Did You Forget Anything? Your Back to School Packing List!

August 20, 2008     Posted in Other Stories

moving-boxes1.jpgSchool starts in just a few short weeks and while your stuff is probably already packed into boxes and lined up in the garage, we at CollegeCandy wanted to make sure you didn’t forget anything.

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We asked our writers to weigh in on all the things that everyone needs to bring to school. The stuff that maybe you, a new college freshman, may not have thought of. So, print this list and check it twice. You won’t want to be caught in your dormroom without this stuff…

Under bed storage things

Thirty pairs of undies and socks – so you only have to do laundry once a month

Plain white t-shirts – perfect for graffiti parties/any event where a homemade t-shirt is necessary…and those happen a lot

George Forman Grill

Travel mug – for much needed coffee on the go

A planner

“Everyone Participates” board games – It wouldn’t be freshman year if you didn’t waste a few quiet Friday nights with Cranium, Taboo, Apples to Apples, etc. Everyone gets tired of lying around hammered/stoned eventually.

Dust Buster – for crumbs in your bed…or ash on your floor

iPod

Foam mattress thingy – Dorm mattresses blow

High School yearbook

Plastic Baggies - to bring some of that dorm food back to your room

Shower bucket

Snow pants - for inevitable snowball fights/dining tray sledding

Costumes/anything that can be turned into a costume – just trust us on this one

An extra phone charger

Condoms – Saves you the embarassment of asking your RA for one at 3am.

Ear plugs

Sleep mask

Pictures of your friends and family -these really get you through the rough first weeks

Flask

A small toolkit – Seriously, I got a small pink one from a family friend as a graduation gift and was like “Oh… thanks,” thinking it would end up in the back of my closet. Somehow the random toolkit made it into my packed things, and it actually came in handy several times for issues that popped up!

Passport – for impromptu road trips

A Hot Pot - I made wayyy too many meals out of that to avoid eating the nasty dining commons food

Sports equipment

Stackable hangers – you have NO space for your stuff

Candles

Bathroom spray – you don’t want to be known as that girl in the bathroom

First Aid Kit – fill it with various meds (Pepto, Advil, Tums) and all the other stuff you may need for drunken injuries/miscellaneous illnesses. You can’t call mom anymore.

Camera

Healthy snacks – Although Doritos mixed with gummy bears is a yummy midnight snack, the vending machine or greasy college food will only pack on those unwanted pounds.
Video camera

A lockbox - to keep all those valuables

Going out bag/wallet/jacket - This is a must! Your stuff is going to get ruined/lost, so don’t take anything to a bar or party that you would be devastated by if it ended up covered in beer (or urine)

Mom and dad’s credit card info – “in case of emergencies”

Flip flops for the shower

Playing cards - You never know when a game of A$*hole/Kings will come up.

A cookbook

Your favorite stuffed animal – Don’t be ashamed; your roomie will probably have one too.

Scissors

Markers

Duct tape – It fixes everything; literally.

Stationery

Speakers – for an impromptu dance party with your roommate!

Febreze - easier than doin’ laundry sometimes

Black magic marker – Write your initials on your cds, dvds, clothing tags, blow-dryer, whatever. Although slightly campy, everything becomes almost communal when you’re living in a dorm or with roommates, and this will help you prevent sticky fingered friends, keep track of what’s yours, and demand it back when necessary.

Noise cancelling headphones – Block out the obnoxious ranting of the local chatterbox in the library, coffee shop, or even in your own dorm. Its a better alternative than a fist fight or screaming match, and probably less painful too.

Cocktail Dresses - Practical clothing is a must, but you never know when a hot, procrastinating Frat boy will invite you to a date function…4 hours before hand. Have your staple LBD on hand and you’ll be ready to partay.

Did we forget anything?

6 Comments on "Did You Forget Anything? Your Back to School Packing List!"
  1. Mary says:
    Wed, 20th Aug 20086:44 am 

    Your SS card and birth certificate in case you need them for a job, DMV stuff, ect.

    Its also a good idea to get a mini lockbox/safe to put these sort of things in so your roomies-or their friends-don't mess with them.

  2. Amber - Old Dominion says:
    Wed, 20th Aug 20089:13 am 

    You should also bring TONS of towels so that you don't have to keep washing them every week.

  3. Ashley says:
    Wed, 20th Aug 20088:39 pm 

    A kick ass pair of stilettos for those nights out!

  4. Koley says:
    Thu, 21st Aug 20086:16 am 

    Unlimited texting… it sounds silly, but it's worth coughing up an extra $5-10/month rather than shell out $100+ for going over your limit… whoopsies.

  5. Catherine says:
    Tue, 4th Aug 20091:29 pm 

    Command Strips and hooks, you don't want to get fined at the end of the year for putting holes in the walls…..

  6. Hannah says:
    Thu, 11th Aug 20119:38 pm 

    school supplies… notebooks (some teachers don't allow laptops), pens, pencils, organizational supplies (sticky notes, etc.), desk lamp, school bag (maybe a nice upgrade from the back pack? I have my eye on this lil guy http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/prod.jht…

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