by Welcome to campus! You were so excited when those letters arrived, but now that you’re here and you miss your family (or maybe just some food), there’s a lot to do. Living in a dorm is exciting but can also be overwhelming with the responsibilities of laundry and cooking for yourself every day.
And since classes start soon, you’ve got your course load to think about – what should you bring from home? We’re here to assist you with this list of must-have products for new students.
A set of quality pencils
You don’t want to be stuck with those awful freebies they give you on the first day at orientation. If you pick something that’s good quality, you won’t have to worry about it breaking or having the lead break off in your pocket.
A protractor
For those really hard problems, you can always use a ruler or a protractor to help represent angles with absolute precision. You don’t have to purchase the most expensive one; get something that you can hold comfortably.
A calculator
I bought a TI-83, and it was well worth the money; I’ve used it in all of my math classes and wouldn’t be without it today.
A set of headphones
You can listen to music if you want to – but only if you buy a pair of headphones! You will thank me later.
A 4-subject notebook
This might sound silly, but it’s necessary. Every class you take will require you to write down your notes on the day and what your professor said in the lecture. Get a good-quality notebook that can take some abuse, and you won’t be sorry.
A Binder
Instead of juggling a million papers in your backpack daily, buy a quality binder with dividers that fit all your classes.
Your locker
It doesn’t have to be something fancy, but having a location to put your belongings between classes will make you feel more organized.
Towels
Every dorm room comes with towels, but if you have your own, you’ll have a better chance of keeping them clean. Plus, it’s nice to feel at home in your towel.
Flat iron and/or a curling iron
Your hair might not always look perfect in college, but who cares? It’s hard to get excited about pulling out your flat iron every day if you don’t already have one for regular use.
Universal wireless keyboard
You’ve seen them in on TV. They’re in the dorm room of every girl who has lived alone. Of course, you want one.
A toothbrush with a cover
Seriously – you don’t want to bite it while trying to brush. While in college, you may not need to worry about losing your toothbrush or leaving it out on the counter if you have a cover.
A hairdryer
Again, doing your hair the old-fashioned way isn’t the best. You want to look nice for your first day at college, but you can’t go to your dorm and shave your legs in the bathroom. You’ll need a hairdryer and that obnoxious cord to go with it!
Nail polish remover wipes
It’s inevitable. It might be essential to have your nails done for orientation, but it’s going to be hard to stay organized once the classes start.
You will have a lot of homework, and writing down all that information in your planner or your notebook is just not an option. Just use nail polish remover wipes; they work great.
Bubble Bath
You might have to bathe in the public showers if your dorm doesn’t have bathtubs, but you don’t have to feel like it’s an out-of-body experience. Just bring a bubble bath with you, and you’ll be able to soak in a tub daily.
Shower shoes
Shower shoes aren’t just for the gym class you’ll have to take in your first semester of college. You’re going to have to shower in your dorm at some point. This will make your life a whole lot easier.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shampoo and conditioner can be nice when you shower at home, but they’re going to be even better when you travel with them in your luggage so that you can use them anywhere.
Soap/Body Wash
While it’s good to wash your face with just water, soap and body wash are another story. It’s nice to have a bit of suds while cleaning up after a long day in class.
Moisturizer
You’ll be fresh-faced and clean throughout your first year, but if you want to keep your skin looking great, carrying moisturizer around will be one of the best things you’ll do for yourself.
Body lotion
If you don’t want to bring a whole bottle of liquid moisturizer, use body lotion. It’s a great tip to keep your skin from drying out in your dorm room.
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Most dorms have bathrooms for their residents, but that doesn’t mean it’s sanitary.
Hand Sanitizer
Oh, and don’t forget about hand sanitizer! If germs make you squeamish, remember that purchasing hand sanitizer is probably a good idea.
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