College or BUST!

I realize I may be a little late with this list, but I'm hoping it will help someone somewhere.  Recently, I was cleaning off some files on my computer and ran across this list.  I know there's got to be some anxious moms and/or OCD new students getting ready to start college, so I figured I'd share what I have.  A few years ago, a family friend of ours had a daughter getting ready to go off to college.  The mom asked for my help to compile a list of what I thought was necessary for a college student to have on campus if they are away from home so that they can feel comfortable and prepared.  Well, if you know me (or have been keeping up with my blog), you probably have learned that I am someone who likes to be ready overly prepared for just about anything. On top of just having what I need for life at college, I also was  Resident Advisor (RA) for two years.  So, that gave me a self-appointed responsibility to have anything a girl would need should someone come to me for some help with something.  So, after looking back on my original packing list from my Freshman year and adding to it things I've collected/added to my "stuff"/found necessary for life as a co-ed, I compiled this list to send to our friend (who loves being prepared and organized as much, if not more than I do).

Here's a little background just to set the scene.  When I was going to college, I was moving two hours away from home (Franklin, TN) to a small little college town (Murray, KY).  Murray is a very small town, and at the time I went there, there was only one Wal-Mart within driving distance.  If I forgot something I needed from Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, the mall, etc. I'd have to wait until my next trip home.  So, I tried to get as much as possible before moving.  My best friend from high school was my "suite-mate"...we had different roommates, but our rooms shared a bathroom.  So, we had a little time to talk and coordinate what we were bringing.  I later roomed with her, and it wasn't until my junior year that I lived on my own.  As an RA at Murray State, I had the privilege of living in my own room with my own bathroom.  So I started by just bringing the bare minimum, but once I got to living on my own, I needed EVERYTHING.  So, if you are using this list for yourself or your own college student, you may want/need to bring it down a couple notches.  Just wanted to give you that warning so this list doesn't completely overwhelm you.  Ready?  GO!

Kitchen

Refrigerator - Check with your residential hall for any size restrictions they might have.  

Hot Plate/George Foreman grill - Check with your residential hall on restrictions.  We  weren't allowed hot plates at Murray

Microwave - Check these rules as well.  Most colleges will have wattage restrictions.  

Plastic set (4) of bowls/cups/plates 

Knife

Coffee maker and mugs

Silverware

Can opener

Chip clips

Dish scrub brush

Dish towels

Oven Mitt

Pizza Cutter

Plastic containers (Tupperware, Gladware disposable containers)

Water filter

Bowl for popcorn, chips, etc

Plastic pitcher

Favorite recipes from home

Cookie Sheet

Saucepan (3qt or 4 qt), other cooking utensils

Basic Foods:

Bottled Water

Cereal

Condiments

Packaged Foods

Favorite Snacks

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Popcorn

Granola Bars

Ramen Noodles

Easy Mac

Soda

Soup

Bath/Toiletries

Shower tote

Shower flip-flops

Shampoo/conditioner

Hair products

Shower gel or bath soap

Face soap

Traveling-soap containers

Toothpaste and toothbrush

Dental floss

Comb/brush

Tweezers

Nail Clippers/file/polish

Razor and shaving cream

Hair dryer

Hair straightener/curling iron, etc

Cosmetics

Lotion

Facial moisturizer

Deodorant

Cotton balls and cotton swabs

Bath towels (2-4)

Washcloths

Hand/face towels

Shower cap

Possibly shower caddy or over-shower head shelves for storage

Bathroom cup

Bathrobe

Shower Curtain

Plunger

Medicine to have on-hand:

Aspirin or ibuprofen

Vitamin C

Stomach relief (Pepto-Bismol)

Neosporin

Band-Aids

Cough drops

Cold medicine (like Dayquill/Nyquill)

Midol

Vapor rub

Prescriptions

Decongestant

Eye drops

Ice packs

Heating pad

Basic first-aid kit

Rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide

Laundry

Drying Rack

Iron and Ironing Board

Laundry bag/basket

Laundry marking pen

Stain stick/stain remover

Sewing kit

Rolls of quarters

Lint brush

Clothes hangers

Safety pins

Bed

Two sets of sheets and pillowcases

Comforter

Two pillows

Two blankets

Mattress pad

Stuffed animal

Alarm clock

Bedside lamp (some clip onto the bed)

Nightlight

Clothing Guidelines

Underwear

Socks (more if you'll be playing sports)

Pants/jeans

Shirts/blouses…casual and also dressy for going out

Sweats

Pajamas

Slippers and/or flip-flops

Sweaters and/or sweatshirts

Light/heavy jackets

Gloves/scarf/hat

1 pair of boots

2 pairs of sneakers or comfortable/walking shoes

1 pair of dress shoes

1 set of business attire

1 set of semi-formal attire (optional)

Belts

Dress Clothes

Jewelry & Watch

Pantyhose

Purse

Swim Suit

T-Shirts

Workout Clothes

Sunglasses

School Supplies

CD–ROMs/Keychain Flash Drives 

Phone/address book

Assignment book

Heavy-duty stapler and staples

Pens and pencils

Pencil holder and sharpener

Notebooks

Notebook Paper

Pocket folders

3 x 5 cards

Post-it^® notes

Paper clips

Rubber bands

Scissors

Scotch tape

Masking tape

Highlighter pens (multiple colors)

Ruler

Dictionary and thesaurus

Stamps/envelopes

Cables

Computer

Internet Access / Modem

Keyboard

Mouse & Pad

Phone Cord

Printer / Printer Paper

Printer Cartridge

Software

Speakers

Surge Protector

Backpack

Calculator

Calendar

Cell Phone / Electronic Services

Desk Lamp

Glue

Markers

Three-hole Punch

Waste Basket

White-Out

Electronics

Television

DVD/VCR player

Radio/CD player

Phone with answering machine (cordless is best) - Most buildings will have a phone system so you'll need this to call room-to-room.  

Headphones

Extension cords

Surge protectors

Fan

Portable vacuum cleaner

Camera and charger

Batteries (AAA, AA, C, and D)

Flashlight with batteries

Room Needs, Decorations, and Storage

Milk crates or other sturdy storage cubes (a collapsible crate also comes in handy for carrying laundry or other things)

Stacking baskets

Under-the-bed storage trays

Adhesive hooks, tacky adhesive, and mounting tape (3M brand)

Bulletin board and push pins

Dry erase board and markers

Toolkit

Area rug

Posters/art

Family Photos

Holiday Decorations

Folding chair/bean bag chair

Fly Swatter

Cleaning Supplies

All-purpose cleaner

Toilet cleaner/brush

Rubber gloves

Windex wipes

Bleach

Air freshener (spray, and plug-in)

Febreeze

Lysol

Miscellaneous Needs

Umbrella

Beach Towel

Board Games

Bug Spray

Sunblock

Cards

Duct Tape

Earplugs

Sports Equipment

Videos

Water Bottle

Important Documents to Have

Bank Account / Checks

Pre-Paid Credit Card

Driver’s License

Financial Aid Forms

Medical Insurance Card

Registration Information

Renter’s Insurance

Social Security Card

Student ID

Buy when you get there:

Ziploc Bags (sandwich and gallon size)

Paper Towels

Trash Bags

Light Bulbs

All-purpose cleaners

Laundry Detergent/Fabric Softener

Dish Soap

Hand Soap

Tissues

Wet Wipes

Toilet Paper

I'm sure some of this seems like common sense, but I guarantee if you shop without a list, you'll miss something basic.  It's overwhelming to shop and make sure to get everything you need, so using a list will give you something visual and concrete you can check off as you go.  

Something else I wanted to share with you is a few pictures of my room.  Dorm rooms are GROSS and plain and small.  It's hard when you walk in on that first day and see this:

 ...to imagine that it will be any kind of cute and comfortable.  But, with some creativity and hard work, you can make it unique, homey, and your own little oasis.  There are a TON of great ideas out there.  I've seen lots of great ideas on Pinterest for organizing and making your dorm room nice.  Here are some of the ways I made mine work for me (Most of these are from when I was an RA and had my own space, but you can still transfer some ideas to a shared space):

The TV stand was actually a cheap find at Goodwill that my mom restored for me.  She hand-painted the flowers and added some detail to match my "shabby-chic" look.  As an RA, I was able to set up the room the way I wanted, so I pushed my beds together.  This was perfect for movie nights and card games with a bunch of friends.  You can fit a LOT of people on that bed!  Plus, it gives you TONS of under-bed storage...a need at college!  Some girls did this even if they were roomies to give them more flexibility in their room.  

I got the sheer single-panel curtain and beading valance on clearance at TJ Maxx.  Since my window was so narrow, I only needed one, so clearance was the best place to look for cute stuff that didn't have a partner.  The signs above my bed are metal...I got them at a shoppe I worked at in the summer.  They are just hung with ribbon on 3M hooks.  My college had an annual poster sale, which is where I got the print of the famous Wars End Kiss.  I just stuck it on the wall with sticky tac.

Don't forget to bring closet hanging shelves!  They were a HUGE space saver and kept me organized!  It's also important to have a trash can with a lid.  That's a small space and you don't want your leftover lunch to be stinkin' up the joint.  For me, I was able to fit one of the tall plastic drawers under my pedestal sink for extra bath storage.  That laundry hamper was great, too because you could detach the bag and carry it straight to the laundry room!  If you notice, I got a couple of large binder rings and hung them on the wall with another 3M hook to hold my necklaces and bracelets without getting tangled.  

Here you can see my mom's awesome painting detail better.  :o)  Also...I brought lots of picture frames.  Not all my loved ones where in KY with me, but I still got to look at their beautiful faces every day!  Also...most colleges have a candle restriction.  The tea lights on top my TV were glass holders with battery-operated flameless lights.  Perfect for the candle vibe without the fire hazard.  

I got the matching shower curtain to go with my shabby chic sheet set.  I also hung a ceramic "love" sign with pretty ribbon using...you guessed it!  Another 3M hook!

I don't remember where I got them, but I put up these vintage bath signs for a little extra decor in the dull bathroom.  

If you are going to have a bathroom attached to your room, you will DEFINITELY want an over-the-toilet shelf for extra storage.  You'll notice not only here, but in my room also, that I used vintage doilies and table covers to soften the space.  Also, a sign I got at TJ Maxx and more pictures.  The bowl has fresh lavendar in it.  I kept my cleaning stuff on the floor on either side of the toilet.  

Be creative with your room set up.  Not everything has to go up against the wall.  I turned my desk and put my fridge on the other side to leave more room close to my door.  Any blank space on the wall should be filled with something colorful, whether it's a poster, pictures, or clothing.  I used more vintage prints above my bookshelves and a beach print in the tiny space between my shelves and my closet.  Put a 3M hook right inside your door so you always know where your keys will hang.  I HIGHLY recommend some kind of calendar, too.  I put a dry-erase one on the back of my door with two months, and couldn't have survived without it.  The back of the door was also a great place to put class calendars, due dates, sports schedules, and reminders of campus events.

 I was fortunate enough to get a hand-me-down loveseat from my parents for extra seating.  I can't tell you how many textbooks I read, phone conversations, counseling sessions, roommate debates, and gossip sessions were spent on that couch!  I got a jersey-knit slip cover to match my room.  It didn't perfectly fit, but did the job!  If your college sells sweatshirt blankets...GET ONE!  I still use mine to this day, it's one of my favorites.  The little iron shelf next to the couch is actually for the bathroom, but I got it cheap at Goodwill.  It was the perfect size for a side table, and held a couple more blankets for friend that came to visit.  I tacked paper lanterns on the wall.  You'll want as much lighting as you can manage. I hardly ever used the harsh neon lights and would just turn on all my lamps.  Nothing makes a place feel more like home like soft lighting.  :o)

WHEW!  That ended up being a lot longer than I expected!  Hopefully it will help you college kids get started and at least inspire you to think outside the box.  You CAN make it your own...you just have to be creative!