Preparing To Move To College: Here’s Exactly What You Need

Ready to move to college this year? Lower your risk of forgetting to pack something important: take a look at this list of things you need!

Moving out of home for the first time can be scary and stressful! You’ll want to make sure that you pack all of the right things for college. Here’s exactly what you need in your dorm for the new semester!

1. Bedding

Though some colleges will offer you a bedding package before you move in, it may be cheaper to buy your own. You’ll need to check your bed size to make sure that you are purchasing the correct sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers. A smart idea is to also buy a comfortable mattress protector! Bedding is a great way to make your dorm feel personalised, so look for bright colours and interesting patterns!

2. Extension cords

If you’re a college student, you’ll most likely have an abundance of electronic goods. All of these products will need to be charged! Purchasing an extension cord is a great way to charge all of your devices so that you can use all of them the following day.

3. Student ID

One of the most important things about starting at your new college is picking up your student ID! In some colleges, this ID will let you sit exams, enter and borrow books from the library, and possibly even score you some store discounts. Make sure you grab your ID, if it isn’t mailed to you, as soon as you arrive on campus!

4. Laundry Bag

Laundry is an essential errand all students must run! You might not realise how important a hamper or bag might be until you’re waddling down the road to the coin laundry in the middle of the night. Make sure that you also have some detergent at hand! You’ll most likely need to purchase your own, and there’s nothing worse than finally setting down that big load of dirty clothes and realising that you’ve forgotten to bring a tide pod.

5. Bug spray

Some dorms don’t have fly screens to protect their windows. This means that all kinds of bugs can enter your room! Storing a handy can of bug spray is great for those nights when you just can’t be bothered with any creepy-crawlies hanging around.

6. Journal

Having a journal is a great way to get your mind off of things that are stressing you out at college. It’s also a way to detail your experiences so that you can look back on them when you’re older! Keep your journal by your bedside so that you can write a little entry inside it each night.

7. Coat-hangers

So, you’re prepared to move into your new closet, but you’ve just noticed one thing—you don’t have any coat-hangers! Hanging up your shirts and jackets is a great way to stay organised and neat, so you’ll want to buy a few coat-hangers from your local store. You might also want to consider purchasing a small shoe-rack to make sure that none of your sneakers or boots are cluttered on the floor!

8. Lamp

Although your dorm will certainly have a ceiling light, it might not have a lamp. If you’re a big reader or like to do some study before bed, this might get a little annoying. Buying a lamp for your bedside table will make it so much easier for you to roll over and sleep once you’ve finished studying. Another great idea is to purchase a book light, just to illuminate the pages you’re reading!

9. First aid

Students get sick! It happens to all of us. A practical way to preventing your illness from getting the best of you is by making a little first aid kit. Inside, you can pop in some painkillers and/or prescribed medication. Throw some bandaids in there as well, just in case!

10. Kitchenware

You won’t be able to use your kitchen without any products! You’ll need pots, pans, dishes, cups and cutlery to get you started. Try to split the costs between your housemates, or get these essentials second hand!

11. Bathroom products

You’re going to need a lot of products for your bathroom! Towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner are absolutely essential. You’ll also need some cleaning products to make your bathroom stays clean and hygienic.

12. Bank accounts

College students spend lots of money. Whether this is on schooling fees or retail therapy, you’ll need to pay attention to your spending habits. A great way to stay on top of your finances is by opening up multiple savings accounts. Label them as ‘groceries,’ ‘college’ and ‘free spending’ so that you know how much you are spending, and where your money is going.