packing for college is stressful | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Parents

Packing For College: A Saga

No one warned me just how much this would suck... so I am here to share with you my very stressful experience.

339
Packing For College: A Saga
Personal Photo

Between the shopping and the actual packing, preparing for college was nothing short of stressful. Target (I swear at least five times), Walmart, Marshals, T.J. Maxx, The Container Store, Staples, and the countless Bed, Bath, and Beyond runs I made with my mom. You name it and chances are we were there once.... if not 10 times. Having a list was definitely helpful at times, but the smallest things seemed to stress me out the most! For example, which shower caddy to use, which bowls to buy, and of course, what would hold my makeup. As a came to find out shopping was not nearly as bad as packing it all up.

As some of you may know, I have a slight makeup addiction... maybe more than slight. So deciding what makeup to bring was like asking me to pick my favorite child. I sat on my floor for like an hour sorting and choosing the makeup I would bring, my family probably thought I was nuts because of how stressful this was for me. I was able to limit what I needed into clear organizer from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, a small bag with some lip stuff, and three small ceramic cups from Marshals.

Clothing was also a struggle and a half. I decided my best bet was to pull out all the clothes I wanted to bring and then narrow down the pile with my mom until I got to a solid amount of clothing. It was weird trying to pack for the different weather because currently, Ithaca is VERY hot and we are not quite sure when it is going to cool down. So I packed a lot of short sleeves, a lot of sweatshirts, some shorts, a few pairs of jeans, and a few sweaters to get me through until I come home for a short break in October. At this point, it doesn't seem like I'm ever going to need said sweaters, but I'm holding out for the cold Ithaca weather. Surprisingly, shoe packing was very smooth, which was shocking to my mother since she was expecting me to try and bring all the shoes I own. I packed 11 pairs of shoes, sans the warm boots I have to grab when I'm home in a little over a month.

Three days before packing the car, my mom and I sorted through all the clothes, toiletries, laundry things, etc. Her room was an utter disaster, but somehow we pulled it together within a few hours. Then it came time to pack the truck (the night before I left), but I can't tell you much about that experience because I left the house to say bye to some friends. While I was out, though, I got an SOS snapchat from my sister saying don't come home, everything is a madhouse. So I waited until my mom called and asked me to come home. Upon my arrival, the truck was completely packed and there were flustered looks on everyone's faces. My sister then told me that she and dad had packed up the whole truck and then my mom came down with more things to pile in. They had to take everything out and start from the very beginning. We could not fit anything else into the jammed car, but everything I needed somehow fit.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

5381
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

2641
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

1964
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

1837
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments