Back To School: The Complete Guide
It’s only June, and your mind is probably somewhere between the beach and the pool, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what you’ll need once back to school hits.
Wardrobe Must Haves
The most fun part about the start of a new school year is picking out back to school outfits! You’re going to definitely want to stock up on some more wintery items on sale, while also still shopping the best of summer fashion because autumn weather is unpredictable. I know in Massachusetts, it could be 75 degrees one day and 50 the next! With this unpredictability in mind, you should be buying fall items like flannels, jeans, and sweaters, while also still shopping summery articles as well.
You’re going to want a warm jacket because those chills do creep up fast. And make sure you have all the proper footwear as well. Coming from New England, I used to being caught in the rain on a stormy cold fall day. So you’re going to want to have a good pair of waterproof boots.
Also, be sure to buy clothes not only that you’d want to wear when hanging out with your friends, but also outfits you might need for class. I’ve found depending on your major, you might need more business attire for certain classes that involve presentation. So having a blazer and a dressy pair of flats hanging around is always a good idea!
Dorm Essentials
Dorm sweet dorm! Depending on what grade your in and what school you go to, your living accommodations are either typical dorm or suite style, apartment style, or you’ve decided to venture into an off-campus house! Whatever the case may be, there are definite essentials to living away from home.
Bedding: A dorm bed is as comfy as you make it, so be sure to get a quality mattress pad and comforter. Also, be sure that your pillows are to you’re liking. No one is pleasant after a night’s sleep with a sore neck from inadequate pillows!
Bath: Sometimes the best part of a long day can be a nice hot shower, so you’re going to want to make sure you have all that you need! This includes the proper shampoo/conditioner, body wash, soap, loofa, toothbrush/toothpaste, razors/shaving cream, shower shoes, bath towels, and robe. If you’re in a situation with communal showers, you will definitely want a quality shower caddy as well. If you’re living in a suite, an apartment or your own house, you’ll need to keep in mind toilet paper, a bath mat, air freshener, hand towels, and hand soap.
Laundry: Be sure to get yourself a sturdy laundry bin to keep up with all the dirty clothes you accumulate on the weekly. Also, be sure to always have enough detergent and quarters if your machines only form of currency is coins. There is nothing worse than putting a whole load in the washer to find that you’re short a quarter or two.
Lighting: Chances are, where you’re living is not going to be that well lit on its own. Therefore you’re going to need some definite illumination in your new digs. So be sure to pick up a quality lamp or string lights depending on your taste in decor!
Decorations: The most fun part of living in your own place is decorating it! Therefore you’ll need all the proper items to do so. Make sure to have all your bestie and family photos freshly printed at a print center; most of these you can find at Walmart, CVS or Walgreens. Depending on how your personality, you may want to throw in some signs or posters. Homegoods is a great place to look for some of those cute signs, and for posters, you cannot go wrong with Amazon!
Food: Depending again on where you’re living, you need to keep food in mind. If you’re in a dorm, you probably have a meal plan, but after a while. dining hall food gets old and you’re going to be craving some of your favorite snacks. If you’re in an apartment or house, you are going to most likely have a kitchen, so you’ll be buying more food related to cooking yourself actual meals. Welcome to the world of adulting!
Note-Taking Necessities
While it’s always fun to buy your going back to school clothes and dorm decor first, you’re at school to get an education, so you’re going to need the proper supplies to do so. These include proper notebooks, highlighters, pens, pencils highlighters and of course a backpack that is fully equipped to handle all your semester baggage.
Make sure that your laptop is updated too. An ill-functioning device could lead to a semester full of annoyance, so if yours has been acting somewhat funky, take it by for a look at Staples or the Apple Store, depending on your choice of computer.
Miscellaneous
Some other must items are a trash can, speaker, cleaning supplies, a fan, a reusable water bottle, and a power strip. You’ll also want to be sure to always keep an extra phone charger around because no one is a happy camper with a dead phone battery!
With the chaotic and fun nature of summer, in August we are left wondering how so much time could disappear in the blink of an eye. Instead of being overwhelmed those last few days of summer, gradually buy items for the fall semester throughout the next few months. That way you can soak up the last of summer in those few weeks instead of spending your time waiting in line at Office Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond!
