Penn State Packing List

Two weeks until you’re all up at Penn State starting your next adventure as college students!! You move in in less than 14 days! But wait… what are you going to bring with you? Ah, the classic dorm room checklist. There are tons of them, and I have no doubt you’ve all Googled it at least once this summer. I’m sure you’ve all started a pile in your house of things you want to bring. Well, here is another list of things you may want to consider, but with a touch of my personal recommendations that might spark a thought of other items you need!

First, here’s a list of things that you DON’T need because Penn State provides them for you:

      -          Each room comes with a microwave and mini fridge. Fun fact – the mini fridge freezer was made to fit exactly two containers of Creamery ice cream! Each side of the dorm rooms are also provided with large corkboards on the walls so you can pin pictures, etc. Also, each desk has a built-in light, so a desk lamp isn’t absolutely necessary.

Now for what you DO need:

      -          Bedding: Bring 2 sets of sheets for when one set is dirty. Pillows - however many you love to sleep with! Personally, I use one of those pillow armchairs that you sit on your bed. They’re comfortable for reading and browsing on your laptop. Bed risers are extremely helpful for providing space for storage. Mattress pads and mattress cases are an option, too. Personally, I made my bed at college so fluffy it was almost nicer than my bed at home!

      -          Care products: 2 sets of towels and washcloths can be helpful. Bring a shower caddy and shower shoes – cheap flip flops work fine. Toothpaste and a toothbrush are definitely needed. I usually just kept them in a plastic cup so I can easily bring them to the bathroom. Anything hair care – hair dryer, straightener, brush, shampoo, conditioner, etc. And don’t forget any personal toiletries and medications.

      -         Clothing: Besides all your normal clothes, bring along with you a professional outfit. You’ll need one for WEPO anyways, but it’s nice to have a least two options for outfits because you never know when you might have to go to an interview or a professional event. Sports clothes are always handy, especially if you plan on going to the gym! In the winter, some sort of winter boots are pretty handy for Penn State snow and ice storms. And as for rain, a rain jacket and pair of rain boots are highly recommended because it rains A LOT at Penn State. Speaking of, a small umbrella to fit into your backpack is a must for days when you walk out of class and into an unexpected rainstorm! Lastly, you need hangers for all your clothes!

      -          For the room: Obviously you’ll be decorating your rooms with tons of pictures and posters and fun things, but you also need a lot of practical items, too. First, a trashcan is absolutely necessary. Here’s a tip, I never buy those mini trash bags, I just stock up on grocery bags and use them to line my wastebaskets. A laundry basket is super handy for trips up and down the elevator to the washers and dryers. In case you didn’t know, the washers and dryers all charge your LionCash on your ID card. You’ll need an alarm clock for all those early morning classes! If you bring a fan with you, it will become one of your best friends, especially early in the fall semester and later in the spring semester. A full-length hanging door mirror is pretty useful, too.

      -          Technology: If you’re looking for a laptop for college, check out Penn State’s official recommendations here: http://www.ecs.psu.edu/PSU_COE_COMP_RECOMMENDATION.htm . You’ll also need an Ethernet cable in order to hook up to the internet in your dorm. Several dorm halls are in the process of switching over to Wifi, but this has been a slow process. I’d recommend buying the longest Ethernet cable you can find. Try Bed Bath & Beyond for cheap 25-foot cables. If you want, you can bring a printer for your room. I found this extremely convenient so that I didn’t have to run down to the computer lab on late nights of doing homework, but it’s not necessary by any means – you can always find a computer lab nearby, and most are open until late. Extension cords are also pretty useful.

      -          Miscellaneous: If you have one, bring a camera! You’ll want to take a ton of pictures of all the fun things you’ll be doing at Penn State! Slippers are comfortable to wear around your dorm room and hall. A first-aid kit is always a good thing to keep around the room just in case. Each desk comes with a locking drawer if you want to store any valuables, but you need to bring a combination lock. A rug is nice so your feet don’t get cold in the morning. And last, but certainly not least, cleaning supplies can be quite useful!

I hope you all are getting super excited for college and that this list helped you remember something you would have forgotten otherwise! We can’t wait to welcome you to Penn State! WE ARE!

Melissa Shallcross is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering, and she is a Rover for WEPO '14!