How to Pack for College: A Guide for College Freshmen
Moving into your dorm room for your first semester at college can come with a lot of stress: you have to find your classes, make new friends, pay a lot of money you might not have…
The last thing you need is more stress from packing up your belongings.
Don’t worry, though. Packing for college doesn’t have to be difficult. We’ve put together this guide to show you how to pack for college, so make sure you keep reading below to get started!
College Packing Checklist: What to Bring
You already know you have to bring clothes, toiletries, and school supplies with you when you move into your college dorm room. So what else do you need that you’re probably forgetting? Here’s a quick list of the basics so you’re as prepared as possible when you check into your dorm.
Extra Bedding
Make sure you have an extra pair of sheets (and a few extra blankets) you can use while you’re doing laundry. Most dorm rooms aren’t very big, which likely means you’ll be spending a lot of time on your bed. Keeping your bedding clean will help you feel comfortable and fresh as you’re doing all that homework.
Shower Caddy
You might have to share a communal bathroom with dozens of other students. A shower caddy will give you an easy way to transport your toiletries to and from the bathroom without forgetting or dropping anything. And while you’re at it, you should grab a pair of shower shoes to stay sanitary.
Decorations
Your dorm room will be your new home for the next year (or maybe even longer than that). Because of this, you’ll want to bring along some items or decorations that will make it feel comfortable, cozy, and familiar. This is an especially good idea if you’re worried about getting homesick.
Important Documents
You’ll need these documents with you to get through your college life smoothly and easily:
- Driver’s license or another form of ID
- Debit/credit cards
- Car registration (if you have one)
- Car insurance (if you have one)
- Health insurance
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
If you can, put these documents in a firebox so they stay safe in case of emergency. You will also need to get your student ID when you arrive to campus.
Medications
Do you take any medications? If so, make sure you bring it with you! It’s also a good idea to find out where you can refill your medication near your college so you won’t have trouble getting more when you need it.
How to Pack for a College: Helpful Tips
Packing up all your college essentials and moving out of your parent’s house for the first time might seem overwhelming, but if you follow these tips, you’ll have an easier time getting through it.
First of all, label everything. This will prevent you from losing items and will make unpacking at the dorm faster and simpler. It’s also a good idea to pack like items together, so you don’t have to scramble to organize as you unload your things.
Transport all your belongings in cardboard boxes. You likely won’t have a lot of space in your dorm room, so cardboard boxes can be a real space saver. Once you’re unpacked, you can break them down and throw them under the bed until you need them again.
Lastly, don’t worry too much about forgetting something. Your parents can always mail you any items you leave behind, or you can buy replacements at a local store.
Packing for College Without the Stress
Figuring out how to pack for college is only half the battle. You still have to get all your things from your parent’s house to your new dorm. Unless you have a pick vehicle and a lot of extra help, you should let the professionals handle this part for you.
Our team at Two Amigos will make sure your belongings arrive at your dorm room right when you need them. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!
