Sunday, August 18, 2013

Packing for College

Here are some of the suggestions/ideas for college packing

 

big zip lock bags for packing. Use for clothes, bedding, towels, etc. (so much better than a trunk and when you are at school they can get folded up and put in the bottom of a drawer)

-duffle bag instead of suite case for the trips to/fr school.

bed risers - put under the legs of the bed to raise it up for more storage underneath

mattress bag - put around the mattress for bed bugs, etc..  

small fan. Helps even if you have ac but also good for white noise to block out dorm noise

small lamp or desk lamp - the dorm light is usually pretty bad.

power strip and extension cords - lots of them!

tacky stuff to hang pictures/posters etc.

bulletin board – only if there is enough wall room

hangers - bring lots!  (don't transport clothes on hangers).

flip flops for the shower/bathroom

shower caddy/bucket. The smaller the better but hard to find.     (Try the container store)

laundry bag (not a basket - unless lots of room in the dorm room- it takes up a lot of room).

 

Label everything!  Get fabric markers and label every towel, pillowcase,article of clothing.

Use colored duct tape to mark power cords, electronics, other items.

 

Bedding -

2 sets of sheets

2 pillows

Throw pillow

Comforter

Blanket

Towels - 2-3 big ones

Small hand towels 2

Wash clothes - only if you use them

Beach towel

 

Toiletries - take 2 of everything just in case something gets lost or you run out.

(2 deodorants, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc..can keep this stuff in a Rubbermaid container under the bed.

Also, write name on all this stuff with a sharpie. Amazing what you leave in the bathroom or that someone just helps themselves too.

 

Take varying sizes of rubbermaid containers to keep food/snacks in. (keep bugs/mice away), store stuff, etc..

 

Plastic cups - so you can always have something to drink, put stuff in etc..

 

You don't have to take all the clothes now. Take only what you will need at first. Then stuff can be shipped or swapped out over breaks.

 

Make sure you have pictures of the family and friends.  Print out some picsand put in frames. Create small photo albums to keep around. (everyonekeeps pics in their phones but it's nice to actually have pics in frames around the room)

 

Care packages -----

-Make sure one will arrive right after school starts,  Day 2 or 3.

send snacks etc..  Don't send stuff

-if you send laundry detergent, etc. put fun stuff in too - nail polish, food, magazine, etc..

Send packages of stuff that are needed fr amazon

Always send enough to share.

Get an Amazon Prime Account – so worth the free shipping!

 

Find out about laundry - does it use a prepaid card? If so, great to get a few cards already full of $.

Take detergent that is pre measured - tide podspurex sheets, etc..  

 

Bank account - figure out what/how it works at School.

Does she need a checking acct. debit card etc

 

Computer/cell phone etc..

Most schools have help in setting this stuff up once you get there.

Just make sure thwifi stuff is set up and not running off data plan all the time.

Make sure laptop has name on it. Keep track of serial #.

Make sure cords, chargers, etc have identifying stuff. (see duct tape above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packing List ---

 

 

Advil

air freshener - any type of freshener - probably not plug in since

     outlets are scarce

backpack

bed risers

binders

blanket

book light

boots - hiking and/or rain

calculator

calendar/planner

cell phone and charger

clock/clock radio/home for the cell phone (docking station)

Clorox wipes

coat - sport coat

comforter

computer

computer case

crates - storage

cups - plastic

deodorant

desk lamp

detergent

dryer sheets

duct tape

extension cords/surge protectors - at least 2-3

fan - even if there is ac, good for white noise

flash light

flip flops (shower shoes!)

hangers/slacks hangers

headphones

highlighters

hooks - over the door bathroom, room, etc..

kleneex

laundry bag

markers

mattress pad

mattress bag - allergy/bed bug

notebooks/folders

pencils/pens

photos

pillows

posters

poster mounting/sticky stuff

post its

razor(s)

rubbermaid storage containers - under bed, food, etc.

rug

shampoo

sheets

shower caddy

sponges

soap

sweatshirts

toothbrush/toothpaste

towels - hand and bath

trash can

umbrella

 

 

 

 

 

for suite living ---

cleaning supplies:

 sponges

toilet paper 

 toilet brush

 cleanser

 lysol wipes  

 trash can(s)

trash bags 

 broom and/or dustpan w/ brush

 

 

bathroom stuff:

 plastic drawers for keeping stuff in the bathroom

 over the shower head shower caddy

 bath mat

 over the door hangers

 toothbrush holder

 hand soap