I spent the entire summer before my freshman year of college so WORRIED.
I also spent most of my money that summer on miscellaneous dorm stuff. I packed the car when the time finally came to move in, and spent the drive up excited and confused about what the heck was actually going on.
Freshman year came and went, and as I get ready to go back to school in just a few short weeks (!!), I'm starting to realize there's just a whole bunch of crap I just don't need.
After freshman year, I threw out:
1. Half my wardrobe.
I don't really know what I was thinking of owning 13 sweaters and 25 T-shirts in the first place. I wear the same five T-shirts until I magically find a new one that I probably got for free, and I put on jeans maybe four times. One pair is enough.
2. Half my makeup.
Following in the theme of #1, if I put on makeup, it's the same eyeliner-mascara combination as always. Sometimes I spice it up and add lipstick or eyeshadow.
3. My vacuum.
One, I basically never did it. Two, if I REALLY needed to vacuum, dorms rent out cleaning supplies.
4. Most of my photos from high school.
I didn't throw them ALL away, but most of them won't be making a return to college. Things change, people change, your friends change. And that's okay.
5. Excess school supplies.
Binders are heavy and I am lazy. I surprisingly didn't lose that many pens, so I don't need the fifty pack anymore. I could probably do without the crayons.
6. Cups/Plates/Bowls/Silverware.
Again, I am lazy. I cannot be bothered to wash dishes that often. I'll stick to water bottles and maybe one coffee cup. Paper plates/bowls can always be bought, and plastic silverware can always be stolen from different places on campus.
7. Books.
I love to read, but I really don't understand why I thought I'd have the time to actually do it. I think I read one book all year, and that's just a maybe.
8. A sewing kit.
I don't even know how to sew.
9. Excessive decorations.
It's nice to make your space feel a little more cozy, but not every inch of the wall needs to be covered.
10. Throw pillows.
At night, these cute little pillows just got tossed to the floor, and they'd sit there for days if I didn't make my bed.