Packing for college--Help!

[Jordanbcool]

Hey guys. I just got my room assignment for college (4-year college) and I really need some help getting everything together. My college is 6 hours away from where I live so once I get there it wont be easy to come back and get things that I need. Plus, classes start two days after I move in! I won't have time really to do any of that. So I made a list of things I wanted to bring with me to college. Anyone that's been to college, please add to it or throw some helpful advice my way. I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. Digital camera
2. DVD’s
3. Running shoes, boots, and regular shoes
4. Some posters/crap to hang in my room
5. Some books from community college
6. Pictures of my friends/family
7. A calendar
8. A 10lb bag of Protein powder, Creatine, Fish oil and a multi-vitamin
9. Alarm clock
10. Small trash can
11. Computer
12. Towels
13. A couple outfits of clothes (pants, wife beaters, underwear, socks, shirts, long sleeved shirts, gym shorts)
14. A small jacket and two hoodies
15. Medicine (saline spray, Advil, sleep aids, flu medicine etc.)
16. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, dandruff shampoo, mouthwash, deodorant, etc.
17. School supplies (binders, papers, pencils, pens etc.)
18. Important papers/documents
19. Heavy duty extension cord, with surge protector for computer
20. Telephone (cordless)**
21. Hair clippers
22. Magazines, books and other things to read at the campus
23. Credit card and ATM card ($1400 in bank)
24. Laundry bag to carry clothes back and forth to dryer/washers and detergent
25. Pillow, two blankets and some sheets/pillow cases
26. MP3 player
27. Small television
28. Gym accessories (straps, gym clothes, wraps, shaker bottle etc.)
29. Small flashlight
31. Plastic silverware (knife, cups, forks, spoons etc.)
32. Extra protein food (cooked chicken breasts, eggs, tuna, jerky etc.)
33. A few computer games for entertainment
34. Book bag
35. A few hats
36. Shot glasses
37. Binoculars
39. Sticky putty to hang posters
40. Cell phone charger
42. Extra pair of headphones
43. 2 pair of swim trunks
45. Small lamp
46. Chair
47. Calculator
48. Small fan**
50. Test E cycle**

The things with stars next to them are a maybe. Some people may see some weird things in here like binoculars etc. but the scenery at my college is gorgeous and I plan to go camping as much as possible while I'm up there.

Also my college is Frostburg Maryland up in the Western Maryland mountains....If anyone has ever been there let me know how you liked it!

P.S. I know my list may seem really corny and I probably don't need everything on here but I just want to be prepared. I'm very excited/nervous as this will be the first time out of the house. I want everything to go as well as possible.

[MrWebb78]

is this a dorm or an apartment?

[Jordanbcool]

is this a dorm or an apartment?

Dorm. Upperclassmen.

I will have access to a small kitchen Which I can store my food in. I will also have access to a lockable closet and a small (shared) bathroom/shower.

[andy51]

I wouldnt worry about a telephone for you room. There is probably one provided by your school. Just use a cell phone. Also a lot of colleges have checklist type things to give you some guidance. Look online and see.

[Unholy]

I don't see any condoms on that list.

[Jordanbcool]

I don't see any condoms on that list.

I pull out.

[Jordanbcool]

I wouldnt worry about a telephone for you room. There is probably one provided by your school. Just use a cell phone. Also a lot of colleges have checklist type things to give you some guidance. Look online and see.

I have, thats what I based my list on. I also went around and thought about things I use on a daily basis stuff that you usually don't think about.

[Munky]

I pull out.

[Rock]

What about a soccerball or football, baseball. I gotta have some kinda sport to play at least once a week. Sport is the best cardio and more bodybuilders should use it, instead of just running or walking.

Looks very good.

The first night is always weird..starring at the roof in a dark room...thinking about some old girlfriend, mamas homemade meatballs..daddies jokes, the family dog..the cat, the house...but after that it turns out to be just great and you get new friends.

[BFGUITAR]

I dont see mini-fridge up there.

I lived in a suite with 3 other people. We had a kitchen and everything but beleive me, you dont want people going through your ****. I stuffed my mini-fridge with mostly alcohol and cottage cheese (and some coolers for the ladies ). I made sure they were safe from anyone.

I couldnt keep my milk in the mini fridge... I swore to my roomates that who ever touched my milk will have razor blades shoved into their nose while they sleep (worst feeling in the morning when you want a bowl of cereal or oatmeal and not having milk).

[Tofer]

What happened to 30, 38, 41 and 49?

If you play an instrument, that would be a perfect thing to bring along. I started playing acoustic guitar this summer, and it's a great way to pass the time when you're bored. It's also a relaxing way to spend time during study breaks (I took summer classes). Also, I've been lead to believe that it's pretty much like fishing with dynamite in the ladies department.

[Blanche_Soprano]

*I suggest a mattress pad and a foam pad for your bed. College beds are often times not comfortable at all.
*Bring extra extension cords and power strips, you can never have enough.
*Extra batteries for any of your electronic devices
*Shower sandals
*TV? DVD player?
*Air freshener, ladies will love you even more if your room doesn't smell like a typical male dorm room does.

Do you really need a chair? Most dorms come with one at your desk. You just might need a cushion for it.

Also, make sure to talk to your roommate(s), if you have any. They often bring a lot of that smaller crap. After years of living at college and miscommunications, my brother and I, in total have purchased 5 fans in 7total years of college. All because we never asked a roommate about it and everybody assumes that the other person will bring one. Also, a roommate can help you with anything else we might forget.

[BFGUITAR]

Dorm kitchens typically dont have toasters/toaster ovens.

[Jordanbcool]

Great suggestions Blanche!!

A couple things....

I will be having a mini-fridge in my dorm room to share with my roommate, it is also attached to a microwave. However, I'm 99% positive I will also have access to a full sized fridge but you guys made good points about having to share it.

My dorm room is called "cluster" dorms. Basically we have one door that leads into a very small hallway. Then to the left is a small kitchen. With a full fridge, two chairs a stove-top/counter top and a small table. We are allowed to bring a microwave, toaster etc. too. Right next to that is a small shower/bathroom. I think it has like 3 small showers and a urinal/toilet. Next to that is a dorm room which holds two people, next to that is another dorm room with two people, then another dorm with two people and lastly one more dorm with two people. So basically I have to share that small kitchen/bathroom with eight other people. I think this is why we also have a mini-fridge/microwave in each dorm on our own.

I have no spoken to my roommate yet, although I need to do it soon. I'm trying to set something up with him so I can see how he is. Any ideas guys? I want to do something with him thats not "gay". Like I don't want to go out to lunch with him. I was thinking maybe asking him to play pool. That way we can talk and have some fun (I love pool).

[BFGUITAR]

You could just ask him if ya wanna talk about the room and stuff. Doesnt sound homosexual at all.

[Jordanbcool]

You could just ask him if ya wanna talk about the room and stuff. Doesnt sound homosexual at all.

I don't like talking on the phone much....plus I want to see what he looks like and how he acts etc. IMO you can tell much more about someone face to face then over a phone...

[MrWebb78]

Sounds like youve got it covered. The only thing I don't see that isn't a necessity, but convenient, would be a bathrobe. For going to and from the showers. (If these are the typical unisex bathroom/showers that most dorms are)

[Jordanbcool]

I'm mostly nervous about meeting my roommate. I don't want to come off as an idiot or anything I just want to be relaxed. But at the same time I don't want to get stuck with a crappy roommate so I need to find out if I like him ASAP. I only have like 2 weeks to make a decision.

[WBBIRL]

Find out if he lifts weights, then hit up a training session with him.

I kinda wish I wasn't living at home through my college experience, but I'm only going to school 20 min from where I live and the cost just isn't worth it. Maybe my last 2 years I can stay on campus, because if I keep my GPA above 3.5 I'll get like $4000 each semester my last 2 years and that will cover most if not all the room and board fees.

[BilltheButcher]

Get a big duvey (sp?) for your bed. All you need to do is pull it over your bed and its made.

You may want to build or buy a loft, then you can stick your desk underneath and then get a couch, like a little entertainment area. Gives you more space.

Get a bathroom basket so you can carry your crap in it.

Also the toilet paper at UB was like sand paper. I use to bring my own.

Radio, stereo, CDs? IPOD?

Cleats if your going to play flag football, softball, soccer.

Also I would stock up on non-perishable food. Liquor. I also would bring my whole wardrobe with me, at the time of college it was limited, but I always had 10-12 button downs and some nice clothes to pimp at class. My theory was to try and look good all the time b/c it made me feel good and put me in a positive frame of mind.

[Jordanbcool]

Yea one of my friends told me to bring pretty much all my clothes. I was only gonna bring a couple pairs but I don't want to be wearing the same things over and over again.

I don't think I'll bring a stereo though, my dorm won't be big enough and I don't want to be an ass and blast my music loud all the time.

[BilltheButcher]

I don't think I'll bring a stereo though, my dorm won't be big enough and I don't want to be an ass and blast my music loud all the time.

I didn't my first year and my first trip home I brought it with me. You get stuck listening to whatever music the other person brought.

[Jordanbcool]

I'm bringing my computer though. I have most of my music on it (MP3).

[Blanche_Soprano]

Yea one of my friends told me to bring pretty much all my clothes. I was only gonna bring a couple pairs but I don't want to be wearing the same things over and over again.

Bring more clothes than you think. My guy friends usually ended up having to buy more clothes after the first month if they couldn't easily go home. Plus it helps to stretch out how often you need to laundry. You don't want to be the guy that smells like he slept in a bar. Profs usually don't like or respect that. At least stock up on the essentials (socks, underwear preference, shirts, etc) so that you don't run out.

[Blanche_Soprano]

Also I would stock up on non-perishable food. Liquor.

I would hold off on alcohol until you know how your roommate would react to it. Considering many campuses are dry, you could be living with a narc. One of my best roommates would probably kill me if she knew how much liquor was hidden in our dorm room.