Packing List 2012

Well, it's August 1st! You know what that means? That while the weather still says it's summer... Fall is just around the corner for some students (mainly those students who have selected private institutions). With school fast approaching, there will be packing to do!

Do you know what you are taking with you or leaving behind?

Here is a list that I have started for your convenience:

School Supplies:

• Folders
• Notebooks
• Backpack/Messenger bag
• Laptop/Tablet/Netbook
• USB flash drive
• Pencils/Pens
• Calculator/graphing calculator
• Stapler --> Staples
• Printer --> Printer ink
• Computer paper
• Tape (Duct, Masking, Scotch)
• Post-it notes
• Scissors
• Planner

Bathroom:

• Body Wash
• Face Wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower shoes (recommend for communal bathrooms)
• Razors
• Shaving Cream
• Shower caddie
• Toiletries carrying case
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Floss
• 2 sets of towels (for when you can't/don't do laundry right away)
• Deodorant
• Hair dryer/Flat iron/Curling iron 
• Comb/brush
• Hair products (gel/mousse/hairspray)
• Nail clippers/file

Electrical:

• Surge protectors (who knows when the lights will go out in that dorm room built in the 70s)
• Extension cords/Multiple outlet adapter 
• Extra long cable cord (for TV if you have one)
• Cell phone charger
• Laptop charger
• Ethernet cable (you may not have wireless Internet in your room)
• ^OR you can take your own wireless router to school for your personal use (check with school to make sure this is supported) 
• Adapters (if you're going to school abroad, you'll definitely need converters and if you're going to school in the United States, you may need 3-pronged to 2-pronged adapters)
• Alarm clock (or cell phone)

Organizational Tools:

• Storage units for below your bed (I like the long/flat ones on wheels)
• Over the door hangers/mirror
• Clothes hangers
• Extra storage bins (for your desk drawers, closet, dresser...Possibilities are endless)
• Lock box?
• Shoe organizer?
• Trash can (maybe: most college dorms will provide trash cans and recycling bins)

Appliances:

• Microwave
• Small refrigerator (does a friend/sibling have one you can buy for cheap?)
  • Look into renting the microwave/refrigerator combo!
• Fan (I hate stale air, so this helped with circulation)
• Television
• DVD player
• Coffee pot
• Hot Pot/electric tea kettle
• NO OPEN FLAMES

Bedding: *Sheets and Comforters need to be Twin XL in size*

• 2 pairs of sheets (again, for laundry purposes)
• Comforter /Quilt
• Pillows
• Pillow covers
• Egg-crate, foam pad
• Blankets

Clothes/Laundry:

• Laundry bin/bag
• Small ironing board and iron ?
• Laundry detergent /Dryer sheets
• Quarters or Laundry cards 
• Stain remover
• Business casual clothes for presentation/interviews 
• Seasonal clothes (depending on the climate and how far from home you are)
• 2+ weeks of underwear and socks (this is from personal experience - I would do my laundry every two weeks on average. You need clean underwear and socks each day, so shoot for having enough to carry you for two weeks)
• Jacket
• Gloves
• Hat
• Boots
• Sneakers
• Dress Shoes
• Casual shoes

**When it comes to clothes, pack what you KNOW you will wear and a couple of things that you MIGHT wear... Trust me, space is limited in the dorms and you don't want to waste it on something you won't wear while you are away.

Decorating/Smell Good stuff:

• Posters/Pictures 
• Desk stuff
• Area rug (cover that ugly dorm carpet!)
• Desk lamp
• Floor lamp  
• Picture hangers (Command/3M hooks)
• Oil diffusers
• Air freshener
• NO OPEN FLAMES (ie: Candles)

Did that cover it all? I sure hope so... If not, feel free to leave a comment! :-) Happy packing!