Freshman year can be a pretty stressful time for incoming students. Between leaving home, adapting to a new environment, meeting new friends, and figuring out where classes are, it's near impossible for students to remember everything they should bring to college with them. Here is a helpful list of essentials to get you through the first year!
1. Storage
Everyone knows that college is not known for excessively spacious living areas, which is why storage is the number one item on this list. Bringing along storage bins, shelving, and other forms of organization are super helpful when trying to make the most of a dorm space. If you are traveling far from home (or just happen to have a lot of shoes like me), then it is important to bring a substantial amount of storage to compact any extra items that you may have. Cabrini also allows students to loft their beds so that larger items can be stored underneath without causing the room to get crowded.
2. Kitchen Supplies
One of the great things about Cabrini is that every dorm building is equipped with a communal kitchen, all of which include a stove, oven, microwave, and refrigerator. The school does not provide students with cooking equipment, so I highly recommend bringing a few bowls, pots, and pans. Cooking food is a great way to not only save money but also diversify your weekly meals if you're tired of the cafeteria. It's also a fun activity that all dormmates can enjoy together!
3. Weather Gear
Although this may seem like common sense, I know that I have forgotten my rain jacket at home on a few occasions, and walking all the way across campus in the rain is not a fun time. Since Cabrini is located on the East coast, the weather can be extremely unpredictable. To be prepared, students should always remember to bring a rain jacket, winter coat, rain boots, snow boots, and an umbrella. I recommend buying a smaller umbrella and keeping it in your backpack at all times just in case of a sudden rain shower.
4. First Aid Kit
Chances are, if you're going to college you are bound to get sick at some point. A helpful tip is to go to your local drug store and create your own makeshift first aid kit. Include over the counter medication such as Ibuprofen, Dayquil, Nightquil, vitamins, like Vitamin C, bandaids, Neosporin, and Tums. Keep your first aid kit in an easily accessible place, just in case of any minor emergencies. FYI - Cabrini also has a nurse on campus daily.
5. A Reusable Water Bottle
Since starting college, reusable water bottles have become my best friend. As a busy college student, it's hard enough trying to juggle school and activities, let alone remembering to drink water throughout the day. Reusable water bottles are great because, not only are they environmentally-friendly, but they are also cost-effective. As a college student, you should take every opportunity to save money, even if it's just a few bucks. If you're looking for a good-quality reusable bottle Target and Walmart are my two favorite places to find them.
6. Pictures
Although this is more of a creative tip, rather than a practical one, pictures are an awesome way to decorate your dorm room and make it feel more like home. Pictures bring a personal touch to any room and are very cheap to print out. To do so, all you have to do is head to a drug store near you, select the pictures you want to print, and have them printed right in the store. Preferably, I love covering my entire wall with them, but you can print however many you want. To hang them, make sure you also buy some sticky tack or Command Strips so that no damage is done to the walls.
7. An Open Mind
I decided to include this on my list because I believe it is the most essential part of starting college. As a freshman, you will be entering into a new environment with hundreds of other individuals who are in the same position as you. This is your chance to start a new life and branch out into new opportunities. Talk to people you never would have in high school, attend events you've never experienced, join clubs, and learn about different topics that you may not have thought about before. If you feel yourself holding back, do the opposite and go for it because you never know what you'll discover.