Are you moving to college but aren’t sure what to pack? All you need to know is right here!

Do I pack everything except the kitchen sink, or will I need that too?

Moving away from home and going to university can be overwhelming. There are textbooks, notepads, pens and pencils and highlighters,

calculators, a computer, clothing, bedding and… and… argh!

You leave tomorrow and you already feel like you’ve packed the whole house. The car is full and the excitement is building. But there is one

question running around in your head… ‘What if I forget something?’

Don’t worry, we’ll do our best to make sure you don’t leave anything behind!

Here are some tips to help you decide what to pack when moving to a USQ Residential College.

Desk/BookshelfYou’re going to be spending lots of time at your desk writing assignments and studying. Here’s a list of items to bring to make sure your study time is super productive!

What is supplied?• Desk• Bookshelf• Chair• Desk light• Rubbish tidy (bin)• Pin board• Telephone handset• PC network cable

What to bring• Computer/laptop• Printer• Power board – but no

double adapters!• Push pins/thumb tacks• Books/notepads• Stationary (pens, pencils, rulers,

glue, hole punch, stapler, etc.) • Desk organiser/pen cups

• USB sticks (multiple). Always save your assignments in several different places

• Folders/organisers• Plastic sleeves• Decorations to make your study

space your own (check out our Pinterest board for inspiration )

BedBesides being the place where you get your eight hours of sleep each night, your bed also serves as a powerful procrastination tool (power naps are great!) and a couch when your friends come to visit. So what do you bring for your bouch (half bed, half couch)?

What is supplied?• King single bed• Mattress• Mattress cover• Pillow• Two blankets

What to bring• King single sheets in any colour or pattern you like• Pillow cases also in any colour or pattern you like• Your favourite doona• Extra pillow/s and cushions• A lap blanket for those times when you don’t want

to get into bed but still want to be cosy

BathroomBathroom options at college vary, but the types of things you need to bring will be similar. Your bathroom at home always has a towel hanging on the rack, the soap is already there and your mum buys your favourite shampoo. Make sure you have everything you need to freshen up…

What is supplied? • Well, there’s water (hot and cold)• And showers• And basins• And toilets too!• Toilet paper is provided and is

continually replenished for you

What to bring• Towels (at least 2)• Face washer• Bath mat• Toiletries (shampoo,

conditioner, soap, face wash, hair brush, etc.)

Nearly there…

LaundryLaundry? Yes, laundry. This may shock some of you, but you will have to do your own washing. The days of someone else doing your laundry have come to an end, at least while at college.

What is supplied?• Coin-operated washing machine• Coin-operated clothes dryer• Clothes line• Iron• Ironing board

What to bring• Small laundry basket, bag or tub• Delicates bag• Washing detergent/stain remover• Fabric softener• Clothes pegs• $1 coins. Lots and lots of $1 coins.

‘Washing dollars’ have a whole new value when you live on college

Here are some

great tips to help you take the guess work out of doing your

laundry

CupboardOne of the most essential areas of your college room is your cupboard. It can hide a lot of mess when you only get 30 seconds notice that your friends are coming over. And, obviously, without your cupboard you would probably have clothes all over your floor (well, more than usual anyway).

What is supplied? • A cupboard with

hanging space, drawers and shelves (cupboards will vary slightly across colleges)

What to bring• Coat-hangers• Shoes• Socks and jocks• Clothing in college colours (red for

McGregor, green for Concannon and blue for Steele Rudd)

• Summer clothes. It’s Queensland so it will get hot. Make sure you bring t-shirts, singlets, shorts, thongs and togs and don’t forget the sunscreen to slip, slop, slap!

• Winter clothes. Toowoomba also gets very cold and windy. Make sure you pack jackets, jumpers, jeans, scarves, beanies and a pair of bed socks never go astray.

• Formal attire• Semi-formal attire• Costume items are also a must. We love

to dress up on college and you will find yourself needing a costume on many occasions

Additional itemsThere might be a couple of things you want to bring that we haven’t mentioned yet and that’s OK! Here are some of the other most common things residents choose to bring with them to college.

What you might like to bring • An overnight bag – for those times

when you get to spend the night away from college

• A backpack to carry your books to classes

• Sports equipment – there will always be someone to kick a ball around with

• Pictures from home• Musical instruments – ‘jamming’ is

a great way to de-stress• Chargers for all of your digital

devices! • Small bar fridge• Small fan• Small TV

• Posters• Pot plants• Ugg boots to keep your feet warm

in winter, and maybe even wear them to classes too!

• Anything to decorate your room• (important: no candles or incense)

Check out our Pinterest

board for inspiration on how to decorate your

room.

Additional ItemsThere are also a couple of additional

items that we will supply for you.

What is supplied?• Heater• Small mirror• Vacuum cleaners can also

be borrowed to help you keep your room tidy

Self-catered (If you have chosen this option)

You’ve probably heard the saying ‘you’ve packed everything except the kitchen sink’, but don’t worry, you won’t need to pack the sink, a microwave or even a kettle. Here’s our list of what you should bring to make sure your kitchen rules!

What is supplied?• Fridge and freezer• Oven and stove top• Lockable cupboard and drawer• Kettle • Toaster• Microwave• Chopping board

What to Bring• Cutlery (knives, forks and spoons)• Crockery (plates, bowls, mugs, glasses)• Kitchen utensils (spatula, whisk, tongs)• Pots, pans and mixing bowls• Tupperware containers – it is quite

difficult to cook for just one person – freezer bags and containers are great for storing leftovers.

• Tea towels, dish cloths and oven mitts• Dishwashing liquid• Cleaning items

(surface spray and cloth)• Permanent marker and sticky labels

to name all of your food items and leftovers

• Cling wrap and aluminium foil

What not to packWe’re not trying to be the fun police but, for your own safety and the safety of others around you, there are a few things you must not bring to college.

What can’t I pack?• Pets – they might be a bit challenging to pack anyway

but they aren’t allowed on college (with the exception of service animals)

• Illicit and illegal drugs – Don’t bring them. If you are found to have them, you will face disciplinary action

• If you are under 18 years of age, don’t pack alcohol. If you are underage and are found with alcohol in your possession, you will face disciplinary action

Everyone has their own prized possession that they just can’t leave behind. Whether it’s photos of your family and friends or your

favourite teddy, don’t be ashamed to bring it with you to college!

If you forget anything, you can always pick it up on one of your trips home or get your family or friends to bring it up for you

when they come to visit.

Remember, Toowoomba is a large inland city and there are plenty of places to stock up on the items you don’t already have.

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 26.4 06.2015 PHOTOS – SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

social.usq.edu.au

Packing for college gets easier every time you do it and by the time you reach your final year, you’ll hardly forget a thing.

Now that you’ve read all these tips, why don’t you start packing?We can’t wait to meet you!