So it’s your freshman year in college and you’re heading off to residence … FREEDOM! But before you head out the door, there are some crucial things that you MUST pack before you leave. We’ve rounded out the ultimate college rez-packing list (minus the obvious bed sheets, clothing and school supplies) that’ll keep you looking good, your grades up (hopefully?) and your room (relatively) clutter free!
THINGS YOU NEED
1) MR. & MRS. DORM SURVIVAL KIT
This baby has it ALL. Packed with a sleep mask, ear plugs (for when you REALLY mean business), caffeine gum, a laundry bag – (with instructions!) – and tons more, remember to bring this kit and you’ll be set.
NEVER underestimate the power of a dry erase board. It comes in handy for everything! From leaving a note to your roommates to writing down important dates and jotting down notes for that big midterm coming up, you’ll be glad you brought along that board!
3) Alarm Clock
TRUST US, you will end up having an intense love/hate relationship with your alarm clock, especially for those early morning classes! But without one that blares you awake in the morning, you’ll end up being 10 minutes late to EVERYTHING, or worse – sleep through everything! Better yet, this one gives you a run (literally) for your snooze.
4) ADVANTAGE Plus Popped Pimple Gel Pen
You know you’re not supposed to pop your pimples, but you do anyways. And with all that freshman stress – labs, essays, parties, cute guys, hot girls, and finding some time to EAT in between all that, pimple aftermath is going to be the last thing on your mind. The Clean & Clear® Advantage® Plus Popped Pimple Gel Pen is perfect for on-the-go use to clear up popped pimples and allow skin to heal.
5) Travel Mug
Sometimes you just don’t have TIME to line up for your morning coffee, so why not cut time (and costs!) by making your own and taking it in your travel mug? It’ll sit with you through those 3 hour classes, chill in your room when you can’t be bothered to find a mug, and bonus – it holds more! Bonus #2 – this chrome one doubles as a mirror.
It may seem obvious, but your laptop will end up containing your entire life on it, and we mean EVERYTHING. So, as you can imagine, losing EVERYTHING would be… well… less than fun. You’ll NEED an external hard drive. Back – back – back it up. And don’t say we didn’t warn you.
7) Table lamps
There is never going to be enough light when you need it, and you never know just how TINY your dorm window may be. Enter TABLE LAMPS! Your eyes will thank you.
We cannot BEGIN to tell you how much you’ll love yourself for brining a full length mirror. It’s more than annoying when you can only see half of your reflection, how else are you supposed to make sure those are the right shoes for your outfit!?
9) Shower caddy
You’re sharing a bathroom with an entire floor, LITERALLY, so the last thing you want is to drop your bar of soap on the floor. Keep it all handy and easy to carry with a shower caddy and bring your razor, loofa, and even your toothbrush with you, all in this dandy caddy!
10) Storage unit
A storage unit is key – dorm closets weren’t made for the fashion conscious, that’s for sure. You can pack A LOT into one of these guys and the best part is – it’s clear. So you won’t have to go rummaging!
NICE TO BRING
1) Speakers
Party time! Now … if we could only find some speakers … and guess who has speakers? That’s right, YOU DO. Any music aficionado will want to bring a set with them to school. Depending on how much space you have, pack small ones that sit on your table or a larger set with a subwoofer.
2) Bar fridge & Microwave
If you’re lucky, and you’re allowed to – it would be a good idea to bring a bar fridge to your res room. You’re bound to get hungry in the middle of the night when everything is closed, and when exam season hits and you become a hermit – fridge contents to the rescue! Your common room, more often than not, will have a microwave for you to use – so don’t worry ’bout towing one of those.
3) Camera
There will be times you won’t want to forget. Trust us.
4) Posters, photos, things that remind you of home
We’re not telling you to uproot your room at home here, but a few things that remind you of home are always good to bring with you. You want your dorm to feel like a second home, not a prison cell! Just remember to leave your stuffed animal collection and your stacks of magazines at home.
5) Bamboo
Or a cactus, either one is virtually the easiest plant to keep alive. Sure, studies may show that plants are good for any environment, but they’re also perfect as décor!
NO DICE – LEAVE IT AT HOME!
1) Candles
That goes for incense too; most campuses rule it out because both candles and incense go against their fire regulations. SO, while we know you love that floral scent from Bath and Body Works, it’s best to leave it at home
2) Your entire DVD collection
This goes for games, magazines, books, anything that you just have a WHOLE LOT of that sits on your bookshelves at home. You won’t have any space to keep it all, and, although it’s nice to look at a colourful, packed shelf of books, movies & CDs – we guarantee they’ll just be collecting dust.
3) Your T.V.
Believe us when we say that you won’t be missing the television. There’s this other thing – it’s called the internet.
4) Exercise equipment, your drums, and your pet fish Bubbles
These may seem obvious, but our word is golden when we tell you that we’ve witnessed students try to bring every one of these things with them to school. Your campus has a gym, your drum set will have to be taken home, and let your parents take care of poor Bubbles – you know you’ll get too lazy to take care of the little guy.
5) Food
Leave it. You’re going to college, not the center of the Mojave Desert. There’s food there, trust us. And once you’ve settled in, then you can hit the grocery store.
