Bryn Carden Saves the Day with a College Move-In Checklist

Graduating high school and getting accepted into college is an exciting time in many students’ lives; it marks the end of educational achievement and the start of a new and unfamiliar chapter. Preparing for your first year of college can seem like a lot when you do not know what to expect or pack for move-in day.

Bryn Carden, a current college student majoring in Finance with a Real Estate concentration at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business, says that being prepared and having a positive first college experience can drastically help when leaving home and transitioning to the university lifestyle. Carden offers a helping hand to students getting ready to start their freshman year as undergraduates by reviewing a college move-in checklist that goes into detail about what to bring and expect in a dorm room. 

Dorm Life

It is a good idea to get an image of what dorm life is like before starting to check off what you will need to bring to college. Living in a dorm usually involves having a roommate, community or shared bathrooms, showers, and laundry room, and a small space to call your own. Dorm life can differ depending on the college you attend, but most of them share similar traits. Sharing cleaning areas like the bathroom and laundry room can be made easier by keeping a few things in mind. Wearing flip-flops in the shower can help avoid infections being transmitted through the feet. A bathrobe to cover up and a shower carrier for your shampoo and soap are essential for going from your dorm room to the shower and back. 

Packing for a Dorm Room

Remember, you will most likely be sharing your room with another student, so you do not want to bring too much stuff to overcrowd the room. A great way to get organized while packing is to divide up what you need based on your living area. A dorm room commonly provides a bed frame and either twin or extra large twin mattress, a closet, and a desk for each student in the room. First, think about what you will need for your sleeping needs. You will need sheets to fit your mattress, pillows, either a comforter or quilt, and anything else you would like to add to your bed. Some college students like to decorate around their beds with either pictures of friends or art. If you want to hang a string of lights, it is always respectful to ask your roommate if it is okay that you do so since space is shared. A bedside lamp is excellent for late-night reading, and earplugs or an eye mask help decrease additional distractions from sleep. You can make your bed more comfortable by bringing a mattress pad, too.

Next, think about things you need for your closet, such as clothes, shoes, iron or steamer, and additional accessories. The closet is a perfect place to store cleaning supplies such as disinfectant wipes, paper towels, a mini vacuum, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and any toiletries or health and wellness supplies you use. Do not forget to bring a laundry basket for transporting dirty and clean clothes back and forth from the laundry room. Toilet paper is usually already provided in every bathroom by the university. 

After packing those things, think about what you need for your desk area. Every student needs a laptop but also think about things that would make doing schoolwork simpler, like a pencil and pen cup, printer, paper, stapler, desk lamp, small trashcan, and any other office supplies that you use. Some colleges provide a desk chair, so you might want to wait until you get to the dorm room to see if you need to buy a desk chair. 

Do not fret if you forget to pack anything. Research if there is a Walmart or Target close to the campus to have peace of mind that you can get whatever you need if something does not make it in the packing pile. 

About Bryn Carden 

Bryn Carden is a versatile young entrepreneur with a deep sense of compassion and the desire to help make the world a better place. In 2017, she founded Styles for Smiles – a company selling bracelets to support the Smile Train Organization. The proceeds from selling Bryn’s designs have already helped fund cleft palate repairs for 16 children in developing countries.

The post Bryn Carden Saves the Day with a College Move-In Checklist first appeared on Feedster.