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Moving to college is a big step in life. Unfortunately, many college students put off packing until the night before, then rush around frantically tossing any item within reach into their suitcases. While this isn't likely to change, you can at least be a little more prepared by making sure you haven't made any common packing mistakes. Here are ten of the things most frequently forgotten- make sure you remember to bring them!

1. Cleaning supplies. We don't just mean some Febreeze for your gym locker, either! While many dorms have some sort of cleaning service, they will not play mother to you. You will want at the least to have some disinfecting wipes, Lysol, Febreeze, paper towels, and other such items. Accidents happen- be prepared for them.

2. Food and water. Campus convenience stores are almost universally overpriced, and you don't want to spend a lot of money on these items once you're at college. Water will come in handy if your tap turns out to be disgusting, and you will definitely want to have munchies. Many dining halls close early, so if you have a late class but don't want to go out afterward to eat, are staying up late with friends, want to watch a movie and have popcorn with it, or just have snacks, always buy them ahead of time. And parents, make sure you ask an older college student before sending one of those convenient college care packages- many are very overpriced, and contain foods that are off-brand despite the cost, or sometimes things that your child may just not like. Make your own... Or just send money. No college student has ever complained about being given more money.

3. Orientation booklets. If your school had orientation over the summer, you may have lost yours by the time the Fall semester starts. Find them! Or if you can't, go to the administrative building as soon as you arrive and ask for an extra copy. These large volumes may seem like useless information, but can come in handy when you least expect it. Always hang onto them, just in case.

4. A large variety of thumbtack or the generic equivalent, and all sorts of sticky things meant to hold items to the walls. You'll want to hang pictures, posters, and more. Also, if you have hats or towels, you may want to hang these. Small hooks for them can be stuck to the wall by a variety of different things. Just make sure to buy a few brands and bring extra- many don't stick as well as advertised. By the same note, to avoid damages, test them before using them. Take one of each of these, stick it to a part of the wall very close to the floor and unnoticeable, then peel them off. If the paint comes with it, don't use that variety on the walls. You could be charged for damages if the college has to repaint your room.

5. Laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and a lint brush. Yes, we know- college students prefer to just buy more clothes instead of ever washing them. However, eventually that laundry basket will get too full to hold anymore, and if you don't live close enough to go home to your parents for a weekend and have them do your wash, you will need to learn to do your own laundry. Bring detergent in large quantities, and check the machines before pouring. Some colleges now use high efficiency machines, which means you can only use HE detergents. If you use any other variety, you must put in only a fraction of what you normally would to avoid damaging the machine, and your clothes. Make sure to check carefully- ruining your favorite clothes during the first month of college is a bummer.

Learn more about this author, Carly Kade.
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