Packing for College

As I pack to move back home for the summer, I realize how many things I brought to college that I haven’t touched, versus the things my roommates and I have needed throughout the year. When I moved to my dorm, I moved completely out of my parents’ house, as my plan was originally not to move back in with them over the summer, so I know exactly what not to bring because I have it all. 

Being frugal is key for a college freshman living in a dorm-sized space. I got rid of about half of my clothes before I moved in August, and then, as I packed to go home again, I got rid of another half of my clothes, so about 75% of the total. You can take them to Plato’s or Uptown Cheapskate for an extra few bucks, then those places donate whatever they don’t buy from you. Your style will evolve a lot in your freshman year, you’ll learn and like different things you see others wearing, so give yourself room to evolve and get new things you enjoy wearing more. I told myself that anything I hadn’t worn in 6 months needed to go, or if I hadn’t touched a piece since I moved to Norman, then I didn’t need it. I have not missed anything, I’ve gotten rid of or felt like I don’t have anything to wear. It just becomes unnecessary clutter when it sits in a drawer.  

I’m not sure if anyone else has this issue, but I often find myself compiling makeup, lotions, perfumes, etc. from gifts, refills, or wants over time. Get rid of it all!! Well, not get rid of, don’t be wasteful, but if you bring half a bottle of lotion, I can almost guarantee that you will either not touch it or lose it and not see it by the end of the first semester. Again, just unnecessary clutter, so I got rid of anything I hadn’t used over the semester that was less than a quarter of the way full and gave a lot of the makeup and things I didn’t use anymore to my sister. 

Get rid of the vines…If you know what I’m talking about, then you know there was a point where you had to say goodbye to them, too. 

Some things that you should have are a steamer or an iron, and safety pins. Every single weekend, one of my roommates or I need these, and I don’t know how we got through these 9 months without them. Your life will be much easier with these items on standby, trust me. I think every week for the last 9 months, my roommate, Hadley, has looked me in the face and asked me if I have a steamer, and I tell her no every time.  Also, sharp kitchen knives and good scissors. I was the fool who brought the only pair of scissors, and I have not seen them in months because someone is constantly using them. 

Some of the items I have used the most, though unnecessary, are a heated blanket and an electric kettle. Cross Village is what I like to call Antarctica. My dorm room in the mornings is 58º, so a heated blanket has come in handy. And having an electric kettle makes it easy to make food and hot drinks in my dorm.