Moving into residence or your first off-campus apartment? Before you pack literally everything you own, read this. Your future self (and your cramped storage space) will thank you.
Your entire closet doesn’t need to make the trip. Stick to mix-and-match staples, comfy layers, and a few nice outfits. You’ll probably live in uOttawa merch anyway; it’s basically the student uniform.
Binders
Pretty much everything is online these days. Do you really need them? If you do, the Free Store (our on-campus thrift store that’s FREE) has hundreds. Save your cash for coffee.
Kitchen appliances
Don’t pre-buy! Coordinate with your roommate so you don’t end up with two toasters. Plus, if you’re in res, you’ll probably be eating in the dining hall more than in your room.
Books
Hold off on buying textbooks until after your first class, many courses use online readings. Don’t spend $150 on a glorified paperweight. Same goes for novels and hobby books: check the uOttawa Library, the Ottawa Public Library, our four Little Free Libraries, or the Free Store book carts.
Printer
Most assignments are submitted online. For the rare times you need paper, there are printers all over campus, 24/7.
House plants
We’ve got you! Our office does free plant giveaways from the living wall, so you can green your room without paying a cent.
Reusable storage containers
Perfect for swapping out seasonal clothes and keeping your space organized. Plus, you won’t be contributing to the mountain of cardboard boxes that only get used once on move-in day.
Reusable cup and water bottle
Hydration + caffeine = student survival.
Residence rooms often don’t have enough outlets. A power bar lets you plug in everything, protects your tech from power surges, and helps stop phantom electricity (no, not ghosts, something even scarier -wasted power).
What NOT to bring:
Too many clothesYour entire closet doesn’t need to make the trip. Stick to mix-and-match staples, comfy layers, and a few nice outfits. You’ll probably live in uOttawa merch anyway; it’s basically the student uniform.
Binders
Pretty much everything is online these days. Do you really need them? If you do, the Free Store (our on-campus thrift store that’s FREE) has hundreds. Save your cash for coffee.
Kitchen appliances
Don’t pre-buy! Coordinate with your roommate so you don’t end up with two toasters. Plus, if you’re in res, you’ll probably be eating in the dining hall more than in your room.
Books
Hold off on buying textbooks until after your first class, many courses use online readings. Don’t spend $150 on a glorified paperweight. Same goes for novels and hobby books: check the uOttawa Library, the Ottawa Public Library, our four Little Free Libraries, or the Free Store book carts.
Printer
Most assignments are submitted online. For the rare times you need paper, there are printers all over campus, 24/7.
House plants
We’ve got you! Our office does free plant giveaways from the living wall, so you can green your room without paying a cent.
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What to bring
Reusable storage containers .png)
Perfect for swapping out seasonal clothes and keeping your space organized. Plus, you won’t be contributing to the mountain of cardboard boxes that only get used once on move-in day.
Reusable cup and water bottle
Hydration + caffeine = student survival.
- Bring your own mug for discounts at every coffee shop on campus Muggy Mornings = free coffee with a mug on select days. More info.
- uOttawa is bottled-water free, so a reusable bottle is a must – there are water fountains everywhere
- Pro tip: The Free Store usually has plenty of both, snag one for $0 if you don’t have one already.
Residence rooms often don’t have enough outlets. A power bar lets you plug in everything, protects your tech from power surges, and helps stop phantom electricity (no, not ghosts, something even scarier -wasted power).
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Sustainable shopping tips
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- Buy second-hand items: Check local Buy Nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, thrift stores, etc.
- Wait before buying: Live in your space for a bit before deciding you really need something.
- Buy quality: Reduce your impulsive shopping fueled by discounted prices (Amazon, Shein, etc.). Pay for quality items that will last you longer.
The bottom line
The less you bring, the less you’ll have to haul home or donate at the end of the year. (Fun fact: we collect over 10 tonnes of donations from residences every spring – that’s a lot of stuff people bought but aren’t going to use).
Pack light. Shop second-hand. And let the Free Store fill in the rest.
~ the sustainability team
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