College move-in day is no joke! I’ve seen it time and time again; crowded hallways, a lineup of vehicles, confusing campus maps, and more than a hint of stress in the air. But you know what doesn’t get as much attention? Move-in night.
Depending on when you arrive on campus, you may not have had time to unbox everything you brought all in one day. That can mean your first night in your dorm room is a little less than perfectly set up. Picture this: It’s time for bed and you realize you can’t find your toothbrush. You open a box, dig through it, then open another, and another. Before you know it, you’ve opened every box and the contents are sprawled onto every surface in your dorm. Not ideal!
But what if, rather than digging through still-unpacked boxes and bags to find everything you need for a peaceful night of sleep (or a fun night of going out and getting to know your new life, if you’re so inclined), you had all your necessities in one place for easy access? Enter: the first night bag.
The first night bag is exactly what it sounds like: a bag packed with all the things you’ll need for your first night on campus. But what are those things, exactly? Here’s a list of items to pack in your first night bag that you might not have thought about.
- Medications & First Aid
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If you have any essential meds you take, make sure you have easy access to them. It’s also a good idea to pack any over-the-counter medications you might need for ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, or allergies. Some bandages and ointment might also be smart. As someone who has gotten a papercut from cardboard, trust me when I say this stuff may come in handy.
- Toiletries
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Your first night in your dorm should be treated like a sleepover, so take anything you’d need for that: toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, mouthwash, cleansers, lotions, shower items, makeup — anything you can’t do without when you get ready for the day or the night.
- A Few Changes Of Clothes
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Of course, it’s important to have PJs and an outfit for the next day, but make sure to consider weather variables! How cold does it get overnight? Is there a chance of rain? How humid does the area get? Plus, you never know what opportunities may arise on your first night — maybe you need a cute “going out” outfit, just in case you and your new roomie decide to get adventurous. You may not end up needing everything you pack, but if you do, you’ll be thankful you put them in your first night bag.
- Laundry Essentials
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On the topic of clothing, it wouldn’t hurt to keep a stain remover stick or laundry pod in your bag in case of an emergency. If most of your clothing will be packed away, you won’t want to dig through them if you spill something on your top.
- Cleaning Items
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No need to pack your whole supply closet in your first night bag, but a few essentials will go a long way: garbage bags, disinfecting wipes, and maybe a roll of paper towels. It’s a good idea to wipe down and clean all the surfaces before you begin to unpack and set up.Â
- Bedding
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It’s important that when you sleep in your dorm for the first night, that you have bedding for your bed! No one wants to sleep on that plastic “mattress” all by itself. Plus, if you arrive to your dorm room before your roommate, bedding is a good way to claim the bed you want right away. Â
- Sleep Aids
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What do you need to sleep? A stuffed animal, special pillow, eye mask, bonnet, alarm clock? Bring it! This is going to be your home for the school year, so there’s no reason to leave your sleeping essentials behind or stuck in a box.
- Wallet & ID
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I know it seems like you can pay for everything using your phone these days, but trust me on this one! Make sure your wallet is readily available to you. Beyond credit and debit cards, you might need your ID or student ID — better to have it on you than to not.
- Snacks
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Nobody wants to go out and spend too much money on snacks, especially on your first night! Especially since you might not know where to get the best late-night munchies yet, you’re better off having a few snacks on hand just in case the dining hall doesn’t quite cut it.Â
- Chargers
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If your device has an associated charger, make sure it’s easily accessible to you on your first night. Phones, laptops, tablets, headphones, watches, gaming consoles — think of everything you’ll want to use that first night. You do not want to sift through boxes looking for the right charger and the correct charging block.
- Another Bag
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If you need to go out and grab something, you’ll want to make sure you have an extra bag. A backpack, tote bag, or reusable grocery bag are good options. It’s better than emptying out your first night bag if you need to carry things around.
- A Game
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Look, the necessities are important, but it’s always nice to bring an X factor. Whether you’re bored and waiting for all your floor mates to move in, or you want a fun way to bond with all the new friends you’re making, having a game on hand, like a deck of cards or even some conversation starters, would be fun.
