My Carleton College Packing List
Looking for advice on what to bring to Carleton? Look no further...
Looking for advice on what to bring to Carleton? Look no further...
I had no idea what to pack in the summer before my first year at Carleton. I procrastinated on it for a while and eventually went to Target a week before my move-in date and picked up some typical dorm room stuff. I’m here to share with you what I’m glad I got and what I regret. Hopefully, this will help you figure out what to bring when you move in!
My List
The Office of Student Life has produced a wonderful list for you to use when deciding what to bring (and what not to). I used this for my shopping and found some of the items useful, and others not so much. Check out my list in the table below for more details. Please keep in mind that this is all my preference, and may or may not be right for you.

What I Forgot
Don’t be me… Remember these things.
- Pillow (how embarrassing of me)
- Winter Coat (Even if you’re familiar with the winter, you spend more time walking around when it is cold in college, and will need a winter coat by the end of fall term)
- Bathrobe (convenient, warm, and comfy)
- Passport (or other documents to show legal working status in the US)
Think you need it? No you (probably) don’t.
- Extensive Tool Kit
- Printer
- Vacuum, Broom, General Cleaning Supplies
- Trash bags, bins, brooms, vacuums, paper towels, and some general-purpose cleaners are available for student use in dorms. Please feel free to bring your own cleaners if you have a preference.
- Fancy Storage Units
- Drawers are nice, but tubs and boxes are more functional, especially if you will store items in student storage over the summer. Simplicity wins when it comes to storage. I just use some old cardboard boxes.

When and How to Shop
You probably already have many of these things, but you’ll likely have to do a little shopping. Here are some pointers if you want to shop cost-effectively, sustainably, or lighten your load when you move in.
Target
Because Carleton begins later than many other schools, I did my shopping after everyone else had already picked through the shelves. On the one hand, it meant that a lot was on sale, but many items were also no longer available. If it is a must-have, I’d say buy it early. Northfield has a Target, so you could shop here or place an order for pick-up if you are coming from further away.
Thrifting
A great way to shop when you get to campus is through our Lighten Up! program. If there are items like winter clothing or bedding you won’t need right away when you arrive, feel free to wait for a pop-up sale hosted by the CCCE, where you can get these sorts of things at a massive discount. Another similar option is to shop at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or a Northfield thrift shop. It is environmentally friendly and cheap, and all the proceeds are invested back into the community. If you’ll be in the Cities before moving in, consider swinging by one of the ReStores.

Refill Market
Another sustainable option is the Homebody Refill Market. If you want cost-effective laundry detergent and personal care goods without using single-use plastics, stop by during New Student Week and fill up using a free container from the community shelf. It is super close to campus, as are other local stores.
Shipping
Finally, you can ship packages to Carleton or order new items straight to campus to pick up during New Student Week. The mailing address is:

Student Full Name and class year
300 North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057
(Do not include mailbox number or residence hall name)
Final Advice
You don’t need to get everything right away. Get the basics and be ready for move-in, then buy other stuff as you turn your dorm room into a home. This is the best way to figure out what you do and don’t need.
Harrison (he/him/his) stays busy at Carleton! He is a captain of the club water polo team, plays both IM basketball and broomball, and participates in activities hosted by the German and physics departments. He loves the atmosphere of Carleton in that its students are focused on academics but they don’t let it get in the way of fun.