When you’re moving away to college for your first year, one thing that catches a lot of new freshmen off-guard is how busy that first few days are around the dorm.  Besides orientation for school, there are non-stop activities designed to help you get used to your new surroundings and meet the people you’ll be sharing your dorm with for the next year.

Whether you are going to drive to your new school with your belongings in the trunk or traveling a long distance and shipping your belongings, having a survival kit packed and ready to go will help you get through your first few days of college life.  Here are some things to consider including in your survival pack.

Documents and Paperwork

Create a file you can bring with you that contains all your important documents.  These might include college registration and housing forms, banking information, health insurance cards, social security card and contact information and any forms that your parents may need to sign in advance. You don’t want to be digging through your stuff trying to remember where you put those forms.

Toiletries

Make sure you pack all essential toiletries in your survival kit. You’ll want to include cosmetics, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, body lotion, contact solution and contact carrying case (if needed), cotton swabs and hairbrush. If you’re trying to save space, you could bring trial sized items that will last you a few days until you can locate the nearest drug store to stock up on full sized items.  It’s actually a good idea to wait and stock up once you arrive.  You can go with your roommate or new friends and check out the local surroundings and shopping spots.  One more bonus of waiting, you’ll see how much storage space you really have.

Medicines

This may seem like it’s obvious but it’s often overlooked. Make sure you have prescriptions filled before you move. You could even have prescriptions transferred if you know of a pharmacy near campus.  You’ll want to make sure you have at least a one week supply packed in your survival kit so you don’t have to worry about getting refills during your first few days at school.

Clothing

Whether you have to travel by air or will be driving by car you’ll need to pack at least one change of clothes to have available right away.  Don’t forget to bring an extra pair of shoes and a jacket, hoodie or sweater. If your belongings are being shipped you may want to have a few days’ worth of clothes packed to give the boxes time to arrive.

Items you use every day

This category will vary for everyone, but here are a few items that apply to most of us. First of all, don’t forget a bath towel and some flip flops for the shower. You’ll also want to remember your hairdryer and a curling iron or flat iron. You’ll probably be going out a lot and meeting new people.  It’s important to feel your best to make a good impression.

Bedding

Your first few days will be packed full of activities and when you crash at the end of the night, you will want your bed to be comfortable. Make sure you bring extra-long sheets to fit the dorm beds.  And last but not least, you’ll want to bring your own pillow from home.  Most all of us have a favorite pillow we prefer. They don’t take up much space and it’s a little touch of familiarity at the end of a long day.

Moving to college is fun and exciting. Making a to-do list and packing a survival kit to minimize the stress of moving will allow you to focus on the fun and exciting parts of moving to college!

Whether your college move is long distance or close to home Good Stuff Moving can make it easy get your valuables from home to college with our 5 Options for your move.

Watch for our next post on budget decorating tips for your new home.