It is that time year again when everyone is packing up and heading to college. Below are some things you are not going to want to forget when you are packing! Some of these items will not always appear on standard packing lists give to you by your college. Obviously people will think to pack things like small fridges, sheets, etc but the items below are often forgotten about.
1. Fan-
This to me is the most important item on my packing list. Most dorm rooms have been shut up for four months and the first time they are opened are on move in day. The first time you go into the room you will feel like you are baking in an oven. Also the stench is equally unappealing. Even if you go to a school down south and they have air conditioning in the dorms, a fan will help you circulate the air and get the dorm smell out. If you go to a school like mine where there is no air conditioning and they turn the heat on 80 in October and don't shut it off until April, you will want more than one fan. So all of this being said you can never have to many fans. Bring a box fan, a rotating tower fan, and a clip on bed fan to keep you cool when you are sleeping. No one likes to wake up sweaty!
2. Shower Shoes-
I can not stress bringing shower shoes to college enough and this is not just the germ freak in me coming out. Everyone should wear shoes in the shower whether the showers are communal or suite style. Every college student can tell you some horror stories about what they found in the shower. You will be glad you brought shoes. You do not know who or what has been in the shower before you, so do yourself a favor and bring one or two pairs of shower shoes. Showers in a college dorm are no longer your private shower that your mom cleans, so bring crocs or a pair of slides, something that dries quickly but protects your feet.
3. Mattress Topper-
One of the things you will miss the most as you go off to college is your spacious and comfortable bed. Most college mattresses are twin extra longs so while they are not as big as your queen size mattress back home, the size is not the true issue. The issues is the firmness of the mattress. Most college mattresses are like prison cots. My first experience in a college dorm was at freshman orientation and since it was three months from move in day I did not come prepared with a mattress topper. It was like sleeping on a slab of plywood. So I recommend investing in a 3 inch foam mattress topper, I got mine online from Target and while it was pricy it was so worth it and most toppers are durable and will last 4 years.
4. Lysol Wipes
You may be noticing a trend, I really hate germs. While most college kids get the reputation of being sloppy and messy and while that may hold true for some kids, no one wants to get sick. So I suggest bringing some lysol wipes and wiping down the door knobs, mirrors, and whatever else other students make contact with,
5. Pictures of Family and Friends-
This is perhaps one of the most important decorations that I have in my room and I am sure that is true for every college student away from home. College is very different than high school and you are away from your family and friends for long periods of time. You are at college to make new friends but you will miss your old friends and even more, your family. After all they are the ones who got you there. Get a tack board and hang up some photos or do a cute diy pinterest project so you have a place to look at when you are home sick.
6. Shoe Rack-
Anyone that knows me knows that I have an obsession with shoes. Nike sneakers, sperrys and Jack Rogers cover my closet floor. And this shoe obsession holds true for a lot of college females. With this being said if you love shoes as much as I do I suggest you buy a shoe rack to organize your shoes and keep them for cluttering up your dorm and closet floor. Plus if you buy an over the door shoe rack they usually come with 24 pockets so if you do not have 24 pairs of shoes to put in there, you could use it as an excuse to buy more shoes to fill up your space.
Planner-
A planner is the greatest invention ever made next to fans. If you are like me and you plan your days and weeks by the mintute you know a good planner is essential. I personally like the Jumbo Lilly Pulitzer Agenda but I can see why some people might think that spending 35 dollars on a planner is a waste of money. There are plenty of reasonable and cute planners on the market that will reduce your stress level ten fold.
