10 Essential Items Not to Forget when Packing for College

Packing for college can be a hectic and stressful experience. The best way to get through it is to make a checklist of items you will need and check off each item as you pack it. But no matter how carefully you pack, it is likely that you will notice something missing once you get to college. I have put together a list of ten items that are often over looked, but can be very important to have at college.

A fan is essential if you are going to a college that has a warm season. The air conditioning in dorm rooms is rarely powerful enough, and it can be difficult to sleep in the heat. A small, plug in fan can be placed close to your bed or desk so you can sleep and study in relative comfort.

An electric blanket can also help regulate your temperature if you go to a school that has a cold season. During the winter months, the dorm heating can be inadequate to keep you warm. An electric blanket is great because you can wrap it around you while studying to keep you toasty.

A hotpot is a must-have item for most college students. If you keep a hotpot in your room you can have hot water any time of the day or night. This is great for making tea, ramen noodles, or Easy Mac when going to the dining halls is not practical or possible.

Vitamins are very important at college. It is likely that you will not be eating an extremely healthy diet most of the time. A pack of Emergen-C can help boost your immune system, especially during cold weather. It is also great as a midday energy booster.

A tub of moisturizer is essential for anyone who suffers from dry skin, especially in the winter. A moisturizer like Cetaphil will last a long time and can be used on the face as well as the rest of your body. Dorm room heaters often make the air very dry, and a good moisturizer can help you balance your skin out again.

Make sure to pack at least 3 weeks worth of underwear. Laundry day will inevitably come once you run out of underwear. A broke college student puts laundry off as long as possible, so make sure to bring enough underwear to last you until all the rest of your clothes need washing too.

A box of energy bars can be very useful when you are too busy to make it to meal times. When you are busy writing a paper or studying for a big test, it is easy to resort to junk food to keep you fueled. But if you keep a box of your favorite energy bars in your room, you will be less likely to resort to candy and chips as meal replacements.

Extra pillows are a great way to turn your bed into a couch during the day. Two or three extra pillows can be arranged on your bed to make it into a comfy place for you and some friends to hang out and study, talk, or watch television.

Ear plugs are essential for dorm room living. College students are often awake during odd hours. So it is likely that if you are trying to catch up on your sleep and napping during the afternoon, people in the hallways will not be quiet. If you are the type of person who goes to bed before two in the morning, you will probably need ear plugs to keep the noise of rowdy college parties from disturbing your slumber.

Flip flops are a dorm room essential. Bathrooms in college dorms are not known for their cleanliness. It is important to never walk into a dorm bathroom with bare feet. Also wear flip flops in the shower, because foot fungus will not be a pleasant experience.

No matter how organized you are, you will still probably realize that there was something you forgot to pack once you get to college. But if you are careful about packing the essentials, it will make the transition to college a lot easier.