapler
-under bed storage, helps
-big fan, BIG FAN (try to get the tall skinny ones)
-air freshners
-command hooks
-posters
-power strip
-mini fridge FOR SURE
-cool lights like string lights because the overhead dorm light sucks and is ugly to have on
-a speaker, portable
-reusable water bottle
-a volleyball or frisbee, it’s nice to play outside sometimes
-beach towel
-tapestry (i had bottom bunk and put in on the bottom of the top bunk, facing down, if that makes sense)
-an umbrella (yes it’s sb but you will still need it)
-advil to save you from all of your hangovers
-things like cough medicine, cough drops, idk I got sick a lot
-speaking of, hand sanitizer
-swim suits
-workout clothes/shoes
-if you get the top bunk you should think about getting something to hang off that holds some basic belongings like glasses, your phone, etc
That’s as much as I can think of for now, let me know if you have any questions, I just finished my freshman year and will be going into my sophomore year in fall, good luck! You’re going to have the time of your life!
I’m considering just bringing a thin fleece blanket instead of a duvet so it’ll be less for me to carry. Is that sufficient for sb weather?
@flinggg those condoms suck I highly do not recommend
Haha I’m actually a lesbian, so no condoms necessary…
Also, I’m glad bringing just a laundry bag is ok, because all my friends were making fun of me because I didn’t buy a hamper 
And mine also has a nice convenient little pocket for laundry supplies!