The College Scholar's Guide to What NOT to Take with You to School

It's that special time of year when First-Year college students start realizing they'd better start getting ready for the beginning of what many would call the best four years of their lives. If you're lucky, your new college has equipped you with a full list of things to pack before you head off to campus. If you're exceptionally lucky, your mom is standing by to make sure you pack all the things that nifty college list forgot to mention because they assumed you'd never leave home without a toothbrush or deodorant.

Unfortunately, while many schools will tell you what you should bring, few will tell you what not to bring unless they have specific electronic or technological requirements that necessitate the forbiddance of certain items.

Anything without First Consulting Your Roommate(s)

You might think you need to bring your television, stereo, vacuum, iron, and microwave with you, but imagine showing up and realizing you now have two TVs, stereos, vacuums, irons, and microwaves. No, that's not sweet; that's a waste of space. Get in touch with your roommate-or roommates-before packing to see what each of you is willing to bring so everyone doesn't show up with the same stuff. And while you're at it, ask what sort of stuff your roommates don't want in the room at all. It could be pretty embarrassing to show up with your decorative animal skins collection (and why would you take that to college, ever, in the first place?) and find out your roommate is an animal activist and loyal PETA member. It could be extremely annoying to come with your decked out stereo system and learn your roommate needs complete silence in the room during your peek jamming time. Always make sure you and your roommates are on the same page about what to-and not to-bring.

Too Much Stuff

There's little more awkward than realizing the main reason your already cramped dorm room seems even smaller is because of all the stuff that's in there. Except maybe the realization that it seems so small because of all your stuff that's in there. While packing for college, remember you can always start small and build up; don't take absolutely everything you own with you, because it's not as if you're never going back home again (unless you have some plans you neglected to share with your folks). By starting small, I don't mean you should pack the bare minimum: seven white shirts, a couple pairs of pants, fewer pairs of underwear (because who changes those), some baking soda in lieu of toothpaste and your trusty index finger in lieu of the brush. But there's also no need to try and fit, say, your fully equipped stereo and entertainment systems, plus a mini grill and exercise machine, into your dorm room. Pack what you absolutely need, plus some nice accenting touches to make your part of the room yours: a nice rug, posters, your favorite house plant, etc.

Your Belief That If You Don't Meet "The One" During Your First Semester You'll Never Get Married

Let's just dispel this little rumor right now: college is not about finding your soul mate. Your parents aren't spending $35,000 a year to send you to a private college so you can meet the One. You haven't taken out nearly $20,000 in loans during your first semester to try and make your campus the equivalent of the Love Boat. College, believe it or not, is actually primarily about learning a thing or two: academics; improvement of self and development of values . . . That sort of thing. So instead of focusing on how you can convince that hottie in your Biochemistry lab to go out with you, maybe you should try actually completing the lab, making some friends that will last, discovering more about who you are and what you're good at . . . stuff like that. College is the place where you might find that special someone; then again, your first job after college might be that place, or your second job, or church, or a bar. But there are better things to focus on than trying to force Cupid's hand.

All Your Own Furniture

Unless you've found out your college is teaching you the full meaning of independent living by not furnishing your dorm room, you don't need to bring much by way of furniture. Most dorm rooms come with a desk, chair, dresser, closet, and even a bed included. If you simply must bring your comfy computer chair with you, make sure you can get permission to remove the chair already provided by the school. If there's not enough room in your dresser and closet for all your clothes . . . well, chances are you've brought too much. But if you're pretty sure you haven't, nothing screams "Space Saver" like your suitcase. Leave your socks, undergarments, and seasonal clothes packed away in your suitcase so you have more room for your vintage T-shirt collection, if you must. And no matter how much you love your self-heating king-sized waterbed from home, there's no need to try to bring it with you. Sorry.

All Your Money

Yes, college is expensive, but that doesn't mean you want to make your dorm room your safety deposit box for all your cash. That's begging for a disaster, be it misplacing the money, having your roommate displace it for you, or something worse. Most college campuses have a bank and ATM machine either directly on campus or close by. I'm not saying you should run out and get credit cards, or even a bank card. If you can deposit your cash somewhere with easy access to it when you need it (note: need, not want), that's the best thing to do.

There are, of course, other things that any college student will probably not want bring with them to their first year at school; i.e., anything that might make a roommate request a room change. But remember that your dorm room, while a place to relax and serve as a functional home away from home, is also the basis of your life at college: recreational and educational. You'll play there, and you'll study there. You'll have friends over, and you'll want some solitude. Don't let the things you bring with you be the biggest distractions against getting things done. That includes objects and ideas. The most important thing you can leave at home are any expectation of what your college experience will be, because those will be the first things to let you down when they turn out to be completely wrong. Bring yourself, some memories from home, some creature comforts, and a mind that's ready to learn and be shaped and changed forever by some of the best years of your young life.