A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE
PRINT AND USE OUR PACKING LIST. IT IS THE ONLY LIST YOU NEED.
DRIVING OR FLYING? If you’re driving to school, have your boxes shipped to your home or to school.
If you are flying, have your box sent to your school or a local FEDEX facility. (Check with your college’s mail room about holding boxes until move in. Every school is different.)
A DORM ROOM IS LIKE A BOAT. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH SPACE. If you are not going to use it do not bring it. Less is more.
MAKE THE BED GREAT. Spend your money on the bedding. Getting a good nights sleep is vital to performing well during the day. Do not buy bedding with polyester. When you buy bedding containing synthetic fibers, you wake up exhausted in a pool of your own sweat. This is not a good way to start the day.
DO NOT BUY CHEAP PRODUCTS. College kids are notoriously hard on their possessions. If it’s flimsy or easily breakable don’t buy it.
DO NOT BRING EVERY ARTICLE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN. Bring 2-3 weeks worth of clothing…there are laundry machines.
DO NOT BRING YOUR WINTER GEAR. August and September are usually pretty warm everywhere, and you will probably be going home for Thanksgiving break. That is the time to bring back your sweaters, boots, heavy winter coats,gloves, ski equipment, etc. Another option is to have it shipped later, when it gets cold.
SPECIFIC ITEMS NOT TO BRING
REFRIGERATOR
You do need a refrigerator but do not bring one to school! They are big, heavy, and take up a lot of car space. Buy this in town once you get there or rent one beforehand and have it delivered to your dorm room (most colleges offer this information on their website). If you get free shipping, order this online when you get to school.
MICROWAVE.
Again, you need this but do not bring to school. (See “REFRIGERATOR” above) Buy it at a store in town or order it online when you get to school.
KITCHEN SUPPLIES
Plates, frying pans, forks, knives, glasses, cookware, strainers, cutting boards, etc…unless you definitely have access to a kitchen and love to cook…don’t bring any of this stuff. There is not much cooking going on in dorm rooms, except for the occassional cup of coffee, tea or Ramen noodles. So all you really need is an electric tea kettle and a mug.
GLASS DRINKING GLASSES
Theybreak and then there is broken glass all over the floor. Get stainless steel pint glasses instead.
STEP STOOL/LADDER
For what? If you need to hang posters on the wall or put up lights, stand on your bed, your desk or your desk chair. You don’t have room for these items.
PAPER TOWEL HOLDER.
You do need paper towels but they don’t need a holder. Superfluous. Don’t buy one.
PLASTIC BOXES.
Awkward to handle, annoying to pack in a car and who even knows if they will fit under the bed. We’ve got a better idea. See “UNDER BED STORAGE” in ESSENTIALS.
SCALE.
Not necessary and takes up floor space. If you need to know your weight, most colleges have fitness centers with scales. If you really think you need one, order it online or buy in town.
DESK CHAIR.
Most colleges supply a desk chair. Do not bring one.
FURNITURE.
No room for bean bags or futon chairs. Eliminate the need for a side table by buying Charlies Original Button Down Sheets or Duvet Set which has two pockets on the fitted sheet to hold your phone. If you need someplace to put a drink, see our READY FREDDY TRAY.
FRAMED PICTURES.
Most kids just look at photos on their laptop or their phone.
NOTEBOOKS/FOLDERS/BINDERS.
Go to class, find out what you need and then go to the college bookstore. Most kids take notes on their laptops.
PLANTS.
They will die.
VACUUM/BROOM/MOP.
Nice thought but not ever happening. Buy a Dirt Devil and hope for the best.