Undiscovered College Necessities

Everyone knows the basics of what you need when you start college as a freshman: a computer, a printer, notebooks, a backpack, etc. However, as you'll come to know by senior year, there are many items that come in handy and help make adjusting easier. Here is a list of the top items you'll need as a college freshman that they never tell you to bring in your welcome letter.

1. A collage or poster frame: Sure, the millions of pictures of your friends look great now, but they are no fun to take down in May. A collage frame or poster frame allows you to keep those pictures protected, but easily interchange them as desired. Invest in a lightweight frame, easily available for under 15 bucks at your local craft store, and you'll be able to hang it with mounting tape. This will save you the hassle of filling in the nail holes with toothpaste at the end of the year.

2. Hair ties: Sorry boys, this one is for the girls. Girls, I'm sure you think you know this one, and will casually throw a 10 pack into your luggage before leaving for school. That pack, though, will get about 2 days in before they all disappear. Hair ties vanish likes socks in the dryer at college. Your friends will borrow them, steal them or break them. Pick up a 50 or 100 pack of your favorite brand to ensure you're not without.

3. A drying rack - for clothes and dishes: Usually new students bring one or the other, but not both. Unless you want your dishes rotting in the sink of the communal bathroom, a drying rack for you dishes is necessary. Also, the dryers in dorms tend to be overused and under-serviced, so a drying rack is your best bet if you'd rather not shrink all your clothes to doll-size.

4. A pen-and-paper list of your important contact numbers: Most new students rely on the power of their cell phones to retain all the information they could possibly need. However, cell phones are fallible, especially in the hands of new college students out around campus all day long. Once your cell phone is gone, in most cases, so are all your contacts. It's best to keep a physical copy, too, in case something goes awry.

5. A water bottle and a water filter, or a combination: Most students bring to class some sort of beverage, but usually you'll see more bottles of water than anything else. What does that add up to? A lot of wasted materials and wasted money. Buying a filtered water pitcher and empty water bottle, or a water bottle with filter can save you up to 15 bucks a case. It's just as convenient and sometimes tastes a bit better than bottled water, too.

6. A tote bag or messenger bag instead of a backpack. Chances are, your backpack is going to end up as more of a multi-use tote, lugging everything from overnight clothes to books to beer. Choosing a bag that's inconspicuous and multi-functional increases its usability.There you have it. There's lots more "must-have's" that you'll discover as you go along, but here's a few to start you off!