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| My bags when I took off for college |
What I ACTUALLY Brought to College (and what I ACTUALLY used)
If you’re headed off to your freshman year of college and totally flipping out over what you need to pack, what you should buy there, etc… then you’re just like I was about this time last year. I’m sure you’ve been searching all over Pinterest for all of the packing lists and the helpful advice. That’s exactly what I did. You know, those lists are great, but we all know that you are going to personalize it for yourself anyways, so I thought I would go ahead and share exactly what I brought to college, how I used it, and how much I used it.Bed:
Let’s start with your bed. I’m sure most of these things are a no brainer, but I will appease the “complete list-maker” in all of us by leaving no detail out.• Mattress Protector (Only get bedbug protection if you’re in an area with bedbugs)
• Mattress Topper (If you’re going to have a crappy mattress, I suggest the 2 inch)
• Fitted Sheet/Regular Sheet 2 pair (Yes get 2, and know how big your mattress will be)
• Quilt/Comforter (Do what you want here, climates also vary)
• Blanket or Two (This can be a t-shirt quilt, tied blanket or a fleece, but you’ll want one)
• Body Pillow and Pillow case (This is nice to keep you from the cold, cinderblock wall)
• Sleeping Pillow of choice (I LOVE my memory foam but we are all different)
• Crappy $3 pillow to put your matching sham on (You know, the free one that came with the comforter you bought)
• 1 or 2 Fun decorative pillows (Too much on the bed gets annoying)
• Back Rest Pillow (For if you’re not a fan of the body pillow. They are nice for studying in bed)
Bathroom:
This is a list assuming you live in a dorm with a community bathroom. No need for TP is it’s provided for you!• Shampoo/Conditioner (get the big one, value sized. Know how much you use in a year and get that much. I only use one of the Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship bottles and they last me all year)
• Body Wash (Again, know how much you use in a year and get it now. No one wants to go shopping for toiletries, they are more expensive on campus, and what if you forget to buy more? I use a big bottle and a smaller bottle of Olay)
• Loufa/washing device (Whatever you prefer, but if it’s a cheap loufa, I’d get two or three. If you get a loufa, also get a suction cup hook that you can put in the shower and hang it on. It comes in handy!)
• Shaving cream (Your favorite smells and make sure they last all year as well)
• Razor and Razor heads (One package of refill should do it. Don’t be cheap with this one, TREAT YO SELF! No one wants razor burn before a big date)
• Shower Caddy (That can fit it all and won’t hold water)
• SHOWER SHOES (Just an old pair of flip flops to keep your toes off the gross floor)
• A Bathrobe/wrap (No one likes stripping in the shower stalls. Get a robe)
• Skin Care (Whatever you are using now on your skin. Know your skin now and also be prepared to change routines. The climate in Utah is MUCH different than Ohio, so my skin went crazy. I had to try so many different products before finding a routine that worked)
• Lotions
• Pampering Stuff (This is your sugar scrub, face masks, whatever. There will be a spa night. Be prepared)
• Towels (At least 2 and maybe put your initial on them. I love mine monogrammed!)
• Washcloths/hand towels (I have 2 wash clothes and 1 hand towel. It’s up to you)
• Hair Towel (Love my Twisty Turban and I use them every time I shower!)
• Nail Care (Clippers, polish, remover, file… everything. Buy a kit if you want to)
• FHP (Feminine Hygiene Products. Enough to get you through about 9 months. Unless you don’t mind buying them from the store on campus and lugging them back to your room unlike me, then buy all you’ll need)
• Cotton Balls, Q-tips and Cotton Pads
• Hand Soap (If you have a sink in the room, you’ll want some hand soap of your own)
Laundry:
• Hampers (I use two so I can sort my lights from my darks before I get to the laundry room)• Detergent (Use what you’ve got at home currently to avoid allergic reactions. I went through 2 Tide with Downy liquid containers in a year which is about 80 loads)
• Dryer Sheets (Again, what you’ve got at home and about 80 will do for the year)
• Lint Rollers (Yes, you’ll need them)
• Delicates pouches (If you’re in to that)
• Stain remover
• Quarters/ID card (depending on what the laundry facility takes for payment)
• Iron/Mini Ironing board (I don’t like wrinkles. I found a $5 iron that works great and a miniature ironing board that fits on my desk for quick ironing sprees)
• Steamer (Again, I hate wrinkles)
• Spray bottle (For water and a bit of fabric softener. Great for an overnight spritz to get wrinkles out of T-shirts, sweatshirts and any other loose fabrics. Faster than ironing)
School Supplies
This will vary depending on your schedule, major, the whole nine yards. Get your supplies from your bookstore LAST. The prices are always higher and you can find everything you need at a Staples, Office Max or other office supply store for much less.• Computer (You want a laptop/tablet. Get one that works for you)
• Headphones
• DVD Port (if your computer doesn’t come with one)
• DVD case (for all your DVD’s if you have any)
• Pens and pencils (As many as you needed in high school)
• Sharpies (A standard pack will do. I enjoy multiple colors)
• Scissors (You’re an adult now, get the big ones)
• White out (I use it)
• 5 different color highlighters (5 is my suggestion)
• Loose-leaf Paper and White Computer paper (Whether you have a printer or not, white paper always comes in handy)
• Notebooks (I suggest one for each class. Make sure they are college ruled, durable, and I enjoy having ones with pockets in the front. 5 Star is a good brand)
• Small Notepad (For all of your lists!)
• Thumbtacks
• A few rubberbands
• Small thumb drive
• Super glue
• Duct tape
• Tape
• Stapler and staples
• Holepunch
• Post-its
• Dry Erase Markers (If you have a dry erase board/calander)
• Some kind of a planner (This could be given to you at orientation, a big calendar, your phone, whatever but somewhere you can display all of your due dates.
• Pencil Sharpener
• Envelopes, stamps and cards (to write to your friends and family)
• Sewing Kit (I’ve used mine on many occasions)
• Ruler
• Lots of index cards and something to keep them in
• Textbooks and other class materials (duh)
• Bookbag
• Pencil Pouch
Food:
You’re going to want your comfort food. Especially your first week. There are also plenty of opportunities to get to know others through sharing food. Get enough for you as well as to share. You know you best. Get what you’re going to need. Breakfast bars, granola bars, hot chocolate packets, popcorn, whatever your heart desires at 2 a.m.• Paper plates (be cheap. Get the least expensive ones)
• Napkins (Again, be cheap. Grab some extras every time you leave a restaurant)
• Spoons and Forks (These disappear quickly)
• Soup bowl (if you like soup like me)
• Mugs
• Ziplock Baggies
• Plastic Cups
• Reusable water bottles (Save the planet)
Desk:
You’re going to need a place to put all of your supplies. I suggest making a list of everything you need, sort it by what will go where, and figure out what you specifically need to organize your odds and ends. This is just what I got and I currently use.• Drawer organizers (one with 6 cubbies for small things, and a larger with 2)
• Letter file (I have four slots in mine)
• Magazine organizers (This is for all of the papers I don’t need all the time and don’t want to see as well)
• Baskets/Bins (Again, to hide all of your crap)
• Something for your pens and pencils you will use all the time (A mug, an organizer, whatever you’re feeling and organizes well)
• Lighting (if your desk does not have lighting, get a table lamp or something so you can study without bugging your roommate at night)
• Dry Erase Calendar (I have a paper planner that is more detailed as well as a monthly calendar that is dry erase on my desk. It allows me to see all of my deadlines as well as other important dates so I never miss a deadline)
• Your handy-dandy bible/scriptures or other reading books
Clothes:
I plan on creating another post about what a college girl needs in her wardrobe, but here are a few things you will want in your closet.• Jewelry organizer/containers (I got a great hanging organizer from amazon Buy it Here and I keep my stud earrings in a small jewelry box)
• Scarf organizer (I got mine from Ikea)
• Shoe organization (Figure out how your closet is set up and whether or not you need bins or a shoe organizer. I bought an organizer and never used it)
• Drawer liners (They make your clothes smell better and make life less gross)
• Drawer dividers (I used an adjustable set for my sock drawer)
• Bins for odds and ends (belts, hats, gloves, blanket scarves, everything you have on your list)
• Hangers (Make a list of your wardrobe. Find out how you will hang your clothes and plan accordingly. I have 18 skirts and I use two skirt hangers with 4 tiers and a separate skirt hanger. I doubled up on all three. Also, use the skinniest hangers you can find. It allows maximum capacity. Have 10-15 extra hangers for anything you might acquire later in the year.)
• Hanging storage (if you want and can make it fit. You just need to know your wardrobe and your closet)
Everything Else
• Lap desk• Decorations (again, see the post about how to decorate your dorm room)
• Medicine
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• An umbrella
• Command Products
• Seating (A camp chair is something I wish I had)
• Seasonal items (Christmas is no fun without decorations)
• Trashcan (you will want your own under your desk)
• Clothing drying rack (if you have clothes that need to be line dried)
• A lanyard for your keys
• Tissues
• Cleaning supplies (Sometimes they are provided, but I suggest getting 2 packs of Clorox wipes, windex, a duster, paper towels, light bulbs and trash bags to fit your trashcan. A couple of rags would also be nice if not provided)
• Air freshener (If your roommate doesn’t mind, get a wallflower or fabreeze. Dorms smell weird and it can make a huge difference. Bath and Body Works Wallflower replacements last about a month. Get 9 different scents you both like)
• STORAGE BINS! (Know what you are bringing and plan accordingly. Know where everything will go and if it has no home, make one!)
• Command hook are your best friend (I use the picture frame strips, small hooks, large hooks, all the hooks! I have one my my door for my keys and another for the door stopper, one for my hats, a few for other decorations, small ones for Christmas lights, one to keep my cords off the floor, one to keep my charger on my desk when it’s not plugged in, and two for door decorations. You can never have too many command hooks and replacement backs.
• Step stool (If you’re short like me and need to raise your bed or get into your closet, get a nice, sturdy step stool that you like. I use mine daily)
• Luggage and bags (obviously luggage so you can travel home, an overnight bag is nice for weekend trips, a drawstring or two never hurt and your go-to clutch as well as the over the shoulder bag. All of these have come in handy since I have been in college)
That’s everything I have in my dorm room! I hope you found this useful and if you have any questions about whether you should bring something to college or not, leave a comment! Thanks guys!
-Brittany
