Packing Lists

[perfectinpurple]

Originally Posted by pshsx1

You're probably going to acquire a good amount of school and organization shirts, something I didn't account for my second year when repacking.

Same thing happened to me! Freshman year I was a little gung ho to get every shirt that I possible could for every function or club.

One thing I suggest, when you go home for a break (either winter or spring) take some things to leave at home with you. While you might be a little overpacked for the break, it makes moving out so much easier.

[goldsilverbronz]

Originally Posted by sweetmagnolia

GC seems to be a treasure trove of useful information- both for Greek Life and life in general. So, I turn to you guys for a little bit of help. I'm hoping maybe this can be a discussion or be a general post for all members to seek advice-

What should/would you pack for school, clothing wise?

I'm having a terrible time deciding how many pairs of jeans, shoes, etc. I'm not going to a completely different climate, but I get the feeling that dressing for college is like dressing for a completely different environment.

What/how much did you take? Was that a good or bad idea, in your opinion? What do you wish you had packed that you didn't/didn't bring enough of?

So I am pretty much positive that posting this is going to make me forever known on GreekChat as "that crazy packing list girl" but, I still have my packing list saved in my computer from when I went away to college for the first time, so I'll share it with you
A few notes, I would advise more or less taking your entire wardrobe, and take WAY more shoes than the girls mentioned here. If you do join a sorority, or even if you don't, you will want clothes for various events, plenty of shoes for different outfits, etc. etc. etc. This list is assuming you're living in the dorms, as most freshman do. I am not sure where you go to school, but the list is appropriate for a climate that is warm and dry in the fall, cool and wet in the winter, and warm and wet to warm and dry in the spring. I've put a star next to all the things that you could really buy there, as most colleges have various stores nearby. Here goes!

Kitchen Things
• Plastic bowl, plate, and cup
• Fork, knife, spoon
• Coffee/tea mugs
• Dish soap*
• 2 dish towels
• bottle opener

• can opener

• tea bags and instant coffee*
• plug-in tea kettle

Linens and Laundry Things
• laundry basket
• laundry soap*
• stain remover*
• lint roller
• sewing kit
• plastic hangers
• sheets and pillowcases
• duvet and duvet cover
• pillows
• blanket
• mattress pad
• towels and washcloths

• tension bar for hanging clothes
• over the door or over the closet bar hanging shoe rack
• over the closet bar hanging shelves for sweaters

Toiletries and Miscellaneous
• First Aid Kit: band-aids in various sizes, Ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, Benadryl, Sudafed, Tylenol Cold+Flu AM and PM, Robitussin cough syrup (sleepy kind and non-sleepy kind), cough drops, antibiotic cream, burn cream, antibacterial wipes, ace bandage, athletic tape, pre-wrap (I had some ankle injuries).
• Shower tote/caddy thing
• Shampoo and conditioner*
• Hairstyling products
• Hairbrush
• Comb
• Body wash*
• Facewash*
• Body lotion*
• Face lotion*
• Sunscreen*
• Tanning oil*
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Retainers and retainer case
• Tweezers
• Hairdryer
• Curling irons

• Flat iron

• Curlers
• Razor, razor blades

• Shaving cream*

• Q-tips*
• Cotton cosmetic pads
• Dental floss
• Feminine hygiene items*
• Make-up

• Nail polish

• Hairties/ribbons/headbands
• Deodorant*
• Perfume

Desk Supplies (You could buy most/all of this there*)
• Address book
• Planner/assignment book
• Stapler and staples
• Paperclips
• Printer paper
• Lined paper
• Hole punch
• Pens
• Pencils
• Mechanical pencils and lead
• Pencil sharpener
• Notebooks
• 1-inch Binder and dividers
• Index cards
• Post-it notes
• Scissors
• Highlighters
• White-out
• Rubber bands
• Pushpins
• Stackable desk trays
• Dictionary and thesaurus
• Stamps
• Stationery
• Tape
• Glue
• Art supplies or musical instrument if it's something you do

Room Things
• Desk lamp
• iPod speakers
• Trashcan*
• Under-the-bed storage
• Shoe rack*
• Fan*
• Adhesive hooks, tacky adhesive, mounting tape*
• Bulletin board/whiteboard/magnet board
• Pushpins*
• Stacking baskets/crates* (I packed a lot of my stuff inside these--very handy)

• Stacking drawers* (I also packed inside these...SO useful for overflow clothes that won't fit in your dresser, snacks, cleaning supplies, etc. etc.)

Electronics
• Laptop

• External hard drive

• Printer
• Printer cable
• Ethernet cable
• Power strip
• Extension cord

Shared Items (purchased these with my roommate)
• Rug
• Refrigerator
• TV

Clothing
• (25) pair underwear
• (20) pair socks
• (8) pair jeans

• (4) pair pants (khaki, corduroy, etc.)

• (15) Tank tops
• (15) Short-sleeve tops
• (10) Casual T-shirts
• (10) Long-sleeve tops
• (5) sets pajamas/shorts and T-shirts

• (3) Pullover sweatshirts
• (3) Zip-up sweatshirts
• (2) Cashmere/nice sweaters
• (3) Cardigans

• Slippers
• Bathrobe

• (2) pair flip-flops
• (1) pair casual leather sandals
• (2) pair dressier sandals
• (5) pair flats (black, white, metallic, colored, brown)
• (1) pair tall leather or suede boots
• (1) pair short leather or suede boots
• (1) pair running shoes
• (1) pair comfy sneakers/walking shoes such as Pumas or Converse

• (1) pair Uggs or other comfy boots

• (5) pair heels (black, brown, white, metallic, colored)
• (4) short skirts
• (2) long skirts (obviously depends on your style
• (5) pair leggings
• (5) pair shorts

• (1) warm coat

• (1) rain coat

• (5) sundresses

• (5) going-out dresses

• (1 or 2) formal dresses (not your prom dress, just classier and typically longer than what you would wear "out")

• (3) pair running shorts
• (2) pair running pants/capris
• sports bras
• regular bras
• (5) exercise tops

Buy When Arrive
• Trash bags
• Light bulbs
• Duster/dust spray/dust rag
• Wet wipes
• Tissues


I hope this is helpful for you! Obviously, bring all of your recruitment outfits too

[perfectinpurple]

That's a great (and very detailed) list "crazy packing list girl"

[RaggedyAnn]

Don't forget that you can always bring more stuff to school during Thanksgiving, or ask the parents to ship some things to you.

I have no idea where you are going, and have been out of school for a while, so I can't really tell you what to wear; but, I can suggest getting a bar to make your clothing bar double hung, and getting the hangers that hold multiple slacks and skirts.

[Lady Pi]

OMG I love my double clothing bar-bar! Seriously, it was only 15 dollars doubled hanging space for tops and skirts, and left one side of my closet free for my dresses!

Add that to the list, crazy packing list girl!

[ree-Xi]

A suggestion if you don't have a lot of closet space: put your bed on cinder blocks to make more room under the bed. Get some flat plastic bins to store sweaters, sweatshirts, and shoes.

[Lady Pi]

Or regular bed risers

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by sweetmagnolia

GC seems to be a treasure trove of useful information- both for Greek Life and life in general. So, I turn to you guys for a little bit of help. I'm hoping maybe this can be a discussion or be a general post for all members to seek advice-

What should/would you pack for school, clothing wise?

I'm having a terrible time deciding how many pairs of jeans, shoes, etc. I'm not going to a completely different climate, but I get the feeling that dressing for college is like dressing for a completely different environment.

What/how much did you take? Was that a good or bad idea, in your opinion? What do you wish you had packed that you didn't/didn't bring enough of?

I would have taken more warm clothes my first semester. I remember that it cold very quick. I went from having enough shorts to not having enough sweaters, etc. in like a week or two, so my advice to you is: pack everything at once, that way you will have it, and won't have to rely on it being shipped to you from home.

[Drolefille]

Hoodies. T-shirts. Flip flops. If you didn't wear a lot of them before, you will. And if you join a sorority you'll get some of each with letters on.

College is where I learned flipflops were easier than tennis shoes in the rain. Sure my feet got wet, but they dried much faster too.

[rococobaby]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

College is where I learned flipflops were easier than tennis shoes in the rain. Sure my feet got wet, but they dried much faster too.

I 100% agree with you!! Where I live it snows a lot, and a lot of girls to flip flops even in the snow. Personally I prefer boots because they're cuter but to each their own!!

[sweetmagnolia]

Oh wow, this is so much helpful insight!

My mom also suggested something- assuming I plan on doing laundry ever 2 weeks, approach packing as if I was going on a two week cruise- since you wouldn't know exactly what you were doing, you'd pack a bit of everything, but not too much! I'm sitting down now to try and figure out my list.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sweetmagnolia

assuming I plan on doing laundry ever 2 weeks

hahahahaha.

I give that a month before "oh, it'll wait one more day" becomes a very common phrase.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by sweetmagnolia

Oh wow, this is so much helpful insight!

My mom also suggested something- assuming I plan on doing laundry ever 2 weeks, approach packing as if I was going on a two week cruise- since you wouldn't know exactly what you were doing, you'd pack a bit of everything, but not too much! I'm sitting down now to try and figure out my list.

My mom gave the same advice and honestly my laundry was pretty much a monthly thing, with me washing only the essentials (like underwear) before I ran out of actual clothing. I brought essentially my entire wardrobe, and if you're living in the dorms I don't recommend that. Bring a variety (jeans, sweats, dresses, heels, flats, flips), but don't bring it ALL. Because getting all that in and out is holy hell. You probably don't need three pairs of the same shoe in different (bright and impractical) colors, two boxes of summer scarves, and four different raincoats, for instance. (All examples of things I packed freshman year.) If you're going to be in an apartment where you are basically situated for a year then it's easier to bring your whole closet. Invest in shoe racks and under the bed boxes. Even if you don't pack a lot, pack a variety.

If you live close enough to home that you can return once a month or more it's a different story. Don't bother bringing your winter clothes until it's actually cold outside. I was able to do that and after my moving debacle first semester would get a monthly supply of clothing, switching things out every time.

[perfectinpurple]

I only do laundry when I run out of clothes.... lol

[nittanygirl]

hey "crazy packing list girl" (aka goldbronz)
did you JUST type that all up or find it somewhere or was it your own list