You’re all packed, aren’t you? Of course you are.
(Get on it).
I’m sure you’ve covered everything like pre-washing all your clothes (because, no, you won’t have time during the first week), stocking up on Nutella (one tub IS enough) and finding a new home for your pet hedgehog.
So, here is a quick list of some pre-university tips (so you don’t have to read an entire paragraph, because I know you’re so busy packing):
1. Bring earplugs. Even if you have never used earplugs before. (Note my excessive underlining of the word earplugs to emphasize their importance). Your typical orange ones are the best and under a dollar per pair at almost any drug store. Buy ten pairs.
2. You know those industrial sized shampoo/conditioner combos that always go on sale around the start of the school year? There’s a reason they’re on sale. Unless you regularly use that shampoo brand, don’t spend money on something that’s not going to get the job done. Bring your normal shampoo. And if it’s on sale, that’s just a plus.
3. Try not to bring too many pictures or posters or flags or miniature fairy figurines. Because while livable, dorm rooms are small and having too much paraphernalia hanging around can become overwhelming, messy and therefore stressful.
I would suggest bringing two big posters max, especially since there are usually absurdly low-priced poster sales on campus during the first week. Save some room on your walls for the memories you’re going to make while at school, like mementos of your first St. Patty’s day at university.
4. Bring a robe. Yeah okay, judge, whatever. But trust me (ladies especially), you will feel much more at ease walking from the communal bathroom to your dorm room securely wrapped as opposed to loosely towelled. Plus, it’s cuddly. Slippers are nice too.
5. Even if you are an avid reader, try to bring less than three “pleasure reading” books. You can always borrow books from the library. Or, you know, read your textbooks.
6. Speaking of, order your textbooks online if you can! It spares you the queues at the bookstore and only costs a smidgen more.
7. Ya, bring your stuffy. Trust me, if you have a roommate, you two will bond over it.
Good luck!
~Nadia Grutter
