Discover what you might be missing with these unexpected things to bring to college. Ensure you’re fully prepared!
This post is all about unexpected things to bring to college.
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Packing for college can be incredibly stressful, with the pressure and fear of forgetting essential items weighing heavily on your mind.
Amid the chaos of gathering textbooks, clothes, and dorm essentials, it’s easy to overlook the less obvious yet equally important items that can significantly enhance your college experience. Many students, once they start college in the fall, realize there were unexpected things to bring to college that they wish they had packed.
To ease this common issue, this blog post will explore some of these overlooked yet useful and important items, compiled from the experiences and advice of my college friends and me.
They know firsthand the value of these often-forgotten necessities and want to ensure that incoming freshmen are better prepared for their new journey.
Related: 25 Important College Move In Day Tips Every Freshman Should Know
Unexpected Things to Bring to College
1. Can Opener
If you don’t want to be stuck opening cans with a spoon, you need a can opener because, let’s be real, it’s college and you’ll often be eating food out of cans.
Whether it’s beans, soup, or vegetables, canned food is a quick and cheap meal option for busy students.
Without a can opener, you might find yourself struggling and wasting time trying to open cans with makeshift tools, which can be frustrating and even dangerous.
2. Rain Boots / Umbrella
Going to college where it’s always rainy means you need an umbrella and boots because you don’t want to end up soaking wet and ruining your regular shoes.
Constant rain can make getting to classes and activities hard if you’re not prepared.
3. Medecine Box
You don’t know how important it is to have your medicine until you get sick in the middle of the night and can’t find what you need.
To avoid this, you should always have a medicine bag ready. Include things like NyQuil and DayQuil for colds, band-aids, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds, and cotton pads for applying these solutions.
These are some unexpected things to bring to college that can make a big difference and it’s almost certain that you’ll need these items at some point.
4. Extra Socks
You always hear about your socks mysteriously disappearing, but you don’t really believe it until it happens to you.
In college, this happens a lot, with socks vanishing during laundry or getting lost in your dorm room.
To avoid running out of socks, it’s better to have a bunch of extra pairs.
5. Noise Cancelling Headphones
Having noise-canceling headphones is really important when you’re studying in your dorm or the library.
They block out background noise, helping you focus better on your work. I personally have had a pair for a while, and I love how good and lightweight they are.
They’re really worth it, making a huge difference in keeping distractions at bay and letting you concentrate, no matter where you are.
6. Portable Charger
A portable charger is a must-have, especially if you don’t want to keep looking for a place to charge your phone or for emergencies.
With a portable charger, you can keep your phone charged while you’re on the go, whether you’re in class, at the library, or hanging out with friends.
It’s really handy because you can carry it easily in your bag or pocket.
7. Command Hooks / Strips
Some colleges don’t let you make holes in the walls, so you need command hooks and strips to hang things without damaging the walls.
These hooks and strips are really easy to use, just peel off the backing and stick them where you need them.
They hold up well and can support things like posters, photos, or even light shelves.
Plus, when it’s time to move out, you can take them off without leaving any marks or holes.
8. Air Purifier
An air purifier is really worth the splurge for someone who has multiple allergies.
It has been a lifesaver for me, especially when sharing a room with someone else.
This is key in a shared space where you can’t control what others bring in.
9. Water Pitcher
A water pitcher is a must-have in your dorm room because it saves you time from always going to get drinkable water.
It’s really handy to have fresh, filtered water right there whenever you need it, and they’re really affordable.
10. Sewing Kit
It’s always better to stay ready, which is why you should have a small sewing kit around.
You never know when you might need to sew a button back on or fix a tear in your shirt.
A sewing kit is one of those unexpected things to bring to college that most people forget about.
It’s a simple addition that can make a big difference in your daily life.
11. Stain Remover
This stain remover is an OG that never leaves my bag, and it’s so important to have with you in college.
It’s great for quickly getting rid of stains from your clothes or bed, saving you a lot of time and stress.
Instead of waiting to do laundry or dealing with tough stains later, you can handle spills and spots right away.
12. Electric Kettle
An electric kettle is going to be your best friend in college because you’ll need it if you drink a lot of coffee, tea, and ramen noodles.
It’s super convenient and heats water quickly, making it perfect for those late-night study sessions or quick meals between classes.
13. Flashlight
The power going off in college happens more often than you might expect, so having a flashlight around is a smart idea.
It’s very useful for emergencies and your safety, making sure you have light when you need it most.
14. Wrinkle Releaser Spray
In your dorm room, you won’t really like ironing your clothes, so it’s better to have a wrinkle-release spray.
We don’t want you walking around with wrinkly clothes, but using an iron can be hard to do. A wrinkle-release spray is easy to use and works fast.
Just spray it on your clothes, smooth them out with your hands, and let them dry, that’s it!
15. Bedside Shelf
Most dorm rooms don’t have bedside tables, so you might need a bedside shelf for your things.
A bedside shelf can hold your phone, glasses, books, and other essentials, keeping them close while you’re in bed.
I love how it can hold many things at once, and how It’s a simple and space-saving solution that makes your dorm room more comfortable and useful.
16. Eye Mask
If you’re sharing a dorm room with a roommate who wakes up early and uses the light, it might disturb your sleep.
That’s why you need a good eye mask for sleeping.
Most people think it’s unnecessary, but it’s really useful, especially if you don’t want to cover your face with your blanket. An eye mask can block out the light and help you sleep better.
I also recommend ear plugs if you’re comfortable with them.
This is everything for the unexpected things to bring to college.
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