What to Bring to College

Every incoming freshman, every single year, is faced with the same question : what do I bring to college? Do I bring my collection of beanies babies, my embarrassing pop music collection from the nineties? I remember searching for the answer every night, making lists, laughing at some of them -- ductape? Rubber bands? Who would need THAT? -- and having a little issue with the suggestion of an egg carton for the bed (something my mother later told me was actually mattress foam).

In the end, I procrastinated until the Saturday I was to leave, and ended up stuffing as many books as possible into my bag, grabbing a few toiletries, some clothes, and dashing out the door. As the year progressed, I gradually brought back more things (resulting in about four more boxes to bring home than I had left with; this was normal, if my friend's packing jobs were to be taken as evidence).

Now that the year is over, I've taken the time to create a list for next year so as to be better prepared. It's just a few things, really.

1.) Ductape and rubber bands

I know. It holds things to walls, shuts up roommates, and works as a temporary sandal-fixer. I've used it to fix broken hat straps, and as a quick bandage for shoe-born blisters. Rubber bands can be just as useful, as they can be catapulted at students during lectures as dry as the Sahara desert, used as hair ties, or to keep a pencil collection together.

2.) Printer, paper, and ink

Your college will more than likely attempt to take you to the cleaners at the rate of ten cents per page to print. English and other social-sciences majors will thank god when they bring plenty of paper and ink when it's time for term papers.

3.) An egg carton mattress pad

If you're a last minute hero, throwing yourself into bed at four in the morning is going to make you more than grateful for this pad on top of the cheap college mattresses.

4.) Month-at-a-glance calendar

Thought your social life was packed before college? Wait until college; you'll be grateful for this calendar so you can write down all the club meetings you mean to attend, the due dates for essays, and friend's birthdays. And, of course, the parties.

5.) A Rubik's cube

Need a brain break from that essay? Ready to fall asleep in Trigonometry? Learn to solve the Rubik's cube and earn and extra credit point or two from the professor when you solve it right in front of them.

6.) A shower caddy with holes in the bottom

I've seen students use a bucket for this, and I've heard the curses when they drop it and it floods the hallway. Shell out a few extra bucks and get one with spots to keep your soap!

7.) Pens and pencils

I harbor a hope that someday, my parents will show me this magical, hidden room that only grown ups can see that is filled with all of my missing ballpoint pens. As this has yet to happen, plenty of cheap ballpoint pens and pencils are a must -- don't forget the nice liquid ink pens, though. They're the best for making last-minute corrections on essays as you print-and-run (A side note: if you notice an error right before you hand it in, fix it; it shows the professor that you do proofread, even if it's spontaneous).

8.) Decorations

Two lamps (one for the desk, one for the bed!), posters, pictures; dorm rooms can be incredibly institutionalized. This is going to be home, more or less, for the next eight months or so. Make it your space!

9.) A phone

Most students bring with them a cell phone, but it'll go easier on the phone bill (and your sanity, to a degree), if you bring a phone for the room. Many schools have rules regarding what frequency you can bring, so make sure you check that, and make sure to unplug it at night to avoid the drunk-dialing!

10.) Various sundries

Sunglasses, hat, sunblock. Chapstick, family-size shampoo, extra deodorant. Soap, condoms, robe. Extra razors, paper clips, a Frisbee.

The most important thing to remember when preparing for college is to bring what you'll use; sure, that compendium of Shakespeare may look good on your desk, but are you really going to want to hall that extra weight around? Good luck!