Moving Into Your First College Dorm

You have no idea what to bring. We get it. Not knowing what to bring does not mean that you must bring everything you own. Piling boxes and boxes full of stuff you might need (at-some-point-in-the-far-far-future) will do you no favors - in fact, it will just cause piles and piles of problems. You need to make a game plan, and you need to stick to it.

The Beginning Stages:

It's overwhelming to begin packing for college. You've already been to stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond ten times for the items your university recommends you buy - towels, wash cloths, shower totes, sheets, etc. They give you this list to help you be organized. Dorm spaces are notoriously small. You need to begin in an organized fashion and end in an organized fashion.

What To Bring and What Not to Bring:

If you're anything like most people I know, you feel the need to bring your entire wardrobe. You never know when you might need something, and your parents might be unable to bring it to you when you do. False, false, false. It's the entirely wrong way to think about it. When packing, you must bring only what you wear on a daily basis. Go through your closet and make a pile of clothing that you have positively worn in the past two months. Only bring the jeans that you wear all the time. Bring only the shoes that represent a combination of cute and comfy. You don't have to bring dorky shoes just for the sake of comfort, but you're not going to want the cute flats that give you blisters when you're walking or biking a mile across campus. They'll become less cute and become the bane of your existence. Pure fashion shoes are not worth it. College students don't care what shoes you're wearing - they care if you're getting better grades than them. It's not High School.

If you live in a seasonal area and are expecting horrendous cold this winter, at some point during the semester you'll need to go home and trade out your wardrobe - not add to it. Once winter passes and spring is back, you'll need to do the same thing again. Take home the parkas and switch them out for dresses or shorts. Do not keep things from previous seasons in your closet under any circumstances.

What You Might Not Think To Bring But Need To:

You need to bring one nice outfit for job interviews, scholarship interviews, and other rare instances in which you'll need to look polished. A single pair of black slacks and a nice blouse is usually situation-versatile and ideal. For men, one pair of dress pants, a dress shirt, and a tie for optional dressier-occasions. Bring one pair of dress shoes or one pair of heels. For all intents and purposes, you will need no more than that. Even if you don't foresee yourself needing a dress outfit, you still need to bring one. In your first year, you never know what might pop up.

If you plan on attending parties, you'll find that theme parties are a frequent event. There is no way that you can plan for these because some of the themes can be fairly random. (Disco-hoedown, anyone?) Bring a few select costume pieces that don't take up much room, such as Mardi Gras beads or one pair of hideous multi-colored pants that your mother hasn't worn since the early eighties. If you need anything else, you can pick it up at a thrift store.

Bring a few exercise outfits, including a good pair of running shoes. Even if you don't exercise right now, you'll want to start in order to avoid the freshmen fifteen. Most universities offer endless opportunities for fitness, including state-of-the-art gymnasiums. Utilize them.

Organization:

Now that you've shaved off your clothing load by half, you need to buy into infomercials - for this period in your life only. Those annoying loud ones that spill the amazingness of their neat-and-nifty new space-saving technology? Buy them. Buy them this one time, and this one time only. The more compact gadgets you can cheaply buy to help you organize, the better.

Space in your closet is going to be tight and nearly impossible to deal with, especially if you have to share one half of a closet with your roommate. Wonder Hangers are your savior. They may look stupid, but they are miracle workers. They will cut the amount of space your clothes take by half, leaving more room in your closet for storage. Browse the isles of your local Target or Walmart to find other space saving ideas. If it looks like it might help, buy it. If you end up not needing it, take it back to the store for a refund or send it back with your folks to use.

Why All of This Is Important:

You're going to be living with other people now. Whether you have one roommate or four, being considerate to those around you needs to be on the top of your list. If you bring too much stuff, you're being rude to your new roommates. That is no way to start off a positive relationship. Even if your belongings do not spill onto their side of the room, the clutter of your side might be infuriating to those who live with you. Just because it does not bother you does not mean it won't bother them. Be smart, purchase wisely, and stay organized.