Transitioning out of high school and into the independent world of college can be an exciting yet scary experience. For many, freshman year serves as the first real taste of adulthood that follows an entire childhood of living under the close care of family. Because of that, it's usually hard to imagine how to prepare, what you'll need to bring, or what dorm life is truly like (because trust me, it's nothing like Zoey 101!) That being said, this list explains 9 important supplies to pack when preparing for freshman move-in day, as well as hacks that will help to make your first year of college a bit easier to manage:

1. A mattress pad.

Although your school will provide a bed frame and mattress, the mattress that's given is not meant to be slept on; it's a thin, hard base meant to support additional bedding, and it's likely been passed down through decades of residents. Instead, you'll want to bring your own memory foam mattress pad, and preferably one that's cool and soft. You'll be thankful for your plush bed after a hard day's work, making mattress pads one of the most important college investments

2. Bed risers.

You'll quickly come to realize that sharing a small space requires innovative methods of storage. While you might have a desk, some drawers, and a closet, there's never enough room to store all that you'll need for living away from home. Thankfully, bed risers create extra space under your bed by propping the frame a few inches off of the ground. This space can then be used for boxes and bins, making a small room entirely more accommodating.

3. Shower shoes & caddy.

When excitedly imagining your first year of college, it's likely that bathrooms don't come to mind. However, one of the biggest changes from home life to dorm life is a shift in shower habits made necessary by communal bathrooms. That being said, be sure to prioritize the purchase of shower shoes (flip flops, slide-ons, etc.), as you do not want to be standing in the unknowns of a college bathroom floor. In addition, be sure to buy some sort of shower rack or caddy; they help with transporting your soaps, shampoos, and other supplies to and from your dorm with ease.

4. Cleaning supplies.

When you no longer live in a house that comes pre-stocked with supplies and where tasks are split amongst family members, you're quickly forced to learn what needs doing along the way. That being said, a few basic necessities that are commonly overlooked when packing are Windex, sanitary wipes, Febreeze, and similar household items. Swiffer mops and/or compact vacuums also come in handy when the floors need TLC (because the last thing that you want is a bug infestation in your living space!). Finally, try to think ahead to what chores you'll need to tackle such as laundry, trash, and the likes.

5. Hanging shoe rack.

Based on personal experience, I can say with confidence that shoe racks make all the difference. More specifically, I've found that the types that hang from your closet not only save space, but also make your room more organized and appealing. With your sneaker collection up off the floor and your countless heels stashed away for the weekend, you'll have more room for furniture and friends!

6. Multi-outlet surge protector.

When you stop to think about it, college dorms essentially require that you take the furniture of an apartment, squeeze it all into one small room, and then share that space with one or more roommates. Nonetheless, there is always bound to be limited outlet space - those few existing outlets hiding in the most inconvenient spots possible. This is when outlet extenders come in handy, providing additional access for your lamps, coffee makers, and alarm clocks. Furthermore, built-in surge protectors provide the perfect protection for your large-scale appliances such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and laptops.

7. Personal printer.

The on-campus printing that most schools provide is often burdensome as opposed to convenient. I can't tell you how many times the closest available printer was far out of my way, in need of maintenance and/or paper, or simply temperamental in connecting with my laptop. That being said, you can save yourself a headache by bringing a personal printer to school; the printing will be free, there won't be any lines, and you won't ever have to leave the comfort of your dorm.

8. A lock box.

Although a lock box is often unnecessary, a little extra security never hurt anyone. A large, sturdy container of this type helps to keep all of your important possessions out of reach, plus it fits perfectly under a bed hoisted by bed risers! If anything, a box of this size can simply be used as more convenient storage until the time comes that you need to secure something important.

9. Mini fridge with a freezer!

As far as dorm shopping goes, buying a mini fridge often takes high priority as mid-study session snacks, late night meals, and left overs all serve as staples for a typical college student's diet. However, what most fail to notice while picking their appliance is how small some of the freezers tend to be. More often than not, a mini fridge comes with a narrow, built-in compartment where ice and tiny freezer items can sit apart from the food. But if you plan to stock up on anything larger than an ice cube tray, be sure to find a mini fridge that comes with a separate freezer area; the space will come in handy when you're suddenly craving ice cream at 3am!