New student checklist
Written for people packing in a different climate. Claremont is Southern California: hot through October, cold desert nights by November, and almost no rain. Pack for that, not for a generic college checklist.
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Everything else — bedding sizes, banned appliances, storage — check your specific college's housing page before you buy.
August through October runs hot — often 90s during the day — but desert-adjacent nights get genuinely cold by late fall. Layers beat one heavy coat: t-shirts, a hoodie, and one real jacket cover almost everything.
Claremont gets a handful of rainy weeks, mostly in winter. One packable rain shell is plenty. Rain boots, a golf umbrella, and a waterproof parka are closet space you will never get back.
Many dorm rooms run warm into October. A decent fan is the single most-borrowed item on campus in September — bring your own and sleep better the first month.
Dorm mattresses are dorm mattresses everywhere. A foam topper is the upgrade people actually notice. Add two power strips or extension cords — outlets are never where your desk is.
You are on a meal plan and the Village is a short walk. A water bottle, one mug, and maybe an electric kettle cover 95% of dorm cooking. Skip the appliance haul — check your college housing rules before buying anything with a heating element.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat get used year-round here. If you are coming from somewhere gray, this is the thing you will forget and then buy locally at full price.
The campuses and the Village are flat and compact — a basic bike with a solid lock turns every errand into five minutes. Buy used locally or bring one; either way, register it with your campus if your school offers it.
Set up your campus card and any campus-cash program during orientation, and find your campus store (Huntley Bookstore serves the Claremont Colleges) before you need a charger cable at 9 p.m.
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“Before anyone buys a winter parka for SoCal: claremont.life/guides/new-student-checklist. Packing list, dorm essentials, and what to leave home — written for Claremont specifically.”