What to bring to a dorm? A practical packing list for students.

You got accepted to university, so it’s time for the next stage of panic: packing for your dorm. It usually starts innocently enough. You think: just the basics, like for any other trip. A few T-shirts, a laptop, a toiletry bag. A little while later, you somehow have four bags next to your suitcase, a box full of random stuff, your favourite pillow, an extension cord and a few things you packed “just in case”.

So, what should you actually bring to a dorm, and what can safely stay at home?

A good dorm packing list should first of all take into account what is already included in your room. In some student residences, you need to bring your own bedding and kitchen essentials. In others, many of the basics are already waiting for you.

Before you start packing, check exactly what your student accommodation provides. And if you’re unsure about anything, just ask by phone or email.

If you’re moving into all.inn – Home of Students in Gdańsk, you can immediately cross a few things off a typical student packing checklist. You don’t need to worry about a full bedding set, towels, basic kitchen equipment or a bedside lamp – you’ll find them all here.

Which means more space for the things you’ll actually use.

Before clothes, decorations and a lifetime supply of snacks, there are a few things that may be less exciting – but definitely more important.

Make sure you pack:

• your ID card or passport,
• documents required by your university,
• your student ID, if you already have one,
• a bank card,
• any medication you take regularly,
• your phone and charger,
• a laptop or tablet, if you use one for studying,
• proof of insurance, just in case,
• a small carry-on backpack that works for low-cost flights.

If you’re coming to study in Gdańsk from abroad, check in advance which documents you may need during your stay in Poland and for university formalities. It’s also a good idea to keep digital copies of your most important documents somewhere safe.

Having your documents saved on your phone might seem like a small thing, but it can save you a lot of stress after moving.

It’s also worth checking which apps will make navigating your new surroundings easier when you arrive. For example: Jakdojade, Uber, Bolt or MEVO.

Poland is also well connected, especially if you’re planning European city breaks, train trips around the country or a FlixBus trip to the Hel Peninsula. A backpack that fits everywhere – and doesn’t come with extra baggage fees – can definitely come in handy.

Packing your entire wardrobe is probably not the best idea. Especially if you plan to visit home from time to time or if you’re only staying for one semester. You can find out what the weather in Gdańsk is like in our Gdansk weather guide.

Start with the clothes you actually wear every day: T-shirts, hoodies, trousers, underwear, sleepwear and something a little more suitable for going out. Pack a shirt or two as well, just in case you need something smarter for an exam, presentation or formal event.

Sportswear can also be useful – even if every October starts with the promise: “This year, I’m finally going to work out regularly.” But honestly, who doesn’t spend autumn mostly wearing sweatpants and oversized sweaters?

Don’t forget comfortable shoes, flip-flops, a rain jacket and something warm.

If you’re moving into a student dorm in Gdańsk, there’s one more thing worth packing: a swimsuit.

If you enjoy surfing or want to try kitesurfing, maybe you already have your own wetsuit to take to the Hel Peninsula. And, of course, prepare for the coastal weather. Wind and rain can appear regardless of what the sky looked like in the morning.

A lightweight waterproof jacket or a small umbrella should definitely find a place in your suitcase.

During winter, you might spot not only seals but also winter swimmers along the Polish coast 😉 Maybe you’ll want to try cold-water swimming yourself? In that case, a suitable swimsuit, hat and gloves might come in handy.

You don’t need to bring your entire year-round wardrobe from day one, though. Winter jackets and thick sweaters can always be brought later or sent to you by post, especially inpost if you have one.

The next part of your suitcase is filled with things you use every day.

You can pack your favourite products and buy the rest once you arrive.

Prepare a toiletry bag with the basics:

• a toothbrush and toothpaste,
• shampoo,
• shower gel,
• deodorant,
• skincare products,
• a hairbrush or comb,
• and any other cosmetics you genuinely use.

You may also want to bring:

• flip-flops,
• a toiletry bag or organiser,
• a small first-aid kit with your basic medication and a few comfort essentials.

Poland has plenty of pharmacies, so you don’t need to bring a six-month supply of everything. Most basic over-the-counter products can easily be bought once you arrive.

At all.inn, you don’t need to pack your own towels because they are already included in the room equipment. That’s two bulky things you can immediately cross off your list.

You can bring travel-sized shampoo or shower gel for your first few days and buy larger bottles later. It’s an easy way to save valuable suitcase space.

That depends on the student residence, which is why it’s always worth checking what your room includes before moving in.

A duvet, pillow, sheets and a full set of bedding can take up a surprising amount of space – especially if you’re travelling to Gdańsk by train or plane.

In all.inn rooms in Gdańsk, a full bedding set is already provided, so there’s no need to transport it from home.

Of course, you can still bring your favourite blanket or a small pillow if they help your new room feel a little more like your own space.

This is where things can get out of hand pretty quickly. A pot, frying pan, plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, a knife, a chopping board… and suddenly your kitchen packing list takes up half the car.

In many student residences, basic kitchen equipment is already available, so there’s no need to move your family’s entire collection of pots and pans to Gdańsk. And if you’re missing something? One bus ride on route 110 and you’re at IKEA.

It’s worth bringing more personal items, though: your favourite mug, a reusable water bottle, a lunchbox or food containers. If you have a very specific way of making your matcha, coffee or tea, feel free to pack your favourite accessories too.

For the first few days, a few simple snacks can be useful – but there’s no need to bring huge supplies.

For many students, a laptop is one of the most important tools for studying. Along with it, pack your charger, headphones and possibly a power bank.

Try not to go overboard with extra devices before you’ve seen your room and checked what is already provided.

That even applies to small things.

At all.inn, there’s already a bedside lamp in your room, so bringing another one would only take up unnecessary space in your suitcase – and later in your room.

The rule is simple: check first, buy later.

For the first few weeks, a notebook, a few pens and the things you actually enjoy using while studying will probably be enough. You can always buy more once you know what your classes require.

Many students use only a tablet or laptop these days, so you might find that you don’t need a stack of notebooks and pens at all.

What may be more important is creating a space where you actually enjoy working. Bring headphones if you need quiet, a planner if you like keeping everything organised, or a few colourful highlighters if your notes simply don’t exist without them. Maybe even a photo of your friends to make study breaks a little nicer.

Private student accommodation offers more than just your own room. You can also use shared study spaces, so not every study session has to happen at the same desk.

Student residences are places to sleep and study, but for the next few months, one of them will also be your home. That’s why your dorm packing list should include a few things that aren’t strictly “essential”.

Photos with friends. Your favourite book. A small poster. A blanket. A film camera. A few postcards or a small souvenir from a trip. You don’t need to decorate your entire room on the first day. Leave some space for things you’ll discover and collect while living in Gdańsk.

• 12 mugs,
• your entire bookshelf,
• a six-month supply of cosmetics,
• a full set of pots and pans,
• 20 pairs of shoes,
• decorations for your entire room before you’ve even seen it in person.

What don’t you need to bring to all.inn?

If you’re currently packing for all.inn, your list just got a little shorter.

You don’t need to worry about bringing:

• a full bedding set,
• a blanket or decorative pillows,
• towels,
• a hairdryer,
• a vacuum cleaner, mop or dustpan,
• basic kitchen equipment,
• an iron,
• a bedside lamp,
• or a bike.

The rooms are prepared to reduce the number of things you need to buy and transport when moving in.

Oh, and there’s one more thing you don’t need to squeeze into your suitcase.

At all.inn, you’ll find shared books in both Polish and English, board games, as well as a PlayStation 5 with games.

The console is already here too, so if you can’t imagine an evening without gaming, there’s no need to bring your own.

This is especially convenient if you’re moving to Gdańsk from another city or from abroad. Instead of wondering how to fit bedding and kitchen equipment into one suitcase, you can use that space for the things that actually matter to you.

The most common mistake when moving out for the first time? Packing for every possible situation. If you forget something, you can probably buy it in Gdańsk or bring it with you the next time you visit home.

So instead of asking yourself about every item: “Could I possibly need this one day?”, try asking a different question: “Will I actually use this?” Pack your documents, clothes, toiletries, electronics, everything you need for university and a few things that will make your new space feel more like yours.

The rest can wait.

You already have enough to pack. See you in Gdańsk at Konarskiego 1!