It is August now, which means that officially college freshman season is starting. Stores are overflowing with “absolutely necessary and overpriced” throw rugs and bean bag chairs. College sites are filling with recommendations and packing lists, and parents more likely than not are starting to panic about all the logistics: how are we getting there; what’s the deal with class schedules; who's that roommate person and what if they’re psycho; where do I buy a shower caddy?
College preparation is an explosion of logic, excitement, and complete muscle freezing fear. There is no magic equation for the perfect college preparation or first year success, but sometimes a couple of random pieces of advice from a college junior can help.
Calm yourself. And by calm yourself I mean get completely excited. Freak out, because you’re going to college! Run through Target with your arms in the air giggling as you chuck throw pillows and plastic plates (bowls are more important tho just saying) into your shopping cart. Go insane in the membrane. Then get a grip, because only half of the things that Target tells you that you need are actually relevant to your future life. Turn around and put that lava lamp back because it’s not 1975 and return that throw pillow that will sit in the corner of your room because trust me I doubt you’ll make your bed. It’s awesome being excited about school. Relish in it, but also keep your head: you know what you have and what you really need.
Pack light. (Cross out pack light.) Pack smart.
Colleges, websites, parents and packing lists EVERYWHERE will tell you that you need to pack light. Bring less than what you think you need they say; you can always go back and bring more if you need to they say. And while this is true, it is only a half truth. They have a point: dorms are tiny (my freshman dorm was 96 square feet) and if you’ve brought your entire life, fitting everything is impossible. But just because dorms are small does not mean that you don’t live there. Your dorm will become your ultimate safe space, your home, your favorite place to get to when you’re tired or drunk or whatever your life is. As you live in compact spaces, you will learn how to compact your life. So for now, bring the things that matter most to you. Leave some clothes in your closet and the majority of your books on your shelf, but if you adore art and want to bring some prints, do that. Look for the balance between function and feeling at home.
Example: One of my best friends was a gymnast in high school with an entire drawer of competition and meet clothing. I’m sure all your old shirts are comforting and warm and well worn, but you don’t need all of them.
Bonus: Out of State
If your college is out of state (or out of country) like mine is, or if you are flying to where you’re going, it’s smart to wait to buy some of the things you’re going to need until you actually get to your college town. Target and Walmart is everywhere. Go into your local store of choice, make a list of the things that are sold there that you’ll need but don’t want to buy yet, and then when you get to your college take the time either the day before move in or during the day to buy some of the things you’ve got left on your list.
Examples include:
- Hangers
- Shower caddy
- Any larger items like chairs, futons, TVs, mini fridges, etc.
Hold off on buying tons of storage.
We see colleges on TV and we are told by everyone everywhere to buy under bed storage bins and little plastic drawer systems and rubbermaid bins and the like, but until you actually see your room, it’s impossible to actually know what works and what doesn't. I bought under bed storage for my room only to find that the furniture in my room would only fit if it was lifted, and the bins went back home.
CONTACT YOUR FREAKING ROOMMATE.
My family can attest to the fact that the second I found out the name of my roommate, I stared at that name anxiously for nearly two weeks with an open unwritten email staring back at me. It was so scary thinking about who this weird new extension of my life would be. The sooner you contact your roommate, the sooner you’ll be able to put some anxiety to ease, and the sooner your mom will stop freaking out about who’s bringing the fridge and who’s bringing the TV. Besides, that person you were so afraid to talk to at first, come orientation, will inevitably become a part of you.
Don’t forget the school supplies.
Obvious mistake. High school was all about composition books and pens and backpacks. College is about the lamps and the posters and the 24 packs of microwaveable popcorn. But please remember that as freaking fun it is to buy all your stuff for school you still are going to school. Get some basic school supplies (a notebook, writing utensils, a couple folders, things like that). You don’t need to buy the entire store, but please be prepared.
Don’t worry about it.
Colleges everywhere, family members, high schools and people like me will tell you a thousand times over all of the different quick fixes or necessary advice for success in college. And while having stuff for your room and a bunch of school supplies is fantastic, the only thing you really need in college is you. So be excited about the journey you’re about to embark on. You have four years, so if you accidentally forget to buy forks (I did) always know you’ve got tons of time to correct that mistake. Take the last couple weeks to enjoy your life at home, because come move in day, things are about to get really interesting.
