Some ideas to help you cope:
Arriving on campus—Bring a positive attitude and a sense of humor.
Bed and Bath—You’ll need a couple of sets of extra-long sheets. Flannel is great for cold climates. There is no maid service, so bring along sets of towels too.
Communication—Cell phones, email, texting, and social media are your best bet for communicating with family and friends while you are away.
Desk Supplies—Start with the usual—notebooks, highlighters, pens, etc.—and supplement as necessary from the campus bookstore. Bring envelopes or postcards and stamps in case you feel like writing home via good old snail mail.
Electrical Options
- Rent a refrigerator/microwave for your room, after checking with your roommate. Having a fridge in the room makes it easy to have a quick breakfast or make lunch before going off to class.
- Laptop or desktop? Mac or PC? Check with your school regarding compatibility. Bring a power strip or surge protector; there are never enough outlets.
Finances and Financial Aid
- Find out which banks have ATMs on campus. The convenience will save you money and time. Consider using this bank to set up a local checking account. Learn how to balance your checkbook and keep an accurate record of what you spend.
- Don’t be tempted by credit cards. If you get one, limit its use to airline tickets, textbooks and emergencies. (Real ones.)
- Debit cards are another possibility: they are used like a credit card, but the bank takes the money right out of your checking account. Remember to record each and every transaction.
- Budget! Figure out what you will need for clothes, incidentals and entertainment in addition to what you will need for your phone bill, books and other essentials. Work out the details with your parents.
Get up and Go—Everyone needs a change of scene, so take an overnight bag for weekends away. Join a club that takes weekend excursions—or organize your own. Visit a nearby city or find a good place to relax or hike.
Hardware—Hang things on the walls with poster putty or pushpins—not nails! Bring a little toolkit for miscellaneous repairs.
I.D.—Put your name on all your stuff (bring a Sharpie to mark everything with). This can eliminate loss and confusion. If you bring a bike or computer, make sure it has an ID number on it and keep a copy of the number in a safe place (and keep an extra copy back home). Bring along a bike lock and chain.
Just in Case
- Find out where the health center is. Learn what services they offer and what their hours are.
- Bring a first aid kit filled with things you think you might need if you get sick. Bring products that you already know work for you.
Knowledge—The key to success:
- Get to know your advisor.
- Know the course requirements for your classes.
- Recognize your limits—for socializing, scheduling and Saturday nights!
Laundry—Take care of business with a laundry bag and change (if needed). Bring a small box of your usual detergent—the familiar aroma of clean clothes may be comforting.
Music—Bring along headphones. Coordinate sound systems with your roommate ahead of time.
Necessities—Since sleeping through a class or an exam is a bad idea, a VERY LOUD alarm clock is a must. You will also need a good desk lamp for reading. One more thing: a favorite, comfortable article of clothing (or even a stuffed animal).
Organize—Use a day planner, calendar or PDA to keep your schedule straight. Write everything down!
Posters and Pictures—Personalize your space with your favorite art forms. To keep track of visitors and messages, attach a white erase board to your door. Bring photos from home.
Questions—Bike storage? Cars on campus? Transportation home? Weekend events? For answers, read all brochures and pamphlets, housing bulletins, catalogs, maps… and then ask upperclassmen or roommates. Check your college’s website.
Recreation—Bring your skateboard, surfboard, chessboard—whatever you enjoy. Try something new while you’re at it, like rock climbing, kayaking, or tai chi.
Storage—Find a place for everything and put everything in its place by using underbed boxes, milk crates, stackables, cardboard drawers and trunks. Storage will be tight, so make good use of all available vertical and horizontal space.
Thoughts of Home—Homesickness is curable. Treat it with photos of friends and family, yearbooks, e-mails to friends or calls home. (Call home for support, but call with good news, too. You don’t always need a reason.) Even if you are feeling homesick or missing a significant other, stay at school and get involved. This is your new home, so invest your time and energy into making it work.
Unnecessary—If you haven’t used it, worn it or looked at it lately…leave it at home!
Vehicles and Wheels—Cars are often not the quickest way to get from one end of the campus to the other. Try a bike (use a good lock!), unicycle, moped, or skateboard. Check with the college about cars ahead of time; parking is always limited and car use may be restricted.
Xtra—If you can’t leave home without them, bring a TV and DVD player. Again, check first with roommates: two may be one too many, especially in a small living space. Your laptop can also double as your room’s entertainment center.
Yourself—Don’t leave behind your values, sense of self-worth or identity. Remember to be true to yourself.
Zzzzzzzzzz—You may be tempted to test your limits, but remember to get enough sleep!
