t’s an exciting but sad day. When you pack the stuff in your room at home to take to your new home - college. As simple as this seems it is quite a challenging process. I have seen plenty of students’ rooms overflowing with junk that will never be used, as well as several students who have had to borrow everything from their roommate or new neighbors. You don’t want to be on either end of that continuum, but somewhere in the middle. Space is usually at a premium, so efficiency is the goal.
The first thing to do is call your roommate and coordinate what each of you will bring. There’s nothing worse than having two refrigerators but no TV or, worse yet, two of everything!

Here is a partial list of things that may come in handy during the year. The most important items fall into one of four categories: electronics, supplies, comfort items, and clothes. Not all are a must, but hopefully there will be some in this list that you hadn’t thought of.

ELECTRONICS - television, DVD player, microwave, refrigerator (preferably a micro-fridge unit), cell phone with good service at your college, digital camera to capture all your new friends and fun, I-Pod/MP3 player/stereo, computer (preferably a laptop) and peripherals, PDA/organizer/planner, three prong extension cords, power strip/surge protector, desk lamp, alarm clock (maybe two), and a fan (campus housing may have poor circulation).

SUPPLIES - laundry bag (basket takes too much room), laundry soap, stain remover, instant stain remover, sewing kit (needles, thread, safety pins, two-sided tape, etc.), eating utensils (plastic), cups and plates - plastic or Styrofoam, Twin XL Bedding (Most dorm beds measure 39 x 80 – so you will need extra long twin sheets, mattress pads and featherbeds. Blankets tend to be longer but for comforters an extra long twin is helpful to avoid cold toes twin xl comforters range from 66 x 90 to 68 x 92.), iron and a small ironing board, backpack, bike and a good lock, toiletries, bath linens, first aid kit, pain reliever, shower shoes (Crocs, flip flops, etc.), shower caddy to carry toiletries, small can/bottle opener, favorite snacks, hometown phonebook, and an umbrella (guys often like a huge one, girls one that folds down tiny).

COMFORT ITEMS – room decorations that make you feel at home (posters, bulletin boards, stuffed animals, etc.), photos of family, friends and/or pets, and sports equipment for your favorite activities (baseball mitt, football, racquetball supplies, golf clubs, etc.).

CLOTHES – raincoat, rain shoes/boots, swimsuit(s), workout and/or sports clothes, sportswear from your new college (buy a t-shirt or hat once you get there), “dress” clothes (guys, this means at least a blazer and one or more ties), “grubby” clothes (who knows if you’ll go clean up along the highway, paint someone’s house or need to play mud football), and a small amount of out-of-season clothes in case of an early weather change.