If you are going away to college, this is an exciting time, and for many people, it is their first real taste of freedom. Navigating through your first year at the university can be tough, and there are many little details and new tasks to consider. Here are a few tips that might prove helpful to those heading off to college for the first time.
Before you head out the door, you have to pack, and knowing what to bring and what not to bring can be tricky. Usually, your college or university will give you a list of items most students bring, and also you should find out about your dorm situation. You need to know what furniture and shelving is in place, the dimensions of the room, the amount of storage and the bathroom situation. Sometimes bathrooms are large and communal, and sometimes a bathroom is shared among just two rooms and up to four students. Once you have determined what you need, you can create an organized list of these items.
There should be several categories in your checklist including clothing, sheets, towels, pillows and blankets, as well as personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste and other similar items. If you will be using a communal bathroom with many other students, a robe, flip flops and a shower caddy will make this task easier. Laundry bags and laundry supplies are another helpful item, as well as a travel iron. A few personal items, such as photos of friends and family, are another good thing to bring along. You will need an alarm clock to ensure that you get to class on time. Also, if you take medications, be sure to bring along your meds and also find out how to quickly transfer the prescriptions to a local pharmacy or opt for a mail order pharmacy.
You also will need a good quality backpack that can carry heavy books, school supplies and a laptop or tablet or both. A tablet or book reader is an excellent purchase to consider. Some textbooks are available in e-format, which makes toting around textbooks a great deal easier, and this format is sometimes less expensive. In addition, if you love to read, a tablet allows you have a whole library right at your fingertips.
Dorm rooms are generally pretty basic, so a few luxury items can be a fun addition that makes life a bit easier. For instance, a little mini fridge and a compact microwave are great if you can afford them. Often you can purchase these items used from students that have just graduated or have moved into an apartment. If you don't want to invest in these items, you can still purchase an electric kettle so that you can make coffee, soup and other items using hot water. If your room is big enough, consider bring a comfortable chair or even a futon or large bean bag.
While having all of these items, makes dorm life much more palatable, there is always the dread of having to haul everything back to your house for summer vacation. However, most of these items can be stored for very little cost at a local East Lansing storage facility. These facilities often offer mini storage units that are ideal for college students. Find a secure facility that is well-lit and completely fenced, as well as having 24-hour security monitors.
Because you will only be storing over the summer months, find a mini storage facility that offers month-to-month leasing. A student's budget generally is pretty tight, so also try to find a storage facility that doesn't ask for a security deposit. Some companies even offer a discount for students, which is an easy way to save a few bucks off your monthly fee.
Before you head out the door, you have to pack, and knowing what to bring and what not to bring can be tricky. Usually, your college or university will give you a list of items most students bring, and also you should find out about your dorm situation. You need to know what furniture and shelving is in place, the dimensions of the room, the amount of storage and the bathroom situation. Sometimes bathrooms are large and communal, and sometimes a bathroom is shared among just two rooms and up to four students. Once you have determined what you need, you can create an organized list of these items.
There should be several categories in your checklist including clothing, sheets, towels, pillows and blankets, as well as personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste and other similar items. If you will be using a communal bathroom with many other students, a robe, flip flops and a shower caddy will make this task easier. Laundry bags and laundry supplies are another helpful item, as well as a travel iron. A few personal items, such as photos of friends and family, are another good thing to bring along. You will need an alarm clock to ensure that you get to class on time. Also, if you take medications, be sure to bring along your meds and also find out how to quickly transfer the prescriptions to a local pharmacy or opt for a mail order pharmacy.
You also will need a good quality backpack that can carry heavy books, school supplies and a laptop or tablet or both. A tablet or book reader is an excellent purchase to consider. Some textbooks are available in e-format, which makes toting around textbooks a great deal easier, and this format is sometimes less expensive. In addition, if you love to read, a tablet allows you have a whole library right at your fingertips.
Dorm rooms are generally pretty basic, so a few luxury items can be a fun addition that makes life a bit easier. For instance, a little mini fridge and a compact microwave are great if you can afford them. Often you can purchase these items used from students that have just graduated or have moved into an apartment. If you don't want to invest in these items, you can still purchase an electric kettle so that you can make coffee, soup and other items using hot water. If your room is big enough, consider bring a comfortable chair or even a futon or large bean bag.
While having all of these items, makes dorm life much more palatable, there is always the dread of having to haul everything back to your house for summer vacation. However, most of these items can be stored for very little cost at a local East Lansing storage facility. These facilities often offer mini storage units that are ideal for college students. Find a secure facility that is well-lit and completely fenced, as well as having 24-hour security monitors.
Because you will only be storing over the summer months, find a mini storage facility that offers month-to-month leasing. A student's budget generally is pretty tight, so also try to find a storage facility that doesn't ask for a security deposit. Some companies even offer a discount for students, which is an easy way to save a few bucks off your monthly fee.
About the Author:
Joyce McIntosh loves helping people with storage options. For more info about a storage facility East Lansing or to find self storage Bath units, please check out the StateMiniStorage website now.
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