10 Necessities to Bring to College
It’s that time of year when everyone spends their days in the pool, and their nights around the bonfire. Summer is in full swing, and for many, school is the last thing on their mind. But for recent high school graduates, it may be time to focus on first-time college shopping.
The summer before the first semester of college can be one of the most stressful, emotional, and exciting times of a young person’s life. In the midst of registering for classes, going to orientation, spending time with friends and family, and just trying to take in the summer, preparing everything you need for college can be extremely stressful.
There are so many lists out there about what to bring, but the three of us here at heyBORO have all gone through this process and want to give you a short list of essentials.
Drying Rack
This item is on a lot of college lists, but not often listed as an essential. Having a drying rack is actually very useful when doing laundry. It allows you to air dry the items of clothing you normally would, without having to lay them all over your dorm room. Most drying racks fold up too, so when you are done, you can fold it up and stick it in your closet or under your bed.
Mattress Topper
A mattress topper can make plasticy dorm mattresses more comfortable. They also sell mattress covers that prevent bed bugs from getting into your belongings.
Brita Purifier
A Brita is a good way to have clean, filtered, and cold water without having to buy it. Some dorm buildings don’t have water fountains either, so it's a good way to have access to water for both yourself and guests. Also, it’s smart to keep extra filters on hand in case the old one expires!
Reusable Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is great for staying hydrated everyday. This way, you won’t have to spend money on water bottles and the Earth will thank you for it too. Bring two or three: you might lose or break them and it’s nice to have backups.
Rain and Snow Supplies
This includes rain boots, an umbrella, and a rain jacket. Depending on the climate where your school is, you never know when it might rain or snow without warning. Having these items on hand ensures that you are prepared to walk to class in any type of weather.
Headphones
This seems obvious, but the point here is that you should bring multiple pairs. Headphones break and get lost easily, so your best bet is to have a few different pairs. College lounges and dorm rooms can get really loud, really fast, so noise-cancelling headphones may be best.
Clorox Wipes and cleaning supplies
Cleaning at college can certainly be an afterthought. Bringing multipurpose wipes, all-purpose spray, and vacuums can make cleaning your dorm room, bathroom, or common spaces easier.
White Board Calendar
Having a calendar or white board can be helpful for writing important reminders, organizing your schedule, and leaving notes between you and your roommate(s). And since it’s erasable, you can clean it at the end of the month and reuse it until it literally falls apart.
Tape
Tape is one of those things that we all take for granted at home. Our parents buy tape—it’s always there and we don’t worry about it. It’s not until you need to duct tape your notebook back together, or hang a poster on your wall that you realize how much you need it. Do yourself a favor, and pack a roll of tape for emergencies.
Extra Towel and Set of Sheets
Having extras of these items can be helpful when an unexpected mess presents itself. It’s always good to be prepared, especially if you have to wash your first set and need another right away.
We hope this list is helpful and details items you may have otherwise looked over. Good luck to all incoming freshmen, we hope you have a wonderful semester!