BYU-I Men’s Housing: Unexpected Essentials

North Point • October 1, 2025

Before starting your first semester at college, it is important to pack well so you are sufficiently prepared. This helps you start college smoothly, settle in, and manage stress levels effectively. If you have read any articles detailing basic college necessities, then essentials such as school supplies, clothing, and bedding will likely make it into your suitcase.

However, some key items tend to be forgotten during the packing process. Discovering some unexpected essentials that you might not have on your packing list yet can help to make your men's housing experience at BYU-Idaho all the more enjoyable.

Organizers

A well-organized space makes life smoother on multiple fronts. Not only does it make it easier to keep your new home clean and tidy, but it can also support your studying. Multiple studies demonstrate a link between cluttered spaces and decreased mental performance. Investing in a few space-optimized organizing products will allow you to maintain a tidy space that promotes healthy study habits.

There’s no shortage of products on the market that can help you maximize your space. Space-saving clothing hangers, drawer organizers, and under-the-bed storage solutions are all effective ways to keep your room from looking and feeling overly “busy,” without having to be too selective about what makes it into your suitcase and what gets left at home.

Outlet Options

College housing and outlets are a bit like cars and cup holders; there’s never quite as many as you’d like there to be, and in some cases, the ones that are there are located in awkward positions.

Yet as a modern college student, you’ll depend on outlets to maintain your academic and social lives, not to mention keeping your sanity in check. Having to decide between charging your laptop and phone is an inconvenience you should not have to endure.

You can’t change how many outlets your room has, but you can get creative with how you manage the ones it does have by packing an extension cord and a power strip.

The extension cord opens up additional flexibility, allowing you to choose your furniture placement without being confined to outlet location, while a power strip can significantly multiply the number of outlets. Large power strips can power up to twelve devices from a single outlet. Just make sure the outlet has a surge protector, which can help keep your devices safe in the event of a sudden spike in electrical voltage.

Rain Protection

You might arrive at BYU-Idaho at the tail end of summer, but those warm days will soon give way to fall and winter conditions. Packing with October-March in mind will make your early months at BYU-I all the more enjoyable. Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

You’ll likely have earmarked space in your luggage for warm clothing, but many newly-arriving students forget that having rain-ready clothes can be just as important for navigating Rexburg’s climate. Make sure to bring a rain jacket, and save it for a rainy day (literally).

The weather is famously difficult to predict, but you can prepare for stormy days by investing in an umbrella and keeping it by the door so you do not forget to grab it on your way out to brave the elements.

First Aid Supplies

Packing first aid supplies is not likely to be at the top of your priorities list, but it can go a long way towards ensuring you can roll with the punches. Dealing with illnesses, allergies, and minor cuts and scrapes becomes much more manageable when you have a few key first aid essentials in your room:

Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relief medicine, such as ibuprofen, offers a quick and convenient way to deal with minor aches and pains. If you ever get hit with a headache during your college experience, you’ll be thankful you made space for it in your suitcase.
Allergy medicine: Rexburg can be delightful during the spring and fall months, but keep in mind that allergies can begin to flare around this period. Packing some antihistamines will allow you to enjoy all that the season has to offer to the fullest.
Bandages and dressings: Accidents happen. A few bandages and dressings will allow you to treat minor cuts and scrapes at home, without having to visit the doctor.
Cold and flu medicine: Spending so much time with your fellow students can be fun, but it always increases your chances of catching a cold. Packing some cold and flu medicine will be a lifesaver when you wake up with a sore throat and a runny nose.

Transportable Storage Options

College students are constantly coming and going. Just as you’ve gotten comfortable, you’ll be heading home for the holidays and or going on a trip for spring break. You’ll find the process of visiting home and other fun spots infinitely less stressful by investing in easily transportable storage that allows you to effortlessly move your belongings from one place to another (and then back again).

Some smart solutions include:

Plastic storage bins: They’re strong, stackable, and easy to carry.
Portable storage carts: Getting picked up? Storage carts have wheels, allowing you to simply roll your belongings to the car.
Duffel bags: For lighter loads, duffel bags offer a convenient and flexible method of transporting your items.

Enhance Your BYU-I Men’s Housing Experience

At Northpoint, our luxury apartments provide the perfect place to live during your time at BYU-Idaho, providing the space you need to fit all your college necessities and enjoy life to the fullest.

< Older Post

Newer Post >