Though the temperature may still be sizzling, the start of the fall semester and your new college living arrangements await. As you prepare for your move, consider our list of things you do and do not need.
Need
1) A basic toolkit
Pictures don't hang themselves and you'll need a hammer and/or a screwdriver a few more times than you anticipate while living in your dorm. Make sure your toolkit includes the universal fix-all - duct tape. Basic toolkits are available at hardware stores and local department stores for under $50!
Pictures don't hang themselves and you'll need a hammer and/or a screwdriver a few more times than you anticipate while living in your dorm. Make sure your toolkit includes the universal fix-all - duct tape. Basic toolkits are available at hardware stores and local department stores for under $50!
2) Food storage containers and under-the bed boxes
You'll store more than just food in them when you find that your dorm room most likely does not have any type of organization system.
You'll store more than just food in them when you find that your dorm room most likely does not have any type of organization system.
3) A power strip
Some dorm rooms may have originally come standard with these, but guess what leaves when dorm tenants move out? You'll need several of these to hook up phone chargers, laptops, lamps, camera battery chargers, and more.
Some dorm rooms may have originally come standard with these, but guess what leaves when dorm tenants move out? You'll need several of these to hook up phone chargers, laptops, lamps, camera battery chargers, and more.
4) Extra sheets
You will be surprised at how many times you use sheets as a short-term solution for several things in college. We’ve seen them used as tablecloths, wallpaper/paint substitutes, covers for messes when parents or significant others drop by unexpectedly, the place that you [your roommate, your friends, and/or your roommate’s friends] rest your previously digested meal after a party, and hanging dividers between roommates for study time, among many other things. Bringing extra sheets is a must.
You will be surprised at how many times you use sheets as a short-term solution for several things in college. We’ve seen them used as tablecloths, wallpaper/paint substitutes, covers for messes when parents or significant others drop by unexpectedly, the place that you [your roommate, your friends, and/or your roommate’s friends] rest your previously digested meal after a party, and hanging dividers between roommates for study time, among many other things. Bringing extra sheets is a must.
DO NOT NEED
1) Your DVD Collection
Some may say it's bartering material, but most students end up losing many of their DVDs when overextending borrowing privileges to friends and roommates or the many times that you move during college. Leave your DVD collection at home and opt for a movie streaming service instead!
Some may say it's bartering material, but most students end up losing many of their DVDs when overextending borrowing privileges to friends and roommates or the many times that you move during college. Leave your DVD collection at home and opt for a movie streaming service instead!
2) Brand new textbooks
Buying your books used or renting your books can save you hundreds of dollars every semester. Communicating with your instructor before class begins or during the first week of class can also help you assess which required texts will be the focus of your class.
Buying your books used or renting your books can save you hundreds of dollars every semester. Communicating with your instructor before class begins or during the first week of class can also help you assess which required texts will be the focus of your class.
3) Printers
Many professors have adopted policies of electronic submission in their curricula. Even for the few that will not let you e-mail your paper to them, dorm rooms and education buildings have more public printers than bathrooms. Use the computer lab's public printers for your printing needs. You'll end up saving around $60 for the printer itself, $39 for replacement cartridges each month, and $10 on paper every few months.
Many professors have adopted policies of electronic submission in their curricula. Even for the few that will not let you e-mail your paper to them, dorm rooms and education buildings have more public printers than bathrooms. Use the computer lab's public printers for your printing needs. You'll end up saving around $60 for the printer itself, $39 for replacement cartridges each month, and $10 on paper every few months.
4) A desktop computer
You’ll be on-the-go a lot between classes and it’s likely that your class schedule (and work schedule) will greatly reduce the time you have to game. Many towers will collect dust until it’s time to move again. At that point, most students and parents decide to get rid of it anyway. Save the money you’d spend on a tower and make it easier on yourself by bringing a high-end laptop with you.
You’ll be on-the-go a lot between classes and it’s likely that your class schedule (and work schedule) will greatly reduce the time you have to game. Many towers will collect dust until it’s time to move again. At that point, most students and parents decide to get rid of it anyway. Save the money you’d spend on a tower and make it easier on yourself by bringing a high-end laptop with you.