Packing for college can be more taxing than the ACTs. Clothes, appliances, furniture, room decorations-figuring out what and how much of it to lug to school can really try your sanity, not to mention that of your parents. The temptation to bring a lifetime of accumulated junk with you to college is a great one, but remember that even if you manage to cram it all into the U-Haul, dorm rooms are often of shoebox proportions. So when it comes to packing, let "less is more" be your mantra. Try to pack only the essentials, and when in doubt, leave it home.
The Galloping Clothes Horses
Most people tend to take way too much clothing freshman year. The average college closet will not accommodate every ugly sweater you've ever gotten from Aunt Barb on your birthday. Take this as an opportunity to go through your closet and weed out anything you don't wear on a fairly regular basis and anything that's "so last year." Students tend to dress down in college (i.e. bring jeans). But also, pack a few semi-formal outfits for the many "welcome" functions you'll attend in your first few weeks-sports dinners, freshman assemblies, fancy frat or sorority events, and other soirees. Oh yeah, and you can't forget the usual goin' out gear. After all, you do have your social life to think of.
Off to Arctic U.?
Think hard about what the weather's like at your school and pack accordingly. If you're from a warmer climate and are heading for a school up north, this may mean a few shopping trips before you hit the road. If you're heading for a colder climate, it's a good idea to bring the winter coat, since it often gets cold enough to wear it before Thanksgiving break. Also remember "duck" boots or Gore-Tex lined foot gear, as well as an umbrella. When it comes to packing, let "less is more" be your mantra.
Did We Mention the Unmentionables?
Last, but certainly not least, please don't forget underwear and socks. Lots of them... the more the better. It's always possible (if unappealing) to put off doing laundry until you run out of clean underwear. Although your roommate may not appreciate it.
Dress Your Bed Too
At many schools, the beds require extra-long sheets, 80 inches rather than the standard 75; find out the size you'll need before you buy. You should take along at least two sets. Most people opt for comforters and skip the bedspreads, since they let you make your bed in a flash, if you choose to make your bed at all. Dorm mattresses are similar in constitution to those that prisoners sleep on; some kind of washable mattress pad for your bed will make it infinitely more comfortable.
Consult Your Roommates
The most crucial thing to do when thinking about what kinds of major appliances and furniture to bring is to consult with your roommate(s). You should talk at least once during the summer, not only so you can get acquainted before arriving on campus, but also to make sure that your room doesn't end up with two TVs and no refrigerator. Or six Monet prints and nothing to sit on. Talking to your future roomies beforehand can avoid a lot of these hassles and ensure a pretty good setup once you arrive at school.
Do Your Homework
You can get a pretty good idea of what freshman dorms are like before you arrive by calling the dean's office. Also, many schools post dorm room layouts on their Web sites. Chances are, you'll be living in either a single, a double, or a suite consisting of a few bedrooms and a common room or living room. In terms of furniture, most schools provide their students with just the basics: Bed, dresser, desk, chair. Obviously, this makes for fairly spartan accommodations. If you're really lucky, your room will come equipped with amenities like a mirror or bookshelves, but if not, you'll have to clean out your bedroom at home and bring these items yourself. If you'll be living in a suite with a living room, consider yourself one of the fortunate ones.
