The big debate of what to take and what to leave when going to college

When going off to another to study, be it for college or university, you need to take some essentials. And while clothes and bed sheets seem like the obvious pick, there are plenty of other small bits and bobs which you realise later on. Many students do look up different options if they ever need an essay writing service UK but only a few of them look up the things they will need once they get there. If you have no idea what to take with you and what to buy beforehand, this article is just the right thing for you. Not only do we discuss what products you need to invest in, but we also talk about their usage. Something you need to know to make the most out of your purchase.

Before making a list of all the things, you need to buy, call up your institute and inquire about the dorms. Ask them about the size and the furniture they provide. Sometimes a dorm room only has a bed and a wardrobe while other times, some institutes do provide desks. It will make you aware of how ample your space is, and then you can get stuff and pack accordingly. Once you have that golden list, you need to move on to the essentials you require to live comfortably all on your own.

• A sturdy Backpack

When going to classes, you need to have a sturdy backpack that won't rip from all the weight that you put in it. Because there are multiple classes in one day, if you carry a notebook for every subject to note down all the essential points given in the lecture, their weight will become a lot for the bag in some cases. This is why by the end of your first semester, you will find your bag's straps ripping apart. Buying another bag will cost you more, so instead of going through all this trouble, get a good strong bag the first time. A good backpack might be expensive, but think of it as an investment. You will need a strong one, especially if you commute to college every day via train or a bus.

• Water Bottle

When staying on campus the whole day, a lot of students often get dehydrated. It is due to the fact they do not carry a water bottle with them and have to go to the water fountain or the cooler every time they are thirsty. To stay fresh, you need to stay hydrated. So carry a water bottle with you, which can retain its temperature. If water gets hot on a sunny day, chances are you won't drink it. So invest in a strong water bottle that is tight so it won't leak and will keep you water cool and refreshing the whole day.

• Umbrella

It frequently rains in the UK, and it is best to always carry an umbrella with you to prevent yourself from getting wet in case it rains. Get a retractable umbrella that can fit in your bag easily. If you don't use it for the rain, you can use it on a bright sunny day to shield yourself from the intense and harmful sun rays. Plus, an umbrella lasts a long time, so consider it as an investment for life.

• Sunscreen

One of the things which a lot of us don't care about is sunscreen. We only use it when going to the beach when, in reality, it is something that should be applied and used every time you step out in the sun. Colleges and universities often have huge grounds you have to cross to get from one class to another. It will expose you to the intense sun rays, which is why you need a good long lasting sunscreen with a high SPF to protect yourself against the sun. Do not forget to apply it to your hands and feet, too, since those are exposed.

• Your laptop

Often students rely on computers that are in the library. They are shared amongst students, and if you get late, you might not even get a free computer to use. That is how tough it is to get a PC that is not in use. To prevent that from happening, get your laptop. You will be able to get your work done anywhere at any time. If you have a packed schedule, you can even get your assignments done in the middle of your classes during break. Which is something that won't be possible if you plan on using the college's or university's computers.

• Snacks

Almost every other student can vouch for the fact that studying makes them hungry. And that is quite normal. During classes, you might get hungry, which is why you need snacks to keep yourself full. While many students do not pack any snacks with them, they end up running to the cafeteria or the nearest store to get a bag of chips or other junk food, which is not unhealthy and expensive. To avoid that from happening, bring in nuts and seeds and small snacks such as pretzels and cookies with you. Every day before leaving for class, you can keep some of those snacks in a small Ziploc bag with you to munch on during the day. You can also switch it up by packing some in-season fruits or trail mix, depending on what you are in the mood for.

These things might sound like something that is not a necessity but rather a comfort. When in reality, these are the necessities you need when going to college or university. Once you go there, you will realise how bad things get. There will be days when you will regret not bringing toilet paper with you. But the least you can do to minimise stuff like this is to go prepared for everything. Take everything you use daily with you, be it your power bank or your chap stick. It is relaxing and comforting to know that you have everything you need in case of an emergency, which will bring you peace of mind and help you focus on what matters the most: your studies.

When going on any trip, we tend to hoard as much stuff as possible and end up packing way more than we need. The same thing happens when students go to college or university. They tend to reach for stuff they haven’t used in years only to take it with them. They will pack up all the unnecessary stationary and clothes. All this happens because they are unaware of the situation they will face once they get to their dormitory or their apartment on campus. At the start, it seems like a fantastic idea to take all your shoes and clothes with you, but when you see the tiny cupboard in your dorm, you will regret all that stuff you brought. And once you realise your mistake, there will be no going back. Either you ship all the excess stuff back home, which is costly, or you wait for your next trip home. And that is certainly out of the question if you went to another city for your studies.

Almost all of suffer from this. It is the reason why airports are crowded at the check-in area. More than 50% of the passengers over pack and exceed the weight limit. Why? The theory behind packing is simple. We fear missing out, which is why we tend to pack everything which even we know we won't use. We wear the same pair of jeans for 2 to 3 days, but when going on a trip we know we won't have access to another pair, and that fear makes us pack more.  Not only this but there's also this whole display of stuff which makes people pack a lot more than they need. They have to look and feel their best which is why they will pack seven pairs of shoes instead of 2. They dislike being seen in the same footwear in all of their pictures which then makes them exceed their weight limit.

This whole fascination of showing off to the world is what makes us overpack. But refrain from repeating the same mistake when going to college or university because you won't have enough space. The dorm rooms that are shown in the movies are not how it is in real life. Keep reading to see what not to take with you to college.

• All of your footwear and clothes

Do not feel like you need to take your entire wardrobe with you to school. You only need a couple of pair of jeans and shorts. When it comes to tops and T-shirts you can take around 14 to 15, so you can quickly go for two weeks without doing laundry. Even on the hotter days, you can go by wearing the same jeans for a few days, while changing the top or shirt every day. It means less laundry to do, less space to store it and more comfortable for you to keep track and organise your clothes. It might not sound to be a huge deal right now, but once you go to college and see that tiny wardrobe space you get to store all your stuff you will be happy that you decided to bring only the essentials.

• Excess bed sheets, pillowcases and blankets

You only need a set of 2 sheets and pillowcases and only one blanket or throw over. Refrain from packing 4 to 5 spare sheets since you will never end up using them. Mothers often force their children to pack all the household necessities which they dint need. Let them know you won't have enough room to store them, and they will understand. You can even call ahead and ask your college or university about the dimension of your rooms and beds. This way, whatever you buy, you will know it will fit the bed and will prevent you from buying more in the future.

• Excess books and school supplies

To be clear, when you go on to a college or university, you won't exactly get the time to read all those books you brought along with you. Many students believe that they will need their old textbooks as reference books for their future assignments. But with the internet, everything is available, and you don't need to rely on books anymore. Plus, there is a place known as a library on your campus. Whatever book you need, go there and get it issued on your name and once you are done with it, return it. Get your library card made the first thing you get there, and you will never have to rely on your books anymore.

• Furniture

It is not a safe bet to take furniture with you, such as an ironing board or a study table. Ask your college authorities or university if they have furniture in their room and if they do, then see what it is. A lot of dorms only have a bed and a side table. If you cannot sit on your bed to study then pack a small folding table with you which you can put to the side once you are done. You can use it for multiple purposes like eating, studying or storing stuff. Every educational institute has places where you can iron your clothes, eat your meals and do whatever you need to do. So there is no need to take furniture with you.

• Coffee maker or other appliances

Instead of taking coffee makers and your microwaves with you, go to the cafeteria for your food or caffeine fix. There is no need to carry all that bulky stuff with you. Remember, educational institutes know what the students need to survive, and they have just that with them.  These appliances will also bring utility costs and maintenance costs which will then go out of your pocket. So save your money and pack light. You will find everything else at the cafeteria.

While it may be hard to convince yourself not to pack all those things that you want to, force yourself to make the right decision. Because once you get to your dorm, you will have to shove all those extra clothes underneath your bed to make them fit. And if you have a roommate think twice because they too will need their space. Be smart and pack light.