There is a LOT of advice out there (including from us here at Simple Studies!) about what you should or should not bring to college. Ultimately, what I brought is going to be entirely different from my little brother or my next door neighbor. It's not one-size-fits-all but then again, that's now what you came here to read. So, with that disclaimer, here are things that I have seen suggested on college packing lists that aren't worth your money (or your time).
- Bed skirt -- These definitely look really cute and I see the vision there. However, if you are using underbed storage (which you should!) then it will be annoying to have to hold it up any time you want something from under your bed. My bed skirt lasted like 4 days.
- Throw pillows -- One is fine, but you will likely be sleeping on a Twin XL and if you already have two standard pillows, you really won't have much room for more, and you will end up throwing your cute pillows onto the floor every night then picking them up again each morning. Throw pillows can also be annoying to clean!
- Planners-- Unless you are already a planner person, college is most likely not the time you are going to start. You will probably end up putting things into your GCal (Google Calendar) and just like that, your planner is no longer up to date.
- Candle-- Your RA will find it and you will get a fine... it is not worth it! My friend once got a candle as a gift, didn't use it, and still had to pay a $20 fine. Get an essential oils machine instead.
- Non-microwavable bowls and plates-- If you are eating in your dorm, you will probably want to microwave your food, so spend the extra 25 cents (or whatever it costs) to have a couple you can toss in the microwave if needed.
- Bathrobe-- Hot take, especially if you have watched any college TV shows, but I brought a robe freshman year and sophomore year and maybe wore it twice. I usually would just change into pajamas or a big T-shirt and go back to my room in that. The robe also takes up a lot of space, and space is precious in college.
- More than a couple notebooks-- It's not like high school where each class gets a notebook. Every professor will be different and some might require you to take notes by hand, but for most of college I took my notes on my computer, and I think I still have a few Five-Star notebooks hanging around that I never opened.
- Hand towels-- Not going to lie, I brought three and only used one, maybe a couple times. I just used my towel or paper towels instead. Obviously if you are used to using these at home, you might want to have them, but it's not necessary if you ask me.
- Plastic tupperware-- SUCH a pain to clean. Instead, I recommend getting ceramic or bamboo tupperware that you can also microwave. Once I discovered this (I got mine at TJ Maxx) I have never looked back. Popping your leftovers into the microwave straight in its container is super convenient and, even better, whatever you don't finish can stay right there.
- Power strips that aren't also surge protectors-- This is a difference I never knew existed until college, but apparently, not all power strips are created equal. Some are also surge protectors, which is important (and sometimes required!) for dorm living, and there usually isn't a cost difference.
Hope this helps, and you can find a companion article detailing things you might want to bring but have not thought of yet by clicking here.
