15 Tips on Packing for COLLEGE!

With the school season about to begin, I remember how stressful packing for college was for the first time. There's so many questions about what you do and don't need. What are actual essentials. The real key is just knowing what's essential to your own needs. However, here are some tips on what I found to be the most useful during my dorm living.

1. Less clothing is better

You really don't need as many clothes as you think. If you're close enough to home, try only packing for the season and change out your wardrobe as the year goes on. This saves you space, as well as, makes moving out easier.

(Pro-tip: Any clothes that need hung up, pre-put them on hangers and put trash bags over them. This makes it easy to transport and you can put them right into your wardrobe/closet once you move in).

2. Snacks!

Snacks are your best friend. They're great for late nights when the dining halls have closed or grabbing something quick before a class. Always keep your snack stash stocked.

(Pro-tip: Having a designated snack bin/drawer/shelf helps you keep snacks from covering all surfaces and keep things organized).

3. Books . . .

As much as you think bringing your WHOLE bookshelf is a great idea, it's really not. You don't have as much time to leisurely read. So pack some new ones, pack some favorites, but leave some at home too.

4. Headphones!

I brought a pair of soundproof headphones that ended up being a BLESSING. Whenever the dorm halls would get loud or wherever I was trying to study, I would pop those on and everything would be bliss.

5. Personal decorations.

Decorating your dorm is so important. Focus on comfort as much as possible since you'll be spending a lot of time there. Having a cozy room to go back to provides a relaxing environment to work in.

(Pro-tip: Less is more. A few wall hangings/pictures, a few cute knick-knacks, plants, fuzzy blankets and rugs, and comfy pillows. Just these small (and few) items, can really bring life to a dorm room and make it cozy).

6. Shower Shoes.

These are especially handy if you'll be dealing with communal restrooms. Since you're sharing such close quarters with strangers, it improves your health to keep some Lysol wipes and shower shoes on you to avoid germs.

(Pro-Tip: Put all shower/bathroom/feminine products into a shower caddy so everything is right in one place when you go to the bathroom. You're less likely to forget what you need that way).

7. Sit-up pillows.

Having one of these provided a comfortable place to sit on my bed. Since you don't have a ton of seating space in a dorm, this was a MUST.

8. Microwaveable soup bowl.

I have one of these and they are AMAZING! Thanks mom. I used it all the time to make soup, ramen, pasta, etc. You get so much usage out of these and they're worth the buy.

(Pro-tip: If you buy a box of noodles and pasta sauce, it last awhile and you can have a fun dinner every once in awhile. Also, seasonings save you from bland dorm meals).

9. Cheap vacuum.

Most dorms have vacuums you can rent, but sometimes it's easier to just have one handy in your room. Having your own vacuum is nice to help motivate you to keep your room clean!

10. Wallflowers or non-flammable Scentsy.

Most colleges don't like anything that could be a fire hazard, so having wallflowers or some kind of non-flammable Scentsy (i.e. solid air fresheners) helps keep your room smelling fresh and makes it feel more like home.

11. Lots of storage!

From bins to suitcases, small bags to containers. All of these things really help keep your room organized. Dorms are small and even the littlest mess can be overwhelming.

(Pro-tip: I had small bins that fit into the drawers in my dorm and it helped me stay clean and kept me from losing items since they stayed organized).

12. Desk mirror.

I had both a full length mirror and small desk mirror and I loved both of them. You're rooms don't typically come with mirrors so these made getting ready so much easier. I was also able to use my desk as a make-up vanity because of the desk mirror.

13. Rugs = comfort.

I got a lot of compliments on how cozy my room was compared to other people's. My secret? RUGS. Especially fuzzy ones. They really soften the edges of the room and make it feel more like home.

14. Games.

It's great to take a variety of games with you. They provide a fun night for you and your friends when you can't think of something to do.

15. Calendars!

I had a calendar on my wall and a small planner on my desk that helped me stay organized since all important dates (tests, volunteer opportunities, fun activities, etc.) were all right in front of my face.