As the semester ends and summer begins, current first-years are packing away more than just textbooks and suitcases — they are carrying with them a year’s worth of memories.
Over the past year, students have discovered what really makes a residence feel like home and mastered the dos and don’ts of packing. Some took the time to reminisce about the extensive research they conducted as then-high schoolers worried about starting university.
“I did a lot of research before I moved,” said Michael Song, a first-year computer science and biology combined major. “It was mostly websites — just looking up what to bring to Northeastern, what to bring to college, 10 items that every student forgets to bring, stuff like that. I looked on a lot of forums, like Reddit, just to find individual cases, and I talked to my sister too because she had been in college before.”
Students recommend basic necessities like bed sheets and shampoo, as well as convenient extras like shower caddies, mattress toppers, fans and lamps. They also recommended appliances like a microwave and a mini fridge.
“My mom was the one who was like, ‘You should definitely get a mattress topper,’” said Madison Kim, a first-year architecture major. “My roommate actually has this huge sunset lamp, which I think you’re not supposed to have, but [I] recommend because that’s the light that we use the most. The fan was super useful in the beginning of the year because there’s no air conditioning in the building.”
Still, the biggest challenge for students was turning their dorm into a welcoming, livable space that they actually want to return to after a long day of classes.
Photos of their loved ones seemed to be essential for students, serving as a comforting reminder that whether they were 15 minutes or 15 hours away, they always had people to rely on.
“I brought a picture of my family, a picture of some friends to remind me of who loves me and who cares for me,” said Jorden Gyurmey, a first-year mechanical engineering major.
These photos only grow in number as students collect them from their university life as well.
“I think one thing that really made my room feel like my room was just photos from my high school life,” Song said. “For example, Polaroids with friends or just a picture of my family. I think that continued to evolve over time because I would get Polaroids and other photos in my college life as well, and as those continued to be in my room, it felt more personal.”
Students also suggested bringing lots of memorabilia, such as favorite posters, figurines, CDs and other keepsakes, to make their rooms feel just like their ones back home.
“I brought a Celtics poster because I was a pretty big Celtics fan,” said Tobey Yuen, a first-year economics and business administration combined major. “I brought some action figures, one Smiski, some of my K-pop CDs that I like to collect — like aespa, NewJeans.”
“I have two posters,” said Owen Ching, a first-year mechanical engineering major. “One of ‘Igor’ by Tyler, The Creator — the album cover — and then another one is the movie poster for ‘Princess Mononoke.’ It’s one of my favorite movies. I brought my Amazon Alexa from home too, and that really has been a life changer. I use it almost every day.”
Other recommended items included fairy lights, pillows and blankets, which create a warm, cozy environment.
“My roommate and I decorated a lot,” Kim said. “We both have like a million throw pillows, so I think that helped a lot. I have a lot of books and stuff that I keep on my shelf and Funko Pops. Besides that, nice, cute sheets.”
“I like a lot of blankets, so I brought two of mine, and I have a pillow that I usually use back at home,” said Emily Lim, a first-year business administration and law major. “One of my roommates has fairy lights, so we put [those] up. It feels a little bit more homey.”
Students advised next year’s first-years not to bring items difficult to transport that would only make it harder when they inevitably had to move out.
“I know you stay there for a whole year, but it’s kind of a temporary space,” Yuen said. “You don’t want to buy anything that you can’t really bring back or anything that’s too long-term.”
As Northeastern residence halls are already furnished, students are also advised not to bring extra dorm furnishings, though hangers and storage bins are encouraged.
“I brought an extra shelf, but I don’t really use it that often,” Gyurmey said. “The school provides you with enough drawers, so I guess you don’t need any extra storage places.”
While it can seem overwhelming, current first-years are confident that incoming students have nothing to worry about.
“Start with the bare minimum that you know that you will definitely need and use,” Ching said. “After that, if you’re missing something, you can go out and buy it.”
