MCU: StartPoint (sm) - Packing for College

Packing For College

You have been around for about 18 years now and have collected lots of stuff you just can't live without, or so it seems. Heading off to college generally means you will be sharing your living space with other people. This is likely if you live in the dorms, a fraternity or sorority house, or an off-campus apartment.

Shared living = Bring less stuff

Since you have to share the living space you want to bring the stuff you need to have and not all the things you just can't live without. Try to contact your roommates ahead of time and split the task of bringing bigger items where possible. Maybe you only need one TV, PlayStation, or coffee maker for the both of you instead of you each bringing one.

What you pack will depend on your individual school and where it's located, but here are the basics you should bring for dorm living according to The University of Iowa student guide:

Appropriate clothing
Umbrella or raincoat for spring and fall; boots, hat and gloves for winter.

For the shower
A robe and slippers or shower thongs, towels, wash cloths, soap, personal toiletries, and a plastic container to carry your things to the shower.

For the laundry
Laundry bag or basket, detergent and fabric softener, hangers, an iron and mini-ironing board, needles, thread, and scissors.

For your desk
Pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, paper, ruler, scissors, personal computer, calculator, calendar, dictionary, notebooks, binders, stationery.

For your room
A telephone instrument and wallcord, small refrigerator (no larger than 4 cubic feet), alarm clock, radio, television, headphones (if you bring a stereo), salt and pepper shakers, dishes, mugs, silverware, dish washing liquid, small microwave oven, vacuum, and floor fan.

For your bed
Sheets, pillowcases, pillow, blankets and bedspread.