Fun Things to Bring to College

The beginning of college is a huge transitional period in life, and sometimes, it can be easy to get caught up in the logistics, like what books to buy, how to find the best ways around campus, and where to find just the right twin XL sheets. But, amid all of these necessities, it’s important to remember the fun things! When you are alone in the strange new world of college“”even if you are more than ready to get out on your own“”bringing along some comfort items can make school feel so much more like home. The following list contains a few ideas for items to bring to make sure your first year is a fun one.

• Room decor. It is amazing just how much a string of lights, a comfy chair and ottoman (which can double as a creative form of storage), posters, and a floor rug can transform a room! It’s important to feel comfortable in your space, and what better way to do this than to make it your own?
• Technology. Bring a TV and HDMI cord for movie nights with friends, a Bluetooth speaker to liven up your study sessions (or headphones if you and your roommate have different tastes in music), or your favorite video game console to unwind after a long week.
• Games. There are so many ways to be social on a college campus, but sometimes it is fun to stay in for the night and play a game of cribbage, Catan, Cards Against Humanity (or Apples to Apples if you prefer), or any of your other favorite games with friends.
• Snacks. Especially for late night study sessions, or hanging out with friends when campus dining options might be closed, some microwave popcorn or chips and queso are just what you need. Tea and coffee can also be great to wake up in the morning or relax in the evening, and hot cocoa is great to warm up after walking across campus in the winter!
• Outside activities. When the weather allows, it can be relaxing to go skateboarding or for a bike ride, or if you are particularly interested in any sports, bring along your sports gear to de-stress after a long day of classes (frisbee and sand volleyball are great options!).
• “Warm fuzzies.” As with any life transition, the transition to college has its ups and downs. On down days, having your favorite stuffed animal, a blanket from home, or a sick kit (some soup, medicine, a thermometer, etc. for when you are not feeling well), can make a world of difference. Who doesn’t love warm fuzzies when they are feeling down?

Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas of what to bring along when that fateful move-in day comes.  After all, college is where you will live now, so bringing things that make you happy can help so very much to make it feel like a home-away-from-home.