Campus and dorms are the best school of life for those who just have left their parental house. Therefore, to be sure that you have everything you need for your comfortable life for the first days and weeks, here is the list of things you need to take care of.
Bedding Stuff
When you move to your new room, the first thing to pay attention to is your bed. Ideally, you can bring a new mattress with you, but if not, take care of everything from mattress cover to bedding set.
Quality sleep is essential for a student, so it is better that you take care of it ahead. Therefore, bring a pillow that you find comfortable too. Other stuff like a mattress topper, bedside shelf, and a reading lamp is up to you.
Computer Gear
Of course, you cannot study without your laptop and other computer essentials. You can print your papers elsewhere, but it is more reasonable to move in with a printer. Headphones, mouse pad, mouse, and other things are essentials when it comes to living in a dorm.
Do not be negligent when you choose your devices. Whether you live alone or not, it is better to think about making yourself independent when it comes to basic computer utilities.
Stationary
You’ll need a lot of it, so do not get too frugal when you’ll be stocking pens, pencils, and other necessities. Students use all of it, and you’ll need a lot of it. Think about buying sticky flags for your books, sticky notes for your desk, push pins, and other stuff.
Make sure you have enough A4 paper for a couple of weeks as well as enough notebooks for taking lecture notes. Scissors, paper clips, ruler, etc. – there is plenty of stuff you need to carry with you to the campus.
Earplugs and Sleep Mask
This essential comes separately because you are not to expect that everyone on campus will adhere to your regime. People there are up all night, so you’ll have to manage the noise somehow. The best thing to do is to buy earplugs that will help you win a moment of silence for your sleep.
Also, a sleep mask can be handy since no one knows who your roommate will be. They may be interested in early waking up or staying-in late. With a sleep mask, you can feel more or less in control of your sleeping schedule.
Kitchenware
It is better if you negotiate this with your roommate. This way, you won’t have doubles of electric kettles and microwaves on your already small kitchen. However, such things as spoons, forks, knives, water bottles, cups, etc. will never be enough.
Think about bringing a coffee maker and other devices that you normally use at home. Keeping your typical breakfast routine will help you pull through the adjustment period more easily.
Detergents and Your Flip Flops
Since you’ll be on your own with no parental help, you’ll take care of cleaning alone, too. Some duties will be shared with your roommate, but still, you’ll be responsible for your own mess. Thus, you need to have enough detergents for the first month of your education.
Also, think about hangers, iron, sewing kit, and things like the pop-out hamper to make sure you’ve got yourself covered in every situation related to cleanliness, laundry, and clothes.
Do not overestimate the value of a clean common area in your dorm. You should always have flip flops on you rather than take showers barefoot. This is especially relevant for shower and toilet areas if they are shared.
First Aid Kit
Having your medication and other first-aid necessities is critical for all students, especially for those with health issues. You should inform your roommate if you have an allergy or other chronic conditions so that they could react appropriately if need be.
Final Words
This list, of course, can and should be adjusted per your personal needs and requests. However, this is the most ‘standard’ set of essentials you may need when you are a freshman in college. Make sure to pack the essentials, like bedding, cleaning supplies, stationary and gadgets. No need to stress over this part, remember that anything you forget can still be posted to you.
