Congratulations!! You've graduated and are about to head off to college. This is such an exciting time in your life. To make your transition into your new adventure as easy as possible, you should start packing these 23 things IMMEDIATELY:
1. A heating pad (or at least several blankets)
Seriously. Dorms are drafty and cold, a heating pad will be just the thing to keep you warm. Plus, if you want to warm up a cookie in your dorm, a heating pad will do just that.
2. A towel/bathrobe that stays on you when you get out of the shower
If you're lucky, you will get at least a semiprivate bathroom in your dorm. BUT, if you're like the majority of college freshmen, you won't. Pack a towel like this one that will stay wrapped around you giving you the ability to walk back to your dorm and carry your shower caddy.
3. A shower caddy
Like I said, you most likely won't have your own private bathroom the first year. This means you can't just leave your toiletries in your shower like you may at home. A shower caddy gives you the ability to easily transport all your toiletries to and from the bathrooms.
4. Extension cord
A lot of dorms will say you can't have one (fire hazard), but literally no one cares and everyone has one. If you loft your bed, your short charger won't reach your bed. An extension cord gives you freedom to move around with your chargers.
5. A power strip
Same as the extension cord. You'll need to plug in a laptop charger, phone charger, lamps, other chargers, hair dryers, straightener/curlers, etc. and your tiny dorm probably won't have enough sockets.
6. A reusable water bottle
Even if you don't drink that much water, it'll be nice to have a water bottle on hand. That way you don't go through your money buying plastic bottles.
7. An umbrella
Unlike high school, your classes will be scattered across campus. Sometimes you may even have to catch a bus to class. Believe me when I say, it is NO fun slugging through campus in the rain only to have to sit through a 90 minute lecture in soaking wet clothes and shoes.
8. Rain boots
You may think you'll be fine with your tennis shoes in the rain, you won't. You get out your door and across the street and your feet will be soaked right through the sock. Talk about miserable.
9. Rain jacket
Going along with this rain theme, go ahead and get a rain jacket. I seriously cannot warn you enough about how bad it is sitting through your classes while drenched.
10. A sturdy pair of shoes
Tennis shoes, Birkenstocks, Chacos... whatever they are, get a sturdy pair of shoes. You will be doing A LOT of walking. Invest in a good pair of shoes that will take you far.
11. Cardholder
Don't be that kid who walks around with a lanyard on his neck. Get a key ring (preferably one with a wristlet) for you to keep your dorm key on.
13. One nice, professional outfit
Even if you don't use it freshman year, it's better to have than not. You may need to interview, go to the career fair, or even be invited to a dinner with someone important. Keep one professional outfit in your wardrobe.
14. Seating
When you come home to your dorm at the end of the day, you're going to want to sit down in a chair that's not your desk chair. Opt for a futon, bean bag, or even just a collapsible comfy chair.
15. Your vaccines
Most colleges require you get certain vaccinations before coming to campus in August. Make sure you check with your school about what they require, and then go get yours updated.
16. A book-bag with a lifetime warranty (preferably water resistant)
I don't know how, but your backpack will get beaten up. I don't even remember being all that tough on my book-bag and it still looks like it crawled up from the depths of Hades. Try and find one that's water resistant so your computer, books, and notes don't get destroyed when it rains.
17. Your dog
Just stuff him into your suitcase. No one will notice. No one will care.
18. A few pictures of your family and high school friends
Key word: a few. You'll soon have new pictures from all your new adventures and want to hang those up as well.
19. Your favorite snacks
The dining hall hours suck. When you get late night cravings you won't be able to go down and get something to eat so you'll need to have something in your dorm.
20. Quarters
Quarters will come in handy FREQUENTLY. To do laundry, pay a parking meter, or buy something from a vending machine, quarters do it all.
21. A crockpot
A slow cooker is perfect for college students. It will give you a little taste of home cooking in your dorm. Throw in some ingredients in the morning and then leave it cooking all day. Your dorm will smell like heaven (and not the rotten pizza and disgusting bathroom smells that it will smell like most times).
22. School supplies
With this exciting new time, it'll be easy to forget to pack actual school supplies. Make sure you pack some notebooks and pens while you're packing up your decorations and bedding!
23. An open mind
Probably the most important item on this list. At college, you'll meet so many people who are different from you with so many diverse perspectives. Keep an open mind with everyone you encounter.
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