5 Essentials for College Freshmen Move-In Day

The fall semester is here, and with it comes the day new students look forward to the most, and the day some parents dread the most: college move-in day! For many incoming freshmen, this is the first time they will be living away from home, and the task of getting everything they need to survive in only a few boxes can be a tricky one.Of course one way to avoid that “Oh no I forgot this!” moment is to make a list beforehand, but sometimes the things we think would be a no-brainer, or the things that we just didn’t think of at all, are the things we’d miss the most.

Here’s a list of five items all college kids should check, double check and check for again before hitting the road!

Chargers: Your boxes are unpacked, your dorm room is set up and your parents have said their last tearful goodbyes. You plop down at your desk to surf the web a bit when…wait…where’s my laptop cord? It seems like an item that would be basic to remember, but in the hustle and bustle it can be easy to forget the simple things. Make a checklist of all chargers and accessories for your iPod, cell phone, laptop, etc. to look over before you leave.

Ethernet cord: Keeping with the cord theme, some students are surprised to find out that many dorms don’t have wireless Internet. Do your research beforehand but, just in case, pack an Ethernet cord that’s at least 10-15 feet. You never know how far away the Ethernet jack might be from your desk.

Sewing kit: The struggle to survive often brings out skills and ingenuity we never knew we had. College kids can become master chefs with the most random ingredients and almost anything can be fixed with tape and basic school supplies. One thing that’s often looked over in the packing process is a simple sewing kit. Replace lost buttons and mend torn comforters with a little needle and thread. This saves you from having to replace ripped items, and it’s a good skill to hone.

Extra towels: There are few things in this world more distressing and inconvenient than going to shower and realizing you have nothing to dry yourself off with. Towels are another basic item that can get overlooked in the moving madness. Make sure they’re packed neatly in the car, and even throw in a few extras for posterity. You never know when they might come in handy.

Power strip: The plight of the college student is often the lack of space for all the things they need, and power outlets are no exception. Often students don’t realize how many things they have that require a socket: lamps, TVs, chargers, mini fridges, etc. all need a place to draw some juice. The easiest, and safest, way to power all your necessary appliances is with a power strip with a surge protector. You can plug in all the things you need at once and it will protect your electronics from frying if there’s ever a power surge.

Move-in day can be exciting and anxiety inducing all at the same time. Take some of the stress out of moving by staying organized and packing well enough ahead of time. A list is always helpful, but even if you forget a few things: don’t panic! The campus bookstore or local stores are bound to have what you need.