Packing Smart for College

The initial intention for this post was to help incoming freshmen figure out a consolidated list of what to bring to college but I have since learned that any college student can relate or benefit from it. I was convinced I wasn’t going to bring a lot of stuff with me until I actually started packing and quickly consumed all of the space in my dad’s truck when I left in August. After a year of figuring out what I actually did and did not need, I put together an organized list of my suggestions. My parents will probably be very proud to see I learned from this. If you have any questions about more specific items, just message me and let me know and I’d be happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability.

1. Clothing

My biggest mistake was that I packed almost everything I own as far as clothes go. I have since learned that taking warm weather clothes in August, with a sweatshirt and maybe a pair of sweatpants, and leaving winter clothes home, is the best way to go. This obviously depends on where you go to school. Thanksgiving and spring break are the best time to switch out those clothes so you don’t have a space problem in your dorm. Closets aren’t that big at most schools and neither are the dressers so there’s also no need to bring every t shirt you own like I did. Just make sure you have a few nice dress clothes, casual outfits for class, athletic clothes, and pajamas. Depending on how many clothes you plan to bring, determines how many hangers you need but clothes hangers are necessary. Do not forget to bring a raincoat and umbrella, some states get more rain than you’d expect.

2. Bedding

Most colleges have Twin XL beds, so make sure to get the right size sheets. It’s easy to look over that but Target has a great selection. I strongly recommend getting two sets of sheets so that if you spill something and you don’t have time to wash your first set, you can throw the second set on and not worry about rushing. Also, it just makes it more convenient for when you wash your sheets in general, which should be often, by the way. Comforters are the most fun to pick out but my suggestion to you is to pick something dark, perhaps even with a design because you will 100% spill something and stains are a hassle. Mattress pads are a great invention so take advantage of it and get a good one because it’ll make all the difference in how well you sleep. As far as pillows go, I think five is a good number, but that’s a personal preference. A fleece blanket is also a good thing to have, especially for the nights where your roommate might have it just a little too cold.

3. Bathroom

Living away from home means a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner will not last three and a half months. Go to a store like BJ’s or Sams Club and get a giant bottle of your favorite shampoo/conditioner and body wash to make sure it’ll last awhile. Those stores usually sell a four pack of deodorant and huge packs of razors which is also nice to consider. One towel won’t be enough but six is definitely too many. A happy medium around three or four is perfect. Same goes for washcloths. Anything over that just takes up space and you won’t need it if you do laundry once a week or so. I got a shower caddy to organize everything and I know most people who have the communal hall bathrooms do the same thing. For this type of arrangement, shower shoes and bathrobes are always a good idea. I had a little basket with my hair straightener and hair products in it. I also put my make-up bag, hair brush, and nail polish stuff in there too and kept it on the shelf in my closet with my towels. I had a sink in my room so I needed to bring hand soap but that depends on your living arrangements.

4. Laundry

Each school has a slightly different laundry system and sometimes where you live on campus changes that too. However, quarters are a must so start collecting them now. Tide Pods make everything easier because nothing is worse that hauling a heavy laundry basket to the laundry room in one hand and a huge bottle of detergent and/or softener in the other. With Tide Pods, you just grab one or two and throw it in. Dryer sheets are a personal preference, they aren’t necessary but sometimes it’s helpful for scent. Obviously, a hamper or basket is a must-have. A stain remover and a lint roller are also nice to have around and if you don’t need it or use it, someone else definitely will.

5. Shoes

For the girls, don’t bring every pair of shoes you own. You know which ones you wear and which ones you don’t, don’t make it harder on yourself (and whoever has to carry all of your stuff—sorry dad). I bought a collapsible hanging shoe rack for school and it kept everything so much more organized. I know others who use just a plastic tub and stick it under their beds too, it’s up to you.

6. Backpack/Desk Items

If you don’t already, I highly suggest getting a good backpack. You’re going to be walking around with it often and you need one that is good for your back. I brought too many desk items but a handful of binder clips and paper clips are helpful to have around. I strongly recommend bringing a stapler, a few rolls of tape, and a pair of scissors. I would also bring a binder or two and two or three notebooks. A pack of pens, pencils, and highlighters in a pencil bag will suffice for the year. I used sticky notes a lot when taking notes in textbooks and to flag specific pages. If you’re taking a math class, do not forget a calculator!!

7. Food

Most students have a meal plan but I always kept a few snacks in my dorm and mini fridge for when I had a meeting and missed my opportunity to grab lunch or I just didn’t feel like leaving in the middle of typing a paper. I also can’t function without coffee so I brought a coffee pot. I also recommend bringing caffeinated tea too because that’s much healthier for you to drink when you need to stay up working on homework. Granola bars, fruit, nuts, hummus and veggies were my go-to’s. I brought paper products for bowls and plates because it’s easy clean-up but I have since learned that those take up too much space and it’s cheaper to just get some BPA free plastic plates and bowls and wash them by hand. That being said, bring dish soap.

8. Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies are often forgotten. The easiest things to bring are paper towels, an all-purpose cleaning spray, and Clorox wipes. Those three things should be all you need to clean most things. A dustpan and brush are good for sweeping up spilled food or hair if you’re a girl. It’s small enough to fit somewhere in a corner and not take up a ton of space.

9. Decorations

Don’t go overboard with decorating. Just bring a few things to hang and some pictures. Enough to make it your own space but not too much to make it take forever to set up and take down. String lights are cute and useful when you don’t want the blinding LED lights on all the time. Posters or art work are fun to have in the room and a tapestry takes up a lot of space which makes decorating easier. I hung a full length mirror on the back of my door and it was out of the way but easily accessible.

10. Miscellaneous

I brought Advil and Tylenol and it was a life saver, not only for me but other people as well. Sickness goes around college campuses really easily so Airborne is useful when people around you are starting to get sick. With sickness, comes the use of tissues. My roommates and I personally went through a ton with getting colds and allergies. Definitely take sunscreen with you, you’ll use it a lot. A lot of people choose to bring extension cords or power strips. I found this really helpful for times when I needed to charge my phone, laptop, straighten my hair, etc. For anyone with a hammock, bring it. You’ll thank yourself when it’s nice out and you can study outside. A trash can and trash bags are absolutely necessary but don’t make the mistake of getting a super small waste basket because you’ll find yourself taking it out everyday. Anything special that you’d use for the gym/pool. I brought my swim equipment bag and my yoga mat.

*Be in contact with your future roommate(s) so you can figure out who brings the fridge, microwave, etc. It makes it way easier when you communicate beforehand*

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)