Hey everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your last few weeks of summer before the semester finally starts! These last days can be pretty bittersweet: saying goodbye to all your friends, enjoying the last of your mom’s home-cooked meals, trying to decide what to bring with you and what will stay behind. Anyone remember that scene in Toy Story 3 when Andy can’t decide whether to bring Woody or Buzz Lightyear with him to college? A more accurate dilemma has never been portrayed.
That said, I’m sure many of you are now beginning the most daunting of tasks: packing your life away. I am here to bring you some advice. While mostly everything you read will be frantic reminders of things you absolutely must have in college, here are five things you definitely won’t need:
1. Your high school t-shirts
All those senior shirts, club t-shirts, spirit day shirts that have been accumulating in your drawer for the past four years – take it from me and leave them all behind. BU loves to give out free stuff, especially t-shirts. Within a few weeks, you’ll have a whole new set from all the clubs you joined and all the giveaways you took advantage of.
2. Old school notebooks
You thought you were clever saving your tenth grade world history notebook didn’t cha? Let’s be real: your upcoming courses will render your old notes useless. Chances are you’ll forget you even brought them and they’ll just sit in some dark corner of your desk collecting dust for a year. Your professors, classmates, and the Internet is all you need.
3. Candles
They’re not allowed. They’re dangerous in a dormitory setting. I know it sucks. I love candles and how they make a room smell so good and how relaxing they can be. But really, just don’t bring them. They’re banned, it’s a fire hazard, trust me, it’s not worth it. Those wall plug-ins and air fresheners will work perfectly in their place.
4. Surplus storage units
Here is the irony with storage units – they take up space. I’ve found that the most useful and necessary storage units are the ones that go under the bed. Anything else, I would suggest waiting until you get to your room and seeing how much space you have left and how much stuff you still actually need to store away. That way you can make sure you get one or two that will fit your needs, and not four or five that will take up the entire room.
5. School supplies
You need something to write on and you need something write with. Anything else (rulers, glue, markers, etc.) is totally unnecessary. And I would just wait and pick up a few notebooks once you’re here instead of bringing stuff from home. Each class is different. For some, you’ll get by with taking notes on your laptop. Others you might need a binder for all the handouts and papers. Wait until the first day and your syllabus will tell you everything you need to know. Same goes for textbooks!
I hope this helps as you begin the packing process and saves you at least a little space in your suitcases and boxes! I know it’s hard to leave but it’s important to remember the amazing journey you’re about to start and how many incredible moments you have ahead. You all have so much to be proud of and it only gets better from here! See you all in a few weeks!
