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 while living in residence. Let’s all work together to help achieve the recycling and waste goals in UBC’s Climate Action Plan.

What Should I Bring?

Essentials

  • Identification documents
  • Health care card
  • Insurance papers
  • Prescriptions/medications
  • Bed & bath linens
  • Your favourite pillow
  • Alarm clock
  • Headphones
  • Toiletries and tote bag
  • Clothes hangers
  • Laundry bag and detergent
  • Sewing kit
  • Emergency kit
  • Toilet paper (for students living in residences with private or semi-private washrooms)
  • Water bottle (and fill up right from the tap)

Electronics

  • Laptop and security lock
  • Ethernet cable
  • Extension cord
  • Power bar and surge protector

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
  • Permitted appliances (see below)

To wear

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

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
  • Hiking gear
  • Beach gear
  • Wall posters & framed pictures

Cooling

  • Small fan: for use during warmer weather (or for generating white noise for study and sleep).
  • Portable air conditioner: typically only needed for periods of warmer weather during the summer months (May–August).

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 (for residents living in 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