Packing For College 101
Jan 31 '00
High school is now a memory. You’ve graduated, you’ve had a fun time this summer, and now you’re getting ready to take off to that fabulous make-believe world of college. The problem is, you’ve not a clue what to pack!
First Things First
There are some things you must bring that cannot be packed, except in your mind. The most important thing to pack is a sense of humor and a thick skin. You’re going to meet a lot of people with just about every taste in the world – from nazi sympathizers to born-again hippies and everything in between. If everyone that came down the pike offended me, it would have been a truly miserable experience. Be prepared to meet some both shocking and interesting fellows.
You’ll also need that sense of humor to put up with the constant pranks that go along with life in the residence halls. Be prepared for anything -- including having your towel removed by your roommate while you’re in the shower at your co-ed dormitory (the shower curtain makes a great temporary robe).
Bring your own moral code. You will be confronted with every sort of vice, including sex, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and gambling. Be prepared to know up front your limits and understand what is harmless and what isn’t. While most students do experiment with many of these vices, it doesn’t mean you must also. Realize that even though “everyone else is doing it” that one small mistake can destroy your whole life.
What to Physically Pack
If you will be going home during breaks, don’t pack all your clothing, because chances are your room will be severely lacking of storage space. If you have a change of seasons, bring clothes that you can wear in layers. When the season changes, bring clothes home and change them out for the current suitable season. Bring comfortable walking shoes; pack lots of jeans and tee shirts. These three items are the staple of any college kid’s wardrobe.
If you have a hobby that doesn’t take up tons of space, bring it! This is a great way to make friends. Most college students are fascinated by the idea of someone who can do something special and unusual. What may have seemed really nerdy in high school can suddenly be very popular in college (although the accordion is still dorky, so leave that at home!).
If your school doesn’t provide you with a computer in your room (and very few do), bring one. This is an invaluable tool. Chances are you’ll be asked to write plenty of papers, so the word processing value of the computer is worth the investment. Also, there is a new trend in having internet-only classes. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to take one, because it frees up that many credit hours in your schedule. Any research projects you may have will also be easier if you can access the Internet from your dorm room rather than hiking to the library.
Bring personal effects to remind you of home. However, don’t bring anything valuable. Thievery runs rampant at most colleges, due to the nature of how broke almost everyone is at any given time. Bring simple things, photos, etc. that no one would want to steal but still gives your room that “homey” feeling.
Bring a portable radio, like a Walkman. You’ll need it to help drown outside noises, and is fun to have with certain activities.
If you’re going to a school with a huge, sprawling campus, buy a cheap bike. Again, anything you bring of any value will most likely be stolen. The bike is just to help cut down on time when you have to be at opposite end of the campus. Don’t forget a good lock.
What to Consult your Roommate about Packing
Since dorm rooms can be little larger than a prison cell, space concerns are always an issue. Most colleges will provide you with the name and phone number of the roommate you’ve been assigned. It would be a good idea to call and decide who will bring what.
You’ll only want one stereo in your room. After all, unless you’re wearing headphones, there’s no point in both of you playing music at the same time. For the same reasons, you’ll want only one television.
You’ll most likely only have room for one refrigerator. While you won’t be stocking your fridge with foodstuffs, you’ll want to keep cold beverages (sorry, no beer unless you’re 21!) on hand, and buying them from the pop machine is prohibitive.
If you are allowed, you’ll want to have one microwave oven. Cooking popcorn or a quick snack between meals is essential for most college students. Again, check with the rules of the college as not all schools allow students to cook in their rooms.
You may want to check with the school and see if your room has a telephone. Many provide phone access, but do not provide the telephone itself. Avoid cordless phones, because the chances of interference and security breaches (people using your line to make long distance calls by “hopping” on your channel) are great.
All dorms are heated, but you have to be attending someplace mighty special to have air conditioning. Bring along a fan to cool yourself down. Small rooms can get quite stuffy.
Other Items to Consider
If you’re coming to a college from out of state, bring money to open up a new checking account. Many stores do not accept out-of-state checks, especially from college students. Some won’t even accept out-of-city checks because check kiting is so prolific. Be prepared.
If you’re going to a school by a skiing area, consider bringing your skis along. Renting can get pricey, and you’ll be surprised how often your friends run up to the ski areas on weekends. Don’t miss out on that kind of fun!
What NOT to Take
I don’t know of any college dorm that lets your bring your pets, unless you own a goldfish. They are usually not even welcome for a visit with your parents.
I’ll stress this again, do not bring valuables. They will get stolen.
Have a great time, and enjoy college! It has the potential to be the best years of your life.
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