This list is not the catch-all-be-all list I wish it were, however, here are a list of items that I can recall being at the top of every "what to pack for freshman year" and I'm here to dash those hopes and implore you not to get them.
1. Plastic Baggies
Keep it wrapped
Even after moving into my own house off-campus, I rarely to never need plastic baggies. It depends on your lifestyle, but if you're on the fence, only get one set of bags not three like I did.
2. Sleeping Bag
Lay it out
For whom? Why? When? Ask your friends about this or something but even if you have someone over to sleep on your hard floor this'll probably only happen a couple times a semester. The rest of the year, it will be taking up precious space in your tiny room.
3. Febreeze Linen Refresher
Soak it up
I'm still railing at whatever "freshmen packing list" forum I looked at that suggested this. If you have a problem with the way your room smells, buy a simple air freshener that you can throw away later and not retain after four years.
Plastic Utensils
Bring the real, authentic stuff. As a freshman, I attentively ate a bowl of cereal every morning and thus needed a new plastic spoon every time. If you plan on eating a lot of your own food up in your dorm, bring your own utensils and just wash them.
5. More Than Three Books from Home
Read for me
You will not be reading for leisure in college. If you are, you can always go to campus libraries. It'll get you out of the house/dorm and you won't have to pack it when you go home.
More Than Five Pairs of Shoes
Try your best
Dress shoes, night-out shoes, sneakers, boots/winter shoes, and flats. Cap it at that so you don't have to take more than one trip to unload your shoes. Shoes have a way of accumulating over the year, so don't be too worried on missing the ones you left behind.
7. All Desk Organization Items
Don't go overboard
Even the most vanilla of dorm desks have organizers already built into them. God bless her, but my mother bought me a huge pack of paper clips for my desk and I've barely used ten since going to college.
8. A Printer
College hobbies
Listen to me, you already pay for campus printing why would you need a whole additional printer in a dorm room? Again, it may depend on your lifestyle, but if you are unsure what your printing habits will be, lean toward option that doesn't require a massive, heavy piece of equipment by your desk.
9. Wall Plugins and Extensions
Don't over do it
There's always one outlet under your bed that you won't be able to access without an extension. However, after you purchase more than two big outlets the rest won't see much use in such a tiny space.
10. Super Glue
With the exception of crafting, don't bring a tube of super glue or general glue into the dorm room. If it explodes in your stuff that's a whole new problem you've made for yourself.
A Ton of Tupperware or Plates
Hoard the tupperware!
If you're in dorm life, how often will you really be making your own food if you have a meal plan? That being said, two bowls and a plate served me through three years of college both on and off campus.
12. Tissues and Dryer Sheets
Your stuff won't smell bad without dryer sheets
Only bring boxes of tissues if you have the worst allergies this side of the Mississippi, and dryer sheets you won't even notice if they're gone, especially if you weren't using them in your laundry back home.
13. Your Letterman Jacket
I don't care how warm it is
Welcome to college!
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