As we prepare to move our lives either back to Raleigh, or to Raleigh for the first time, we might forget a few important things. While there are many checklists pinned on Pinterest, this one covers more than just the basics for preparing yourself for the fall semester.
1. Command Strips: 3M has made products that save lives. Well, maybe not lives, but definitely from being charged extra. Command strips allow us to stick canvases, pictures of Zac Efron, and hooks for towels on our walls without taking off the paint. When you move out, you’d rather see a clean non-chipped wall, rather than trying to buy matching paint to cover up where you used Duck Tape.
2. Tool Kit: Whether you’re a guy or a girl, we have all come across something that needed fixing. Why not save a request to maintenance? Tool kits with the basics are easy to find, and you might just be the coolest kid on the hall if you’re willing to share. While a tool kit might be more useful for apartment living, you never know what might need some easy fixing in a dorm.
3. Skin Care Products: If you are like me, you had hardly any acne or oily skin in high school, and Raleigh’s climate thought it would be really cute to mess that up for you. Having the right cleansers and scrubs for your face is a must, because if the heat doesn’t make you break out, the stress will. In addition to face wash, oil blotting papers are a nice investment as well. Most blotting papers are designed to soak up oils on your face without removing makeup, but that does not mean guys can’t use them too. Of course you cannot forget one of the most important skin care products; sun screen. Wearing sunscreen every day can prevent sun damage on all skin tones, especially if you will be outside for long periods of time (e.g. tailgating).
4. Dry Shampoo: This provides a quick and easy fix to oily hair. It can make you look like you washed your hair, even though you were really cramming for a test last night. It will also give some nice volume to your luscious locks, "flow". or whatever it is you're working with. Baby powder works too.
5. Tailgating Clothes: You can never have enough red. If you can do an entire load of laundry for just your reds; you’re doing it right. With this being said, make sure you have any sundresses, polos, or cowboy boots that you would want to wear to a football game. We are in the South, so people tend to dress up a little, but that does not mean you can’t wear a jersey and some jean shorts!
6. Consider Rush: Even if you’re not a freshman, rush can be a great option for you! It is a great way to make friends and network. The support a fraternity or sorority can give you will last a lifetime. Going greek is also a good way to get involved on campus, as well as find volunteer and philanthropic opportunities. If you do decide to rush, make sure to check out the IFC Fraternity Recruitment guide or the Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment guide in the NC State Guides app.
7. Business Outfit: We are students at NC State because we want to properly prepare ourselves to have a job one day. Having a nice business outfit on hand is essential. You never know when you might need to put your best foot forward for an interview or seminar.
8. Chargers: This is something you should already have on your personal checklist; however, it's so important that I am reminding you again. Bring several phone chargers so you can put one in your bag and have a backup incase it gets lost. In addition to a phone charger, bring one for all your personal devices and maybe even a picture of the Wolfpack’s favorite Charger, Philip Rivers.
9. Hug Your Parents: It’s not a big secret that we miss our parents from time to time, especially since we do not see them all the time anymore. Your parents may act like they’re not sad to see you leave, but they’ll miss you a lot. Life's too short to not hug your mom and dad for an extra five seconds and tell them you love them. With this being said, remember to call them every so often during the semester; it’ll make their week.
