Guys. If someone had showed this to me a year ago, I probably would have avoided some of the confusion and mistakes that come with surviving your first year of college. Being the oldest child and all, I didn't really have a lot of preparation for what was to come. So here you go, this is my road map full of tips and advice to keep in mind during this transition. I hope you find it beneficial, and that you all have an amazing school year!

Clothes for End of Summer/ Fall Only!

You can bring winter items after going home for Thanksgiving Break.

Blankets and Pillows

You never know how hot or cold it is going to be in the dorms, so bringing lots of snuggly pillows and blankets is a must. Ideally they can also serve as extra seating for friends and guests when they stop by.

A fan.

While we are on the topic of uncontrollable weather, a fan is also something that I highly recommend you bring. In most cases, your residence hall won’t turn on the air conditioning during the first couple of weeks of school. This is due to all of the electricity that is used during move-in week, plus they are typically known for trying to save as much money as humanly possible. (Even though we are all paying more than enough to deserve adequate air conditioning…) A fan will help to get some air circulating in your room, and also keep you cool at night.

Shower Shoes.

You never know who is going in and out of your community bathroom, let alone the amount of germs and bacteria crawling around. Most people bring an extra pair of flip flops that they can wear to and from the shower in order to stay clean. Another piece of advice is to wear clothes (not just your towel) into the shower stall as well. This way, if you end up locking yourself out of your room, you can be rest assured that you wont have to walk down to your lobby in your mere towel and bare feet in order to ask for the spare key.

A camera.

Besides using your phone camera, I suggest you bring a fun Polaroid camera or even a nice DSLR. The quality is noticeably better, plus there are so many opportunities to go out and capture the city, or even your own campus. You can use it to take photos of friends, your travels, and even school projects.

Wireless Speaker.

Don’t forget to bring a speaker, ideally a wireless one that connects through bluetooth. This means that you can play music from anywhere in your room, and you won’t even have to get up from your bed. ;) I also love the fact that it is so portable, meaning you can take it outside or to another friends’ room as well.

At least one cocktail dress for ladies, or a jacket and tie for men.

This is probably one of the most helpful tips you should keep in mind when packing for college. For some reason, I completely forgot to bring business formal clothes with me to school. I learned my lesson after calling my mom in a frenzy because I had had a seminar that week and “had absolutely nothing to wear!” Trust me, you will need to dress in a professional manner at least some point throughout the year. Whether it be a job/ committee interview, recruitment for a sorority/ fraternity, or a formal dinner event— you won’t regret bringing that nice dress or suit.

Multiple Towels.

You can never have too many towels!! I mean you probably could… but when it comes to packing for your dorm room, I would suggest having 4-5 towels on hand. Think about it, you shower every day, and you wont have your mom there to do your laundry every week. I always tell people to bring more towels than you need, because chances are you will run through them pretty quickly!

Lots of Storage Bins!

I can’t emphasize this one enough! You will always have a use for storage bins, and they are a crucial part to keeping your dorm room clean. However, they don't all have to be the standard Tupperware-style ones. Try switching it up and purchasing some fun wire baskets, or woven textured bins! By choosing pieces that serve a purpose and are stylish, you can stay organized and look good while doing it.

Clip-On Lamp.

Another must-have is a lamp that clips on to your bed. That way if you loft your bed, you can be sure to have a source of light. It’s great for reading, browsing your phone, and is the perfect solution if your roommate wants to turn off the main light but doesn't want it completely dark.

Vitamins.

You may not realize it, but you actually may not be getting as many vitamins and minerals as you normally do while you're away at school. The long winter months, lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the dining halls, and over all change of scenery may affect your health. Taking a daily multivitamin is one way to reassure yourself that you are getting enough nutrients, and staying in the best shape possible.

Laptop.

This one is pretty self-explanatory. But (believe it or not), some people actually come to school thinking that they can get by the old-fashioned way-- by just using notebooks and pens. While I am sure that it is possible to function as a student this way, I would highly recommend you invest in a quality computer. It makes note-taking, research, typing papers, and staying updated with email an easy and stress-free task. Plus, they last a really long time if you take good care of it.

A small Iron/ Ironing board.

Minimal closet space and unreliable washing machines = wrinkly clothes. Keeping an iron in your room comes in handy whenever you need to quickly get the wrinkles out of a blouse or dress!

Water Pitcher & Purifier.

Alright, I have a story for you. During the first week of school, I got back from class and wanted to get a drink of water. So, like any normal person, I walked to the drinking fountain on my floor. As a pushed the button, I automatically noticed that the fountain was making a weird noise. Then out of nowhere, black water started coming out of the mouthpiece. Black! I drove on down to the nearest Target and purchased myself a water purifier, and have never looked back.

Coffee Maker.

You will soon find out that the typical college-student probably doesn't know how to function without the presence of coffee. I’m pretty sure my body fluid is 90% caffeine during the school year. With this being said, it is also one of the biggest expenses you will have. Spending $5 a day (sometimes more!) on your morning latte will start to add up pretty quickly. In order to save some money, try purchasing a Keurig or homemade coffee machine. There are tons of delicious flavors and brands to try, including hot chocolate and even pumpkin spice lattes (!!!).

At least one bowl/plate/coffee mug.

There will be many times where you may not have enough time to run to the dining hall for a meal. Keeping some basic kitchen items in your room is super helpful for those mornings when you just want a bowl of cereal, or a late night cup of tea.

Hand-Held Vacuum.

To be honest, I didn't actually have a portable vacuum this year. I wish I had though. There are many times when you spill something, or just need to do some tidying up. Typically your RA or residence hall main desk will have a vacuum available, but there is normally a waiting list. I always had to wait forever just to get one, so I would definitely recommend just buying your own.