What to Bring to COLLEGE????

Stores will offer aything you might possible need for college - but that doesn't mean you need everything they offer. Buy the basics, and then wait a few weeks after classes start to see what else you need. For your dorm: bedsheets and towels. A mattress cover and foam "egg-crate" pad (dorm mattresses are notoriously lumpy). Computer and printer. Alarm clock. You're unlikely to need bed-risers - that's one of those things it would be better to wait and scope out your particular living situation before buying. Also hold off on the laundry bag/basket to see which will work best in your closet: you can use a shopping bag in the meantime. Wait until you meet your roommates to decide who will bring/buy a shared stereo, TV, microwave, etc. Trapper-Keepers are not going to cut it for college classes. Get a real binder with three metal rings. Also buy spiral notebooks, one for each class, that have perforated sheets that you can tear out neatly. Each class will be a little different, so you'll have to see if a binder or notebook or both suits your needs.

First, find out what is in your dorm room as far as storage. They may provide shelving, bookshelves, etc. My dorm room my last two years actually had a stand alone dresser which helped a great deal. I used plastic crates that you can stack and store things in (like t-shirts) which are very easy to move and give you a lot of vertical space. As far as notes/notebooks, I was a big fan of loose leaf paper versus spiral notebooks...so I got one big binder, lots of loose leaf paper, and dividers for each class that I could label and find easily. I put the syllabus for each class at the beginning of the divider in a little clear plastic sleeve so it would be protected and I could find it easily as well. This way you can control the amount of pieces of paper you'll need for notes, etc. Then when you get handouts, just use a three hole punch and put it in your binder in the appropriate place. Just a suggestion of course. Good luck!!

--Shower flip flops --Shower caddy --Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, razor, shaving cream, Q-tips, nail polish, polish remover, tissues, nail clipper, deoderant, any hair appliances (hair dryer, straightner), hairbrush, hair ties/clips, lotion, --Laundry bag (not bin--something you can hang up--you don't want to take up space) + detergent + fabric softener sheets; lint roller if you want + stain remover (bleach stick or Shout) --Febreeze or plug-in room scent thing (college rooms can smell kinda weird when you move in) --Trash can and trash bags --Two towels and two wash cloths (so you can have one in the laundry and one to use --Two sets of sheets and pillow cases (for the same reason) --Bed risers--yes, but keep the receipt, in case you don't like them...a lot of people do; I didn't, though --Pillows --Reusable water bottles, like a Nalgene --A rug...usually spruces up the room --Mattress pad --Blanket --Duvet and duvet cover --Under the bed storage --Hangers --Stand-up lamp or desk lamp and extra lightbulbs --Mini fridge --Small TV if you want --Misc: band-aids, batteries, scissors, small vacuum cleaner (if you want), calculator, pens/pencils/markers, paper, printer (can be really nice so you don't have to go to library to print out all your papers), cough drops/lozenges/anything in case you get sick, tape --Full length mirror (though they might have that in your room already) --Plastic microwaveable cup, plate, bowl, and utensil, plus sponge and soap to clean them... I usually use one notebook for each class, and then have an accordian binder that I keep in my room to store papers etc...sometimes I bring my laptop to class, though, and take notes on that. Remember that what you want to do the most here is SAVE ROOM. So you put your TV on top of your fridge, and put your laundry bag on an over-the-door hook (another good thing to get, by the way). So don't bring things like couches and bulky lamps. I have a floor lamp, but it's really skinny so it doesn't take up much room. And don't forget that once you get there and unpack, you can go get anything else you need. DO NOT BRING: microwave, hot plate, toaster

Bath/Toiletries- Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Mouthwash Combs/brushes Shampoo Hair care products Deodorant Soap Moisturizer Sunscreen Cotton swabs Cotton balls Facial tissue Shaving materials Makeup Nail care materials Shower caddy Shower sandals/flip-flops Bathrobe School Supplies- Dictionary Thesaurus Planner Address book Calculator Pens Pencils Stapler/staples Paper clips Scotch® Tape Ruler Highlighters Post-it® notes Index cards Scissors Three-hole punch Folders Dividers File box Residence Hall Room- Linens Mattress pad Sheet sets Pillow Blanket Comforter/bedspread Backrest pillow Fleece throw Bath towels Hand towels Washcloths tv/stereo/refrigerator/microwave Desk- Desk lamp Clip-on lamp Alarm clock/clock radio Pencil holder Stationery Stamps Message board Organizers- Storage crates Over-the-door hanger Clothes hangers Ziploc® bags Miscellaneous- Power strip Batteries Flashlight Air freshener Umbrella Surge protector Backpack Dining- Plastic plates and bowls Plastic cups Plastic utensils Can opener Hot pot Large bowl Knife Computer Printer Printer paper Printer ink CDs Manuals Mouse pad Personal- Sunglasses Wallet Social Security card Driver’s license Watch Camera Outdoor- Gloves Hat Cap Work boots/shoes Laundry/Cleaning- Laundry bag/basket Detergent Dryer sheets Stain remover All-purpose cleaner Sewing kit Safety pins Iron Ironing board First Aid/Medicine- Band-Aids® Neosporin® Antacid Cough drops Zinc lozenges Decongestant Aspirin/Tylenol® Aleve® Vitamins ChapStick® hope this helped! good luck!

No trapper keepers......... yes, bed risers if you don't mind the height (gives you more storage) yes, mattress pads......a must for comfy are you in a dorm? suite? one person, two person? your college should have a list bathroom carrier garbage pail sheets, towels, maybe a fan lots of storage containers they should have a list