I brought my toothpaste and my shower shoes, but as many college freshmen discover, there are so many other practical college essentials that the checklists forget to mention. Many ruined shoes, lost jackets, and other tragedies later, I figured it out on my own. If this checklist saves one dead phone battery or lost college ID, I'll rest easy. And you can thank me later.
- Frat shoes
And I’m not talking about Sperry’s. All those cute sandals may go great with your outfits, but they will get absolutely destroyed at a house party. Cue the frat shoes: an ideal pair is closed-toed (I lost a toenail within my first week of college), cheap, and black incase drinks spill on them. Go to Walmart and purchase a pair now, and save the cute shoes for dinner with the girls.
- Party jacket
Expanding off of the need for shoes to wear out, a jacket is just as important if you go to school where the weather falls below 60. I would not recommend wearing your expensive winter jacket (Patagonia, Northface, Canada Goose, etc.) to a party where it could get ruined or stolen. My go-to going out jacket is a $20 gray Columbia I got at TJ Maxx. The gray color is easy to spot among a pile of look-alike, black jackets, and it's not the end of the world if I lose it because it wasn't a major investment. But seriously, DON’T TAKE OFF A BLACK JACKET AT A LARGE PARTY.
- Vitamin C
Dorm living is essentially a large cesspool of germs and diseases. I got sick more times my freshman year of college than I have in my entire young-adult life. It’s inevitable when you’re surrounded by so many people at one time, and your only defense is to make healthy choices. That being said, Vitamin C pills are a quick and easy way to make sure you’re giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off that annoying cold during midterms. I never used to take vitamins, but after my freshman year, I swear by them. Pair with a glass of orange juice in the morning and constant hydration, and you’re ready to go!
- A phone charger for your backpack only
There’s nothing worse than being cooped up in the library at 1 a.m. only to realize you forgot your phone charger back in your room and you have 2 hours of work left to do. The $15 I spent on a phone charger to be kept in my backpack only may be the most useful $15 I’ve ever spent. I can charge my phone when I’m on my computer in class, studying in the library, or relaxing at the coffee shop doing busy work. You'll never have a dead phone again!
- A small, black cross-body bag
Keeping your ID, keys, and phone in your back pocket is a risky move anywhere you go. Chunky purses are cute but not practical for a college campus. And even though your backpack is going to be your best friend, it’s important to have a go-to bag when it’s time to ditch the books! A cross-shoulder bag stays on your body whether you’re commuting or dancing, and black complements nearly every outfit.
