Welcome to College, Freshman! Your Ultimate Guide to Packing

Ah, college. Your dreams of late night study sessions, weekend parties, and pigging out on junk food are just around the corner and within reach, but first, you must pack up your things and make it to the college campus.

Before you start throwing all of your clothes and shoes into your suitcase, there are some things you need to think about. The ultimate guide below will help you pack and prepare for your college road trip.

First Things First

You cannot take everything with you and your dorm is not going to be that big so plan carefully. Think about the essentials you need and start setting them aside. This is a great time to start sorting through your clothes and tossing out all of those beat up and worn out shirts.

Start Planning Accordingly

Now it is time to start the planning process. Sit down with a piece of paper and pen and write down everything you think you need and include everything you MUST have with you.

For instance, start with your bed. You will need the following:

• Two sets of sheets
• Two pillow cases
• Two pillows
• Comforter or quilt

Next, think about your clothes and your dresser. It can be difficult trying to figure out what to wear and how many clothes to pack. You do not want to have too many clothes nor too little. You should set aside at least two weeks’ worth of pants or shorts, shirts, underwear, and socks.

Now that you have an idea of the clothes you plan to take, start thinking about all of your hygiene items. This one is tricky because you need much more than you would if you were at home. Remember, when you are in a dorm, you have to share a bathroom, so bath shoes, robes, and the like are now things that you want to carry with you. Of course, let’s not forget the essentials including:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Styling gel
• Brush
• 4 towels and washcloths
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand soap

Need More Room?

If you find that you are running out of room quickly, consider renting a storage unit to keep some of your belongings until you find a new home for them. Preparing and packing to go to college can be fun, but it will take some planning and time to ensure you do not forget anything along the way.