Tallahassee, FL · Encouraged, not required — apply early
Cawthon Hall Dorm Checklist 2026
Florida State University
Doubles, singles & triples, suite-style; most baths shared between 2 adjoining rooms (FSU's rate table also prices private-bath suite rooms in this hall group)
- Bed Size36in x 80in mattress, XL twin length
- Under-BedAdjustable up to 30in for storage
- ACPartial
- On-CampusOptional
✓ In the room
✗ Not provided
⊘ Prohibited
- FSU's Cawthon Hall page does not list air conditioning among building amenities -- confirm in-room cooling with Residence Life.
- Cawthon is the one hall FSU exempts from the triples rule: triples elsewhere get two small refrigerators, but Cawthon triples get one larger refrigerator instead. Plan shared cold storage accordingly.
Living in Cawthon Hall: what to know before you pack
The room
Cawthon's rooms come in doubles, singles, and triples, all suite-style with the same core furniture set: a bed with a 36 x 80 inch mattress that adjusts to leave 30 inches of underbed storage, plus a closet, dresser, and desk/chair per resident. Each room includes a sink, mirror, recycle bin, and a refrigerator -- and Cawthon is the exception FSU names by hall: triples elsewhere on campus get two small 4.0 cubic-foot fridges, while Cawthon triples get one larger refrigerator instead. Built in 1949 and renovated in 2001, Cawthon uses the same suite layout as FSU's other historic first-year halls, with two rooms typically sharing a connecting bathroom. Residents bring their own linens, and walls stay bare: FSU prohibits affixing, attaching, or bolting anything to them and bills residents for the repair if it finds something.
Day to day
At 297 residents, Cawthon is one of FSU's mid-size first-year halls, with three lounges on floors 0-1, four kitchens on floors 1-4, and three dedicated study areas on floors 2-4. Cooking happens in those kitchens rather than in rooms -- FSU does not permit cooking in suite-style residence hall rooms. Laundry and WiFi are building-standard, visitation is self-regulated, and meal plans are optional. Cawthon sits at 119 Honors Way, in the same historic residential area as Bryan (182 Convocation Way) and Jennie Murphree (126 Convocation Way), so students end up sharing dining and social space with neighboring buildings. Like all of FSU's suite-style halls, Cawthon closes during vacation periods, which shapes how you plan winter break storage.
Move-in day
Cawthon follows FSU's general Fall 2026 move-in schedule: appointments August 15 and 16, then daily August 20 through August 23. Nothing general is scheduled August 17-19, and August 14 is reserved for sorority recruitment. Students reserve a specific one-hour appointment slot through a link sent to their fsu.edu email -- there's no same-day walk-in option, and the hour covers arrival, key pickup, unloading, and moving the car to parking. Cawthon's Honors Way location sits near other historic-quad halls, so curbside space can be busy during peak Saturday hours; arriving right at your assigned window, rather than early, tends to go smoother.
Room ideas
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Everything for your Cawthon Hall room
AC is hit-or-miss in Cawthon Hall — pack a fan just in case. The complete Florida State University packing list, tuned to Cawthon Hall — best picks flagged, anything the room already includes pulled out, and every item shoppable. Affiliate links; live Amazon prices where available, may vary.
121 items across 15 categories
Email me this checklist
We’ll also send the 2–3 things worth knowing before move-in day.
0 of 121 packed
Bedding
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⭐ Top pickTwin XL fitted sheet × 2Compare picks →Most dorm mattresses are 80" long — standard twin won't fitCawthon Hall beds are 36in x 80in mattress, XL twin length — get Twin XL, not standard twin.
Pillowcases × 4 (2 per pillow)
⭐ Top pickMattress topper (Twin XL)Compare picks →Dorm mattresses are firm and thin — a 2–3" memory foam or gel topper makes a real difference
Extra blanket or throw
Waterproof mattress pad (Twin XL)Protects the mattress from spills and wear — a cheap layer you'll be glad you packed
Zippered mattress encasement (waterproof, bed-bug proof)Dorm mattresses are used and shared — a zippered encasement fully seals it against spills, dust mites, and bed bugs
Fan — check your assignment
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⭐ Top pickTower fan or desk fanCompare picks →AC varies by hall. Bring one — it's cheap insurance until you know your assignment.Cawthon Hall is only partially AC'd — check your room assignment before skipping it.
Bathroom
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⭐ Top pickShower caddy (hanging mesh or plastic tote)Compare picks →Most freshman halls have communal bathrooms — you carry everything to and from the shower
Toiletry bag for daily-use items
⭐ Top pickHand soapOnly if your room has its own sink — communal bathrooms stock their own
Toothbrush covers (travel cases)Breathable vented covers keep your toothbrush clean on the trip to and from a communal bathroom
Facial tissuesKeep a box at the desk and nightstand — colds and allergies rip through a dorm
Toilet paper (2-ply)One of the most commonly forgotten items. Suite / private-bathroom halls only — communal-bath dorms stock it for you (check the “In every room” list above)
Personal Care & Grooming
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Hair dryer (compact)Not provided — you'll want your own for the walk back from a communal bathroom
Hair straightener or curling iron
Hair claw clips (variety pack)
Nail clipper & grooming kit
Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
Period-supply organizer pouchA discreet zip pouch for pads or tampons — the essential nobody wants to source last-minute at a new campus
⭐ Top pickOver-door / full-length mirrorCompare picks →Dorm rooms rarely have a full-length mirror, and you can't drill the walls — an over-door one hangs with zero damage
Self-Care Essentials
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Cordless heating pad (cramps, sore muscles, tension)USB-rechargeable, fits a desk drawer — no outlet needed at 2amBefore you buy: some schools restrict or ban heating pads and other heat-producing appliances — check your housing rules, and pick one with auto-shutoff.
Sleepytime herbal tea, vanilla (20-pack)Caffeine-free — a wind-down ritual beats scrolling before bed
Face mask sheets (12-pack)Finals-week pick-me-up when you don't have time for a real self-care routine
Comfort-snack variety box (40-pack)A sealed care-package box for the week you don't want to leave the room
Everyday makeup kit (e.l.f.)Primer, mascara, lip gloss, brow gel — a basic kit, not a full vanity
Storage & Organization
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⭐ Top pickUnder-bed storage bins or drawersCompare picks →Check your hall's under-bed clearance on the hall checklist page before buyingCawthon Hall beds have Adjustable up to 30in for storage clearance — measure before buying.
Adjustable bed risers (set of 4)Stackable to 3, 5, or 8 inches — lift the bed for far more under-bed storage. Check your frame first; many dorm beds already adjust in height
Command picture hanging stripsVelcro-style strips hang posters, photos, and light frames level and hole-free, then peel off cleanly — no move-out damage charge
Tension curtain rods (2-pack)No-drill spring rods (28–43") to add a closet rod, hang a window curtain, or string a divider curtain for privacy in a shared room
Stackable desk drawer organizer
Closet Space-Savers
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⭐ Top pickSlim velvet hangers × 30–40Compare picks →Dorm closets are narrow — thin non-slip hangers fit far more than bulky plastic ones
⭐ Top pickCascading hanger connector hooksCompare picks →Chain hangers vertically to turn one closet rod into three or four rows
⭐ Top pickMulti-slot space-saving hangersCompare picks →One hanger holds five items stacked vertically
⭐ Top pickCloset-doubler rod (2-tier)Compare picks →Hangs from the existing rod to add a second hanging level — no tools
Tech & Power
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⭐ Top pickSurge protector power strip (6+ outlets)Compare picks →Most schools require a surge protector — plain extension cords are prohibited
Ethernet cable (10 ft)Wired connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi for video calls and gaming
USB-C hub or docking station
⭐ Top pickAA + AAA batteries (48-pack)For the alarm clock, the remote, the clip fan, and the battery string lights many halls allow where plug-in ones are banned
⭐ Top pickBluetooth speaker (compact)Optional — keep it compact and respect quiet hours, which most halls enforce
Printer (optional — most campuses have free print labs)
Assorted zip ties (variety pack)Assorted sizes and colors for taming the cable mess behind the desk, bundling cords under the bed, and loft/dorm setup
Reusable velcro cable tiesHook-and-loop straps you can undo and re-bundle — the rearrangeable alternative to zip ties for chargers and monitor cords
Adhesive cable clips (cord holders)Stick-on clips anchor phone chargers and cords to the desk edge so cables stop sliding behind the desk
Charging cables (10 ft, 3-pack)Extra-long braided USB-C cables reach from a lofted bed to a far wall outlet — the spare everyone forgets
Multi-port USB wall charger (40W)One 4-port block charges your phone, earbuds, and tablet from a single scarce dorm outlet
Laundry
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Laundry detergent pods (compact for dorm storage)
Dryer sheets
Mesh laundry bag for delicates
Foldable clothes drying rackAir-dry laundry and delicates in a tight room to dodge dryer shrink and per-load costs, then fold it flat against the wall- Laundry app or coinsCheck if your school uses an app (Circuit, LaundryView) or quarters before you go
Fabric stain remover spray
Tide-to-Go or similar
Desk & Study
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⭐ Top pickDesk lamp (LED)Compare picks →Not provided in most halls — check your school's provided list above- Pencil cup / organizer
⭐ Top pickLaptop stand (adjustable)Ergonomic for long study sessions — pairs with any keyboard
Scissors and tape
Whiteboard or sticky notes for the door- Backpack (bring from home)
Health & Safety
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Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, medical tape)
Ibuprofen / acetaminophen
Cold and flu medicine
Hand sanitizer
Reusable face masks
Disinfecting wipesWipe down desks, doorknobs, and shared surfaces — cold and flu rip through a dorm floor
Vitamin C / immune supportDorms are germ factories — keep a box for the first sign of dorm crud
24-hour allergy tabletsNon-drowsy antihistamine for new-city pollen and dusty old dorm buildings
Blister patchesHydrocolloid patches for the blisters a big campus gives you in week one
Comfort & Room
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Gym bag / duffel (with shoe pocket)Gym, weekend trips home, and laundromat hauls — a tote won't cut it
Sleep mask + earplugsShared room, roommate's lamp, hallway noise — the cheapest sleep upgrade there is
Portable white-noise machineMasks thin dorm walls and a roommate's off-schedule coming and going so it's easier to fall asleep
Collapsible storage ottomanA 36L cube that swallows a bin of gear, holds 250 lb for guest seating or a footrest, then folds flat when you don't need it
Odor absorber (charcoal bags)Skip plug-in fresheners, candles, and wax warmers — most dorms ban them (fire code). Charcoal bags absorb odor with no flame or outlet.
Handheld garment steamerFaster and far more compact than an iron + board.Before you buy: check your school's appliance rules — some restrict irons/steamers — and pick one with auto-shutoff.
Slippers / house shoesCold, not-always-clean dorm floors — shower shoes are for the bathroom
Lint roller (5-pack)
Mini tool kit / screwdriver setFor assembling a loft, tightening a wobbly bed frame, and move-in boxes
Water filter pitcher (Brita)Dorm tap water, no kitchen filter — a 6-cup fits in a mini-fridge
⭐ Top pickBed rest reading pillowDorm beds have no headboard — a backrest with arms lets you sit up to study or read in bed
Weighted blanket (15 lb, twin)Calmer, deeper sleep in a noisy hall — sized to a dorm bed
Compact HEPA air purifierQuiet desktop unit for dusty old buildings, allergies, and roommate smells
Folding saucer / lounge chairThe extra seat a dorm never has — folds flat when you don't need it
Mini projector (movie nights)Turns a blank wall into a movie night — a floor favorite
Essential-oil diffuserWater-based ultrasonic (no flame) — the dorm-safe way to freshen a roomBefore you buy: some schools restrict diffusers, humidifiers, or scented devices — check your housing rules, and pick one with auto shut-off.
Kitchen & Dining
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Dorm dinnerware set (microwave-safe)Microwave- and dishwasher-safe plates, bowls, and cups so you're not eating ramen out of the pot
Divided microwave meal-prep plates with vented lidsPortioned, vented-lid plates for reheating and storing dining-hall leftovers or meal-prepped food — BPA-free, stackable, microwave- and dishwasher-safe
Dish drying matAbsorbent mat to air-dry dishes on a tiny counter — doubles for drying a shower caddy or shoes
Bottle & straw brush setCleans the straws and narrow necks of Stanley-style tumblers your other brushes can't reach
Paper towelsFor spills and quick cleanup when there's no kitchen — select-a-size to waste less
Misc Essentials
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Reusable water bottle (large, 32 oz+)
Umbrella (compact)
Rain jacket or packable jacket
Reusable tote bags × 2–3 (grocery runs, gym, dining)
Alarm clock or use your phone
Shower timer (optional, for communal bathroom courtesy)
⭐ Top pickArea rug (3×5 ft)Compare picks →Adds warmth and cuts the echo on bare dorm floors — measure your space first
⭐ Top pickStep trash can with lidNot provided — a hands-free pedal can with a soft-close lid keeps odors down by the desk (grab a pack of small liners too)
⭐ Top pickTrash bags (4 gallon, drawstring)Dorm bins are 4 gallons — 13-gallon kitchen bags swim in them
Safety box openerCeramic auto-retract blade opens the mountain of move-in boxes without slicing what's inside — safe and dorm-allowed
Move-In Day Gear
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Wheeled rolling moving bagWheels and a pull handle let you drag a fully loaded 600D bag up the stairs instead of hauling the weight — the move-in day lifesaver
XL moving & storage bags (6-pack)Haul a whole carload of bedding and clothes in one trip, then fold them flat to store bulky stuff over breaks
Folding hand truck / dollyRolls a mini-fridge, boxes, and furniture up to your room in far fewer trips, then folds flat to slide under the bed
Folding collapsible wagon cartLoad a full haul and roll it across campus in one pass, then collapse it flat when you're done
Related guides: Dorm move-in checklist · Best dorm shower caddy · Dorm mattress topper guide
Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup
Sources & verification — last checked Aug 18, 2026
Cawthon Hall FAQ
- What room types does Cawthon Hall offer?
- FSU's directory lists doubles, singles, and triples at Cawthon, all suite-style. Most baths are shared between two adjoining rooms, though FSU's rate table also prices private-bath suite rooms in Cawthon's rate group.
- How old is Cawthon Hall?
- FSU Housing lists Cawthon as "Built 1949, Renovated 2001."
- Do Cawthon triples get two refrigerators?
- No -- Cawthon is FSU's stated exception. FSU's Housing FAQ says two refrigerators are provided in triples "except in Cawthon where one larger refrigerator is provided."
- Does Cawthon Hall have air conditioning?
- FSU's hall page doesn't itemize AC for Cawthon, and the FSU facilities page that described residence-hall HVAC and air-filter service currently returns a 404. Confirm in-room cooling status with Residence Life before move-in.
- Is Cawthon Hall a good hall to live in?
- That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Cawthon Hall has 36in x 80in mattress, XL twin length beds with Adjustable up to 30in for storage of under-bed storage, and is only partially air conditioned. Florida State University provides Same as school-wide: adjustable bed with 36x80in mattress, closet, dresser, desk/chair, sink, mirror, recycle bin, telephone line, WiFi, laundry -- plus one 4.0 cu ft mini-fridge per room, and in triples one larger refrigerator rather than the two small ones used in other halls' triples in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Cawthon Hall stacks up against Florida State University's other halls above.
Thinking About Living in Cawthon Hall Next Year?
If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Cawthon Hall: it has 36in x 80in mattress, XL twin length beds with Adjustable up to 30in for storage of under-bed clearance, and AC is only partial in this building — some rooms have it, some don't. On top of that, the room comes with Same as school-wide: adjustable bed with 36x80in mattress, closet, dresser, desk/chair, sink, mirror, recycle bin, telephone line, WiFi, laundry -- plus one 4.0 cu ft mini-fridge per room, and in triples one larger refrigerator rather than the two small ones used in other halls' triples; you'll need to bring Linens, towels, loft kit, extra refrigerator without medical documentation, telephone service yourself; Same as school-wide policy: no lofts or concrete blocks under beds, nothing affixed/attached/bolted to walls, no exposed-coil cooking equipment, no halogen lamps or electric heaters, no candles or incense, no ceiling fans, no wireless routers, no extra fridge without documentation, microwaves/dehumidifiers capped at 700W, pets limited to fish in an aquarium isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.
Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see Florida State University’s other halls below.
More Florida State University halls
Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.