Being a lover of lists (My mom told me that I used to write lots of lists even as a child), the packing list is one of the most exciting things about college for me! Currently lying around my room I have about 5 lists. My favorite list is on the site collegepackinglist.com, they have a very complete list and it's all divided up into separate sections, and you can even add your own things. I don't think I'm going to tell you my own packing list right now since I'm currently in the middle of compiling all my lists. Instead I'm going to share my ideas for what I think are the top 5 most important things to bring and my top 5 things you'd never think to bring, but are actually totally brilliant. And stick around until the end for one thing I'm still undecided on bringing and share your opinion.
But first, I want to share a tip I read that I think is the most brilliant thing ever. Two things that are bulky to store are your extra (maybe winter) clothes and your suitcase. Combine the two! Put your extra clothing in your suitcase. Doing this will save you a lot of space, especially if you have a hard suitcase. Your suitcase is just like the storage bin you would have used if you were home!
5 Essential Items
5. Water Filter Pitcher and Water Bottles - you do not want to drink that nasty dorm water, imagine if the only water you could drink was the water from your bathroom sink. The water bottles are just for convenience, just fill one up before you leave for class.
4. Phone Charger and Speaker - docks are great because they do both, but bring a regular charger too to throw in your book bag and take to the library, plus you'll need that cord to sync it to your computer. Wireless speakers are great for a picnic or, my personal favorite, to set outside the shower.
3. Your Clothes - Obviously, this one is more like the opposite of packing, less is more. Look up some packing lists to see how much you'll really need. Few cute PJ bottoms (shorts and long pants), a few tank tops,...a few of anything, not everything.
2. Soft Sheets and Comforter you Like - I picked a duvet because they are very thick and warm but they're made of material that is actually very cooling, bring your own pillows that you love, you can use other pillows when back at home, take the nice ones to the place you'll spend more time. Pick some nice sheets, maybe even try them out at home before you take them to school, nothing makes for a more miserable first night in your dorm than a scratchy pillowcase. (trust me on this one, I'm very picky)
1. A Desire to Learn and Try New Things - College is a great new experience, totally different from high school, a time to recreate yourself. Take a ballet class, try a new food, or do lots and lots of new things. This is your best time to figure out who you are!
4. Phone Charger and Speaker - docks are great because they do both, but bring a regular charger too to throw in your book bag and take to the library, plus you'll need that cord to sync it to your computer. Wireless speakers are great for a picnic or, my personal favorite, to set outside the shower.
3. Your Clothes - Obviously, this one is more like the opposite of packing, less is more. Look up some packing lists to see how much you'll really need. Few cute PJ bottoms (shorts and long pants), a few tank tops,...a few of anything, not everything.
2. Soft Sheets and Comforter you Like - I picked a duvet because they are very thick and warm but they're made of material that is actually very cooling, bring your own pillows that you love, you can use other pillows when back at home, take the nice ones to the place you'll spend more time. Pick some nice sheets, maybe even try them out at home before you take them to school, nothing makes for a more miserable first night in your dorm than a scratchy pillowcase. (trust me on this one, I'm very picky)
1. A Desire to Learn and Try New Things - College is a great new experience, totally different from high school, a time to recreate yourself. Take a ballet class, try a new food, or do lots and lots of new things. This is your best time to figure out who you are!
5 Things You Won't Think to Bring
5. A Body Pillow - I've heard that most dorm beds are smack against very hard walls, this will put some space between you and the hard wall. It's also great for if you're next to a window and and the wall under it is cold.
4. Your Favorite Stuffed Animal - Even if you haven't slept with it for years it'll comfort you having something to hold on your first night away from home. If you absolutely do not want to bring a stuffed animal at least bring a picture from your room that you really like, it'll make it feel more like you're home
3. Letters From Home - The first week or few weeks can be hard. Have your family and friends write you letters to read those first few days. Maybe even try this idea of having them write you letters "to read when..." for your first class, first meal you make on your own, first night alone, when you miss home, when you feel lonely, etc. Do this for your friends, it'll make a great graduation present.
2. Sleep Mask - This seems like a silly sleepover thing, but trust me it's not. A few years ago when I was sharing a room with my cousin she had a nightlight and it was far too bring for me to sleep so I stopped by the dollar store and bought myself a sleep mask, and it saved my life. Your roommate might be just like that nightlight, she might have her light on all night while she studies, with a sleep mask you can go to sleep either way. You can even buy some really cute ones at amazon.com.
1. A Lanyard - This is what I'm getting some of my friends for graduation, they'll thank me later, and so will you. It's a cute way to express your style (I love the Disney ones from Hot Topic), and a great way to keep track of your student ID, flash drive (I have not lost mine since I put it on a lanyard), and your room keys, things you probably didn't have to worry about before. You can even buy some lanyards with built in flash drives!
4. Your Favorite Stuffed Animal - Even if you haven't slept with it for years it'll comfort you having something to hold on your first night away from home. If you absolutely do not want to bring a stuffed animal at least bring a picture from your room that you really like, it'll make it feel more like you're home
3. Letters From Home - The first week or few weeks can be hard. Have your family and friends write you letters to read those first few days. Maybe even try this idea of having them write you letters "to read when..." for your first class, first meal you make on your own, first night alone, when you miss home, when you feel lonely, etc. Do this for your friends, it'll make a great graduation present.
2. Sleep Mask - This seems like a silly sleepover thing, but trust me it's not. A few years ago when I was sharing a room with my cousin she had a nightlight and it was far too bring for me to sleep so I stopped by the dollar store and bought myself a sleep mask, and it saved my life. Your roommate might be just like that nightlight, she might have her light on all night while she studies, with a sleep mask you can go to sleep either way. You can even buy some really cute ones at amazon.com.
1. A Lanyard - This is what I'm getting some of my friends for graduation, they'll thank me later, and so will you. It's a cute way to express your style (I love the Disney ones from Hot Topic), and a great way to keep track of your student ID, flash drive (I have not lost mine since I put it on a lanyard), and your room keys, things you probably didn't have to worry about before. You can even buy some lanyards with built in flash drives!
Remember, there's really nothing that can't be replaced or shipped. I started telling myself this a few years ago on vacations when I had anxiety attacks, I'd sit in the car saying over and over again "there's nothing you'll need in one week that you can't just buy at a store." and if it is something irreplaceable, call up your dad (he'll be excited to hear from you) and ask him to ship it to you, but wait until the end of the month, you'll come up with a few more things and he can ship them all together.
Finally, one thing I don't know if I should bring with me: a sleeping bag. I read on a few websites that it is the most commonly forgotten item, you'll want it to sleep over with a friend or for retreats or camping. The thing is I never do most of those things, but I don't know if I'll do them in college, and I am very comfortable sleeping on a carpet....do I need this?