Here are the top ten things that you need to bring to college. Some may be obvious and some…well…just trust us on this one.
1. Lots of underwear.
Now that you will have to do your own laundry, you will find out that your laundry can be prolonged as long as you have a clean pair of underwear. While you can double the days between laundry washes by turning them inside out, we believe that this is probably not a good idea. Also, if you are a guy, this is a good time to switch to boxers. As you are walking around your dorm in your underwear, women will see you.
2. High School Yearbook.
Well, let’s face it. You will be homesick and this is a good way to keep in touch with your high school friends (aside from calling or emailing them). Also, the first time you bring your date back to your room, you can go through the book together. That’s a date that doesn’t cost anything, and it is a chance for your date to get to know you better.
3. Photos of you and your family.
For the same reason as number 2. You probably want to include a recent shot and a picture when you were in the “cute” adolescence. Don’t bring pictures of former flames or semi-naked photos.
4. Bring a working camera.
Let’s do the math. You pay $30,000 per year on tuition and expenses. What’s another $100 in photos. Plus, you can mail photos to your family and relatives and get money from them. In that sense, this $100 investment can return thousands of dollars. Plus, after you graduate, you will want to have a scrapbook.
5. Pre-paid calling cards.
Yes, we know you have no money. But don’t call collect. Nowadays, you can get calling cards with pennies per minute that signing up for a long-distance service seems ludicrous.
6. A new personality.
We aren’t saying that you should be something that you are not. However, college is an opportunity to reinvent yourself. From day one, don’t think of college as 13th grade but the first step in the new you.
7. A microwave and a mini-fridge.
It doesn’t matter if your cafeteria gets catered food from Emeril. There will be days when you don’t feel like getting out of your room. Also, you might get some late night food cravings.
8. An open mind.
College is a new experience. You will find that there are mighty wacky people and might cool people. Some are cool people who are wacky and some are wacky people who are actually pretty cool. Unlike in high school whether the standard for wacky and cool was pretty obvious, it is very different in college. Also, an open mind should be helpful when you try to learn stuff.
9. Lotsa quarters.
In college, you need quarters for everything. Laundry, vending machines, condom dispensers, parking meters, drinking games, etc. Sell your roll of quarters to friends for $20.00.
10. Milk crates.
Milk crates are good for everything. They are laundry baskets, bookshelves, storage space, etc. It is the Swiss Army Knife of furnishing.
