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When I headed off to college two years ago, I had no real idea of what I was going to need. I packed with the premise that living away from home would be more or less like a revolving two-week vacation (without the vacation part). I took the whole thing rather seriously, because it was the first time I would be living on my own, and because my college was a 24-hour drive from anyone I knew.

Not a good time to realize I forgot my laptop.

That said, preparing for college is not like memorizing pi to the thousandth decimal place. Most likely, if you're like me, you'll find that there will be a difference between what you need at college and what you want. Here's a quick list to help you get started:

What you'll need:
- Quarters, and lots of them - both for toll roads (if you have to drive, like me) and for the laundry. And, trust me, you have to do laundry with disturbing frequency, and waiting in line for quarters is a waste of time, so bring your own. Try $50 in quarters for the first semester.

- At least two-weeks' worth of clothes. And don't make them all shorts, either: each semester goes through a winter and a summer period, and you may have to deal with that before you can go back home to stock up on better clothing.

- A laundry bag

- A lamp or other source of light that you are comfortable with (unless you like halogen lighting).

- A credit card, for when things go boom

- One or two surge protectors.

- Two complete sets of bedding.

What you'll want:

- A computer, preferably a laptop. You probably won't need one because your college or university is likely to have more computer labs than a zebra has stripes, but you'll want your own. This is a good place to save money if you're strapped for cash, but do a little research to make sure you can get by without one.

- A printer. See above.

- A fan, unless you're lucky enough to be in a dorm that has excellent climate control.

- Posters or something else to put on the walls. Trust me, staring at cinderblocks during finals is not the most encouraging environment in the world.

- A refrigerator. Caveat: get the largest fridge you can that you can carry by yourself. (This is a good rule of thumb for just about anything, come to think of it.)

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you search your college's website, you will probably find that they have a list of their own. As always, use your own judgment about what and what not to bring. Once you meet the basic necessities, there is not much else you can't get by with, borrow from a friend, or buy at a thrift shop.

College is about gaining experience, having fun, and making life-long friends. So don't worry too much about what is going into your room - I guarantee you will not spend as much time there as you think.

Learn more about this author, Bran Herbert.
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