7 Items Freshmen Shouldn't Purchase Before College Move-in Day
Overpacking—many freshmen struggle to know what and how to pack for college. As you prepare for college move-in day, you may be asking yourself what you really need.
Before purchasing every item you will possibly need at college, stop and think strategically. How close are stores in which you can buy everyday items? Can you wait to purchase some easy-to-find items?
You’ll likely be able to make a sizable list of items you can wait to purchase until arriving at college. Below are 7 items that you can usually purchase in your college town with little inconvenience.
#1. Toiletries
You don’t want to have to make multiple trips to buy supplies you’ll need for college. You want to be able to arrive, unpack, and be done with college move-in day. This, however, isn’t probably realistic.
Rather than wasting valuable space in your suitcase or storage containers with toiletry items, put off purchasing a few months supplies of soap, body wash, etc. until arriving at college. You will save yourself the difficulty of transporting bottles filled with liquids.
#2. Cleaning supplies
Laundry detergent, window cleaner, and other cleaning supplies can be easily purchased after moving in. While these items are definitely needed, you can wait until after you’ve arrived and unpacked to buy them.
The exception to this rule would be items you need to clean up your dorm room before unpacking. Bringing some trash bags and Clorox wipes is always a good idea, because you have no idea how clean your dorm room will actually be.
#3. Lightbulbs and other fragile items
These items can easily break or smash during your move. Rather than worrying about how to pack them carefully, consider waiting until after you’ve unpacked to buy these items.
You will likely also notice other small hardware type items that you need to purchase while unpacking. Save yourself the extra trips and just make one shopping trip after unpacking.
#4. A trash can
You’ll definitely need a trash can, but before purchasing one and small trash bags to go with it talk to your roommate. There’s no need to double-up on items that your roommate and you can easily share.
**Talking with your roommate before moving-in about bigger items (like a dorm fridge) is a good idea too.
#5. Small storage containers
You’ve likely purchased some storage containers for your dorm room. Great! You can use these containers to transport your items from home to college.
Hold off on purchasing other smaller storage containers until arriving on campus. Here are some ones you’ll likely want or need:
Drawer storage containers for paper supplies or other small items
Closet storage bins for miscellaneous items in the bottom of your closet or under your bed
A shoe rack (over the door or at the bottom of your closet)
A shower caddy in which you can carry hair and body wash containers to and from the shower
#6. Hangers
Hangers can be an absolute nightmare to pack. They take up so much space and can break easily. Save yourself the hassle and simply wait until you need them to purchase them.
**If possible, leave hanging items on hangers. If you put large trash bags over the hangers to protect the clothing you can easily transport these items. This simple step will save you lots of time while packing and unpacking.
#7. Dorm snacks and food
You will be hungry and thirsty on college move-in day. While you should prepare to grab a meal and probably bring a water bottle, you likely won’t have extra room in the car to bring snacks for the semester.
Wait to purchase all snacks and other food items until you’re in your college town. You will likely have a better idea of the amount of space you have for these items too once you’ve unpacked.
Buying ahead of time is usually a good idea, but when it comes to college move-in day you usually are better waiting. Save yourself some space and time by waiting until you have a good idea of the items you actually need for college. You can always make a trip to a nearby store or use Amazon Prime to get a quick delivery.
