I’m back for the summer, along with college students everywhere!
A collective sigh of relief has probably gone on around the country for college students. Being home, or at least done with school, is a happy, happy time for us.
Coming home made me realize something, though. I have a lot of stuff. Like, a lot. As I unloaded my car into the living room, I had a mini panic attack at the fact that I was going to have to find a home for all of the stuff that was living at my dorm.
On top of that, I realized how much stuff I have in general, because I don’t really have any room for the things I brought back. It’s probably time for a purge…
I’m sure that there were a few things in the pile of stuff that I could’ve gone without, so I thought I’d share some things I didn’t need for those high school seniors (or their parents) who are going to start buying things for college .
- A Lamp – It’s always a good idea to check the measurements of your dorm, along with any features it may have. My dorm desk actually had a built in lamp, so technically, I could have definitely gone without it. Not all college dorms are the same though, so make sure to check.
- So Many Pillows – This seems to be more of a girl thing, but believe me when I say, you’re going to wish you had less pillows. They look nice when the bed is made, but let’s be honest here…. how often will that actually happen in college? Plus, they take up a lot of space and collect dust and dirt when you throw them on the dorm floor.
- Blankets – For many of the same reasons you don’t want all the pillows, you should try to limit the amount of blankets you bring. You really only need your comforter and one extra blanket for in case you get cold. Usually, your dorm room will probably be sweltering, unfotunately.
- Shoes – Okay so obviously you need shoes, but shoes take up a suprising amount of room. Try to limit your shoe choices to ones that you wear regularly or you know you will need for an event. If you still want to bring more, consider buying a hanging shoe organizer to conserve space.
- School Supplies – While yes, you will need school supplies, you probably don’t need as much as you think you do. Try to have a method planned out about how you will organize your schoolwork and separate classes before move-in day. I had a binder and notebook for each class. I also had 5 extra notebooks and 3 packs of notebook paper. Not necessary at all. If you want to buy supplies in bulk, consider leaving the extras at home instead of lugging them to your new one.
I’m sure there are many more things I didn’t need, but these are the basics that pop into mind. Obviously, every dorm is different and every person will have different preferences. I know I saw all sorts of lists of things I would/ wouldn’t need for college, but it turns out I know me best. You won’t fully be prepared until you experience it for yourself, but I hope these tips are helpful.
Now, I have to get back to unpacking…