What Should I Pack?

Young woman with moving boxes

Everyone wonders the same thing: What should I bring? What could I bring? What not to bring? Space in residence is limited, so bring only what is necessary. If there’s anything you need after you arrive, the UBC Bookstore is a convenient place to pick up some essentials.

Be mindful about what you bring to residence and accumulate while you’re living at UBC. Remember, you’ll need to donate, sell, recycle, or throw away all the stuff you no longer want and take the rest of your belongings with you when you move out.

With over 13,000 students living in residence, move out can contribute to a lot of waste. But by reducing what you bring in the first place, you’ll help reduce the waste you produce overall and when you move out. Let’s all work together to help achieve the recycling and waste goals in UBC’s Climate Action Plan.

What Should I Bring?

COVID-19 Essentials

  • Non-medical face mask(s): reusable or disposable
  • Hand sanitizer

We strongly recommend you bring these items with you. If needed, face masks and hand sanitizer are available for purchase at UBC Bookstore and a few other retail locations on campus.

Essentials

  • Bed & bath linens
  • Your favourite pillow
  • Alarm clock
  • Headphones
  • Toiletries and tote bag
  • Clothes hangers
  • Laundry bag and detergent
  • Sewing kit
  • Emergency kit

Electronics

  • Computer and security lock
  • Ethernet cable
  • Extension cord
  • Power bar and surge protector
  • Headphones
  • Alarm clock

For lounge snacking

  • Food containers
  • Cutlery
  • Microwave-safe dishes
  • Dishcloth & soap
  • Your favourite mug
  • Permitted appliances (see below)

For suites with kitchens

  • Pots & pans
  • Cutlery, cooking utensils
  • Dishes & tupperware
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Permitted appliances (see below)

To wear

  • Raingear, umbrella, boots
  • Fall/winter accessories
  • Some dressy clothes
  • Slippers
  • Robe & flip-flops

Just in case

  • Identification documents
  • Health care card
  • Insurance papers
  • Prescriptions/medications

What Could I Bring?

Consider these items optional.

Transportation

  • Inexpensive bike: If you bring a bike, bring one that’s inexpensive—and bring a good U-lock. Bike theft happens. Or leave your bike at home and sign up for HOPR, UBC’s bike share program!

Just because

  • Games
  • Snowboard/skis
  • Small fan (for too-warm days or generating white noise for study and sleep)
  • Mini-fridge
  • Wall posters & framed pictures
  • Printer (UBC has affordable printing/copying services)

Permitted cooking appliances

  • Sandwich maker
  • Toaster
  • Electric kettle
  • Coffee maker
  • Mini-fridge (up to 5 cubic feet)
  • Rice cooker
  • Toaster oven

What Not To Bring

Don’t bring these items to residence.

  • Problematic wireless routers, which can cause ResNet outages
  • Unauthorized furniture
  • Air fryers (Orchard, Totem and Vanier)
  • BBQs
  • Propane
  • Expensive bicycles
  • Expensive jewelry

Prohibited Items

  • Explosives
  • Firecrackers
  • Hoverboards
  • Real, replica or fake guns/weapons (refer to weapons clause in Residence Contract for further detail)
  • Illegal drugs
  • Large appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators (small bar fridges and mini freezers permitted)
  • Pets
  • Hot plates and butane burners
  • Subwoofer audio equipment
  • Mercury thermometers