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Move-in day is one of the biggest days of the college experience. Most of the stress comes from two simple problems. Families pack things the residence hall already provides, and they forget things it does not. Both are avoidable with a good list. This guide covers what to bring, what to leave at home, and how move-in day works for students living on campus at Lackawanna College. Here, on-campus housing is part of the Main Campus experience in downtown Scranton. Most of the advice fits any residence hall in Northeastern Pennsylvania or beyond. But the specifics below come straight from Lackawanna’s published housing rules. Students and parents can pack with confidence.

Start With What Your Room Already Has

Before buying anything, know what is waiting in the room. Every residence hall room at Lackawanna College comes furnished with:

• A bed (extra-long twin, with two storage drawers underneath).
• A desk and chair.
• A closet.
• A micro-fridge.
• Central air conditioning.
• Wireless internet and a cable TV connection.
• A lockable security box for valuables (students provide their own lock).

On-site laundry is available in the halls. Lackawanna’s three residence halls are McKinnie Hall, Seeley Hall, and Tobin Hall. All three are within walking distance of classes at the Main Campus in Scranton.

That furnished list should shape the shopping trip. There is no reason to buy a mini-fridge. A micro-fridge is already in the room, and personal refrigerators and microwave ovens are banned anyway. The two-drawer bed base and closet also help. Students need less storage furniture than most packing guides assume.

Key Takeaway: Read the furnished-room list before shopping. The most common move-in day mistake is spending money on things the room already includes — or on appliances the hall doesn’t allow.

The Move-In Day Checklist

Here is the core list, organized the way most students pack. Items marked with policy details come from Lackawanna’s published residence hall move-in guide.

Bedding and bath:

• Extra-long twin sheets (39″ x 75″ — standard twin sheets will not fit).
• Pillows and pillowcases.
• Blankets, a comforter, or a quilt.
• Towels and washcloths.
• Shower shoes.
• A shower caddy for carrying toiletries.

Cleaning and laundry:

• Broom, mop, and bucket.
• Basic cleaning products.
• A waste basket.
• Laundry basket or bag, detergent, and dryer sheets.
• Clothes hangers.

The college cleans common areas only. Students keep their own rooms clean. So basic supplies matter more than most first-year students expect.

School supplies and electronics:

• Laptop or computer, phone, and all chargers.
• Folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, and highlighters.
• A backpack.
• Alarm clock.
• Headphones.
• TV, radio, or stereo (all permitted).
• A fan with a safety grille.

Clothing and personal items:

• About two weeks of clothing. Include something for cold weather, rain, and at least one dressier occasion.
• Toiletries and hygiene supplies.
• A basic first-aid kit and any personal medications.
• A reusable water bottle and an umbrella.
• Important documents: photo ID, insurance cards, and any paperwork the college has asked for.

Small comforts:

• A few photos or keepsakes from home.
• A small area rug — maximum 30 inches by 60 inches, with non-slip backing (rattan, horsehair, and straw mats are not permitted).
• Removable decorations only; nothing can be attached to or displayed in the windows.

Key Takeaway: Pack by category, and label every box with the student’s name and what’s inside. Keep one “first night” bag on top, with sheets, toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes — so nobody is digging through boxes at 10 p.m.

What to Leave at Home

Every residence hall has a banned-items list. Knowing it in advance saves an awkward moment at check-in. At Lackawanna College, the published list includes:

• Personal refrigerators (the room’s micro-fridge covers this).
• Microwave ovens, hot plates, air fryers, instant pots, and other cooking appliances.
• Candles and incense.
• Halogen lamps and space heaters.
• Live Christmas trees.
• Nails, hooks, and double-faced adhesive tape.
• Pets of any kind, including fish.
• Waterbeds, lofts, and cinder blocks.
• Empty alcohol containers.
• Weapons, firearms, ammunition, and explosive devices.

A few related rules are worth knowing before decorating. Rooms cannot be painted. Beds cannot be lofted or bunked. College furniture must stay in the room. Smoking, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping are banned on all college property. Residence Life staff conduct routine room inspections. Banned items are held until the end of the semester, and violations can also carry fines. Students are responsible for any damage to their rooms or the residence hall.

Is an item not listed, and you are unsure? Ask before packing it. Residence Life answers questions at ResidenceLife@Lackawanna.edu.

Key Takeaway: When in doubt, leave it out. Anything on the prohibited list gets held until semester’s end, and some violations carry fines — it’s much easier to ask Residence Life first.

Move-In Day Logistics: Timing, Parking, and Check-In

The checklist gets the boxes packed. Logistics get them into the room without chaos.

Know your move-in window. Lackawanna College posts new-student and returning-student move-in dates and check-in times on its Residence Life Calendar each year. Check the current calendar before making travel plans. Arrive early in the posted window. An early start means more time to unpack, meet roommates, and find the essentials before evening.

Plan for parking. This one surprises families every year. Residential students cannot park on campus at Lackawanna. Students bringing a car to Scranton need to arrange off-street or private parking on their own. Sort this out before move-in day, not after.

Pack the vehicle in reverse. Load the “first night” bag and bedding last so they come out first. Label boxes by room zone (desk, closet, bathroom). That way helpers know where things go without asking.

Expect some waiting. Hundreds of families move in during the same window. Elevators, carts, and hallways get busy. Build in patience and drink water. Treat the wait as a chance to meet the neighbors. Those hallway hellos often turn into friendships.

Key Takeaway: Check the Residence Life Calendar for this year’s move-in dates. Arrange off-campus parking in advance if bringing a car, and load the vehicle so the first-night essentials come out first.

Settling In: The First Week

Once the boxes are inside, the real transition starts.

Learn the dining routine early. Residential students eat at the Dining Commons on the second floor of the Culinary Center at 409 Adams Ave. A residential meal plan is an essential part of the residence life experience at Lackawanna. Find the Dining Commons on day one, ideally with a roommate. That checks off the first “where do I…?” question before classes start.

Meet the Residence Life staff. Each hall has a Residence Hall Director. The Residence Life team is the first stop for maintenance issues, roommate questions, and everything in between. Know who they are before there is a problem. Every later conversation gets easier.

Go to the welcome events. Orientation activities exist for exactly one reason: nobody knows anyone yet. Students who show up to the first week’s events build their circle faster, full stop.

Give the room a week before buying more. Most students overpack. Living in the space for a few days reveals what is missing far better than any list. A store run in week two is easy.

Key Takeaway: The first week sets the tone. Find the Dining Commons, meet the Residence Life staff, show up to welcome events, and wait a week before buying anything else.

A Note for Parents

Parents carry a lot of move-in day, so two practical points. First, keep copies of the important paperwork in one folder that travels with you, not in a packed box. That means insurance cards, emergency contacts, and any forms the college requested. Second, agree on a communication rhythm before the drive home. A planned Sunday call beats daily check-in texts for most families. It gives students room to settle in.

Sometimes a question comes up that the packing list does not answer. It might be an item you are unsure about or a housing detail. The Residence Life office at ResidenceLife@Lackawanna.edu is the direct line.

For families still finalizing enrollment plans, request information to connect with an enrollment counselor, or schedule a campus visit to see the Scranton campus in person. You can also connect with Lackawanna College on LinkedIn or follow the college’s YouTube channel for student stories and campus updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to college on move-in day?
Bring extra-long twin bedding, towels and shower shoes, toiletries, and about two weeks of clothing. Add a laptop and chargers, school supplies, cleaning and laundry supplies, hangers, and a first-aid kit. Pack important documents like a photo ID and insurance cards. Check your college’s furnished-room list first. At Lackawanna College, the room already includes a bed, desk, chair, closet, micro-fridge, central air conditioning, and wireless internet. There is no need to buy those items.

What size bedding do college dorms use?
Most residence halls, including Lackawanna College’s, use extra-long twin beds that measure 39 inches by 75 inches. Standard twin sheets will not fit, so buy sheets labeled “Twin XL” before move-in day.

What is not allowed in Lackawanna College residence halls?
The published prohibited list includes personal refrigerators, microwave ovens, hot plates, air fryers, and instant pots. It also bans candles, incense, halogen lamps, space heaters, live Christmas trees, nails and hooks, and double-faced adhesive tape. Pets of any kind, including fish, are banned, along with waterbeds, lofts, cinder blocks, empty alcohol containers, and weapons. Smoking and vaping are banned on all college property. When in doubt about an item, email ResidenceLife@Lackawanna.edu before packing it.

Do I need a mini-fridge or microwave for my dorm room?
No. At Lackawanna College, every residence hall room comes with a micro-fridge. Personal refrigerators and microwave ovens are on the prohibited-items list. Skip both purchases and use the savings elsewhere.

When is move-in day at Lackawanna College?
Move-in dates and check-in times are posted each year on the Residence Life Calendar on the Lackawanna College website. New residential students usually move in during a posted window shortly before the fall semester begins. Returning residents get a separate day. Check the current calendar before making travel plans.

Does Lackawanna College have on-campus housing?
Yes. Lackawanna College offers on-campus housing at its Main Campus in downtown Scranton, in three residence halls: McKinnie Hall, Seeley Hall, and Tobin Hall. Full-time, non-commuting students are required to live on campus. Residence hall living includes a residential meal plan served at the Dining Commons in the Culinary Center.