Essentials for a College Freshman?

Doing some early shopping prep for uni and wondering, what do you guys reckon is the most vital stuff to bring to college as a freshman? Are we talking more practical things like bedding and appliances or academic tools?

Both practical items and academic tools are essential to have a smooth transition into college. Here's a list organized by category:

Academic:

- Laptop or computer: Nowadays, almost all classes have an online component. Many colleges will require you to complete assignments, research papers, and projects on a computer. You'll also use it for online classes and video calls with professors or classmates.

- Back-up drives or cloud storage: Losing your work due to a hardware failure can be disastrous, so make sure to regularly save your work on an external drive or in the cloud, especially when working on big projects or papers.

- Basic stationery: Pens, highlighters, notebooks, stapler, hole puncher and sticky notes are essentials you'll need.

Bedroom:

- Bedding: Most colleges provide a mattress, but you'll need to bring your sheets, blankets, and pillows. Make sure to find out the size of the bed before purchasing sheets.

- A good desk lamp: Lighting in dorms isn't always the best, so bringing a desk lamp can assist with studying after sunset.

Kitchen:

- Mini-fridge: Most likely, you'll be sharing a kitchen with other students, so it's always helpful to have a mini-fridge in your room to store some personal snacks or drinks.

- Coffee Maker or Electric Kettle: These are great for mornings when you have an 8am class and no time to grab a coffee on the way.

- Water filter: Particularly if your dorm's tap water isn't the tastiest or you're not sure about its quality, a simple water filter can be handy.

- Microwave-safe containers and utensils: For storing extra food or heating up late-night snacks.

Bathroom:

- Towels, shower shoes, tote: If you have a communal bathroom, it's important to have shower flip flops and a shower caddy to carry your toiletries.

- Basic cleaning supplies: Disinfectant wipes, a mini vacuum, and a laundry bag or basket are practically a lifesaver in a college dorm.

Remember, it may be beneficial to wait on purchasing some items until you get to school and see what's actually necessary or what you can share with roommates to save space and money.