ISABELLA INZINNA
Special to the Leader
Bedding, check!
Toothbrush, check!
Batteries, che– wait those were left at home.
It’s easy to forget some essential items when moving into your dorm room. However, we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. With a complete packing list provided by a mother of four, we have a fairly extensive list of everything you need for college.
Let’s start with toiletries.
Think, things you would keep in the bathroom such as shampoo and conditioner. Basically anything you’d need to shower or brush your teeth. This would also include deodorant, perfume/cologne and Q-Tips.
Since you’ll be in a dorm bathroom, you’ll need a few extra things. A toothbrush cover is helpful if you’re moving between your room and bathroom. A shower caddy can help transport all needed toiletries to the bathroom. Shower flip flops are recommended since all showers are shared.
The aforementioned mother of four, Theresa Merlini, recommends bringing at least five towels and 10 washcloths.
For the ladies, don’t forget to bring any feminine hygiene products you might need. I promise it’s easier to have some in your dorm than to run to Walmart.
If you wear makeup, you may also want to bring makeup wipes. For those with piercings, don’t forget your cleaning solution. If you wear contacts, this is your reminder to make sure you have enough lenses to last you until you go home again.
Next we have first-aid items. Band-Aids are always good to have on hand along with some Neosporin. Definitely consider bringing a thermometer just in case you feel sick. This way, you can check if you have a fever. Decongestants and Tylenol also saved my life freshman year. Don’t forget to bring your insurance card as well, just in case you need it.
There are also school supplies; this will differ based on your major and professor. Be sure to check every syllabus to see what supplies are required. However, it never hurts to bring pens, Post-Its, highlighters and at least one notebook.
Cleaning supplies are also important for keeping your dorm cozy and fresh. This can be as simple as a vacuum or a broom and dustpan.
Next up is bedding. Dorm beds aren’t the comfiest, but adding a mattress pad can fix that. Other than a mattress pad, these are some items you use to make your bed: sheets, pillows, pillow cases, etc. Also, winter in Fredonia can be cold, so bringing a nice fuzzy blanket definitely wouldn’t hurt.
Aside from that, bring two sets of sheets. This way you can change your sheets without stressing about washing them the very same day.
Speaking of laundry, a good recommendation is to use laundry pods. It’s a lot easier to bring a detergent pod to the laundry room rather than a bottle of detergent. You don’t want to forget to bring hangers either so your clean clothes can go right in your closet. If you wear a lot of delicate clothes, a foldable drying rack is a must-have.
Moving on to electronics, there are a few fire safety rules to keep in mind. Rule number one is no extension cords, but fear not: power strips are allowed. It is recommended to find a power strip with a longer wire. On another note, batteries are always good to have on-hand.
Finally, don’t forget your laptop. Laptops are essential to most college courses.
For those who cannot afford a laptop, Fredonia offers a Laptop Program that allows students to use financial aid to purchase a school laptop or rent one through the college.
More information regarding this program can be found on the college’s website, fredonia.edu through ITS services.
Let’s not forget the miscellaneous items. The first few weeks of the semester, it is boiling hot, so bring a fan! You’ll also want a mini-fridge to keep cold waters and refrigerable food.
It’s always nice to have a microwave as well. Some other things you don’t want to forget are a flashlight and umbrella.
If your phone is dead and you need some light, having a flashlight can be helpful.
Lastly, the fun part of move-in: decorating! You’ll want to bring some decorations from home to make your dorm room feel like your own. To hang these decorations bring command hooks/strips.
We hope this move-in guide can take some of the stress out of move-in day. Good luck!