Creating a college packing list may seem like a daunting and tedious task, but organizing a list is a way to stay on track as you move into your new dorm for the next nine months. Often, packing lists feature the basic essentials like bedding, toiletries, school supplies and room decor; however, many forget the most useful essentials.
One of the most overlooked items is a clothing steamer. Instead of a big bulky iron and an ironing table in a limited and shared place, a clothing steamer offers a quick method to unwrinkle outfits. Prop your article of clothing on a hanger on the back of your door and use the water-filled steamer to erase any obvious wrinkles. The steamer is perfect for everyday class outfits as well as formal events to help make you look more put together.
One item frequently overlooked is Poo-Pourri spray. Products like Poo-Pourri provide a discrete way to manage odor in these communal spaces and to be mindful for all residents. These come in many scents and available online and at larger shopping chains.
Another basic hygiene necessity frequently forgotten is nail clippers. Many people enter college looking their best with recently dyed hair, new clothes, and a fresh manicure, so you might not realize until a couple weeks later when your nails are outgrown that you have forgotten nail clippers. So, to avoid inflated campus store prices, remember to pack them in advance.
In small dorm rooms with many people, students are bound to get sick. A personal supply of vitamins and medications are essential for staying clear of the “frat flu.” Supplies like cold medicine, allergy pills and a first-aid kit are a great way to keep you feeling healthy during your transition away from home.
Simple tools like scissors and tape are always needed, but seldom remembered. Whether cutting open packages, tearing off a tag on new clothing or hanging decorations, the small items become essential parts of dorm living.
Another unexpected essential to bring is black out curtains. Easily installing the curtains with a tension rod for windows, the black out curtains provide a darker and more restful space. The curtains are essential for late sleepers after a long night out and not spoil your day as soon as it starts. These are available at amazon and other sellers for reasonable prices and are a must-have for any college packing list.
To save your back from lugging a week’s worth of laundry to and from the laundry room, buying rolling laundry basket is worth the investment. Laundry is a weekly challenge for every university student, so a rolling laundry cart can ease the journey through long campus hallways and stairwells. Moreover, a smaller travel laundry bag is useful for sorting clean clothes to be folded and dirty clothes to be washed. By emphasizing smaller loads, you can surely maintain a spotless room.
The most versatile item to pack is a beach towel. Though seemingly out of place in a non-coastal environment, its larger size and ability to dry quickly is ideal for outdoor seating, yoga or other workouts and many more uses.
These items may not appear on a standard college packing checklist, but they consistently prove their worth in daily collegiate life. Functional, compact and often affordable, these items are essential for your dorm life and easily shareable to an entire dorm floor, making you everyone’s favorite person!
