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.
