Running to class with a backpack over your head is never a fun time, so it’s helpful to have a travel sized umbrella or rain jacket.
Once or twice a semester a virus will come along and make your college campus look like a scene out of The Walking Dead. College health centers have limited capabilities so you should bring any medication you currently take at home, Advil, cold and flu medicine, and a supply of cough drops.
It’s helpful to have a small first aid kit for any accidents or small injuries that may occur. We recommend at least bringing a pack of bandaids.
A lot of people living in close proximity can make your dorm hallway smell bad at times. Air freshener is an easy way to keep the smell from seeping into your room. Most students use aerosol spray like Febreeze or wall plug-in dispensers. If you want to avoid aerosols, Blue Magic is an amazing all natural and chemical free spray that comes in tons of different scents.
It’s helpful to have a supply of extra AA and AAA batteries for important electronics like remotes, controllers, and calculators. We recommend buying in bulk for the entire semester since batteries are very expensive when purchased in small packs. You’ll also want to bring a few extra non-halogen light bulbs if you plan on bringing a desk or floor lamp.
Leaving old friends behind and heading off to college is nerve-wracking for a lot of students, but it’s also the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The first few weeks of school are great for meeting new people and making lifelong friends. An easy way to let other students know you’re friendly and outgoing is by having a dry erase board on your door. A lot of people write their names or a welcoming message that encourages floormates to introduce themselves.
Some students bring a doormat to make their dorm room feel a little more like home. Keeping your door open during the first week of school is also a great way to make new friends, since other students passing by can say hi or come hangout.
A small roll of duct tape will come in handy at some point in time.
A small tool kit comes in handy for move-in day and those other infrequent times you have to fix something, but you can probably just leave this at home and roll the dice on a friend or hallmate bringing one.
It’s unlikely you’ll experience power outages in your college dorm, but you can bring a flashlight if you want. Most students decide to leave them at home because cell phone flashlights are powerful enough in case of an emergency.
It’s important for college students to stay active and get at least 2 hours of exercise per week. Students who enjoy going to the gym should consider bringing a gym or drawstring bag to store clothes and personal belongings. You can also use them as a travel bag if you end up visiting friends at different schools.
Another great way to get consistent exercise and make new friends is by signing up for intramural sports. Most schools offer a wide variety of sports. So we recommend bringing any necessary athletic gear and equipment. If you’ve never played a sport before or are worried you’re not good enough, sign up anyway! A lot of intramural sports have leagues with different competition levels and many students just want to have fun in a co-ed or non-competitive league.
Card and board games aren’t an everyday thing, but they’re great for when you’re bored or want to hangout with friends.
Popular card games for college students include Cards Against Humanity, Kings, and Texas-Holdem Poker. A simple playing card deck is all you need to play tons of different games. We’ve seen students host weekly poker games with hallmates and they all had a great time.
Make sure to bring your Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Passport, Insurance Card, and any other important documents you might need. If you have a tendency to lose things consider bringing a small safe to keep your important documents secure. For students who plan on getting a part time job at school these documents are a must.