UC Santa Barbara

Bed and room basics

Residence halls generally use extra-long twin, the same size as Twin XL bedding, but apartments and specialized housing may not. Room layout, bathroom type, furniture and storage are building-specific, so wait for the exact assignment before buying rugs, organizers, furniture or shared appliances.

Pack these first

• Bedding in the size the assignment confirms
• Towels, toiletries and a shower caddy
• Laundry and cleaning basics
• Hangers
• Approved surge protection

Rules and smart skips

• Review UCSB's current prohibited-items list before bringing appliances, furniture, decorations, a bicycle or a mobility device.
• Coordinate shared items with roommates so nothing is bought twice.
• Hold off on kitchen gear until you know whether the assignment is a hall or an apartment.

Before move-in

• Use the UCSB housing portal and the current move-in instructions for the assigned residence or apartment.
• Follow the arrival window, parking permit, unloading zone and key pickup instructions.
• Document the space before unpacking.

Official sources

• Housing
• Move-in information
• Housing options
• Policies

Continue with DormHQ

Other California schools

• University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
• University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA
• University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
• Cal State Long Beach Long Beach, CA
• San Diego State University San Diego, CA

All California dorm guides →

Keep planning

• The ultimate college dorm packing list
• The move-in day checklist
• What to coordinate with your roommate
• College move-out checklist
• What to buy before your dorm assignment
• The dorm mini fridge guide