Moving away to college usually hails as the first big step in a young adult’s life and you can easily become lost, anxious, or stressed about the big change (especially if my mother helps out). Overpacking commonly occurs in an attempt to feel ready for any circumstance in college, but I’d bet money you won’t need a tuxedo for a frat fish funeral.
Clothing: Packing outfits for two to three weeks sets you up for success. Have clothes for any occasion that would happen in a normal week, such as going to class, working out, or going out with friends. Pack for the current season as well. During the winter, make sure to pack warmer or thermal clothing and shoes that fit the season. When the temperatures become warmer, switch out your biweekly cycle with clothes to wear during warmer months. Packing a set of formal attire may be required for some majors or job fairs, but otherwise, they only take up valuable space.
Toiletries: Nobody likes smelly, unhygienic people. Always have essential items like deodorant, shower supplies and oral hygiene products stocked and ready to use. Don’t forget to floss. If you have a communal bathroom, make sure to keep shower shoes and a caddy to hold everything you need. Remember, the entire floor uses the same bathroom, so stay sanitary. Prioritize saving space for clothes, but don’t skimp on toiletries.
Dorm: You will be living in your dorm for the next four years, so make it a place you actually want to be in, not a prison cell. Hang lights, cork boards and pictures to remember your family and friends and lessen the homesickness bound to happen. Another vital item to pack — storage units like drawers and bins to store your things. If possible, raise your bed high enough to place drawered cabinets and extra storage underneath the mattress for maximum efficiency and a tall throne for a bed. It’s a two-for-one deal. Work out with your roommates who will bring a fridge, microwave and any other expensive appliances the school allows. Determine before you leave if you should bring a desktop or laptop computer. Laptops take up less space, but they might not run as well as a desktop. And the final key part of your dorm, the fan. Every college student that I know praises their fan as the only thing keeping them afloat in college, especially the WooZoo Globe Fan.
Your professors will send a list of supplies that you will need for your classes, so pay attention to anything that they require you to bring. Space needs to be prioritized in a dorm, but most importantly, stay stress-free. Make a list, communicate, spend some money and go have a great time in college.
