Living in a dorm is a unique experience. The space is small, and students are extremely limited on what you can fit. When packing, it's important for students to be selective on what they bring to maximize the space provided. Here, we will go over what is truly necessary as freshmen prepare to pack for the coming school year.
Each dorm has its own challenges. Dorms like 160 Ross, 191 and The Union pose the least amount, considering you get your own room and bathroom. However, students in dorms like The Quad and The Hill share rooms and bathrooms, making dorm life considerably more complicated. These challenges can help determine what the necessities are.
The Quad doesn’t have a kitchen for each of the dorm rooms, so Mack Collier, freshman in wildlife ecology and management, found unique ways to get around it.
“I think that having food storage in your room is important to have stuff that you can just, if the dining hall is closed, have stuff that you can eat there,” Collier said.
In addition to food, some items are essentials for all dorms, including bedding, towels and a first aid kit. However, the most important item can make or break freshman year: a mattress topper.
“Something I definitely couldn’t live without would be a mattress topper,” said Max Manchester, freshman in psychology. “I feel like that is especially the one thing that has helped me this year.”
Sleeping is something students get little of in college, and a mattress topper is imperative to to making that sleep good. The beds provided are hard and can easily ruin a night without additions.
College is also a breeding ground for sickness, considering the constant exposure to other students, compact living spaces and stress. Bring the essentials like pain medicine, allergy medicine, Tums and, most importantly, cough medicine. If you are under 18, you won’t be able to buy it themselves, and it will come in handy when sickness inevitably occurs. A dehumidifier can also be helpful in avoiding sickness your first year, especially in some of the older buildings.
An outlet surge protector is also vital because most dorms have limited outlet space. Other helpful items include a rolling hamper for long trips to the laundry room, a Brita water filter and a fan to combat the unreliable air conditioners.
Dorm life is an experience that you will hold with you for a lifetime, and Auburn’s dorms are one of a kind.
“I think one of the better things about Auburn’s dormitories in comparison to other universities is just how close to campus and how connected every community is in the dorms,” said Emilia Accardi, resident assistant and senior in political science.
Though individual needs may vary, the universal needs of all dorms remain the same. Following these tips and tricks can help freshman focus less on what they for their dorms once classes start and more on the friendships and experiences along the way.
This article is featured in The Auburn Plainsman's Summer 2026 print edition.
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Emily Edgy, sophomore in social science and history education, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2026. Edgy currently serves as a Lifestyle Writer.
