For those of you just venturing out on your journey into college
life, there are a few things you need to know about
preparation.
August means three things to me: the culmination of a great summer, my birthday (I’ll be 19 on the 9th everyone!) and leaving for college. For those of you just venturing out on your journey into college life, there are a few things you need to know about preparation.
Companies and stores such as Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond provide “must have” lists that pin point specific items you’ll “need” in the dorms. Don’t be fooled, these lists are designed to sell products, not to help the future student. For the past year, I have discovered what the average college student needs and what they won’t need for their first year away at college.
When preparing for your move to the dorms, teens make the mistake of buying too much, too early. I’m a planner, and did just that. I went out in the beginning of August and bought everything they said I would need. If you’re going to school out of state, or even farther than two hours from your home, don’t buy things you can get at school. The stores won’t run out of hangers, garbage cans, and magazine organizers. Just wait and purchase these things once you get there. They will be for sale all year ’round. There are Targets, Walmarts and Bed, Bath and Beyonds all over the country, there is bound to be one near your school.
Here is a list of items that I couldn’t live without this past year:
• Twin extra-long sheets – Buy these early. All dorm beds are twin extra long, but the selection and stores that carry them are limited. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and get stuck with bright pink or leopard print (unless you’re into that). There are “bed-in-a-bag” deals everywhere that include the comforter, sheets, mattress cover and pillowcases.
• Hamper – Get one, not two and you will use it immediately. Some stores will tell you, you’ll need two (one for darks and one for lights.) Can you actually picture yourself separating your laundry? Are you going to have enough room for two bags full of dirty laundry? Probably not.
• Computer – Laptop or PC (I had a PC, but a laptop is much more practical due to limited space and the portability).
• Printer – Some of my friends came to school without one. Most campuses have labs you can take your disks to, to print out your papers, but it can be a hassle.
• Lamps – I had one for over my desk and one for over my bed. It came in handy when Meg, my roommate, wanted to go to bed early, but I still had studying to do.
• Bed risers – This is an item I wished I had, had. Most dorm situations don’t allow for a lot of floor space, so you have to utilize what you have. Under the bed storage boxes are key.
• Microwave and refrigerator – Most dorms have a combination micro-fridge you can rent for the year. My roommate, however, wanted to bring her own fridge, so I had to buy a microwave. The situation worked out fine, except for the fact that her fridge was huge and lack of floor space required for it to sit on top of her desk and took up her whole study area, and my microwave took up space on my shelves. If you can rent one of the combo units, do it. It’s worth it when the midnight munchies come around.
• Fan – My dorm didn’t have air conditioning, and Boston in the summertime is unbearable.
• Power strip – I used two in my room. You’ll have a lot of electronics to plug in, and probably only two outlets for you and your roommate.
• Towels – At least three each of hand and bath sized towels. While some of my friends actually used their towels over and over without washing them, plan washdays around having fresh towels. Your friends will appreciate it.
• Fun tid-bits – Some things, while they aren’t a necessity, are fun to have for the year ahead. A dry-erase board for your door to collect messages from new friends in the dorm, a TV, and video games (yes, I brought my Play Station2 and original Nintendo to school and used it every week).
• Organizational Helpers – I had a shoe organizer that hooked over the door to my closet. Not all dorms will have a door to their closet, but if yours does, this is a must. I not only stored my shoes in the pockets, but I also kept hairbrushes and socks in them, too. Pant and sweater organizers that hang from the closet bar and have five or six shelves are important. I’m getting two or three of those for my apartment in the fall.
Shelving is important. The key is finding ways of storing “up” rather than “across.” You’ll have just enough space in your room for your bed, desk and maybe a dresser. You won’t have floor space for shelves. But, if you find shelves that hook onto the wall, or that you can mount on your desk, you have instant space. Some dorms have shelves built in for you, but if they don’t, find something to compensate.
Don’t be fooled – you won’t need these things:
• Iron and ironing board – Who has time?
• Stereo – That’s what kazaa.com and your computer are for.
• Winter clothes – Wait until it gets cold to be bothered with another wardrobe.
• Dishes & eating utensils – Don’t bother, you can “borrow” them from the cafeteria.
• Extra furniture – You won’t have space, your school will most likely provide you with all the furniture you’ll need (desk, chair, dresser, and bed).
Use your best judgment and be practical. I can’t list everything you won’t need, but take a step back from all the college hype and excitement and think realistically, “Will I really need a paper shredder, lounge chair, cotton ball holder or shower radio? No, you won’t. Also, college life makes you cheap and teaches you how to be a minimalist. You’ll have to learn how to conserve your money and use what you have. For example, I cut the tops off plastic water bottles to hold my pens and pencils (don’t laugh.)
Not all dorm rooms are created equal. The space and furniture you’re provided with depends on the school you’re going to and the building you’re placed in. It also depends on how many roommates you have. One roommate was enough for me, but other people I knew had two or three other roommates to share a space with. I was lucky enough to have a considerate roommate. Meg and I never fought once, if you can believe that, and shared everything. She kept her things on her side of the room, and I kept mine on my side.
Remember that whatever you bring may feel like it belongs you, but may also be appropriated by your roommates, your neighbors, your RA (resident assistant) and anyone else who happens to stroll on into your room. If you use your best judgment, conserve space, and think logically about what you need rather than what the department stores say you’ll need, you’ll have an amazing first year away at college. I know I did.
Lacey Green is a sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston. Readers may contact her at La********@*ol.com
