Forgettable Items
 

Hi everyone!

I'm going off the UCR in SoCal this fall... in about a month, actually. I was wondering if any of you could remind me of some things to bring which I might not even think of?

This is (obviously) the first time I'm going off to school, and I'll be living in the dorms (which are more amazing than most apartments I've seen). I'm really excited!

Thanks for your help!

XOXO,
Annie.

Things your not likely to think of.
 

Plenty of party clothes. Both the kind that you wouldn't want to get messed up and the kind that it wouldn't matter. Being in SoCal, as an 18-year-old freshman, your likely to find yourself in TJ piss ass drunk one night. You should have an outfit for that situation. ;)

Formal and Semi Formal dress. Even if it's not for a sorority formal. At UCSD each college has a formal. That's five opportunities to get all pretty without even going greek. :)

Duct tape and WD40!!! Universal truth. If you have these, you can fix just about anything!

Ear plugs. For studying or the snoring roommate.

Sunscreen

...Can't think of anymore right now. I'll post as I think of them.

-Ball glove (etc sports equipment) if you can, esp for girls - great way to talk to guys

-Pictures

-Winter clothes (if applicable) - it will definitely be cold before Thanksgiving, so plan for it (yeah, I didn't)

I've also forgotten TVs, pillows, sheets, blankets, shoes (as in all but what I wore on the plane), etc in various years - it's easy to forget the 'normal' stuff in the hustle of moving, so try to get that stuff first.

I always forget the little things, toiletries, batteries, etc.

***A BACK-UP ALARM CLOCK! Trust me on this one...i found out the hard way.
Also, rubber shower flipflops, double sided tape, stapler/staples...ill think of more later

lots of quarters.

prescriptions for medication so you can get refills.

extra sets of contact lenses if you wear them

some basic tools

quarters for laundry, vending machines etc

Another tip, put a change of clothes and all your toiletries that you use in one day in a seperate bag so that you can find it easily.

I just helped some frosh out on this question at my unofficial UCI forum that I go to.

My neighbor goes to UCR and she tells me it's really really really hot there so plan accordingly.

Uhhhh bottled water is always good. Some snacks. That's all I really needed.

Many things, you can buy when you've gotten to campus if you forgot them. If you forget to bring batteries... go buy batteries.

Things you can't replace:

- Glasses/contact lenses (If you wear contacts BE SURE to pack your glasses!!)

- Prescription medications and the prescriptions so you can get refills (ask your doctor to write prescriptions that allow refills)

- Photos of family and friends

- Your phone book so you can keep in touch with friends from home

- A favorite doll or stuffed animal

- Favorite items of jewelry (don't bring anything too valuable)

- Cash, checks, traveler's checks, and/or credit cards. Open a bank account when you get to school; many banks have student accounts with low/no fees.

Depending on your living arrangements....
I know some people built lofts so they'd have more room. In that case you'll want to remember tools (like someone mentioned).

Don't forget silly things like tampons, razors and extra blades, cotton balls, q-tips, finger nail polish remover, advil, neosporin and bandaids, allergy medication (if applicable)....
A lot of things I'm sure you could buy there, but it's just nice to have it in case you need it ASAP.

I'd bring an assortment of cd's...but if possible download your favorties songs only on the computer or burn them so if they get lost or stolen you don't have to replace them. My brother did this (downloaded songs) and was so happy not to worry about his cd's.

Don't forget a shower caddy to hold all your shower necessities. Flip flops as someone above mentioned. I'd bring a robe too. Don't forget some detergant for washing your clothes. Oh and perhaps a bottle of Febreeze when you can't wash clothes and want a quick fresh smell to something that wasn't worn very long...you get the drift. LOL

That's all I can think of. I never went away to school, but I'm sure this list is pretty basic!
Best of luck!

Hootie:D

- A make up mirror for your desk, in case your room-mate is using the mirror
- Flip flops (thongs) to wear on your feet in the shower
- A mesh basket thingie to cart your shampoo, etc. to the shower and back again
- Kleenex
- Some sort of cleaning cloths and windex (in case your room is a bit dusty when you first move in..so you can clean it..those Swiffer cloths are a miracle of the 21st Century)
- When you notice that you are getting low on quarters, just go to the bank and buy a roll. Keep them in a zip lock bag so that they don't get dispersed all over your drawer....great for the laundry machine and the pay phone.
- that gummy stuff that you stick on the back of posters to affix them to the wall (it is kind of like Play Doh)
- a dirty laundry sack or hamper
-Condoms (maybe not necessarily for you, maybe to give to your dorm-mate, maybe to give to someone on your floor who is expecting a date tonight, anyone really who would rather ask you than to go to Health Services or what have you)...best to be safe what with AIDS/HIV being a part of our reality.

A sewing kit! You never know when something will need to be mended.

A low temp hot glue gun. For your crafty needs.

I was going to suggest condoms, but honestly, free condoms are ridiculously plentiful in college.

These are kinda big things, but they make life easier...

A phone (we had to supply our own) - paying extra for call waiting is always a good idea too.

Minifridge - I saw one at home depot the other day that actually had a freezer and only $150 - wish they'd had that when I was in college. Maybe some cups, plates, utensils, napkins...

TV

Stereo

somebody already mentioned a bathrobe - great idea

Towels

Trash can

I'll probably think of more later...

I'm not sure how outlet friendly dorms are these days, but I've never had an extension cord for which I couldn't find a use.

If you are alarm clock paranoid like I am, you may want a battery operated alarm clock to set along with your regular one. That way, when there's a power outtage (yeah, like never) you won't oversleep on a day you have something important to do.

CutiePie is right about the gummy stuff to hang up posters. That stuff is amazing, and then you don't get in trouble for making nail holes in the walls.

Also, many sororities require an all white outfit for ceremonies. It's never too early to start looking, because that can be a tough thing to find. :)

~stamps and stationary to write letters to friends and family. i spent a lot of time at school writing letters to friends in other places, 'cause smail mail is lots of fun
~an extra lamp. dorm lighting is not good
~pillows. you will not want to use the ones the school provides
~a drying rack for clothes you shouldn't put in the dryer
~towel rack

I couldn't live without a phone answering machine and a microwave and toaster oven and a coffee machine!!!
or at least an electric teapot

You might also want to bring a padlock -- combo or key type...

Re: Things your not likely to think of.
 

My mom was trying to put together a care package for my sister's friends who were going off to college, and when I told her to put in duct tape, she thought I was nuts!! You can use it for EVERYTHING though - last year my roll did everything from hang up mini blinds to fix my roommate's pants for Greek Week.

I'd also recommend a good can opener. I was pretty annoyed when I had one can of soup to eat and nothing to open it with. I'd also stock up on various canned goods for the times when you don't want to leave your room but want something healthier than vending machine food. Along with that, get one of those big microwavable latte mugs (you know, the HUGE coffee cups) and a couple metal soup spoons. You can cook anything in those mugs, and they're big enough to hold almost any kind of food or drink.

I'm also a fan of the big rectangular Rubbermaid containers with lids. You can get them in a variety of sizes, they're great for moving since they're sturdy and have handles, and they're only around 4 or 5 bucks each. I used one for a table and had another one that frequently held ice and beverages when we had parties in my suite.

Another thing that came in handy for me was my AXO keychain bottle opener. I was the hero of many parties with that thing. :)

ooops...
 

....one other must-have -- though you should be of legal age to use it! -- is a cork screw!

also a couple of boxes of various size ziplock baggies will come in handy!
:)

Don't forget an iron & ironing board (the ones that stand a little off the floor---they don't take up too much space)
Going along with that, make sure you know how to iron!!! I couldn't believe how many of my friends didn't know how to iron...they said they just shake their clothes out and they're fine. I had to iron my guy friend's shirt for him before we went clubbing (that was the only time I agreed to do it!)

I recommend those plastic storage containers that easily fit under your bed...my bed's on cinder blocks and I have 1 container filled with random school supplies and then another with just my t-shirts.

I always bring a conainer of computer paper (never can have too much when it comes to English 101).

I also have a little tub for hand washing clothes...I have way too many delicate clothes that require hand washing.

Also bring a little hamper (I have the one that folds up easily, it's netted)...as well as a laundry bag to easily carry clean clothes to and from the laundry rooms...freshman and sophomore years I had a laundry basket for clean clothes but that takes up way too much room.

Bring a calendar and carry a small date planner with you to class.

Last year my mom had ordered me this big clear plastic thing that you can hang up on the wall. It has pockets for 4x6 pictures and then there are 2 rows at the bottom for 5x7 pictures. This is good if you're a big picture person as I am, because you can easily switch pictures without having to put tape on them. When my sisters saw it last year they all wanted one!

Also bring a LIGHTED makeup mirror for your dresser. A lighted one is better if you're getting ready a lot earlier for class than your roommate is (so you don't have to turn on the light).