School is almost back in session. So, what better way to kick off the month than to help you all figure out what you need to pack for college! Hopefully, the following information will help you to decide what you should bring. And, if you still need help, you can always use our college packing list to get ready for your big move.
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What You Need To Pack For College
Bring What’s Comfortable
Think about comfortable shoes and clothing that you would like to pack for college. Why? Well, you will be wearing these items in class, while studying, and even while commuting. So, being comfortable is really important! But despite this, there will still be times where you will need to get dressed up. However, I believe that this will be the least of your concerns when you are first experiencing college life for the first time. So, you can always pack what’s comfortable and expand your wardrobe later.
Pack Your Electronics
Whether it’s taking notes, typing papers, researching for a project, or registering for classes, you will need to use some type of electronic device while you are in college. So, it’s a great idea to pack your devices for your move.
Besides your phone, some other electronics that you should bring are your laptop, PC, or tablet. But, if you don’t have any of these devices, you can always use your school’s computer lab. Or, if you would prefer to have your own device, you can look into buying second-hand devices or waiting for great sales (like Cyber Monday).
Bring Organizers
If you know how to utilize the space that you have, you can fit a lot of things in your dorm room, which is why dorm room organization is important. An easy way to save space is to make use of any vertical space in your place. This is why it’s so common for college students to use the space underneath their bed, behind their doors, and even their walls!
Also, other space-saving organizers like these can really help make a difference in a small college dorm.
Bring Toiletries
You don’t have to pack all of your toiletry items for your college move. You only just need to pack a handful of essential items that will be nice to have on hand afterwards. And remember, if you forget something, the person who helped you move in can always make a quick stop by a store before they leave. Or, you can order more toiletries later.
However, one thing that you shouldn’t forget to pack for college is a toiletry bag or a shower caddy. These containers can make a world of difference when you are traveling to and from your shower room.
Bring Things For Your Health And Safety
Your health and safety in college are important things to remember (especially since you might not have many close friends or family members by at first). So, packing items for emergencies and your safety can be really handy. Some items that you should consider packing are prescription medication, pain medicine, a first aid kit, and safety tools (like pepper spray and safety alarms). Just make sure that the items you bring don’t break any rules at your school.
Something else to consider is to bring an emergency contact card with you. Also, another good idea that you and your roommates should have is an emergency contact list posted in a public space in your dorm (like on your refrigerator or somewhere in the living room).
Bring Important Documents
As a college freshman, you probably haven’t thought about the fact that you might have to sign paperwork or provide alternative forms of ID for certain services. So, that’s why bringing certain documents and alternative forms of identification are important!
A good idea of what to bring is your: Driver’s License/State ID, Social Security Card, Health Insurance Card, Dental Insurance Documents, and birth certificate. Just make sure that you have a safe place to store your documents (such as your wallet or a lockbox) to protect your personal information from prying eyes.
Bring Living Essentials
Another important thing to consider as a new college student is your living essentials. What are going to be some items that you will need to use daily? For instance, some items that you should pack are trashcans, cleaning supplies, dishes and utensils, cookware, and cleaning tools.
Also, if you have a roommate, it’s a good idea to try to connect with them early on and decide who will bring which items. This will also save time while shopping and money.
Bring School Supplies and Material
Also, don’t forget to pack the material that you need for school. You’ll need to at least have common school supplies such as pencils, paper, pens, highlighters, and folders/binders. You will also need to get your textbooks for class. Or, you can wait until the first day of class to see if your professor has made any changes to the course material.
College Packing List Printables
Sometimes packing for college can get a little overwhelming. That’s why using college packing checklists can be useful. You can either find these printables by either searching online or seeing if your school will give you one. You can download ours below to get started packing.
Packing for college can be overwhelming at times (which is why college packing checklists can be helpful). If you are still having trouble packing for college, you can try our free college packing list below.
Also, don’t forget to consider these tips before you start packing.
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Hannah Roberts is the creator of Do. Live. Study. She loves to learn new things and hopes to help others as they go throughout their journey as an adult. You can connect with her below.