Move-in day is just around the corner and if you're as excited as I am to go back (or go for the first time) to good ol' Raiderland, then check out this list of what you can and cannot bring before you get all packed up and hit the road!
1. Candles
These are a big "no" in the residence halls because of fire hazards. As college students, we can sometimes be forgetful, and it would be pretty bad if we forgot a lit candle in our room and caused a fire.
Bring instead: Air fresheners that can be plugged into walls or hung in closets. These are a great alternative to candles and work just as effectively and smell quite nice too!
2. Microwaves over 1500 watts
You are allowed to have a microwave in the room; however, you are not allowed to have high energy use microwaves that are over 1500 watts.
Bring instead: A smaller microwave, or just make sure that your microwave is less than 1500 watts. Make sure to read the fine print on the packaging.
3. Toasters and toaster ovens
These can cause many problems in the residence halls -- power outages, heat problems, fire and burn risks, etc. Plus, there’s no need for additional things in an already small room.
Bring instead: There are many alternatives. Dining halls often have multiple microwaves and toaster ovens that are available for students to use.
4. Large coffee pots
College and coffee are pretty much synonyms of one another. You can’t have one without the other. We all constantly need a cup of coffee on our way to class or work, so it is more convenient and cost-efficient to have and make our own coffee than buy a cup every day. The coffee pot is allowed, but it has to have a capacity smaller than 6 cups.
Bring instead: A small coffee pot. Having a small coffee pot means having less coffee at one time, but it also means that you’ll have fresh coffee often and not day-old coffee from yesterday’s pot.
5. Refrigerators over 3.7 cubic feet
Again, you are allowed a fridge in your room, but of course, it cannot be an overly large fridge. Your room is small enough without having a big kitchen appliance take up half the space.
Bring instead: A small minifridge. It works just as well, and yes, you will have less space, but in the end, you’ll realize you don’t even need that much space.
6. Pets or animals
Pets and animals are not allowed in the residence halls. Only guide dogs or related domestic service animals are permitted, and the housing staff must be notified.
Bring instead: The only exception to this rule is fish. You can bring a fish in a small fishbowl.
7. Knives
Knives longer than two or more inches are not permitted in the residence halls.
Bring instead: Bring a small butter knife or don’t bring one. You really don’t need a knife in the residence hall.
8. Hot plates
This is just a fire waiting to happen. Leave it at home.
Bring instead: A microwave (that’s less than 1500 watts).
9. Alcoholic Beverages (and/or empty bottles of alcoholic drinks)
Unless you’re 21, then you should definitely not have any alcoholic drinks or bottles in your room.
Bring instead: Just don’t bring alcohol.
10. Drug Paraphernalia
Not only is this illegal, but also avoid bringing this at all costs because you will be at risk of getting in trouble.
Bring instead: Don’t bring anything drug related.
