Packing for college is not an easy task, especially if it's your first time. It's not like you're packing for vacation, for which you'd only need the essentials (clothes, shoes, makeup, toiletries). For college, you need a lot more than that. On top of the essentials, you need a bunch of random crap. You need outfits for nights out, outfits for nights in, clothes for all types of weather, shoes for all types of weather, food, school supplies, bedding, pillows, maybe a few stuffed animals, possibly a rug, perhaps even a Keurig, and whatever else you may need between the months of August and May.

So, as we all begin the struggle together, here a few items you will absolutely need in college... trust me.

An umbrella

It's going to rain and if you don't live two steps from your class, you're going to get wet. Umbrellas are life savers.

A raincoat

Like I just said, it's going to rain. Although umbrellas are pretty efficient, a raincoat will provide you with some extra protection.

Photos

You're bound to miss home a lot. Bringing some pictures of friends and family will help you cope with that. Plus, they make great decorations for your dorm room.

A mini fridge

Most colleges offer mini fridges for students, which they can pay for prior to moving in. However, if that isn't the case for your school, I would advise purchasing your own. It'll keep your groceries fresh and help you avoid having to take a trip to the dining hall every time you want to eat.

Running shoes

Whether it's for the gym or going to class, you're going to need some comfortable shoes to save your feet from the countless hours of walking you'll need to do.

A heavy jacket

Winter is much more bearable when you don't need to walk through five feet of snow to get to your 8 a.m. class. Trust me, invest in a heavy jacket.

Sunglasses

Just because we return to school in the fall, doesn't mean the sun won't continue to shine for months. Sunglasses will always come in handy, even in the middle of October.

Storage bins

Don't send them all home with your parents. Keep some to store away extra blankets, sweaters, and more underneath your bed.

A portable charger

This is essential for nights out. When you go out to the bars or the frat parties, the last thing you want to do is end up with a dead phone and no way to find your friends. Don't forget this.

A reusable water bottle

College campuses have water fountains everywhere. You'll get thirsty from all the walking, so make sure you carry a water bottle around with you.

A planner

No matter how good you think your memory is or how much you swear on using the notes in your phone, having a planner is the best way to make sure you never miss an assignment or an important event.

Headphones

Not just for your music listening to needs–you'll need headphones for completing homework assignments in crowded places, such as the coffee shop or library.

Plenty of towels

Nobody, and I mean nobody, does laundry more than once a week in college. And so, unless you want to use the same bath towel for an entire week, you'll need to bring a few with you.

Mugs

Essential for when you're craving coffee at midnight while you're stuck finishing an essay in your dorm room.

A flashdrive

There will come a time when you forget to print something for class and left your laptop in your room. A flash drive will save you here, as long as you remember to save your work to it.

Wall hooks

These are perfect for hanging up picture frames, lights, and for things such as hats and scarves. Plus, they're perfectly safe and allowed in dorms, considering they won't damage the walls.

A BlueTooth speaker

Whether you're pre-gaming or hosting a party in the dorm, this is the perfect way to play some tunes and lift the mood.

A baseball cap

You're going to have days or nights when you need to skip a shower. Baseball caps will become you're best friends when your hair is too messy or too greasy to wear down.

A shoe holder/rack

Dorms tend to have limited space, especially for clothes. So, I would advise bringing something specifically meant to store shoes, as it will save you a ton of closet space.

A desk lamp

Trust me, some dorms have very poor lighting. A desk lamp will keep your workspace well lit for long nights of studying.

Plastic silverware/paper plates

Doing dishes isn't impossible, but sometimes you'll got through up to ten plates and spoons or forks in one day. No one wants to do dishes that often, so make sure you have some disposable ones.