As an incoming freshman, deciding what to bring to college is almost a bigger thrill than getting your acceptance letter. As an almost-sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, I have created a list of what I have found are some the most important things to bring for your first semester in the dorms. Happy packing!
11. Rug/Storage Cubes/Lots of Pillows
Whether you like it or not, you will be spending a LOT of time in your dorm room. Try to make this as comfortable as possible. There is always that one dorm where your friend group will hang out all the time, so if you think that might be yours, try to make it as guest-friendly as possible by having those storage cube chair things and a comfy rug so no one has to sit on the cold tile floor!
10. Items from home
This is super cliche, I know, but it's also so true. Whether home is 10 or 1000 miles away, living in a dorm room is kind of like living in a jail cell. In order to make your first year more comfortable to adjust to, bringing items from home such as pictures, favorite books, and/or little knick knacks for your room always help to make the transition smoother.
9. Dehumidifier
I kid you not, I woke up sweating more times the first week in Norman than I ever have in my life. Oklahoma humidity is unlike any other, and if you haven’t ever experienced this kind of torture, I suggest you bring a dehumidifier to help with this problem. You can get smaller ones, such as the one shown above (which is the one I have and is about the size of a standard desk lamp), or a larger one, but those become really heavy when you need to empty it.
8. Singing/Dancing/Acting Ability
Three words: USing, Homecoming, Scandals. If you decide to pledge a fraternity or sorority, you will have the opportunity to be involved in all three. Some of the other major organizations on campus get involved too, so don’t feel like you’ll be left out if you choose not to go into Greek Life. Don’t be afraid if you have never done any of these, getting to do Scandals with the Union Programming Board is literally the only reason why I have any sort of dancing ability. Learning is just a part of the process and it’s fun regardless of your talent level coming in.
7. Not yOUr car
Parking? Not on OUr Campus. Your parking space will become your best form of currency when living in the residence halls, so, if you don’t absolutely NEED to bring your car here, don’t even try. Trust me. We have hundreds of bike racks to spare, so feel free to use them. Side note: it's also cheaper and better for the environment if you use a bike instead of a car.
6. The Good Ol' Crimson & Cream
Also known as “Game Day attire”, crimson and cream is a staple color combination for the wardrobe of any University of Oklahoma student. If you somehow come to school without a clothing item in either of these colors, don't worry, we have an amazing bookstore that you can buy some really cute stuff at, or visit one of the billion shops on Campus Corner, and soon you'll be drowning in school pride.
5. A sense of adventure
Whether your idea of an adventure is hiking Turner Falls or walking to the Biz alone in the middle of the night, it is always good to come with the mentality of wanting to try new things. The residence halls and union will constantly be putting on events that will get you out of your comfort zone. They may seem weird or scary at first, but I can promise that there’s always something to spark your interest. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new hobby or club that seems promising.
4. Rain Gear
Carrie Underwood lied when she said "there's not enough rain in Oklahoma." The weather here changes faster than… well, anything. As Spring rolls around, the week-long rain sessions are basically unavoidable. If you don’t have a kayak that you can ride to class, I suggest you bring any kind of rain gear (rain jacket, umbrella, rain boots etc.).
3. A PRINTER
Yes, the college rumors are true: printing in the library or study halls can easily become one of the most expensive things you will ever encounter. Bringing your own printer gives you the opportunity to print however much you want, whenever you want without the fear of going into even more debt.
2. A love for Chick-fil-A
Home to the country’s only all-you-can-eat Chick-fil-A, the Caf (or Couch Restaurants) gives you an opportunity to sit there all day everyday (except Sundays of course) and eat as many nuggets, fries, sandwiches, and sauces as you want for just one meal swipe. Failed a test? Chick-fil-A. Dealing with a break up? Chick-fil-A. Nuggets heal all wounds, my friends.
1. Half the amount of t-shirts you think you'll need
If there is one thing that the organizations at OU love doing, it’s giving out free shirts. Convocation? T-shirt. Campus Coffee Crawl? T-shirt. Park Free at LNC? T-shirt. I had so many by the end of my first semester that I had to start keeping a stack in my closet because my dresser drawers were overflowing. Now the stack in the closet is even starting to get too big.
To help with this, cut out shirts with your high school name, shirts that you haven't worn in the past six months, and shirts that don't fit you (trust me I've seen it all).So there you have it: 11 of the most important things you could ever bring to the University of Oklahoma (in my personal opinion). Want any more OU freshman packing tips or life hacks? Hit me up on twitter or comment down below!
