WHAT TO TAKE
FLIP FLOPS
Flip flops are a must for college showers. It is no secret that the showers in the dorms are going to be dirty. You fellow college students will have a tendency to come home from parties and be a little less sanitary than they would be in their parents' bathroom, and you don't want to step in something disgusting with your bare feet. Also, you don't want to be fighting Athlete's Foot all semester because of the poor hygiene of other people in the dorm. Flip flops for the shower are a staple of dorm living.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
If you don't bring a computer to college, you will regret it. True, there are computer facilities on campus at most colleges, but they are noisy and crowded, and it can be hard to concentrate with commotion going on all around you. A computer will greatly improve your studies and your academic life at school. Also, college students like using computers to access the internet to talk to their friends and family, and you will want to be in the privacy of your own room when you are chatting online.
LOTS OF QUARTERS
Doing laundry in your dorm usually will require plenty of quarters for the washer and dryer. Just keep a stash of quarters, so that you don't have to hunt around or go get change in order to do a load of laundry.
EXTRA UNDERWEAR
Let's face it: we will re-wear jeans and sweatshirts, but you really have to draw the line at dirty underwear and socks. Make sure that you pack plenty of extras so that you have enough to tide you over until you are compelled to do some laundry... consider as many as thirty or forty pairs!
PHOTOS
Even the most independent scholars will end up feeling a little homesick sometimes. Make sure that you pack family photos, pictures of friends, and even pictures of pets. You will be glad that you did, and having pictures of your home-life out in your dorm will make you feel more at ease with your new surroundings. They also make a great conversation piece!
DICTIONARY
You are going to need one for your writing assignments, and for better reading comprehension. If you don't bring one from home, you could end up paying way too much for one at the college bookstore. You should also bring a thesaurus, for the same reasons.
CLOTHING
Dorm rooms are usually not very spacious at all. In fact, it can sometimes feel like you are living in a walk-in closet, so you don't want to pack more than you will need. Pack the appropriate clothes for the season, but try not to go overboard. Remember, chances are that you will be going home for holidays, so you can always restock at that time for the next season's wardrobe.
MEDICINE
Whether you just catch a cold, or you are suffering from a major hangover, you will want some basic medications accessible to you. Bring Tylenol, Advil, Imodium, Tums, and anything else that you prefer to use when you aren't feeling well. Also, bring a first aid kit with plenty of Band-Aids.
SHOWER CADDY
Bring a container (water-proof) to carry your soap, razors, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc. You aren't going to be leaving your bathroom supplies in the bathroom, so keep them all in a convenient caddy so that you can easily transport them to and from the showers.
WHAT TO BUY THERE
STORAGE CONTAINERS
Once you get to your dorm room, you will be able to measure the space that you have for storage containers. You can buy cheap and stackable bins once you get there, and you won't have to worry about them not fitting properly. Go to a Wal-Mart or similar type of store, and you will easily find what you need. You should also stock up on hangers if you have any closet space available to you.
SNACK FOODS
Pick up some snacks, like chips, granola, and cereal. If you have a mini refrigerator in your room, then you can do even better, but if not, you still want to have something to munch on when you are up at night cramming for an exam.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
You can never be sure what your professors will want you to have, so you may as well wait to get your supplies until you know what you will be required to have. Just make sure that you at least have a pen and pad to write down the items you will need to buy.
A LARGE LAUNDRY BASKET OR HAMPER
Many college students do their laundry as infrequently as physically possible, so you will need a big hamper or laundry basket to handle the piles of dirty clothes. Better that it be in a hamper than on the floor. Buy it when you get there if you are trying to save space in the car – they aren’t hard to find.
DESK LAMP
Regardless of whether or not there is a light in the room, you will want a desk lamp. If you are sharing a room with another person or people, then you may be up studying at your desk when they are sleeping, so you will need a personal light for your desk area. Try to buy one that covers up the light bulb as much as possible, or else the light will end up bothering your eyes after prolonged exposure to the bright bulb.
