Going off to college is uncharted territory for many freshmen, and deciding what to bring can be a stressful situation for those who are unsure what they should be bringing. As I have been in college for almost two years, I am here to give you some advice on what you will really need as a college student.
Most obvious is clothes. Although this may seem as though it would be the easiest thing to pack, it is actually way too easy to overpack in this area. Many people in college have this idea that they will dress super cute everyday, so they pack lots of cute clothes, but not enough comfortable clothes. I am sorry to break the news to you, but as a college student, most days you will probably value comfort above fashion, so make sure to still pack some cute clothes, but don’t forget to pack an abundance of clothes that make you feel comfortable as well. You will probably also need to pack one or two fancier outfits just in case you have a nice event to go to, so you are not caught with nothing to wear.
One of the big mistakes that I made my freshman year was bringing too many random items from home. I thought the more things I brought from my home the less I would miss it, but this was not true. In bringing so many personal items from home that I had no use for, I ended up creating an amount of clutter in my room that I did not need, which in turn stressed me out more than it brought me comfort. So with this in mind it is bringing a few personal items from home is a good idea, but don’t bring too much or it will just take up space that you will probably need for something else.
As far as toiletries and cleaning supplies, I would say to go on the safe side and assume that your roommate will not bring much. It is always good to have too much cleaning supplies rather than not enough! An essential that I did not expect is some type of room spray or fragrance, as using the microwaves in your dorm often creates a bit of a lingering odor in your room that is not pleasant to sit around in all day. Also, bring a surplus of toilet paper. This may seem unnecessary, but there is nothing worse than completely running out of toilet paper and not being able to find any in the stores in campus! Other cleaning supplies such as wipes and disinfectant spray will also be your best friends in fighting the dust in your dorm that seems to go away however many times you try to wipe it up. But, having these things will help you to keep your room as clean as you possibly can!
Lastly, for this list of college essentials is a few random things that I would recommend bringing. If you have communal showers, you should make sure to bring shower shoes and a basket for your toiletries as these things will make your trips to the shower much more comfortable. I’d also recommend bringing or purchasing some snacks once you get there as having some food stocked in your dorm will save you from being hungry at midnight, but having nowhere to go to get food.
In conclusion, you must pack depending on what school you are going to, and what the culture and climate is like there, but some things are the same for everyone. Try not to overpack, bring a few sentimental things (but not too many), and make sure to bring the things that will bring you joy throughout the year! Good luck in college; I hope these tips will help you out in your packing!