Things Everyone Forgets

Forget something?

You won't overlook important items for your college dorm room if you follow these checklist tips.

Packing for college isn't like packing for any other trip. It is most likely the first time you have moved away from home to be on your own. In other words, items that you use on normal basis won't be supplied by mom, your camp counselor, or the hotel concierge. Need an extension cord? Mom won't be there to tear the garage apart looking for one for you. Have no clean clothes? It's not laundry day at camp, so don't leave your dirty clothes outside the door expecting the camper on laundry duty to come pick them up. Trying to study or sleep and the people on the hall are keeping you up? There is not a front desk to call to have a bellhop bring earplugs up to your room.

In order to have the things you need for your dorm, you'll need to approach packing with a whole new mindset. Take these tips into consideration and your checklist will be complete.

In the weeks before you hop in the loaded van and are dropped off at school to fend for yourself, take note of the things you do each day. Recognize the things your parents do for you and determine if this is something you'll have to do for yourself at school. Do your parents wake you up? Alarm clock. Is breakfast ready on the table when you get to the kitchen? Think about the foods you eat and what dishes you will need on hand in your room. You'll no longer take the small things for granted AND you'll be much better prepared to live on your own.

When you look at the first draft of your checklist, view each item from its leaves to its roots. Sure you got some sweet gadgets but what do you need to make them work? Do you have the right wires and cords? Will those cords be long enough to reach to the outlet? When all your gadgets combine, will you have enough outlets to plug them in? Found a kick-ass lamp? That's all well and good but too bad you forgot light bulbs. There are easy antidotes to these problems, but are last thing you want to deal with on move-in day.

Think long term. It may be summer now but when it comes to fall and winter, you'll need different things. Your first thought is probably clothes. That's a good start. You'll want to plan ahead and have a bathing suit for those road trips to the beach or snow pants snowball fight in the quad. But don't stop at there. How will your activities change? Will you join a club team and need sporting equipment? Maybe it's not raining the day you move, but did you pack an umbrella? And sure, you don't have plans yet; you don't even have friends yet, but think about the activities, parties, or interviews you might have. Have costumes or formal attire you might need? Add those to the list.

Prepare for the inevitable. Things break, stuff gets dirty, and batteries will die. A tool kit will be very helpful on move-in day, but don't just have dad bring his for the day. You'll want your own on hand. You may not be able to think of a reason yet, but trust me, there will be a day you will need a hammer or screwdriver. And duct tape is a must. You will also realize that while all of your things are either brand new or already clean when you bring them into the dorm, they won't be for long. So you may not recognize the need for cleaning supplies when packing, but when that time comes, the right supplies won't be in the hall closet or under the sink. So think about the types of things you'll need to clean and make sure you have the right remedy. Oh, and batteries? They are always a must. Double & Triple A most likely- but check your gadgets.

Another inevitability? Paper cuts. You're bound to encounter cuts and bruises so make sure you have the goods to care for them properly. A basic first-aid kit for your dorm should include band-aids and antibiotic ointment for cuts and Ibuprofen for those bad headaches from studying so hard. Other things you might consider are small scissors, tweezers, thermometers, tissues, gauze, medical tape, safety pins, Q-Tips, Vaseline, and Vitamin E cream. Have other medical needs? Make sure you've made arrangements for filling prescriptions and getting the treatment you need.

The last tip has to do with paper- any kind of paper you can think of. Are you planning on getting a job or internship? You may need a copy of your birth certificate, a social security card, or your passport. (Traveling abroad mid-semester? You'll need your passport for that too) Money, money, money. You'll need your bank account information or your parents' credit card information. Class notes. You might not know what classes you're taking yet but high school notes could come in handy- but only if you have them on hand. Stationary. You'll want paper to write notes to friends and family and you will need envelopes, stamps, and addresses to actually send them. Make sure you have a folders or a filing box to store all this paper too!

The common factor for all of these tips is to think beyond the typical things you'd pack for a trip. What things don't you need on daily basis but you'll want on hand when the time comes. What things do you need to make things work or to keep them in good shape? What do you need when the seasons or weather changes? Pay attention to the stuff you use in the weeks leading up to move-in day and you're list will make itself. Our last tip is if you have a roommate(s)- call them up and see what they are bringing. Divvy up the big items (if you bring a fridge, I'll bring a TV) to split the cost and avoid having two of everything.

Now the challenge is up to you- it shouldn't be hard with these pointer and suggestions- but see if you can outfit your dorm without forgetting a thing.

Good luck!

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