Packing for college

After choosing a school, your next thought may be what you need to pack. Down below are some helpful tips and tricks I used when deciding what to bring to my new home. 

Your school will provide you with a list of items you can and cannot bring, please confirm on the list you are allowed to bring certain items before arriving. 

Helpful tips & tricks: 

My first tip would be to consider the climate your school is located in. If it’s warm, cold, rainy, etc. Obviously, if you go to a school in the north you would need to pack different items than if you went to a school in Florida. Whether that be big jackets and warm layers or one jacket for occasional chilly days, you need to be prepared to live in your new environment. 

Packing your clothes in a suitcase will allow traveling back and forth to become much easier. It will be easier to pack and carry your clothes. 

Here are a few things you may wear now but will live in when you move to college:

  • Sweat pants 
  • Leggings
  • Jackets 
  • T-shirts 
  • Sweatshirts 
  • Flannels

One item I have grown to love in college are hats. They are perfect for everyday wear when you are running from class to class. If you’re having a bad hair day or simply woke up late, throw a hat on and you are good to go. 

It is essential that you have at least one good pair of tennis shoes. These will come in extremely handy when you are running late or have a further class. They have become a staple for me and I wear them to almost every class. 

It’s also important to pack clothes that you could wear to interviews, class presentations or any other event that requires nice attire. 

Instead of an iron and board, I opted for a steamer my freshman year of college and I still use it. I bought mine at Target, but they are available almost everywhere and even online. Linked are a few steamers I found online which all include four-star reviews. 

https://www.target.com/p/joy-mangano-garment-steamer/-/A-51884962?preselect=51830369#lnk=sametab

https://www.target.com/p/conair-extreme-steam-fabric-steamer-with-dual-heat/-/A-51365141?preselect=13773985#lnk=sametab

https://www.amazon.com/iSteam-Exagora-Steamer-Powerful-Remover-Clean-Sterilize-Sanitize-Refresh-Treat-Defrost/dp/B072PY74HY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1549399937&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=steamer&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/PurSteam-Powerful-Wrinkles-Sterilize-UltraFast-Heat/dp/B00MG2OOHK/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1549399937&sr=1-5&keywords=steamer

Other useful tools to pack for your room could be: 

  • Tape 
  • Scissors 
  • Stapler 
  • Command Hooks/ strips 
  • Paperclips 
  • Pins 
  • Small sewing kit
  • Extra hygiene products

When it comes to miscellaneous items, I suggest making a list of products you use in your home every day, such as cotton pads, q-tips, or cleaning supplies. I used to walk through my house and find items I would use every day and add them to my list of supplies. 

My final tip would be to invest in your bedding and I don’t mean invest in Egyptian cotton sheets. I mean a comfortable and well-made mattress pad and pillow. College beds are not particularly comfortable and in college your sleep is as precious as your time. 

Picking a college

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I had no idea where I wanted to go to college or what I wanted to study my senior year of high school. This is not an uncommon problem and you are not alone. 

“Where are you going to school?” “What are you planning to major in?”

You’ve heard it from the woman at your church and your uncle at Thanksgiving. It’s okay to not know. It’s okay to be stressed. Just know you are not alone. 

Here is a list of ideas that I considered before picking a school and I hope you will find them helpful. 

Finances

How will you be paying for school? Do you need to take out student loans? Will you be getting financial aid? Apply for all the scholarships and grants you can! It’s free money that you won’t ever have to pay back! Look for local, state, and nationwide scholarships. You may be able to find scholarships specifically for your desired major. Last but certainly not least, your FAFSA. FILL THIS OUT! You may receive money that you did not think you were eligible for.

Major 

One of the biggest factors you have to consider before deciding on where to go, is your major. It’s important to look at schools that offer your major and how successful their programs are. If you have no idea what to major in, try shadowing a professional in the field you are considering. My senior year I thought I wanted to attend a community college and become a dental hygienist and boy, was I wrong. After shadowing my dental hygienist, it became apparent to me that it was not the path I wanted to pursue. You will never know unless you try. Try not to get stuck on the idea that your major is the only type of career you could ever pursue. The world is ginormous, and your possibilities are endless. 

Distance 

Can you drive? Will you have to fly? Can you have your car on campus freshman year? How will you move all of your belongings? All of these are important ideas when considering the distance of home to your school. 

Other helpful resources are teachers from your school or your counselor. They have all been through this process and can help you narrow down your interests. Most counselors can provide information on scholarships, school tours and applications. Use your resources, ask questions, talk to others, and google everything. Everyone is here to help you along this stressful journey. 

The most important factor in this decision is YOU. Do what makes you feel comfortable and pick a school that makes you feel at home. If going to a community college first and transferring later works better for you, pursue that. If you get to a school and decide it’s not for you, it’s okay to make a change. Put yourself first and the rest will follow. 

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