We all know how hard the transition to college is, from deciding on your major to living without your family; it’s no easy feat. One of the biggest struggles about coming to college is the transition into the dorms. However, making it through our freshman year, we have concluded that we forgot some things that would have absolutely helped us along the way. So, to help the future freshmen transition more easily than we did, we came up with a list of things you ACTUALLY need to survive your freshman year.
- Umbrella
You would not believe the number of people who get SOAKED in the pouring rain walking to class because they don’t want to bring an umbrella with them. Whoever told you that carrying an umbrella isn’t cool is lame. Stay dry and get an umbrella. With that, make sure to get a sturdy umbrella. There is nothing worse than walking to class on a windy day and having to hold your umbrella with your life because it is about to flip over.
- Painters tape
My roommates and I used painters’ tape on the wall before we hung our posters and pictures, and then put sticky dots/tack on top of the tape. It makes the removal process so much easier, and as somebody about to move out, this is promising for avoiding ripping paint off the walls and paying damage fees. Wish us luck!
- Extra Chargers
You would not believe the amount of chargers I have broken/lost in the last semester alone. Make sure to get an extra-long charger so it can actually reach the height of your bed. As a short queen on a lofted bed who sleeps with her phone at night, I need to make my chargers reach me comfortably. I personally recommend spending that extra dollar on a 10-footer.
- Mattress Topper
A mattress topper is a must-have if you don’t want to feel like you’re constantly sleeping on an air mattress. For the majority of the year, one of my roommates was sleeping on the basic mattress that you are given. A few months ago, she got a free mattress topper and according to her, she “LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES” it; “it’s changed my life.” So don’t miss out, go ahead and splurge on a nice, comfy bed. After all, you will be sleeping in it for the majority of the year.
- Breakfast Food
Unless you genuinely wake up early enough to get dining hall breakfast every morning, you are going to want to grab some breakfast items. I had an eight AM this semester, and I would be starving during class because I simply would not wake up early enough to get breakfast before class. This also applies to the weekend. The dining hall does not open until 10:30 on Sundays, and I typically have to wake up for work or practice before that. So, having something to actually eat that isn’t just snacks or candy is something worth considering. You don’t need to buy a massive breakfast arrangement, but some Pop-Tarts or granola bars are worth it for early mornings.
- Storage
Something I severely underestimated was the amount of storage needed. When I started unpacking on move-in day, I realized that the amount of minimal storage you are given is NOT enough for everything. So later the same night of move-in, I went on a target run to grab some storage for my desk. I personally recommended some in-desk storage to keep your junk drawer slightly organized, at least for the first two weeks…
- Clothes: More than Just the Sweatpants
We all know we have to bring clothes, but no one tells us what kinds of clothes we are going to need. I would say the things I wish I had brought more of were athletic clothes (like shoes and shorts), nice clothes (like dresses, going out tops, and cute spring wear) for when you have end-of-year banquets or events for clubs, and professional development clothes (dress pants, blouses, and flats) for when you have to do interviews or other academic work. I brought these kinds of clothes up; I just wish I had brought more of them, so I had options instead of having to wear the same outfit for every event I go to. I highly recommend not bringing more than five hoodies; they’re bulky, and you genuinely just will not need more than this. Also, try to not bring too many shoes, and if you do bring a lot make sure you have a shoe rack!
- Laundry Hamper
One of the things that I did intensive research on before buying was what type of laundry basket/hamper to buy. After freshman year, I can confidently recommend that you buy a large laundry backpack. I personally went through this year with a collapsible hamper because it was easiest for me with the space I had. However, after all of the trips to the laundry room, it is falling apart. Don’t get the ones with the wheels either, you’re most likely going to need to carry your laundry down/up stairs at some point.
While these next couple of items may not be essential to daily living, they are things that can simply improve your experience overall, especially when making a huge transition like this.
- Lighting
One of the most influential things in shifting the mood in your room is the kind of lighting you have. I personally have fairy lights, an LED nightstand, and a warm lamp that make my room feel so cozy at night. It’s the small things that bring your room to that final level. Personalize your lights to your style. You can get a sunset lamp, LED lights, or fairy lights, whatever fits your vibe the best. Just be sure you check what is prohibited, for example, neon lights and lava lamps are not allowed here at Merrimack.
- Wall Decor
Please, please, please (Sabrina Carpenter, do you catch my drift), don’t be boring. Don’t shy away from the amount of decorations you bring, and if you’re limited on space, go ahead and buy some when you get to college. Decorating your walls with posters that show your interests, pictures to show off the people who matter in your life, and hanging up various memories from throughout the year to remind you of all the fun things that happened over your freshman year are all great ways to personalize your space for a low cost. For decorative purposes, I recommend Five Below, Newbury Comics, Dollar Store, and even on-campus sales like the Merrimack poster store that happens towards the beginning of the fall semester.
- Door Stopper
My dorm door automatically locks every time I close my door, so I have to put my trash can at the door to run to the bathroom. A door stop would have been so helpful, even just to keep air flowing into the room. While not every door on campus does this, a door stop is something to simply make your life easier.
- Vase for Flowers
I have always been a sucker for flowers. Whether an event has them on campus or someone special gives them to me, I love to have them. They simply brighten up the space to make my dorm feel like a home. A vase is something quick and easy to grab to store them instead of putting them in a regular cup. You can also have fun with it and paint it with your friends!
- Snow Items
Make sure you bring clothes/shoes meant for the snow, including gloves, boots, hats, and jackets. Additionally, if you will have a car while at school, have a sturdy snow brush and even a portable/retractable shovel. This is something that might seem obvious to some, but for people who are not from a place that gets a lot of snowy weather, this can be easily overlooked.
Now that we have stated all of the things we recommend to have the best experience in college, here are a couple of things we recommend leaving at home for the school year. Trust us, your wallet will thank you.
- Delicate Mesh Laundry Bags
This was one thing I was adamant about buying before I came onto campus. However, I fear while both of us have them, neither of us have touched our small laundry bags since the beginning of the year. Save your money and just wash your clothes.
- Bed Risers
The beds are frankly already tall enough, so unless you are an extremely tall individual, I can almost guarantee you will already need something to help you into your bed, making bed risers unnecessary. Also, they are prohibited at most colleges now.
- The Rentable Fridge-Microwave Combination
Although the school does offer the option of renting a microwave and fridge combination, the pricing is VERY high. It will overall be a better financial investment for you to simply purchase both separately and have them for your whole time you are in college. You can also choose to split the cost between you and your roommate(s) or choose who brings what!
- Curtains
Although you might want to have a little extra personalization in your room, curtains can be quite a hassle to have in your dorm. First of all, you have to find a way to install them in a way that won’t ruin the walls. Second of all, there are some nuances with having them, being that Merrimack states you can’t have them covering the windows entirely. Finally, having curtains could cause problems between you and your roommate(s) if they don’t particularly like the look of them.
Overall, college is a time to get an education and find yourself. As long as you make your space your own, you will have a great time. Take a deep breath, everything is going to be okay. Have fun shopping!