So, you’re getting ready for college? I’m sure there are so many things running through your head. Things like- what will it be like, how can I prepare, what should I be packing for my dorm? Whether you’re headed here, Ethnos360 Bible Institute, or somewhere else, I hope this Bible college dorm packing list will be helpful for you. And if you forget something, don’t stress! There are thrift stores (St. Vincent’s is a favorite), Walmart, and Target near Ethnos360 Bible Institute. If you’re headed somewhere else I’m sure you’ll have access to stores there as well.
Setting Expectations Before Packing for Bible College
Shenanigans in a Community Living Space on a Dorm Floor
Picture this- a beautiful brick building with lots of history resting on top of a hill. Inside this building are rooms full of character in various shapes and sizes. You guessed it. One of those rooms is where you’ll be living. Now take one of those rooms and picture 2-4 other students from various cultures and backgrounds also living there. It’s a chaotic, but incredible experience! See this previous post here for the inside scoop on dorm life.
In your dorm you’ll have both a bedroom and a desk room. The bedroom will likely have bunk beds in it. You’ll have a part of a closet and your own dresser. This is where storage savers like shoe hangers are helpful. In the desk room you’ll get a desk with a few drawers and bookshelves. On the dorm floors bathrooms and shower rooms are shared. A shower caddy and a robe can be helpful for these. For meals you’ll be eating in the dining hall during set mealtimes. If you think you might miss some meals or love cooking, you may need a few extra kitchen things.
This list has ideas of what you can bring. Many things aren’t required and are just fun extras. Asterisked items are the absolute necessaries. Read through and decide which things you’ll choose to bring for your own personal Bible college experience! There’s also a link to a printable PDF packing list at the bottom.
Complete Bible College Packing List
Desk Room Things to Pack-
Desk Lamp – If you already know you’ll study best sitting at your desk, you’ll need one of these.
Power Strip – A power strip can be useful since some outlets can be hard to reach.
Printer – Not required, but it can be useful. If you don’t bring one you can print things in the Ethnos360 Bible Institute library. This could get tricky though if you finish your papers at midnight. The library closes before then.
Wall Decorations – This dorm will be your home for a year and then you’ll move to another one for your second year. Make it feel as much like home as you can! Think pictures of family and friends, fun posters, and string lights.
Small Plants – Are you someone who likes to bring the outdoors indoors? Many of our students have turned their desks into little greenhouses. If that’s your thing then pack up your plant friends and bring them! Just remember they’ll have to fit in your personal space.
Dishes – Even if you think you’ll be in the dining hall for your meals I’d recommend bringing at least a Tupperware. You never know when a social event or work shift will go long, and you’ll need a friend to save you food. If you’re someone who likes to eat in a quiet space, I’d also suggest bringing a bowl, plate, and silverware. With your own dishes you can bring dining hall meals back to the quiet of your dorm. You’ll also want your own travel coffee mug and a water bottle.
Snacks – If you’re the snacky type or can’t see yourself getting up at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast, you might want to consider bringing some food. Think favorite snacks, instant oatmeal or ramen (Indomie is a student favorite here). Things you can open and eat or add a little hot water to are best.
Coffee Maker – The dining hall provides coffee with breakfast. We also have a coffee shop here on campus. If you think you may want coffee other times of the day (or your specific way) you may want to bring your favorite caffeine method. Whether you like Keurig, French Press, pour over or Espresso a little coffee station on your desk may be exactly what you need. It could be great for your late-night study sessions!
Tylenol or Ibuprofen and Vitamin C – Consider bringing whatever pain meds you take for headaches and such. Also, I highly recommend bringing either Vitamin C or Emergen-c packets! Sickness spreads fast in buildings where 200 people live together.
Important Documents* – Consider putting many of your important documents in a folder. Think ID, bank card, health insurance information, passport, and social security card. Many of these will especially be important if you end up getting a part-time job here in Wisconsin.
Stationery – Stationery could be a great idea! Writing letters was a great way to stay in touch with my little siblings while I was far from home. You can also write letters to friends at the Bible college and put them in the campus mail.
Polaroid Camera – It could be so fun to capture your college memories this way! Polaroid shots would also make neat dorm decorations.
Bedroom Things to Pack
Comforter or Quilt* – You’ll need to bring your own bedding for sure! Something not too hot for summer days or winter days when the heater is on would be good.
Twin XL Sheet Set* – Our beds here are extra-long. Make sure you get the right sized sheets for them!
Pillow* – Don’t forget to bring yourself a pillow, or several!
Mattress Cover – A mattress cover is included in your tuition and provided by the Bible college. If you’d like to bring your own, let your RA know. Once you’re here $25 for the mattress cover will be credited back to you.
Throw Blanket – A throw blanket can be nice for colder evenings. Think of the nights you’re curled up on the couch in your dorm sipping tea and doing your homework reading.
AC Unit – People know the Midwest for its winters, but the summer and early fall can still be hot and sticky! When you get put in a group chat with your roommates ask and see if any of them are planning to bring an in-window AC. If they aren’t you may want to bring one. Suggesting splitting the cost with roommates could be very cost effective.
Fan – Not required, but a little clip-on fan can be nice for your bed. This helps with noise, air circulation, and cooling yourself down.
Closet Things to Pack
Clothes* – When packing clothes there are several things to think about. You’ll want your favorite casual outfits for class days year-round. You’ll also need a few outfits you can wear to church. Bring active clothes if you’re planning to take advantage of our on-campus gym or intermural sports. Don’t forget comfy clothes and slip on shoes for the evenings. And finally, make sure you have a good coat, a rain jacket and winter shoes. You’ll need those here in the Wisconsin. You may also want to bring a formal outfit. We often have a formal event or two throughout the year.
Duffel Bag or Suitcase – One of these could be nice if you take one of the trips our Bible college offers. There also may be opportunities for weekend trips with friends. Or even just for traveling between home and college.
Storage Totes – It’d be good to bring several of these for off-season clothing or anything else you need to store away. These can be kept in your closet, possibly under your bed, or in the storage space provided in another building.
Laundry Things: Basket or Bag, Detergent, and Dryer Sheets* – All the single students share a laundry room on ground floor. You’ll want to make sure you have the proper items for cleaning your laundry. For the sake of your roommates, you’ll need those things once a week. When picking a basket or bag, remember you may be carrying it down several flights of stairs. The space you store it in may also be tight.
Clothes Hangers – Bring plenty of hangers for your clothes. You don’t want to go to church in a wrinkly outfit!
Shoe Organizer – Optional, but I found a hanging shoe organizer like this one so helpful. It made the most of my small closet space!
Shower Things: Caddy and Everything That Goes in It* – A little basket or bag can be helpful for your trip from your dorm to the shower room. You’ll need a towel, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and deodorant (please!). Also consider nail clippers, face wash, lotion, hair dryer, hairbrush or comb.
What to Pack in your Backpack
Backpack or Book Bag* – Bring something to carry your laptop and books downstairs to your classroom. You’ll need it whenever you take your homework to one of our local coffee shops too.
Laptop and Cord* – Make sure it’s a Windows or Mac laptop, not a Chromebook or iPad. You’ll use this for writing papers, reading student notes, and accessing textbooks through the Logos software. Because of this software you’ll need to make sure that your laptop has at least 8 GB of RAM and 100 GB of free hard drive space.
Bible* – Consider investing in a Bible with margins. It can be nice to take notes in a Bible that you can easily flip back through after Bible college. If you do get one make sure you also bring a second Bible. You’ll need a Bible without notes to reference while taking tests.
Notebook, Planner and/or Journal – An empty notebook can also be great for notetaking. If you’re a paper planner type of person bring one of those. They can be helpful for keeping track of homework assignments and events. Also consider a journal to keep track of all the Lord does in your life while you’re at Bible college.
Index Cards – These can be helpful for scripture memory. There are a few classes where you’ll memorize verses for your homework. They also could be helpful as you study terms for tests.
Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters – Make sure you have at least one reliable pen. Consider different colors of fine tipped ones too for notes on different things.
Phone Charger – Don’t forget this! Your phone will need to last you through classes so you can use Bluetooth to mark yourself present.
Other Things to Pack for Bible College
Ice scraper – Ok, so, ya. I didn’t even know this was a thing. We had no need for them in California. If you’re bringing a car an ice scraper is a must! And during the winter remember to leave yourself extra time for getting ice and snow off your car.
Hobby things you may want at college:
Pickleball – There’s a pickleball court three minutes away! If that’s your thing (or if it’s not but you wanna pick it up) this could be a great way to bond with new friends.
Sled – The front hill of Ethnos360 Bible Institute is great for sledding down during the winter. Bring all your favorite snow playthings!
Swimsuit – Lake Michigan (and plenty of other lakes) are nearby. Consider bringing a swimsuit for beach days during warmer weather.
Crafting Supplies – Paint, embroidery, knitting…whatever you’re into! Maybe you can get some of your friends into it too.
Card or Board Games – What better way to make frenemies than beating them at your favorite game? Some students have even made a group chat for people who enjoy playing board games.
Bicycle – One of these is especially helpful if you’re not bringing a car with you. We even have a bike shed for you to store it in.
Hammock – Many students enjoy doing homework in their hammock on the front hill.
Camping Things – Some dorm families go on camping trips. You also may have an opportunity to camp for a weekend at the missionary training center.
If you bring everything on this list your roommates may not be happy with you for taking up all the room in the dorm. Evaluate it and decide what’s most important to you. How can you make your dorm space feel like home and what are important study tools for you? You’ll also have access to a storage area. This can be a great place for storing off-season clothing and bigger items you don’t need everyday access to.
You’re almost ready now!
As you do your packing, don’t stress. Bible college is going to be a wonderful experience! Forgetting one little thing won’t ruin it. The Lord is gonna use your two years here to grow and change you. Lifelong friends and memories will be made. You’ll have a wonderful time! If you have any friends interested in joining you have them request a free info packet below.
