Must haves for College Freshmen to Pack

Since I have a lot of friends getting ready to send their children off to college for the first time, I will be writing college related posts on Wednesdays in July. So if you have a child leaving in August you might want to check back each Wednesday this month as I will have lots of advice from how to stay in contact with your child, how to prepare your child over the summer  to leave, and some differences between dorm and apartment living. This post will discuss what must haves college freshman should pack.

The time has finally come for your children to gain some independence and step out on their own.  However, things will go a lot smoother if  they start this adventure with a dorm room that is well organized with the essentials. Below is a must have college checklist that will be helpful when shopping and packing.  I hope this list helps.  You should also get a list from your college’s dorm director stating what they can and cannot bring.  Each college is different.  This is the list of things my daughter took to her dorm last year.

Bedding

comforter
twin sheets
mattress pad
pillows
area rug
alarm clock

Toiletries

towels
wash clothes
shampoo/conditioner
shower shoes
razors/toothbrush/toothpaste
other make up products
shower caddy
plastic organizer for the bathroom
laundry basket
detergent
coins for laundry
toilet bowl cleaner
bathroom cleaner
trashcan
Shower Curtain

School Supplies

Computer
Printer
TV/Cable Cord/Power Strip
Desk Lamp
Notebooks and school supplies
stamps/envelopes
batteries
flash drive
docking station/chargers

Miscellaneous

band aids
thermometer
tylenol
vitamins
mirror
camera
bike
food
clothes
broom/dustpan
dustbuster
fridge
microwave

Don’t forget things like prescription medications, retainers, EpiPen, inhalers, topical creams or acne medicines you might take.  These are things you don’t want to be without and are sometimes forgotten last minute.

Going to college is a huge responsibility, but it is also a lot of fun.  For some of you this is your first taste of freedom and a chance to show your parents how well you can do on your own.  The best piece of advice I could give you is to take what your parents have taught you and be the person you’ve always wanted to be.  There are no preconceived stereotypes because no one knows you. So take the confidence you may have lacked in high school and go out there and make friends, study hard, earn great grades, and this just might be the best experience of your life.

Yours Truly,

Jenn