Packing for College

When you are packing for college, you'll want to decide what you need to survive and what you can do without. This is determining your needs and wants.

The things that you need to function daily are that the things that you'll want to pack first. These are things like clothing, personal hygiene items, school supplies, and study materials.

Pack the things that you don't necessarily need, but that you would like to have, only after you have packed what you need.

Personal Use Items

Personal use items are things you use throughout the day. These are items like:

- Cell Phone (I don't know anyone who'd forget this)- Computer (You'll be glad if you have your own, but your school will have plenty of computer access if you don't)- Good Back Pack- Reusable Water Bottle- Journal- Comfortable Bedding (a comfortable pillow at least)

School Use Items

You might wonder while you're packing for college what items you'll need to pack for school use.

The following items are things that I use on a very frequent basis for school:

- Computer- Good, working calculator- Plenty of paper/ Notebooks- Pencils, Pens, Highlighters- Stapler- A desk & lamp (these are usually provided as part of on campus housing, but not off campus housing)- A USB drive (one that can connect to your key chain will help prevent loss or theft)- An internet connection (again, usually provided by on campus housing, and only sometimes by off campus housing)

Some of these things you may find that you can do without. However, some are essential to your success as a student. You'll have to decide what you can and can't live with.

Don't Fret if You Forget

If you forgot something while packing for college, don't sweat it. Unless it's a very unique/ personal item, you can probably find whatever you're looking for at your nearest shopping center.

You can always call home and use the mail to get what you forgot as well! So, if you get to your apartment and realize you forgot something, don't worry. Just decide if you actually need it and then go about getting it.

The Packing for College List

This is a list that I have briefly made for your convenience to use while packing for college. It is not a comprehensive list, but something to give you a start.

• Clothing:
▪ Shirts
▪ Pants/ Shorts
▪ Underwear
▪ Several Pairs of socks
▪ 2 or more pairs of shoes
▪ Jacket
▪ Winter Coat (depending on the climate)
• Toothbrush/ toothpaste/ floss
• Alarm Clock
• Wrist Watch
• Computer & charger
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Pencils, pens, highlighters, etc.
• Notebooks/ extra paper
• Journal
• Good Calculator
• Backpack
• A few favorite books
• Small hobbies
• Glasses/ contacts case & contacts solution
• Deodorant
• Shaving Supplies
• Other personal hygiene items - shampoo, soap, etc.
• Small first aid kit - cold medicine/ headache medicine/ band aids

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