Every college and university provides a student experience, but none compare to the Christ-centered student experience at Northwestern. Why? Because we have Residence Life staff who care about your spiritual life. In every hall, Residence Life staff help facilitate community with your peers with events and activities. Form life-long friendships and grow in your faith with roommates and other students in your hall.
Living on campus provides moments, big and small, to build life-long relationships, enjoy great events, and experience personal and spiritual growth. Northwestern Residence Life is Christian community at its core. Here you can join small groups, be mentored by Resident Assistants and Resident Discipleship Assistants, and grow alongside your peers.
Our campus, nestled on Lake Johanna, has been ranked as the most beautiful campus in the Midwest. The classical architecture of our historic buildings and wooded landscape is a striking retreat from the modern metropolitan setting of nearby Minneapolis and St. Paul.
What You’ll Need to Bring to College
Deciding what to bring to college doesn’t have to be a guessing game. We want to make your move to Northwestern a smooth transition. Download our shopping list below to take with you when you purchase supplies.
What to BringStudents Living in Residence Halls Will Need
Bedding
The beds have extra-long mattresses which are 39″ x 80″. Twin extra-long fitted bed sheets are preferable. Regular flat sheets will work, but regular twin-size fitted sheets will not fit. You may also want to bring a mattress pad for extra comfort.
Additional Lighting
Although each room is equipped with overhead lighting, it may be helpful to bring additional lighting such as a floor lamp and/or desk lamp as needed. Due to potential fire hazard, halogen lamps are not permitted unless equipped with a wire guard.
Kitchen and Bathroom Supplies
Students should bring their own dishes, silverware, pots/pans, cooking utensils, and appliances such as toasters and microwaves. Akenson Hall community kitchens have microwaves provided. Cleaning supplies for kitchen, vanity, and bathroom such as glass cleaner, scrubbing pads, etc., are not provided. Please bring only non-abrasive cleaners.
Basic Items
Students should bring clothes hangers, wastebaskets, a shower curtain, plastic garbage bags, toilet paper, and paper towels. You may also want to purchase plastic tack if you are planning to hang anything up in your room, however you cannot use nails, tacks, screws, 3M hooks, other adhesives, etc. due to the wall damage they create.
Furniture and Phones
Northwestern provides each resident with a bed, a dresser, a desk, and a desk chair. If living in an apartment-style dorm, a kitchen table and chairs, as well as a couch and some living room furniture is provided. All students have access to landline phones for local calls. Students who need to make out-of-area phone calls should plan on using a cell phone or other means to connect with individuals outside of the Twin Cities calling area.
Coordinate with Your Roommates
We encourage you to contact your roommates before moving in to determine who will bring large items such as ironing boards, small appliances, microwaves, etc., to avoid duplicate items as space is somewhat limited. You do not need to bring a vacuum, your Resident Assistant will have one available for you. You can always bring more items to school later as you become aware of needs related to residence life.
