Most of the summer consists of reminiscing of the exchange themes from the past year or memories from living in the house with all your friends.

Now that Greek Reunion has come and gone, coming back to school is probably the only thing on your mind. With August right around the corner, it’s time to stop procrastinating on unpacking your boxes left from last year, and get everything ready for this next year. Whether you’re moving back into your house, or getting out of the dorms and into an apartment, some items are truly a must.

Memory Foam

Too many classes and not enough sleep. On top of 16 credit hours of class, Red Lion is calling your name four times a week. When you have the time to sleep, it might as well be as comfortable as you can get it. Don’t take the chance on some bed that has been slept on for years and bring yourself a memory foam pad for the daily naps and couple hours of sleep you will be lucky to get. 

Decorations

No sorority room is recruitment ready without letters and pictures all over the walls. If you’re a typical sorority girl, I bet you’ve spent your free time copying Pinterest ideas or getting ready for your future little. As for guys, you know your paddles will be on the wall if nothing less. At least show your parents you’re trying to be caught up on schoolwork this year and get a dry erase calendar you can write house events and exams on. A for effort, right? 

Ramen Noodles and Easy Mac

Goodbye Ike food and house chef. If you’re about to be living in your own apartment, you know you’ll probably be starving all year with the struggle between not knowing how to cook and not having anything edible for a combination of what you do have in the fridge. Meals are no longer set times and just ready when you walk down the stairs. Get that George Foreman grill and quesadilla maker out of the box and Pinterest some recipes so it isn’t a year of just pop tarts and peanut butter sandwiches.  

Your Costume Box 

Whether your exchange clothes lack originality or you’re a pro at any theme thrown your way, everyone has a place full of togas, Hawaiian shirts and thrift store buys. As soon as the social chair announces the theme, your mind goes full force planning your outfit and finding a time to go to Ragstock. You never realize how much you accumulate until you bring home that box of random hats and neon clothes and see there is no longer a need for the items at home. A new year just means more creative themes and crazy outfits. Don’t be thinking of the perfect outfit you left at home.  

Whether it is your second or last year back at U of I, it’s time to start packing the necessities. It has been too long without the freedom and fun of Champaign, so get ready!