The time has come for you to start packing for college. You likely already know what you will bring from home: your laptop, chargers, medicine, shampoo, etc. Then you go online and see your friends and classmates buying bulk supplies from Target and Home Goods. Though you might have to buy some things for your dorm, you do not need everything in the back-to-school section. This article will attempt to help reduce the number of items you bring to college, highlighting only the essentials for your dorm room and your college experience. You do not want to be that person that brings two or more full cars for just a dorm room.

Clothing

First, let's think about clothes. You do not need a whole new wardrobe for college. You can buy a few back-to-school outfits if you want, but you will not need as much as you did in high school. Instead, invest in a nice pair of walking shoes. You will walk a lot, and the campus will be much bigger than expected. Though campus might be large, your dorm room will be small. Because of this, do not bring your entire wardrobe from home. You might think about the snow later in the year and want to bring your boots and winter jacket. My advice is this: wait. It will be hot when you first get to college, whether in August or September. You should opt for bringing your summer clothes instead. When you return home for Thanksgiving break or winter break, that is the time to grab warmer clothes.

Valuables

So, if I can't bring my entire wardrobe, can I bring my valuables? The short answer is no. You should not bring unnecessary valuable items. Valuable items might end up lost, damaged, or worse, stolen. This goes for decoration items as well. You do not need to bring all your bedroom d-cor from home. Most people buy new things to bring to their dorm because it is new, exciting, and brightens the space. This doesn't mean you leave every item you love back home. However, I warn you to be careful and only bring stuff you truly care about. After all, living in a dorm is only temporary. You will be back home before you know it for summer vacation.

Electronics

What about my electronics? With society's growing need for technology, it is not unreasonable to want to bring all your electronics. However, you do not need to bring everything that connects to the internet. You can, of course, bring your phone, laptop, and tablet device—these are all essential to your education. You might be able to bring your TV. Many dorms allow residents to bring TVs to their dorm room, but it is also okay if you don't. Many dorms and buildings have common areas where you can watch TV if you do not bring your own. You can and should also bring headphones and earplugs. Listening to music while studying or walking to class can be relaxing and benefit your well-being. You might also need them if you have any online classes. This brings me to my next point, leave the speakers at home. You likely will not even use them—if you do, they may not even be allowed. Speakers can disturb you and others living around you from effectively completing schoolwork. The best rule for electronics is if it helps you, bring it. If the electronics are going to distract you, leave them behind.

Food and Drinks

Finally, what about bringing food and drinks to your dorm? You should make a grocery store run before you move in, but should you bring? If you have a meal plan at your college, I recommend buying very little. You might purchase quick snacks or drinks to keep in your room for times you can't run to the dining hall. However, you will likely go to the dining hall for all your major meals. You will want to hang out with other people and be exhausted from attending class and doing homework. You likely will not want to cook. If you do not have a dining plan, then you will need to plan to buy everything from the grocery store. Eating out adds up, and the odds are that you have very little money while in college. You will need to sit down and plan what meals will get you through, as well as snacks and drinks. You will also need to remember how much storage your dorm allows you to store food products.

The journey to college is a long and often drawn-out process that can be stressful. However, moving into a new dorm will be one of the most exciting and maybe scary moments of your life. Either way, you should enjoy moving into your dorm room and living on your own without all of the clutter you could avoid. Living in a dorm room is all about being comfortable. You need to be comfortable in your living space before you can be successful in the classroom.