So what am NOT giving you is what I think you need, but rather what I think I need so that you can compare (and my reasoning for each item)!
***Notes of Advice:
- Consider the space you have, not necessarily what you WILL (or will not...) have! And by this, I mean the space you'll have in the car(s) you're taking with you!
- Use as many Ziploc Space Saver Bags as possible! THEY ACTUALLY WORK!! And save a LOT of space in the car (hence the "they actually work" comment!)
- Listen to your parents/gardians. Whether you like it or not, they (usually) know what they're talking about.
- Consider the distance of your school and the things that can wait to be bought until you get there (especially if you have a long ways to go and can't go home often or if your school is in the middle of nowhere). If you're close to a Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, etc. you should be able to get toiletries, medicinal items, feminine products (if they apply to you), and other similar products can wait until you arrive.
- Consider where you'll be living. If you'll be living in a dorm room (like I will be), look into what the school will provide you with (bed, desk, dresser). My school provides the three items listed in parenthesis and the beds are loft-able, so I have a large amount of under-bed space (they loft six-feet up... I'll be getting a work order for a railing).
Now to the good stuff:
Bedding:
- Comforter, size Twin XL (self-explanatory)
- Extra, warm blanket (I'll be in South Dakota, so it gets very cold, very quickly. Consider the location of your College or University. If it doesn't get below 50 degrees at night ever, you probably don't need an extra blanket. If you get cold naturally (like I do), maybe consider extra-warm socks. However, if you'll be close to a tundra like I will be, consider the extra blanket!)
- Sheets ([two sets, size Twin XL] - two sets because it's just easier when you're doing your wash, as per usual when you're home. Plus, laundry takes a while. You don't, however, need more than two. If you get a comforter set, sheets should come with it, so you should only get one extra set of sheets.)
- Two Pillows (I sleep better with either two extra-firm pillows or with no pillows. It just depends on the day. Choose depending on your comfort levels).
- Pillow Protectors (One for each pillow)
- Mattress Pad (A mattress pad prevents you from having to worry too much about bed bugs and prevents you from really having to go through the trouble of getting a "bed bug protection kit" as suggested on Target's [and many other's] College Checklist)
- Mattress Topper (I chose a memory foam mattress topper, but if you're like my boyfriend and have a pretty bad back that goes out every once in a while if you're not sleeping on something firm, a mattress topper may more may not be for you.)
Desk: (Please note that 99.99% of this section CAN be bought after moving in! Really, all of this stuff can be bought after moving in, but the purpose of buying everything in advance is for financial alleviation and to calm your worries, anxieties, and excitement) The reasoning for these items is for homework, projects, etc.
- Paperclips
- Rubber bands
- Stapler
- Staples
- Sheet Protectors
- Loose-leaf paper
- Binders (depending on how many classes you're taking. I have five)
- Spirals (see note above)
- Tab dividers (one set per binder)
- Pencil Sharpener
- Pens
- Pencils
- Backpack (should be able to fit a laptop inside for convenience)
- Top-of-desk Organizer
Electronics:
- Desk Lamp
- Fan
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Printer
- Printer attachments & plug-ins
- Printer Ink the will fit in your printer (THERE ARE DIFFERENT SIZES!!)
- Cell phone
- Cell phone charger
- Surge protector power strip
- Mini fridge (check with your school if you can rent one, although it may be cheaper to buy one because at some colleges it costs $50 per semester to rent and you can buy one for about $75)
- Microwave (This and the mini fridge only need to be brought by one roommate, especially considering the space you will (not) have)
- Toaster
- Iron
- Speakers (for your computer)
- (If you need a TV, here's where I'll include it. My roommate and I are choosing to just watch our TV shows on our computers, so it's not really part of my list entirely)
- Headphones
Organization:
- Under-the-bed storage boxes (I'm using two shallow boxes, one to contain my winter clothes, the other to contain cleaning items once I move in. I also have an air-tight container for eventual food storage)
- Hanging Shoe Organizer (it's up to you which kind to get; I'm using one that goes on the tension rod in the closet because it's what I'm used to from home)
- Hanging clothing organizer (Also one that hangs from the tension rod. I'll be using it mostly for the over-abundance of shirts I'm bringing because the drawer in my room only has three small drawers for... well, everything else)
Medicinal Items, Toiletries, and Feminine Products:
- Advil/Ibuprofen
- Advil Cold & Sinus
- Saline Nasal Spray
- Cough Drops and Sore Throat drops (they do different things. I know. Shocking)
- Tums (THESE SAVE MY LIFE!)
- Bandaids
- Shampoo (2)
- Conditioner (depends on your hair, but I'm bringing 2. I also happen to use conditioner as shaving gel for my legs - I've found it makes my legs smoother after I shave as well as makes the shave last a day longer than usual.)
- Pads with wings (for over-night. Wearing tampons over night is a HUGE no-no!)
- Tampons
- Face wash (I use Cetaphil Oil Control because it's very gentle and works wonders on difficult make-up!)
- Make-up Remover Wipes (for the stubborn eyeliner)
- Degree 48-hour Motion deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Floss
- Toothpaste (I got Crest sensi-relief because it whitens while staying sensitive on the teeth and gums)
Miscellaneous:
- Ironing Board
- Shower Shoes
- Chair (this, along with futons, are NOT necessary. They're just... very, very nice to have!)
- Cups (2-4)
- Plates (2-4)
- Bowls (2-4)
- Mugs (2)
Decorations:
I'm an amateur painter, so I'm bringing some things I've painted, photos, and chords/medals and my decorated grad cap from graduation to decorate around my desk. This is just an area for your personal touch. Bring posters, bring art, bring whatever will make your room feel more personal. Just be conscious of your roommate - if it can be considered inappropriate, think about not bringing it if you don't know your roommate or, if you do, double check to make sure they wouldn't be offensive. You're sharing a room - both of you need to be respectful of each other.
This, for the time being, is all I can think of. I will, however, do an ENTIRE Dorm Room Haul once I move in on August 22nd. I will see if my roommate will let me take a picture of her side of the room, but I'm not going to invade her privacy. So. ANYWAY. That is all for tonight. Enjoy your college shopping!!
