A whiteboard to track who's visiting your apartment.

One major tool in the fight to contain COVID-19 is contact tracing, a strategy public health officials employ to follow the virus as it spreads. If someone you've been in close contact with tests positive for coronavirus, you're likely to receive an alert that you should seek testing too; however, this only works if the positive case knows their contacts.

This means that if you're regularly interacting with peers, you should keep a list of friends you've seen in the last week. Uphold your social responsibility by keeping a whiteboard that lists who's entered your apartment recently.

Small slider bags to hold your used masks each day.

The NY Health Department recommends that you change your mask whenever it becomes moist or every 8 hours. If you're on campus from 9-7, it's prudent to switch to a clean mask mid-day. Keep your used mask separate from anything in your backpack using a plastic bag.

An ironing board (and an iron) to keep your reusable masks sterile.

Experts suggest ironing your cloth masks after washing because the high heat helps to guarantee that you've effectively sanitized the fabric.

Hooks to hold your go-to masks by the door.

These minimalist hooks will remind you not to leave the house without your most important accessory! Command hooks can work, too.

Any school supplies you'd normally rely on your school to provide, like a stapler or printer.

Luckily, this printer is on sale right now, cause these are expensive. But I promise, being able to avoid a trip to the library and print straight from your bedroom will make this purchase absolutely worth it.

A personal thermometer and plenty of single-use covers.

Honestly, before this, I didn't really care if I got sick. I'd take a day or two off, sure, but visit UHS or see a doctor? Nope.

Now, though, getting sick is another story. I'm adding a thermometer to my medicine box so that if I start feeling under the weather, I can quickly and regularly monitor my temperature and track any COVID-19 symptoms.

A plastic storage bin to keep your clean masks from being exposed to germs before wearing.

Storing your masks in a sealed container can help you keep your peace of mind when it comes to their cleanliness. Yeah, I trust my roommates and friends, but I still don't want any accidental coughs hitting my masks if I hang them by the door.

Plus, you can spray paint the lid to make it match your room's ~aesthetic~.

Acetaminophen and cough medicine, if you don't already have a well-stocked medicine box.

Of course, we're all going to take every precaution to avoid contracting COVID-19 on campus. However, it's important to prepare to take care of yourself or a roommate just in case. To deal with the symptoms of COVID-19 – fever, headaches, and muscle aches – experts recommend acetaminophen.

Equipment to exercise from home, because visiting the gym just isn't worth it.

Don't get me wrong: I miss working out at my Y. Since quarantine started, though, I've fallen in love with Chloe Ting's at-home workout programs. For the low price of a yoga mat, you can get some amazing benefits: effective results; the freedom to do bodyweight exercises, pilates, or yoga; and the relief of not having strangers see you mid-set.

If your university has an isolation zone on campus, prepare a "go-bag" of anything you might need if you end up quarantined away from home.

At Penn State, we've been told that if one of your contacts tests positive, and a contact tracer hits your line, you'll probably be sent to quarantine in on-campus apartments at Eastview Terrace. Getting asked to quarantine as a precaution could turn your week upside down; it's best to be prepared.

Pack a gym bag with a few days of clothes, toiletries, a book, your favorite snacks, and anything that comforts you. Of course, you'll want to bring daily essentials like your laptop, classwork, and chargers, but having half your bag already waiting in the back of your closet will be a weight off your back if the time to isolate comes around.

Masks, masks, and more masks.

Who has time to wash their used masks every single day? Keep enough handy so you won't have to worry about last-minute laundry loads, because laundry day is Sunday, and not even a pandemic is gonna change that.