Between TV commercials, blogs, and in-store shopping ads, there must be hundreds of going away to college must-have lists. However, some people forget that not everyone dorms when they go to college. Thousands upon thousands of college students commute, and they need a completely different list of items to bring to school.
Gas isn't cheap. People who commute to campus must remember to pack every little thing that they need for the day, unless they're lucky enough to live close enough to school that they can easily make trip back home. So here's the real must-haves for those who hit the road everyday in order to hit the books:
1. Large Water Bottle With School Logo
If you don't own something with your college logo on it by your second semester, do you truly go to that school? I personally can get through five to eight bottles of water in one day, so getting the biggest bottle I could find was a must. You'll find yourself bringing it everywhere you go, and it's so much better than marching down to the cafeteria however many times a day.
2. Durable Messenger Bag
A roomy, durable backpack or messenger bag - something you can fit your laptop, workout clothes, books, and snacks in and still have room for that tank of water you lug around - is a must. It's also worth getting the higher quality or stronger bags that will last you awhile. Don't be holding your bag together like a potato sack around campus because the strap broke (like me my first semester).
3. Every Charger You Have Ever Owned
You may be on campus for two hours, or maybe 11. Who knows! Either way it's important to bring your phone, laptop, and even iPod chargers with you every day. You never know when you might have to work on a paper and your laptop is about to die.
4. Extra Sneakers
There's nothing worse than planning to go to the gym and then realizing you don't have your sneakers with you. Always keep a pair in your gym locker, or in the back of your car.
5. Emergency Clothes
Do you have an interview today? Soccer practice? Dance rehearsal? Is it raining? (All of these things?) Well, you can't wear the same thing to every activity, it just wouldn't work. That's why you need some emergency clothes in your car at all times. You never know when you'll need heels and a pencil skirt, or yoga pants and a T-shirt. If there's anything I've learned, it's to always be prepared.
6. Jumper Cables
No matter if your car is brand new, or not so new it's important to have jumper cables. There may be one day when you need them, or maybe someone else will. Since you drive basically everywhere you're more prone to encounter car trouble than those who don't commute.
7. Coffee Shop Gift Cards
It's hard to admit the amount of money I spend on chai tea in a semester. This is why I'm emphasizing the use of gift cards. Whenever someone doesn't know what to get you for a gift, make sure you say a "______ gift card," because it adds up quicker than you realize.
8. A Full Tank
We all have that one friend who continues to keep the car rolling, even though the gas tank is on "E" and there are a million flashing lights. Don't be that friend, especially when you're on your way to class and have a test that day. My advice is to never let your tank go beneath half-full, there might be a little extra traffic one day and you may be in a rush. It's always better to be safe, rather than on the side of the highway.
9. The Perfect Playlist
If your commute to college is over 15 minutes long, I suggest making a playlist. It can get annoying switching from station to station while driving 60mph on a busy road (and dangerous, too). Pick 15 to 20 of your favorite songs, depending on how long your drive is, and burn a CD (or have a really cool best friend who makes killer mix-tapes like I do).
10. Planner
I am one of the few people I know who thoroughly enjoys buying office supplies. I suggest buying a planner. The amount of things you will have to remember in a day is horrifying, and that's why you need a little space to write them down and plan out how your day will go. I prefer day planners rather than weekly ones, mostly because I have obnoxiously large handwriting, but also because I can fit more events.
