Every freshman going into college faces some of the same challenges; who you’ll be friends with, where you’ll eat every day and what you’ll take to school. As a freshman who is moving away from home for the first time, there are things you learn such as what you do and don’t need.
For example, as a freshman myself, I now realize that I brought way too many clothes. By the time I had finished putting it all away I had filled my entire dresser, an entire bin under my bed, and my closet with clothes!
In retrospect, over-packing was a given since I didn’t know what I would and would not need. But now that I am here, I can provide a list of essential items so you can avoid my mistakes! Here’s a list of some of the things that I believe are necessities for living away from home:
1. Pillows
And lots of them! I now know that having one pillow is not enough. The dorm beds aren’t always as comfy as the one you may be used to at home so bringing that extra pillow for comfort goes a long way
2. Blanket
Specifically a comfortable one. This is essential in case you go to a friend’s room for the night or just incase you get cold while you’re studying. Anything to make you feel more at home is great!
3. Desk Lamp
This is really helpful if you need to study while your roommate is sleeping or just to add some additional lighting to your room. Sometimes the florescent lighting can be a lot so addition lighting to use instead of the main light adds a nice ambiance to the room.
4. Full Length Mirror
This is crucial as most of the dorms only have on mirror in the bathroom or none at all. Plus you will want to be able to see your whole outfit for the first day of school right?
5. Alarm Clock
Even though almost everyone has a smart phone, it’s nice to have a clock to glance at whenever you might be studying late. One with an auxiliary port is really nice as well because music is a must!
6. Decorations
You’ll want to make your room seem as home-y as possible since you’re going to be there more than any other place on campus. Spend a day with your roommate(s) making some decorations to hang around the room. It’ll help make the space feel more like home and will be a great bonding experience for the both of you!
7. Headphones
You’re going to want them because they are essential for college life. They’re most useful when walking to class and for listening to music or watching Netflix while your roommate is sleeping or studying.
8. Cleaning Supplies
Especially if you have a bathroom in your dorm room, are very important. You’ll want to keep it clean, especially if you’re not the only one using it. Plus, this will be your exclusive space for the entire year, so having a clean room will mean a clean mind!
Just like when you go on a trip, you tend to pack more than you need so of course there were some things I brought that I really didn’t need. I packed things that we aren’t even allowed to have in the dorms. Ahead of time, you should check the school’s policy on extension cords, candles and other things of that nature. CalU recommends that all extension cords be equipped with surge protection and the school also recommends leaving incense, candles and electric heaters.