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Whether you are an incoming freshman or returning to college as a senior, it is always important to be prepared for a new school year. After three years of moving in and out of dorms and apartments, I believe I finally have a complete list of all of the essentials needed for an easy and efficient move-in. 

If you need help remembering what to pack, which shoes to bring, or what to decorate your room with, read along! Within this blog are some of my favorite things to pack for school and my must-haves for move-in week! 

Getting ready to move into a college apartment freshman year is very overwhelming and can lead to overpacking. While you don’t want to forget something, I have learned that it is okay to not pack everything you own into a huge duffel bag. So, to help you limit your packing, let’s start with clothing. 

 

Packing Clothing 

It is common to overpack clothing when moving into your first year of college. The weather is hard to track, and you are unsure what to wear to classes, football games, or even a study session at the library. 

 

Tara’s tip: if you haven’t worn it within the past year in your hometown, you will not wear it at college! 

 

I made the mistake of bringing handfuls of clothing that I never have worn. At the end of my freshman year, I still did not wear it. It is essential to pack tops and pants that you know you are comfortable in and that you love. Packing your favorite, staple pieces will ensure that you are not over-packing and you will wear all of the clothes you bought with you. 

One thing that I used to help me organize my clothes in the small space of a dorm room was a closet organizer. Many dorms have space to hang this in a closet or behind the door, and it is worth it! These organizers come with built-in shelves to separate the clothing as well.

 

Packing Essentials 

When I began to think about what essentials everyone needs when moving back to school, many things came to mind. But, this can change from person to person. For me, I love coffee. Ensuring I had something like a Keurig machine was necessary. But for others, this isn’t a priority. 

So, I made a list of important things that I think everyone should have when moving back to school! 

• Outlet Strip: There are not many outlets in small dorm room spaces. Having an extension cord ensures that you have room to plug in your laptop, phone, apple watch, and any other electronics you need for the first day of classes! 
• Fan: Moving in while the weather is still hot can be exhausting, especially in the September heat. Making sure to have a fan inside your dorm, apartment, or house is something I have learned is a necessity. You never know how hot it will be!
• Lap desk: Something I use almost every day is a lap desk. This allows me to move around my house while always having a place to do work. It stabilizes my laptop, has room for a notebook, and is easy to take with me anywhere!
• Reusable water bottle: When walking around campus, you will find numerous water fountains. Ensuring you have a reusable water bottle is the perfect way to stay hydrated on the go! 
• Over-the-door hooks: Keeping your space tidy and clean helps make a dorm room or apartment feel a little bit bigger. Over-the-door hangers have been a huge help to hold bulky items like towels, hats, and bags. It keeps the floor clear of excess items and saves you space!
• Hamper or laundry bag: Having a hamper or laundry bag might be self-explanatory. However, when you are making a list to move in, it may be forgotten. For me, what works best, especially if you have to carry your laundry down a few flights of stairs, is a sturdy hamper with handles. It is easier to carry than a basket and often holds and stores more clothing. 
• Curtains: Sleeping well is very important when you are in college. Therefore, ensuring you have curtains to block the bright morning sun is essential. I have found that each place I have lived in does not come with curtains. So, choosing your favorite curtain, like blackout curtains, and bringing them with you to school is a great move! 

 

Decorations 

It is very common for incoming students to want to decorate their rooms. It is comforting to feel a sense of home with pictures, special blankets, and some of your favorite quotes. Just like many others, I too was focused on bringing decorations rather than the essentials. 

What I have learned throughout the past three years is to bring just a few decorations. Then, if you want to add more after you are moved in, take a trip to the dollar store. You will find that you make many memories throughout the year and you will want to add pictures of those moments as well. 

Here are some of my favorite decorations to bring to college:

• Printed pictures to hang on the wall: Before leaving for school, I will head to CVS to print out a handful of pictures of things close to my heart. My family, friends, dogs, and things that remind me of my hometown are often featured in this collection. 
• Tapestry: Having something fun and unique to hang on the wall makes the room feel more like my own. It also fills the empty wall space and creates a sense of comfort. 
• Jerseys: If you are anything like my brothers, one of their favorite ways to decorate anything, is to add their old jerseys to the wall. Whether it be a high school football jersey or a wrestling singlet, they will hang it up, reminding them of their hometown. 
• Mirror: Making sure to bring a mirror to college is super important. Not many dorms come stocked with a mirror. Finding one to your liking, whether it is a full-length mirror or a small desk mirror, will be a big help. It is also a nice decoration! 
• Pillows and blankets: While some may not consider bedding decoration, I think it pulls the room together. I love to have nice fluffy pillows, some with fun shapes, and a huge blanket to tie my room together. The colors and patterns make it unique and special to you. 

Moving into college can be daunting, especially when your list is extremely long. I hope this blog will help you and your friends narrow down some of the essentials for packing for college this semester and allow you to have a seamless transition at URI. 

Prepping with Campus Recreation is a great way to stay on track and keep your move-in day running smoothly. Be on the lookout for Instagram posts with the hashtag #PrepWithRec. 

 

Thank you for reading this week’s blog, and stay tuned for next week!