A lot of college packing lists will tell you the same thing: bring a fan, sheets, pillows, a towel, a shower caddy. You need those things, too, of course, but what about all the things no one tells you to stick in your suitcase? Here are 10 things that I wish someone told me to bring to college when I first moved in.
- Rolling laundry hamper-- If your dorm has an elevator or laundry is on the floor of your dorm, trust me when I tell you that being able to ROLL your laundry bag there instead of dragging it or carrying it will be so much better. This is especially true because it's not just your clothes-- it's your detergent, your dryer balls/sheets, whatever else you use for your laundry.
Link to the exact one I used: https://amzn.to/3SUhTEY
- Picnic blanket-- College students gravitate towards sunlight at the right time of year. Be the friend that has the picnic blanket so you can sit out on the quad or the green. When there's a beach day approaching or it's the first day of spring, you will be so glad to have it.
Link to one similar to mine: https://amzn.to/46oLzx2
- Lint roller and/or fabric shaver-- The dorm laundry machines might not be nice to your clothes...trust me on this one. Both of these are great and you can probably get away with just having one or the other, but if you were a Girl Scout like me, it's best to be over-prepared.
Link to my fabric shaver: https://amzn.to/4wOnLNS
Link to cheap lint rollers: https://amzn.to/4glJvvN
- Tide-To-Go Sticks-- You will be spending a lot of time eating, in dining halls, around food, etc. You will inevitably spill something and not have time to get back to your dorm to change. Slip one of these into each of your bags and you will be relieved to find it when you need it to get rid of any pesky stains. (Or you make someone's day by having one for them to borrow!)
Link to the packs I buy: https://amzn.to/4qBrJYC
- Measuring cups + spoons-- At least 3 times a year I would get these for other people to use. If you bake anything or cook anything, or are friends with people who do, this is worth having. And if you're going to have them, they might as well be cute... check this link to my favorite set.
Link: https://amzn.to/3Uo4HZk
- Compact umbrella-- On the days where you have no idea if it will rain, you will not want to carry a massive umbrella to class. Get a small one, the smallest one you can find, and keep it in your backpack so you will always have it. I went to school in Rhode Island where the weather was almost always a mystery, and I was always prepared nonetheless.
Link to a tiny umbrella: https://amzn.to/4wTFQdx
- A clock-- Yes, you could just check your phone, but good habits start with simple switches and checking your phone (or any blue-light-generating device for that matter) in the middle of the night is not benefiting you. Clocks are cheap and some can double as speakers or small lamps.
Link: https://amzn.to/4xmSmmT
- Game(s)-- Even if it is just a deck of cards, having something folks can play is always nice. If your club has a board retreat or your roommate has people over or your study group needs a break, whipping out a game spares everyone from awkward conversation and lets in a breath of fresh air.
Link to a deck of cards: https://amzn.to/3SbOlm3 (also usually available at the dollar store)
Link to my favorite game: https://amzn.to/4ivA0v9
- Medicine organizer-- Ignore me if you don't take medicines on a daily basis but if you take more than one pill per day, set aside 10 minutes and fill a monthly organizer to save a bit of time each day. I got this one sophomore year and still use it post-graduation. It's also helpful when packing for a trip, as you can just take out one of the rows and pop it in your suitcase.
Link to my organizer: https://amzn.to/4wUOetc
- Phone stand-- You will spend a lot of time at your desk, or at least in your room, and it's helpful to have something specific for your phone to rest on. Get one with a whole in the back so you can charge simultaneously, and when you need to set your phone up for a FaceTime, or to record something, or to watch TV, it will not topple over or be annoyingly positioned.
Link to the one I have: https://amzn.to/4xhJ8YY
Here is the spreadsheet I used when packing: click here!
