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10 Things You Should Definitely Purchase And Pack for Freshman Year BEFORE August

Ten must-have items that will make your freshman year a breeze!

Alex Michalski

Jun 03, 2019

University of Dayton

261

10 Things You Should Definitely Purchase And Pack for Freshman Year BEFORE August

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Student_with_computer.JPG

This summer has just barely begun, and I already have had moms of incoming freshmen asking me what they should buy for college. The list could go on for ages, but I narrowed down the ten most important things I packed for my freshman year of college.

A Good Laptop

Just invest in a good one so your roommate doesn't have to bail you out 85 times.

https://images.pexels.com/photos/18105/pexels-photo.jpg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=750&w=1260

I can't tell you how many times I had to bail people out freshman year because their laptop broke on them. It's worth the investment because if you treat it well, it will last you throughout college and possibly even afterward! Look at Best Buy for student discounts during the summer. I got $500 off my order simply because I was a student.

Shower Shoes

It doesn't matter what type of shoe you get. It only matters that you have shoes on.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/aquaflops-shower-shoes/3253153?skuId=42551478&&mrkgcl=609&mrkgadid=3253336553&rkg_id=0&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_bath_local&product_id=42551478&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&adpos=1o1&creative=232742510347&device=c&matchtype=&network=s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_tuz8um_4gIVCL7ACh0vaADNEAQYASABEgJ9FvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

College showers are disgusting, many times not being cleaned for days at a time. Going in there without something to protect your feet will result in something nasty probably growing between your toes. Buy a cheap pair of flip flops, crocs, or legit shower shoes from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Trust me.

A Rolling Laundry Basket

Along with clothing, this bad boy can carry 49 library books across campus at 1am!

https://www.containerstore.com/s/laundry/hampers-baskets/rolling-hamper-with-wheels/12d?productId=10026191&country=US&currency=USD&utm_source=tcscompshop&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=google&cid=cse%7Cevergreen%7Claundry+%3E+hampers-baskets%7Cgoogle%7C%7C%7Bcampaignid%7D%7C%7Bproduct_id%7D%7C%7Bdevice%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImKniwOq_4gIVT7nACh3aYw-lEAQYASABEgLV2PD_BwE

The wheels are the most important feature of a good laundry basket in college. You'll be grateful you don't have to carry your heavy basket all the way to the laundry room as you watch others struggle to do so. A plus is that they help make move-in easier with their wheels.

Mattress Topper

I didn't get a mattress topper until sophomore year, big mistake.

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Freshmen have the worst dorms; everyone knows that. It's no surprise that their beds are not the most comfortable things in the world. I recommend buying a mattress topper to save yourself from a sore back.

Power Strip

The more cords the merrier!

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/613weGDyhuL._SX466_.jpg

These are always handy to have around. Hopefully, you won't be like me and only have one plug on your side of the room, but you never know. Try to get one that is flat when plugged in the wall so you can plug it in behind desks or your bed without a large gap blocking your way.

A Printer (With a USB Cable)

This will save you so much walking and time, trust me.

http://www.maarivenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bdhsdhsa.jpg

University printers are notorious for not printing when you need them the most. Save yourself the headache and invest in a cheap printer to keep in your dorm room. Make sure you get a USB cable to directly plug it into your laptop, so you don't have to fight with the university Wi-Fi that everyone is trying to connect to.

Shower Caddy

Make sure to not lose this!

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/herald-review.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/c7/3c7652d2-ccd3-5faa-acff-3f9672892e29/578e8a9e3ea1d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C400

Showers are usually not connected to your dorm room, meaning that you have to lug your toiletries up and down the hall every time you want to shower. It's super useful to have something to carry everything in. You can find these at Bed, Bath, and Beyond or any other store similar to it.

A Fan

This bad boy has saved my life on more than one occasion.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/25e54083-f36c-4a5a-9eb8-2790b2506301/svn/charcoal-gray-holmes-desk-fans-haof87blzuc-64_1000.jpg

A Small travel sized fan is a great thing to have, especially at the beginning of the semester. The air conditioning may not be that great (if you even have it) in the freshman dorms. A fan may not cool you off completely, but it's still better than nothing. Plus it makes great background noise to drown out your loud neighbors!

Desk Lamp

Succulent not included.

https://images.pexels.com/photos/1112598/pexels-photo-1112598.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=750&w=1260

Dorm room lighting isn't the brightest. Usually, there's only one light in the ceiling, causing your eyes to strain when trying to read. Get a cheap desk lamp to make reading so much easier on your eyes.

Earplugs

You probably won't need 60 pairs but still...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81BkN0BQU5L._SL1500_.jpg

Freshman dorms often have walls that are paper thin, which can make it hard to sleep. Invest in a good pair of earplugs or a pack of cheap ones to help you fall asleep quickly. Even if you don't have noisy neighbors, your roommate may snore, and you'll be glad you have something to block out the noise.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

10 Things You Should Definitely Purchase And Pack for Freshman Year BEFORE August

Ten must-have items that will make your freshman year a breeze!

A Good Laptop

Shower Shoes

A Rolling Laundry Basket

Mattress Topper

Power Strip

A Printer (With a USB Cable)

Shower Caddy

A Fan

Desk Lamp

Earplugs

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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