by Manda Sanko

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

So you made it you graduated from high school and are about to embark on quite possibly your most memorable summer vacation. My advice to you: enjoy it! But, always keep college in the back of your mind because even though you are not quite there yet, you still have a lot to do.

Packing for college is a very tedious task. Of course you want to be prepared upon arrival, but you do not want to pack up and haul around your every possession. You are going to have to prioritize to make sure you have everything you need and maybe a few extras. To do this, I suggest you categorize. I know the last thing you want to do on summer break is write anything, but you are going to have to sit down and make lists. Break everything up into groups such as school supplies, toiletries & first aid, clothing, and home essentials.

Obviously, you cannot head off to college without school supplies [which includes a computer]. Generally, college is not like high school in the sense that your professors are not likely to request you to have specific supplies (Note: this is not always true, as art, music, etc. majors are required to have certain materials), so buy what you like. Just make sure you have printer & notebook paper, pens & pencils, highlighters, and a 3-hole punch. These are necessities and everything else is up to you. If bringing a laptop, be sure to buy a lock. If you plan on accessing the internet, buy an Ethernet cord. Also keep in mind that dorms have power outages too, so a surge protector for your computer and other electronics would be wise [and a flash light].

If you are going to be living in a dorm with a communal bathroom, make sure to buy a cheap pair of flip flops for the showers. You also may wish to purchase a shower caddy to carry all of your bathroom essentials back and forth. Accidents happen at college, so it would be a good idea to at least take a box of band aids, if no other first aid supplies (though I also recommend Asprin, Dayquil, Nightquil, and Benadryl). Also, keep in mind while shopping that items are more expensive in a college town, so if you think you can finagle your dorm for optimal storage, stock up on whatever you can beforehand.

Your bedding is probably one of your most important purchases, or at least it should be. As a college student, you are going to be up at all hours of the night and morning, so when you lay down to get some sleep you are going to want it to be good. That being said, the number

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