It’s mid-summer and thousands of college students around the country are preparing to head to college, with many moving in to on-campus housing.

While living away from home and with a roommate for the first time can be exciting, it also comes with a new set of challenges for young people. Michael Scales, associate vice president for housing at Temple University, offers tips for ensuring that campus living is a positive experience.

According to Scales, the most important step students should take in preparing for the move is to communicate with their roommate about which items each will bring to the residence hall. By coordinating their efforts roommates can limit unnecessary duplication in what can be tight quarters.

“Students should be cognizant of the fact that there is a fixed amount of space in the room,” he says. “I wouldn’t recommend that they bring any additional furniture. Rooms and suites are furnished thoughtfully and additional furniture is not needed.”

Scales says the five most important items students should bring with them to campus are:

1. A computer — either a laptop or desktop — that meets the specifications of the college’s network.
   
   
2. Appropriate-length cables and cords for hooking up computers, printers and other electronics.
   
   
3. Other items that make them feel comfortable. “Most students will choose to bring a TV and/or a radio/stereo/CD player,” says Scales.
   
   
4. Their communication device of choice for staying in touch with family and friends. “For most students that’s a mobile phone, or smart phone.”
   
   
5. UPC-approved power strips. “Students tend to bring more electrical devices than there are outlets.
   
   

During his career in student housing, Scales says he has seen students bring some unusual — and sometimes ill-advised — items to their new living space, including console TVs, “concert-worthy” music speakers, full-size refrigerators, futons, poker tables and a wide variety of pets.

But he has also seen students — particularly female undergraduates — get very creative with their new rooms and decorate them to a point worthy of being featured in a design magazine.

Scales says students should also make sure that any issues regarding their tuition bill, registration or class schedule have been tended to before arriving on campus, so they can hit the ground running when they arrive.

But the best advice Scales can offer students moving onto campus for the first time is to get involved in campus organizations and activities immediately. Research shows that the more involved or engaged a student becomes early in college, the more likely they are to succeed and graduate.