What you need to know before moving into the dorms!
Welcome Class of 2026! Congrats for getting accepted into SDSU, we can’t wait to meet you!
Getting into college is an exciting and big transition, but it doesn’t have to be scary! Our student and professional mentors want to help make it as smooth as possible!
So to get started off, what are the deadlines you need to know?
Step 1: Complete the Enrollment Process (Due May 1, 2022)
Accept your Offer of Admission & submit your Intent to Enroll
Request Official Transcripts and Test Scores (SAT, ACT, AP exams) to be sent to SDSU
Apply for on-campus Housing
Step 2: Activate your SDSUid here
Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial aid is probably a topic that deserves it’s own blog post, but in the meantime, here’s some great resources: Aztec Scholarships and the SDSU Financial Aid office
Step 4: Apply for Housing here
Step 5: Complete Immunization Requirements, Pay Tuition, and Attend Orientation!
You can get more details for each of these steps at SDSU’s Admission site. We’re sure you probably have a ton of questions, but today we want to tackle everything you need to know about moving into the dorms and advice from one of our Juniors about what to bring:
THE MINIMUM
Clothes, toiletries, a shower caddy, pictures & posters
Bed sheets (for Extra-long Twin, Regular Twin, or Double depending on the room), Pillow, Pillowcase, Bedspread, Blankets, Towels, Laundry supplies, Storage bins, Organizers, Hangers, Desk supplies, Power strip, and a Desk lamp
OTHER SDSU DORM ESSENTIALS
1. Brita water pitcher and spare water filters
While there’s plenty of water refilling stations at SDSU, a water filter can come in handy if it’s late at night and you don’t want to leave your room.
2. Vacuum
Your SDSU apartment/residence hall should be provided with a vacuum, but it’s usually really old and dirty. Mine wasn’t even working properly and spit up more dust than cleaned it! A good quality (handheld) vacuum is a wise investment.
3. Seat cushion
Depending on the dorm, sometimes you just get a rough plastic chair. For the first three weeks, you’ll be okay, but for the whole year, it’ll start hurting your butt. I remember fidgeting a lot, which made it hard to study.
4. Comfy slippers
After years of shoes walking on the dorm/apartment carpets, having a clean pair of slippers to wear after you shower is the perfect thing to help you get comfortable.
5. A small to medium-sized pot and pan (for the SDSU apartments)
This is a good investment if you think you’ll make ramen, macaroni and cheese, pasta, rice, eggs, or fried rice often.
6. Weights
Since the outdoor gyms at SDSU require reservations 48-hours in advance (because of COVID-19), it’s not a bad idea to bring some weights to do some indoor exercises, especially if it’s one of your goals to exercise more in college.
AESTHETIC OPTIONS
1. Succulents
A quaint desk decoration that won’t take too much space, but will make your desk feel a little more pleasing to work at.
2. Christmas lights
A nice wall decoration that can also increase lighting. The lights in the dorms/apartments are actually pretty dim, so Christmas lights can also be a practical investment.
THINGS YOU PROBABLY WON’T NEED
1. Printer
Most of your written papers are turned digitally on Turn It In. Printing will be more of a luxury if, for example, you prefer to print out math/chem study guides and solving the problems directly on the paper.
Note: This are tips and guidelines you can follow, but you’re also more than welcome come up with creative ways to make your SDSU dorm/apartment your own unique space on campus!
Have any other questions? Feel free to contact us and we’ll have one of our mentors contact you! We’ll love to help! And Congrats again for coming to SDSU!