What should be brought to college

For night owls, bringing an actual alarm clock versus relying on your phone to wake you up might be the difference between getting to class on time or accidentally sleeping in. These will be your best friends, especially with customizing such a small space. If your dorm has a community bathroom, a shower caddy can make it easier to bring all of your bathroom essentials over in a single trip.

You should also be prepared to deal with small injuries, especially if the health services office on your campus happens to be closed. A first aid kit can provide everything you need in the convenience of a small bag. In this case, having a solid grooming set may be the right choice for you. Studies have proven that there is a strong correlation between self care and academic performance. If you want to achieve that 4.

When it comes to laundry, most students dread the thought of doing it, whether it be loading and unloading hampers or folding clothes afterwards.

These, along with other items listed below, can help you gain a greater appreciation for caring for your clothes—a habit that will serve you well beyond your first year in college! Your dorm or apartment is going to be your home base for an entire year. Use this as an opportunity to customize the space and try your hand at interior design. Rugs are a great way to bring some life and color to the room, while posters can give the space some character and speak to your interests.

If you like to paint or draw in your free time, this is a chance to give yourself and your friends a private art exhibition. It can be functional too! Adding additional seating is a lot more welcoming to guests than a single desk chair and the floor. Space management matters a lot in dorms. In addition to sheets, pillows, and a comforter, you'll also want a mattress pad.

Find out what your bath situation is. Do you have your own private bath? Do you share one with another room? Is there one big one per floor? You are going to want to consider portability when purchasing bath supplies, especially if you have anything other than a private bath. If there are things you're accustomed to having around at home, like antacids, tissues or bandages, be sure to include those with your toiletries. Shower shoes and a tote for your shampoo are also a good idea if you have a shared bath.

Find out where your laundry facilities are located and how far away they are from your dorm. Are they in the same building? Will you need cash or is there a card payment system? Do you have to go off-campus? In addition to detergent and dryer sheets, make sure you have a bag or basket for carrying your clothes. Think about what your school already offers, and what you like to have when studying. Finally, make sure you coordinate with your roommate s about who is bringing which shared items.

If you're planning to share a microwave, TV, or other items , make that clear before you move in. It might be helpful to share your college packing lists with one another. And now we introduce our ultimate college packing list!

Here, we tell you exactly what to bring to college, from dorm room essentials and bathroom supplies to electronics and clothes.

The following items are must-haves when it comes to your college packing list. These are all basic things you'll need for your dorm room and to make yourself feel right at home:.

TIP: When you unpack in the dorms, make your bed first. It'll get some bulky items out of the way and create a surface on which you can lay other stuff as you unpack. TIP: You really only need one or two of each "dining" item. Even if you have kitchen space, you're not going to be whipping up regular meals for you and your roomies.

Just get in the habit of washing your items right after you use them so you don't have things lying around and your bowl will be clean for your midnight cereal. While the above college packing list dealt mainly with general dorm room items you will need, this next list contains all the bathroom supplies no college freshman should ever be without:. TIP: Toiletries are the one thing it doesn't hurt to overpack. At some point, you will need it! Make sure to keep spare toiletries organized so that when you run out, you will know exactly where to find your backups.

TIP: Lots of stores sell first-aid kits, but you can also create your own kit and customize it to your needs. If you do so, make sure to include the following in it:. When it comes to what to bring to college, students don't always remember that it's not just about dorm and living essentials but also school supplies!

Here are all the items you'll need for classes in college:. TIP: If you didn't use it in high school, you probably won't use it in college. That color-coded binder looks awesome and professional, but unless you're serious about revamping your organizational skills in college, it'll probably just take up space.

These days, it's pretty much impossible to get through college without electronics. Here's what to add to your college packing list before you head to your dorm for the first time:. Desk Lamp. For reading textbooks or serving as backlighting for your next Insta selfie wokeuplikethis. Sticky Notes. Dry Erase Markers. Only slightly less awesome than the combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Push Pins.

Pencil Cup. Power Strip. Pencil Sharpener. Index Cards. I use mine to measure my beard, but they're also handy for drawing straight lines. Paper Clips. So much better than staples. Also a way to get a house, according to some guy's TED talk. File Box. Desk Organizer. Because everyone knows that your pens and pencils are seriously trying to take over your desk.

Extension Cord. Graphing Calculator. For math and stuff Sticky Flags. Scotch Tape It sticks things to things. Wall Calendar While I also use Google Calendar heavily, I find a paper calendar a nice quick reference for seeing what day of the week it is. When the broom's not enough or if you have carpet , bring out the big guns. Tool Set.

Foot Locker. Under Bed Storage. Bed Risers. Computer Chair. Saucer Chair. Duct Tape. Textbooks Textbooks can be expensive - it sucks. Bicycle A great way to get around fast and stay healthy.

Bike Lock. Bike Pump. Skateboard For shredding, carving, or just coasting to class. Sleep Mask. For storing important documents, embarrassing photos, and the One Ring. Backpack Upgrade Pick. Bluetooth Speaker. Quality Headphones. Wenger Synergy Backpack. Electric Kettle. For boiling water to make tea, coffee, and ramen. A game changer. Reusable Water Bottle. Microwave Safe Food Containers. AeroPress Coffee Maker.

Coffee Grinder. Can Opener. Chip Clips. Dinnerware Set. Pizza Cutter. If you've ever tried to cut pizza with a knife, you'll know how necessary one of these is. Frying Pan. A quality knife that will make you feel like you're in a scene from Ratatouille. Baking Trays. Dish Towels. Dish Soap. Paper Towels. Oven Mitt. For gripping and grasping. Also for pretending that you're Zoidberg from Futurama. Collapsible Strainer For pasta, every college student's best friend.

Pot Holders. I've slowly built up my immunity to hot metal, but for everyone else I recommend pot holders. Sink Stopper. If you live in a house or apartment, these are handy to have, though they're often included. Trash Can. Bonbowl Bonbowl is a compact induction cooktop that lets you cook and eat out of the same bowl.

Cook Pot. Check It Out. Trash Bags. Pop-Out Hamper. Drying Rack. Laundry Detergent. Ironing Board. I hang my cape on one every morning after I return from fighting crime. Utility Hooks. Closet Organizer. It only made my closet slightly less of a disaster area, but that's probably just me.