Are you going to be a freshman soon? Moving to college and starting a dorm life is exciting, but it might be quite frustrating without an adequate college packing list.
Whether you’re going far away or staying in the vicinity of your hometown, this is a challenging and exciting period for many young people. Having the right items and supplies with you can make a significant difference in making the student life feel like home. Remembering everything can save you those hurried shopping experiences and provide you with the necessary coziness and peace. So, take a look at essentials that should be packed when going to college. But, first, find out what dorm life is like and what you can expect there.
Traditional dorms are usually singles or doubles, and students share communal living areas and bathrooms. So, be ready for a huge adjustment when moving into the dorm and think about things that might make your space more pleasant beforehand.
Also, most four-year colleges have dining halls with meal plans, but they are not open all the time and sometimes just can’t meet your dietary needs. So, be sure to find a way to prepare food in your room – that’s why some kitchen essentials should find their place on your content checklist.
Whether you like it or not, student life is going to be your everyday reality for the next several years. Try to bring with you all the essential commodities needed to make you happier and provide you with a taste of home.
Before you start getting ready, check with your school what is and what is not provided for your future dorm life. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in order to get a clearer picture of what’s needed. One of the questions should have to do with the room size and furnishing. You should be prepared for limited space, so it’s crucial to know what to pack and what to leave at home.
To pack all moving essentials and not to overpack your bag, jot down all the stuff that makes your everyday life easier. With our packing tips, your relocation will go smoothly, and your new home will be to your liking.
Good organization is of utmost importance in a small place. To stay organized after moving in, you should start coming up with a system before relocation. Here are several useful tips to help you keep things under control:
When it comes to being all alone with your own needs, keep in mind that your parents or siblings won’t be there to do something instead of you or to prepare a delicious breakfast and coffee for you every morning. Your tiny room or apartment will become the place where you will eat, sleep, read, change your clothes, be with roommates… you name it.
Besides excellent organization, you shouldn’t forget all those things that will beautify your environment and mitigate your daily routine at the same time. Luckily, in such a tiny space, everything is within reach, so your only task will be to figure out how to arrange all the items to fit.
When you need to boost your energy and clear your thoughts, your bed enters the scene. That’s why it should have excellent equipment, tidbits, and some useful things, such as bedside shelves to provide you full comfort. Here is some bed stuff you shouldn’t forget to pack:
Before you decide what to bring to equip the space with some cooking devices, discuss these things with your roommate to avoid double items:
Additional tip: Some colleges have strict safety regulations about kitchen appliances and cooking devices, so check out beforehand what is allowed to bring into the room.
Your favorite snacks can work wonders for you in an adjustment to a new town. Being surrounded by unfamiliar young people is stressful, but, with tasty bites, it is much more bearable. So, don’t forget to pack some of these:
If you have small, waterproof bags with handles, they can be the best solution to pack toiletries. Anytime you go to the bathroom, you can easily pack everything without worries about your soap or body milk getting wet or lost. Here are some essential bathroom items and toiletries:
Remember that you’re going to campus and you’ll need practical and comfortable pieces of clothes. You can always come home during holidays if you want to switch out or bring back warmer or thicker clothes. Of course, for special events, it’s advisable to have at least two dressy outfits.
You shouldn’t exaggerate with clothes, due to the small storage space in your dormitory area, but with underwear, you can’t go wrong. Even two weeks’ worth of undergarments won’t be too much. When it comes to shoes, you should pack casual and seasonal shoes. However, sneakers and one elegant pair are a must.
So, let’s find out what would be desirable to have on your checklist regarding clothes and laundry:
Although you’ll definitely need school essentials, many of them can be purchased at your school bookstore, especially if you’re relocating long distance and need to minimize your moving boxes and luggage. Some of the basic items that may find their place on your checklist are:
Being without your favorite technical devices far away from home can be a real shock for a freshman. So, to avoid these situations and be able to check your email and social media regularly, take into consideration these tech essentials:
Additional tip: Since electronic devices are fragile and valuable things, you should pack them carefully. If you don’t have enough experience with packing, perhaps you might entrust this process to professional packers and not worry about how to pack electronics for moving.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you can bring with you some additional things for practical but also decorative purposes. One of the major categories that must be packed is essential documents, medicine, and extras that make the campus a better place. Let’s take a quick look at these items and find out what should you pack:
If you’re moving to a campus, it will be your new home for several years. That’s why it is important to bring with you all the crucial things and tidbits that can make this experience more pleasant and enjoyable. With a detailed college packing list, you’ll ensure your hassle-free relocation and feel at home. So, it bears repeating how crucial this checklist is for your student life. However, you can always adapt it according to your own requirements by adding some new items or removing existing ones when your moving service provider arrives and loads your belongings onto the truck.
