If you’ve been following arctic books for a while, you might have known that I started my first year at college! I spent a good few weeks of packing, and throughout that time, I accumulated quite a few tips that I thought I’d share with you, whether it’s your first time heading to college or you want to save this as a reference in the future.
Must-Brings!
I’m currently going to a school that’s about an hour away so I’m able to come home nearly every other week to get items that I might have forgotten.
1. Whiteboard or Chalkboard
I find that bringing a white board or chalkboard can be very helpful, especially for writing times of clubs, meetings, other commitments down in case you forget. I tend to use my phone for reminders, but I find that writing what I have to do on my whiteboard for the next day is incredibly accommodation for your college schedule.
2. Brita filter
I have my own Brita filter which is super amazing because I like to drink relatively clean, filtered water. Since water is my go-to beverage, I like to know that I can take a drink of water without having to leave my dorm.
3. Reusable water bottle
Save the environment, y’all. On the topic of Brita filters, I find it super convenient to have a water bottle that you can reuse and carry around. I think it’s better than the bottled water that you find in supermarkets because a lot of that water is way acidic than it should be.
4. Flash drive
I find it useful to have a flash drive just in case during the school year. I tend to use Google Drive and that has a large memory and auto-saves, but in case you have an important paper that you don’t want to lose, I suggest using a flash drive just for backup.
5. Lysol or other disinfectant wipes
If you’re grossed out about living in a dorm like I was, I suggest bringing a couple tubs of Lysol or something to disinfect your bed. That includes mattress, headboard, your drawers, closet, desk, etc. It makes me feel a lot more clean and relaxed in my dorm room.
Tips!
1. I found this especially useful when I was packing up my clothes to bring to my dorm. I put all the bigger clothes that I wanted to bring on hangers (sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, coats, jackets, etc.) and hung (maybe 10 hangers) them all up and put slipped them in those drawstring garbage bags to keep them clean and organized for when you actually move in.
2. Keep your door open. If you can, invest in a door stop or a brick or something to keep your door open to invite others living in your building to visit. I guarantee that you’ll meet friends and classmates that way.
3. Communication with your roommate(s) is key. Be sure to get a white board or chalk board to write notes to each other (when you’re going to be out, who’s going to throw out the trash, etc.). Also, ensure that neither you nor your roommates will keep your door unlocked when you’re both out of the room to prevent people from coming in and possibly stealing your items.
Alice is an 18 year old college student who loves the oxford comma, television shows, and the company of dogs. She finds writing in the third person odd yet enjoyable. You can find her scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, and forever organizing her shelves on Goodreads.
My tip is to use towels and linens as well as socks and sweats to pack breakables for padding.
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I was really surprised by people who didn’t bring basic cleaning supplies to college. I think probably 10 people borrowed my tiny vacuum cleaner at some point. Apparently they just never bothered to clean their floors, and I try not to think about it.
A lot of the dorms I’ve personally been in had bedroom doors that locked automatically when you closed them. Great for keeping out thieves and drunk people who can’t grasp that they’re in your room and not their room. But the paranoia patting down your pockets to make sure you have your keys before you can finally close the door is real.
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Also yes to the Brita filter. I think tap water in general tastes weird. I don’t care what state/city I’m in or how many people think that place has delicious, drinkable tap water. I am much more likely to drink water if I think it tastes good, and that means filtering it and putting it in the fridge to make sure it’s cool.
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Great tips! I just started at a college an hour and a half away from home this fall and I love it! Brita filters are great and I’m SO glad my roommate brought one
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I started college last year and my must bring for living in the dorms is a pair of slippers! They’re especially useful in the winter months when I would be wearing socks and attempt to go to the bathroom with flip-flops and socks on. Slippers were a lifesaver for walking around in the dorm.
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[…] Alice @ arcticbooks […]
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These are some good tips!! Thankyou! Check out some from my blog post https://neillieelaine.wordpress.com/2018/02/13/10-college-tips-for-freshman/
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