Nervous about packing for college. best things to bring?

Question

I would LOVE for anyone to tell me what they think is the most important thing to bring to college. i tend to get a lot of preparation anxiety.. and i just don't want to forget anything that would make me more anxious.

so.. i ask you what IS the most important thing to pack?.. or that helped you the most.

Answer 1

I'd bring a microwave and a mini fridge if the dorm allowed, some do. I know some dorms allow a small TV in the room as long as the roommate is fine with it. If I were you I would get a safe or some kind of lock box to keep any valuables in, it doesn't have to be a big one but people will be less likely to steal from you if you have your valuables locked up, plus it'll be hard for them to get into it anyway so it won't be worth their time. You can hide it in your room. Also if you have a lap top or a desk computer you should bring that too. Bring a first aid kit with- band aids, gauze, tape, Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, sun block, insect repellent, ace bandage etc.. Bring Q-tips, cotton balls, and peroxide. Don't forget fingernail and toe nail clippers.

Hope I helped :).

Answer 2

It first depends on how far from home you're going to be, because if you can go home on a weekend to get some things it's not as bad as if you can't.

Make sure you have your personal items, things like shampoo, conditioner, hair accessories, curling/flat irons, hair dryer, make-up etc.  You also want to have a caddy to carry it back and forth from your dorm room to the bathroom.

Also make sure to get some flip flops to wear IN the shower, yes, I said IN.  I say this because when I was in college there was a line up in the morning for the shower and you literally went in as someone stepped out, so the shower was still wet and soapy, and you don't know the bacteria lurking there.  That's how foot fungus is transported.  You can wear the flip flops in, then when the hot water gets going and you're IN the shower for about 5 minutes, take them OFF wash your feet, and put them back on when you're stepping out and walking back out of the shower.  

Make sure you have  ROBE, this is for when you're on line waiting to get in the shower, and when you get out!  You're also going to want towels for your body and your hair.

I would also take a First-Aid kit with Neosporin, band-aids, things like that, tweezers, etc.

You also want to take what you're going to wear now, and some clothes for when it gets cool, so if you don't have time to go home when it gets cool, you have some of those clothes.  Things like jeans, sweatshirts, jackets, long sleeves, sweat pants, etc.  Don't forget pajamas, etc.

Extra sheets, pillow cases, etc

Laundry detergant, softener, a laundry bag for both whites and colors, and LOTS of quarters for the machines there!

Also don't forget to bring an address book with your friends' phone numbers, addresses of their homes and the schools their going to, their e-mail addresses at home and their schools that they're going to.  Envelopes and stamps if you want to write to family members that don't e-mail.  Maybe some b'day cards, etc, if you need to send out things for occasions, etc.

Don't forget school supplies!  Pens, binders, pencils, notebooks, etc.  Highlighters, LOTS of them!  I went through TONS of them in college!

Remember to bring some things for your room, like a desk lamp, you're going to need a lamp for your room,  a PHONE and service for your phone, call the phone company and get it hooked up and if your roommate is going to use it too, make sure to come up some agreement about the bill.  Also some food, you can even do that the day you move in or the day after.  If someone in your family is moving you in, you can grocery shop after everything is in.

An umbrella so you're not going to class soaked on rainy days, a raincoat, gloves, hat, etc, for winter, but you can deal with that at winter time.

Don't forget a watch!  One of the MOST important things along with an alarm clock!  You also want to figure out your meal card which is how you're going to eat!  Make sure to get that done when you get there!

Blinds/drapes for your windows for privacy, especially if you're on the first floor!   Comforter, pillows, hangers for your clothes, paper holder/magazine holder for your books.  Those are those things you see that hold magazines on shelves, you can get them for your notebooks, they can organize them neatly on your desk.

Pictures of your loved ones and friends!  You can get a collage frame to hang up, or separate frames with pictures in them, etc.

Think about those things you use on a daily basis, as you use them, write it down and make a list, those are the things you are going to want to take with you and pack!  

You can also take paper cups, paper plates, plasticware for forks, spoons, knives, napkins for when you're eating in your room.  

A MIRROR!  You won't have one unless you bring one!  

You also want to bring some kind of wipes, like Clorox, lysol, etc, this way if someone spills something you won't have every bug in creation in your room, you can wipe it up!  I would also get a little broom or something to sweep up crumbs, etc.  Method is GREAT because it's all natural, you can even put flowers in it, it's so natural.  It was created by college students.  They make wipes, soap, etc.   Just make sure you have something to wipe up little messes, otherwise you WILL have bugs everywhere!  Even roaches!  It can and will happen!

An alarm clock is VERY important because NO ONE will wake you for class, you are ON YOUR OWN, make sure to get one and that you wake to it!  I know I said it already, but that's how important it is!    I would NOT share this with a roommate, get your own, even if they offer, get your own!

A little area rug so you're not stepping down on a cold floor in the morning, some slippers to wear in the morning is helpful too!

Just think what you also need in a house, and that's what you're going to need there, I know you don't cook, but you're going to want things to eat off of, etc.  I would get a refigerator!  You WILL SO want one!   Drinks, food, etc, to keep in your room for when you want one without having to walk across campus or go anywhere it's SO convenient when it's right in your own room!

Remember, whatever you forget, you CAN buy when you're there and your parents can also send you.  You're NOT stuck that this is it!  You can go out after getting everything moved in and go get what you need.  

I hope some of this helped and didn't overwhelm you!  I also help you have a GREAT time at college and that you get an awesome roommate who you become wonderful, life long friends with!!

Answer 3

There's not really just one thing that is the most important b/c all dorm rooms are different. Two things I made sure I had, though, that made life easier were a. a medicine pack of basic stuff (aspirin, bandaids, benadryl, q-tips, ace bandange, gauze, etc.) and b. a refrigerator. There will be lots of times where you'll want to bring to-go boxes home, and if you don't have one, it'll spoil.

Make sure you talk to your roommate though on what he/she is bringing so that you don't have duplicates. You'll also be able to save money that way by splitting what you need!

Answer 4

Some good warm blankets, jackets, and some good outfits. A tiny microwave would be good to heat food, and some drinking mugs. Towels, medcine chest things for first aid, cell phone.