Packing List for College – What Should You Bring?
Some help along the way as you prepare for your new adventure!
Packing List for College – What Should You Bring?
Going to college is a big adventure in many ways! It’s truly a journey to get there, and once you’re there, you have an even bigger journey ahead. Getting help from Athleticademix should make your journey easier and more understandable. Today, we thought we’d write a packing list for the things that are important to bring when you fly over to college for the first time, along with some tips on what you shouldn’t bring!
What’s Already Provided?
At your school, you will be assigned a dorm, also known as a student room. You’ll be provided with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and possibly a sofa if it fits. All the furniture you need is there! It’s pretty basic, but the essentials are covered!
A typical layout of your dorm—adding a bit of light and textiles can make a big difference!
What’s Unnecessary to Bring? What Should I Buy There Instead?
This list might be even more important than the packing list itself! Many students make the mistake of bringing way too many things to college and then have to carry them back and forth between flights. Here’s a list of things that you should rather buy when you arrive in the U.S. to make it easier for you:
- Comforter, pillow, and various sheets
- Towels and general toiletries
- Pens, notebooks, or other school supplies
- Workout clothes
The reason these items are on the list is that they take up a lot of space and can easily be purchased in the U.S. Your coach or teammates will take you to the nearest Target or Walmart so you can pick up these things!
The last point needs little explanation! In college, you’ll be SPOILED with clothes! So, you don’t need to bring extra workout clothes; you’ll get them. We promise!
Packing List for College – What You Should Bring!
Now, here’s the golden list. These are the things you MUST bring!
- Your passport & I-20.
- Required to enter the U.S.!
- Insurance papers, vaccination records, and all documentation you’ve received from the school.
- Important papers to have in case anything happens.
- Everyday clothes and shoes.
- Equipment for your sport.
- If you play soccer or compete in track and field, make sure to bring a pair of cleats.
- Adapter
- TIP! Bring 1 adapter, and also bring an extension cord. This way, you’ll have plenty of outlets from home!
- Personal belongings such as photos.
- College rooms can be quite bare and dull, so it’s nice to have some photos of friends and family to make your space feel homier.
- Unlocked mobile phone.
- Our best tip for your phone in the U.S. is to have an unlocked phone from home and buy a SIM card when you get there. When you go home during breaks, you can switch back to your original SIM card.
- A bank card without international fees.
- We think it’s unnecessary to open a U.S. bank account. It’s better to have a card without international fees and use it in the U.S.
- A pen for the flight.
- You might be thinking, “What?!”. But trust us, this is a great insider tip. Before you land in the U.S., you’ll need to fill out some forms. If you don’t have a pen on the plane, you’ll have to wait in line while hundreds of others fill theirs out. Want to be efficient at immigration? Bring a pen and fill out the forms on the plane!
- Any prescription medications.
- I have asthma myself! So, before each term, I would buy a bunch of asthma medication to last me until I went home again. Keep in mind that over-the-counter medications like painkillers and nasal spray are available in the U.S. as well! But your prescription medication is important to have with you.
These are the things you should definitely bring! Of course, there are other items like a laptop, phone charger, and other useful things, but this list covers the most important essentials!
Photos in your room help with homesickness and make the space much cozier!
Don’t Forget! Nothing is LIFE-OR-DEATH!
If you arrive in the U.S. and realize you’ve forgotten something from the list above, don’t worry! It’ll work out! Your parents can always send it by mail, or you can buy it when you’re in the U.S. The most important thing when packing is to be thorough but not overly meticulous. Adopt an attitude of ”everything will work out,” and nothing is too important. This way, packing will be a little more fun than stressful. 🙂