Tips for College Freshman: Packing for Your First Dorm Room
Packing to move into a dorm room for the first time can be a daunting task. Don’t worry though; the following times will be much easier. Ask an older friend or cousin for advice about what to bring with you. If possible, talk to someone that lives in the dorms you will be living in to see what is really allowed and what’s not. Some schools may ban things like thumbtacks in the wall while in fact no one cares care if you actually use them.
Your school will probably give you a decent packing list. It is a good guide to go by but don’t feel you need to follow it exactly. For example, if you never swim would be a waste to bring a bathing suit with you. Consider any sports and hobbies you participate in. You might be an avid tennis player but a racquet might not be on the packing list.
Contact your roommate before you buy anything to see what he or she plans to bring. Dorm rooms are small so you don’t need to waste space by both of you bringing large items such as TVs, stereos, refrigerators, telephones, and carpets.
Make sure to check what size the beds are. Many schools provide extra-long twin beds. Regular twin sheets will not fit these beds so buy appropriately.
Base your clothing choices around your daily activities. Most people get much less dressed up to go to class in college than they did in high school. Jeans and tee shirts or sweatshirts are very common. Sneakers make the best footwear, especially if you have a large campus. You will probably want comfy sweatpants and gym shorts to study in when you’re in your room. Bring a couple nice outfits for interviews and presentations. If you plan to pledge a fraternity or sorority, more formal clothes might be necessary.
A bathrobe is a good investment considering your bathroom will probably be down the hall. It’s much easier to walk back to your room after a shower than to try to change in the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, you’ll need a shower caddy to keep all of your shower items contained and carry them back and forth. I suggest you get one for the shower and a separate one for items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and face wash.
School supplies are easy to forget with all the excitement of going off to college. You’ll basically need the same things you did in high school: binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, stapler, loose leaf paper, note cards, paperclips, etc. A good calendar is necessary as well. I like to use a weekly one so that I can see all of the work and tests I need to be ready for during the entire week.
Pack your computer and printer back up in the boxes that they came in so that they won’t get damaged during the trip. Boxes often shift during car rides and you don’t want your new computer to break before school even starts.
Posters or some sort of wall coverings will help cover up those blank white walls. Bring double sided tape as many schools do not allow holes in the walls.
Check with your school to see if items such as mini refrigerators, microwaves, and hot pots are allowed. Many schools have lounges on each floor where you can cook so decide if it’s really even worth it to buy and carry these items.
If you have a small car, ask a parent or relative if you can borrow their SUV or minivan for moving day. It’ll making packing the vehicle much less stressful and hopefully you’ll only have to make one trip. Pack heavy objects first and then fill in the empty spaces in the car with things such as bedding and clothing. Remember, when you get to the dorm you’ll probably have to take everything out, put it on the curb, and park your car in the parking lot. Avoid loose objects and try to pack everything into containers that you can easily handle.
Remember, it’s okay if you forget something. You’re not moving to the middle of no where. There are probably stores near your college where you can pick up just about anything you need. I over-packed my freshman year and ended up bringing a lot of stuff home during Thanksgiving break. But don’t worry – practice makes perfect.
