School will soon be in session and it is important to think about what you will be bringing with you. I know when I was going to college I looked at lists upon lists of things that I supposedly needed. Now as an incoming sophomore, I have fully experienced this fact: dorm life is fun, but it's cramped. You will be squished into a living space with many other people and how smart you pack determines how comfortable your stay will be. I know that I over packed. I sent things home the first day because I knew I wouldn't need it. Now I have realized I didn't need half the things I took with me. Here are a few things I learned along the way.
Bedding and Decorations:
Do: Take time to pick out a comforter. You will have it for 4-plus years (most likely) so make sure it’s as close to perfect as you can get it.
Don’t: Bring too many pillows or blankets, especially decorative ones. I know a lot of girls want the prettiest set up with all the throw pillows and pretty quilts but those will end up on the floor and you don’t have space to spare.
Do: Bring an extra pair of sheets and pillow cases. Stuff happens and if you don’t have time at that moment for laundry it comes in handy.
Don’t: Bring your decorations. Buy them there after you and your roomie have decided on something that works for both of you and with the amount of space you have.
Cookware:
Do: Bring utensils, reusable water bottles, bowls and mugs. Utensils and water bottles are just necessary and as long as the bowls and mugs are microwave safe, you’re golden.
Don’t: Bring a full kitchen set. Unless your dorm is somehow apartment style you will not need all those supplies. Just a couple of essentials for the times you want mac and cheese or pancakes.
Do: Figure out between you and your roommate who has what cooking supplies. One person brings a pan and one brings a pot with matching tools and that’s really all you need.
Appliances:
Don’t:Bring a microwave. There will be one for your disposal and it’s not worth making your room smell like ravioli.
Do: Bring a mini fridge. It’s a great way to ensure nothing gets stolen in the communal fridge and it's easily accessible.
Don’t:Get a coffee maker unless you are 100 percent sure you will use it all the time. Otherwise, it’s a complete waste of space.
Do: Consider bringing something for hot water. If you are someone who drinks a lot of tea or eats a lot of ramen this is for you. A hot water kettle is perfect and inexpensive and relatively easy to store or if you already have a Keurig just use that.
Don’t: Bring an ironing board and iron. Unless your school has somewhere to iron clothes (mine did, but I was in a fairly old dorm) nix the iron and buy a hand steamer. Easy to operate and there is also less of a risk of ruining your clothes with it.
Clothes:
Don’t: Bring all of your clothes. Unless you live a minimalist lifestyle there will not be enough space. Pick out the essentials based on the season and either swap out clothes when you go home or have your parent’s ship stuff to you.
Do: Think about the climate of the school you will be attending and the surrounding areas. I grew up in a city where the snow would pile up and you would have to bundle up. When I moved to school in Seattle, it only rains all winter so I kept one heavy winter coat, a couple scarves and some heavy socks. I swapped my snow boots for rain ones and wore my rain jacket all winter.
School Supplies:
Do: Get your textbooks sent to school. It saves you from shipping them or hauling them everywhere.
Don’t: Over buy supplies. Buy per quarter or semester for notebooks (I would recommend a five subject to use until it’s full) and get a few pens, pencils, a stapler, scissors, and one glue stick. If you use pen all the time, bring white out. If you will be using your computer for notes, bring one small notebook and a couple of pens and pencils for emergencies. Don’t forget a folder to keep assignments neat before turning them in.
Do: Have a good backpack. It will be your best friend especially when you don’t have time to go back to your room for things. Also if you tend to study at coffee shops a lot then it’s great for a bus, car, or walk, because carrying your computer in the open is not a good idea, especially when it rains.
Toiletries:
Do: Get a backup of the most important things. Shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser and feminine products go at the top of that list.
Don’t: Bring all of your lotions, makeup and hair supplies unless you use them almost every day. Bring only a few nail polishes, tone down your makeup collection and use multipurpose products to save space.
Attitude:
Do: Go in excited for next chapter of your life.
Don’t: Be scared. Everyone there is in the same boat as you are.
