Last year, at the end of my freshman year of college, I wrote a series of four posts regarding college survival. The first of which was a list of packing essentials, for the college freshman. You can read that post here, but today, I wanted to expand on it, because circumstances change and once you have all the essentials, especially entering into your sophomore or junior year, there’s nothing wrong with expanding your belongings to fit your new (and hopefully better) dorms and apartments.
Sans Kitchen
I know plenty of friends who weren’t lucky enough to get dorms with kitchens, even for their sophomore years, but don’t let that get you down! There are plenty of things you can still bring along.
1. Printer. I have a relatively reasonably sized black and white printer, and let me tell you, it is worth all the space it takes up. There’s nothing more stressful than having to fight other students in the library to print out a paper or project on one of the school’s printers, only to have to then walk all the way back to your room in the torrential Oregon rain without an umbrella because you’re from Colorado and you never remember to bring an umbrella. Oh, wait. Is that just me? Regardless, when you’re running late, it’s way more convenient to have your own printer.
2. Corkboard. If your college doesn’t provide you with a corkboard that you can safely tack things to without putting holes in the wall, buy one. They’re super cheap, and they definitely come in handy. It’s a great place for all the little memorabilia from your year, like movie tickets and photo strips, as well as receipts from your college bookstore (so you can return them at the end of the year!) and reminders about homework. It’s just nice to have, even if just for decoration.
3. At least two posters. There’s nothing sadder than walking into someone’s dorm room and having it look like they just moved in, even if it’s December. You have to live in this tiny room all school year, so it might as well not let it continue to look like a cell in a mental asylum. Maybe your room shouldn’t look like mine does in the video below, but just personalize it a bit. Come on. You know you want to.
4. Analog clock. Sometimes, when you’re getting ready, that tiny clock in the upper or lower corner of your laptop just isn’t visible. Clocks are super cheap- we (my roommates and I) found a great one for our living room at Goodwill for two bucks. They can make a room more interesting, and there’s nothing wrong with knowing what time it is. Someday, it might save your attendance record.
5. Tea/cocoa. Trust me, those long winter months are, well, long. And you’re going to get sick, or have to go to class in the one building on campus that hasn’t heard of centralized heating, so having a couple packets of your favorite tea or cocoa could be the difference between a good and bad day.
6. Travel mug/ refillable water bottle. Sometimes, you have class so early in the morning it should be illegal, and you stumble out the door barely half awake. Other times, it’s super cold outside and you have to walk across the entire campus to get to class. And other times still, when you finally decide you’re in the right mood to go to the gym, you’re going to need to stay hydrated. At these times, you’re going to want a travel mug or a water bottle. When I get sick (often, unfortunately) during winter and I still have to drag myself to class, that travel mug full of apple camomile tea is the only thing keeping me going. Trust me, you’re going to want one of each (travel mug/water bottle).
7. Broom. Last post, I talked about a vacuum, which is still essential, but once you upgrade to a bigger, nicer dorm, sometimes that little vacuum just won’t cut it. Sometimes, the dirt, grime, and food bits are too big, and you need to prep your floor before you can even hope to vacuum. When this happens, you will wish you had a broom.
With Kitchen
I was lucky enough to land myself in a dorm room with a kitchen this year, which adds a whole new dynamic to packing. Even if you don’t cook a lot, like my roommates and I, you’re still going to, at some point, wish you had this stuff. Trust me.
8. Baking sheet. There will come a time when you just really need some warm, homemade cookies. Don’t fight it.
9. Stock pot. Even if it’s small, a stock pot is a must have for any college kitchen pantry. You can make chili, soup, rice, pasta, risotto, or whatever your little heart desires, all in one convenient dish!
10. Dishes/ utensils. Speaking of dishes…. you’re going to need plates. And bowls. And cups and mugs and forks and spoons and knives. Pay attention to the dishes you end up using a lot- for our room, it was always bowls and spoons- and stock up on those.
11. Dish soap. Never go more than a day without dish soap. You will regret it.
12. 1 medium frying pan. At the bare minimum, have one decent sized frying pan. For eggs, pancakes, stir fry, and anything else you feel like frying or heating up.
13. Measuring cups/spoons. Obvious. Or at least, it should be.
14. 1 medium sauce pot. For when you don’t want to use the whole stock pot to heat up a cup of marinara sauce or one packet of ramen noodles.
15. Snack foods. Such as crackers, chips, and other quick, crunchy things you can grab when you need a pick-me-up late at night or in between classes. Careful, though, these things often go fast, especially with more than one roommate snacking. When you parents put together care packages, these should always be on your “please send!” list.
That’s all I can think of for now. By next year, I’ll probably have another list, but for now, this should give you a good head start.
