As graduation approaches, many seniors begin to think about what to bring to college in the fall. High schoolers all over the world face this problem, there are a multitude of right and wrong answers so people are left wondering one question, “what do I actually need?”
Packing for college has never been an easy thing, it is easy to forget or overpack your items, however, some colleges provide their students with packing lists in order to help guide them, ensuring that they have everything they need to start the year off as smoothly as possible.
“My college does provide us with packing lists, it has materials like workbooks, pencils, and papers or anything else that we could need,” senior Albert Asibor said.
While these lists are generally helpful and useful in specific aspects, they can be just as futile. Being undogmatic can definitely assist and help in situations such as these, causing less confusion and frustration over packing.
“I would make an entire list of everything you would need in case you end up forgetting. Also, just ask other students who are moving into college what they are bringing to make sure that you are also caught up,” senior Isabelle Ko said.
However, some things that might not be mentioned on either the college-made packing list or the discussion amongst your friends is the topic of losses. In case of emergencies, it is important to bring extras of certain items to confirm the safety of said products.
“You must pack a lot of chargers because you will be using your devices a lot in class for lectures, and I feel like you will get your stuff stolen in college a lot, so a lot of extra things for that,” Ko said.
Although it is crucial that you take care of your valuables, it is just as important to leave behind unnecessary things that are equally as expensive as the goods you are bringing. Having to keep an eye on items in case of losses or larceny is troublesome enough, there is no need for you to put extra pressure on yourself for bringing an item that you do not need.
“Stuff for entertainment you will not need, like a TV. I do not think you will need that because you will spend most of your time studying or hanging out with friends,” Ko said.
As people pack items such as decorations for their dorm room, cutlery, silverware, and personal belongings, it is important to remember how you got to where you have come to be, being grateful and showing gratitude for all you have had up until now.
“Something that I am packing is memories because I have made a lot of memories that I am grateful for ,” Asibor said.
While figuring out what you are going to pack in the first place is one thing, physically packing everything in boxes and suitcases is another thing. It takes time to prepare all your items neatly, assuring that they do not get damaged in transmission and that you have all your supplies too.
“Depending on how fast you are, it should take a few days or a week because you need to realize that that is your new home, and obviously, there are a lot of memories in your home that you cannot find anywhere else, so people actually underestimate the amount of things that you will actually need. I feel like you are going to need a lot of things. I recommend that you take your time and make sure you have everything,” Asibor said.
In the end, packing for college is a hard and thoughtful event, it becomes stressful at times when you do not know whether or not you should pack a specific item. However, with proper planning, talking to friends and family, and taking into account what you need to, the transition will become indefinitely smoother.
