Packing for college can be a tricky task. On one hand, you want to make sure you have all of the necessities: toothbrush, computer, beer bong. But on the other hand, you don’t want to scare off your roommate by looking like a pack rat, or worse, be unable to move in the already cramped space that is the freshman dorm. Recent college grads here at the College Prowler office were kind enough to sooth my plight. Through their research, they came up with the 25 must-have items to not only make a gentle transition but to survive as a college freshman…
1. STORAGE BINS!
Like silence, these things are GOLDEN. You will arrive in your cubby hole, and you’ll have a lot of stuff. While some have found cardboard boxes easily shoved in the closet to be the best solution, the advice I’ve gotten has been to purchase a couple of good quality clear plastic storage bins (best found at Target or Wal-Mart). They hide easily, are readily accessible, and are also transparent so you’ll know exactly where something is before you begin tearing apart your room. Plus, if you get the bins with wheels at the bottom, they can be easily transported and can serve as no-unpacking-needed suitcases—fill them at home, bring them to college, and slide them under your bed or stick them in your closet. Eureka! One point of advice: Avoid taller, deeper bins that take up more space and purchase several low-lying ones to avoid rummaging through layers of clothing that I’m sure your mother folded just right.
2. Overnight Bag
Sometimes it can be easy to get so wrapped up in packing large suitcases full of stuff we’ll need for the whole year that we forget to bring along a small duffle bag for quick weekend trips, the occasional gym session, or even for spring break vacation.
3. Shower Caddy
Ladies, we all know how many bottles and sprays and loofahs we need to drag into the shower with us. Why not make it all easier to carry with a shower caddy? This bin is essential for a fast on-the-go shower.
4. Flip-flops/Bathroom Shoes
OK, so this concept may be foreign to you if you’ve lived your life up to this point with clean bathrooms and grime-free showers. Allow me to break the news to you that, in college (or any other place for that matter), you have to use a communal bathroom, so you can kiss anti-bacterial washing environments goodbye. Welcome to shower shoes! So that I am not forced to go into gross details, just trust me and all of the college grads here at College Prowler on this. Besides, you know Old Navy flip-flops are cheap. Pick up a pair before your arrival.
5. Febreze/Air Fresheners
Combine you, your roommate, a potential crowd of friends, dirty clothes, and lots of food, and what do you get? A whole lot of stink. But never fear! This potentially noxious smell can easily be eliminated by the use of spray Febreze or a couple of simple air fresheners. If you don’t bring them with you, you’re going to want to buy them—fast.
6. Tool Kit
I have been told that there will be times when you will be scouring the halls in pursuit of a hammer or certain type of screwdriver to fix this or hang that—unless, of course, you already have these tools! In order to save space, you could even purchase a screwdriver with interchangeable heads. Not only does having these tools on hand make your life easier, but it might just make you one of the most sought-after kids in the building!
7. Duct Tape
If at this stage in your life, you cannot name at least 10 different times when duct tape has been invaluable, then you haven’t lived—enough said.
8. Microwave/Toaster/George Forman Grill/Hot Pot
One or more of these kitchen utility items will make the food selection in your room leagues better. Many colleges, however, will not allow a microwave, toaster, or grill. If you’re in that boat, go for a hot pot water heater—they’re great for Ramen noodles.
9. Mini Fridge
I think it is widely accepted that this is a no-brainer when it comes to college life. Once during summer camp, we stayed in college dorms, but neither my roommate nor I had brought a fridge along. Our solution? Place all refrigerated items on the air conditioning vent and blast the AC as cold as it would go. As you can imagine, this solution did not work, and many a drink suffered as a result.
10. Compact Laser Printer
Though this is admittedly not an essential item, many people have said over and over how much more convenient it is to have your own printer and how much more cost-efficient it was for them overall. By not having to pay per page at the school printer (if your school does indeed charge), you may wind up saving money. But, while ink-jet printers are initially cheaper, they are NOT the way to go, as buying the necessary ink cartridges to keep them functioning all year is less cost-effective than just purchasing a laser printer.
11. Power Strips
In the days of technology, our use of plug-in electronics can easily exceed the number of outlets available in our dorms. Save yourself the trouble of arguing with your roommate about who gets to charge his cell phone first and bring a power strip or two.
12. Cinder Blocks
A lot of the time, dorm room beds are so low to the ground you wonder why they didn’t just throw a mattress on the floor and call it a day. By raising the bed on cinder blocks, you can place your bed at a more comfortable height and create storage space underneath. If you’re attending one of the many colleges that don’t allow cinder blocks, though, try using bed risers (also called bed elevators), which can commonly be found at Wal-Mart, Target, or Bed, Bath & Beyond.
13. Cleaning Supplies
No matter how much of a slob you are, your dorm room will get filthy to a point where you find yourself holding your breath as you quickly dash in and out of the door. The best suggestion I’ve heard is to invest in a hand-held vacuum, which makes for a quick clean-up of those pizza crumbs found all over your bed. Another great purchase would be wet Swiffer cloths or Clorox wipes, as they clean the mess up faster than damp paper towels or toilet paper.
14. 3M Command Strips
As most schools will not allow you use nails in the walls for hanging things, a simple solution lies in 3M Command Strips (found in most superstores). You can find them as hooks, hangers, organizers, clips, and strips. By making use of these handy items, you can save yourself the worry of whether or not the “toothpaste covering the nail hole” tactic will fool anybody.
15. Earplugs
For those crunch times when you need to get work done but people are too loud in the halls… for those restless nights when you lie awake wondering how such a loud and guttural snore could ever be produced by a human being, much less your roommate… for those moments when you have a horrible hangover and every sound makes your head want to explode—these are key.
16. USB Drives
These “jump drives” are great not only for transporting files from place to place but also for backing up those term papers that, if lost, could sign your death warrant.
17. Tide To Go
This item has saved me countless times! It can not only rescue you if some of that spaghetti sauce from lunch ends up on your shirt but also if you are out of clean clothes and need a quick clean on something “slightly worn”—it will do the job.
18. Umbrella
It is easily taken for granted, but without an umbrella, you will be miserable if your class is on the other side of campus and it’s pouring outside.
19. Sewing Kit
Even if you’re not a home body, it is always nice to be able to salvage a shirt by having a needle and thread on hand to sew a couple buttons back in place.
20. Fan
If your dorm doesn’t have air conditioning, you’re going to want a fan. If your dorm does have air conditioning, you might still want a fan.
21. Bottle Opener/Can Opener
People get so psyched about college and drinking, but when you have a bottle in hand, are you going to be able to open it? As for the can opener, what use is a hot pot or a microwave if you can’t get the can open to make soup?
22. Mini Stapler
Save yourself the effort of asking everyone you pass on your way to class if they have a stapler for that paper you’re expected to turn in. Just carry a little one in your bag.
23. Quarters
Needed for laundry and parking meters, and they’re easily stolen from parents before you leave for college.
24. Medicine
Tylenol, Advil Cold & Sinus, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil—bring it all. If you don’t need it, someone else will. Also, you might really want to consider a daily vitamin just to keep you healthy when everyone else starts to get sick.
25. Collapsible Laundry Hamper with Carrying Strap
For the weekends you don’t take your laundry home for Mom to deal with. By keeping your clothes in a hamper, you reduce mess and save time searching for that one shirt that you think may have snuck under your bed. If you get one that is collapsible, it can be easily stored away, and a carrying strap makes it easy to sling over one shoulder as you are moving. Laundry bags work well too.
You might be thinking to yourself, “This seems like a ton of stuff,” (OK, maybe it’s just me), but you can limit the stuff you need to bring by getting in touch with your roommate before hand to figure out who’s bringing what. That way you won’t have two microwaves or two vacuums, but hey, two bottle openers never hurt anybody.
Sincerely,
Kris P. Bacon
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