1st Day of College Pack List
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The first week of college is right around the corner! Can you believe it? This weekend, thousands of college students will be moving across the country to move into dorms and student apartments. While moving back to school is always fun, especially when you move into a new apartment, sometimes the moving process can be overwhelmed. While we’re overwhelmed, we often get caught up and forget things.
If you’re like me, you’ll still be unpacking and organizing when the first day of classes come. And, especially if you’re a freshman, it’s sometimes hard to know what to bring for a successful first day of class.
1.) Backpack/Bag: You’ll need a bag to carry all of your things. The first day you’ll receive a lot of things (as well as take a lot of things), so you’ll need a bag to carry everything. Personally, I like the backpack because it’s a little bit more even when it comes to weight distribution, but it’s always a personal preference.
2.) a Notebook: I know that laptops are all the rage now in college, but hear me out. Technology is good and bad, but a lot of professors are older and don’t like the distractions of laptops and iPhones. So, until you know for a fact that a laptop is okay, there’s no point in lugging it all around. The first day of classes, take a notebook and hand write your notes. Besides, you retain more information handwriting anyways.
3.) Folder: Along with taking notes the first day, you’ll get lots of papers – i.e. syllabi. You’ll want a folder to keep them all together and project them while they hang out in your backpack all day.
4.) Planner (I love the Day Designer): With all those syllabi, you’ll get lots of dates. Like project due dates and test dates. I like to write them down as soon as I can. But, make sure you write all those the dates down in pencil! Professors like to change the dates and there’s nothing worse on a planner than scratched out pen splotches.
[bctt tweet=”What do you take with you to the first day of class? “]
5.) Pencil Bag: If you’re like me, you always have numerous pens and pencils at the bottom of your bag. A pencil bag is a great way to keep all those writing utensils together.
6.) Water Bottle: Especially that first day of class, you will sweat a lot. Your body isn’t used to running around on campus trying to make it one place to another in ten minutes. Water is the best way to re-hydrate yourself. A lot of colleges have places you can refill your bottle at too.
7.) A Jacket: It’s cold in those classrooms, so be sure to bring your jacket. Trust me, by the end of class, you’ll be cold!
That’s my list of things you need to take with you in order to be successful on the first day of class. Are there any things you don’t leave without on the first day?
One thing that was important to me was comfy shoes! There’s usually a lot of walking; the first day might not be the best day to test out your new super cute heels!
vera bradley! my fave!
Your backpack and planner are super cute! Love them 🙂
What planner do you have? It’s so pretty!
It’s called the Simplified Life Planner by Emily Ley!
Thank you!
Love Vera Bradley. Hope your first week is a success!
My must have was always a hoodie!
Have a great first week! We didn’t start til end of September but there was always the is it going to downpour or be 80 degree question for the first day.
Oh, your planner is so cute! Who couldn’t stay organized with a gem like that?! 🙂
Organization is key!
I always lugged around a sweatshirt because it was always cold in class!! And a snack if it’s was a long class (Tuesdays/Thursdays)
Great list, Laura!! I love that planner!
So fun! Brings me back 🙂
Gum and Post-It notes…I’m a tad bit obsessed with both.
This is a great list! I totally agree with bringing a notebook versus a laptop or a tablet (I’m old school for notes), at least until you know whether your professor allows the technology. Many of my professors provide reading materials online and actually prefer students to use an ereader or tablet, since it saves paper (and printing and ink is expensive) so there’s a major plus either way.
However, I personally don’t bring jackets. At least in my area; August is one of the hottest months of the year in Las Cruces, which means that the water bottle is an absolute must.
Huntsville has the heat and the humidity, but they keep the buildings so cold! With my thyroid disease, I’m cold in fifteen minutes. It’s the worst. But yes, water, lots and lots of water!
I definitely agree with the notebook! I love writing things by hand, I just learn a lot more. Plus being in primarily science, engineering, or math courses, it’s hard to use a computer to take notes anyway.
Another thing I will add is chapstick and lotion! I always regret when I enter a dry classroom and don’t have chapstick. For me it is a MUST to carry around at all times!
Cassie
Hadn’t thought of chapstick! I live in a really humid town, and I drink a lot of water, so I don’t often need it, but that’s a great thing to carry!
A planner and jacket were always on my list! I found that I couldn’t focus when I felt cold in class, so I made sure to always have a sweater or jacket in my bag when I was walking around. And my planner was a lifesaver! I would have been lost in college without it.
Good and nad advice. But, i expect in would not know until that day. Definitely bring notebooks and pencils. I wouldn’t bring a coat many teachers make youvleave them outside the classroom and I dont like yo leave mu things unattended. Instead wear light layers. You can fold a light sweater or hoodie and put it with your bag. ( I have a class where book bags must also be left outside the classroom)
Lastly for my major all my classes require me to bring my laptop. It’s one the colleges choosing and is heavy! Its 2016 and my laptop weighs 7lbs…. its terrible. I wouldn’t have wanted to getvto class my first day and find out everyone was ready to go except me!!
What area of the country do you go to school in? I’ve never heard of a college requiring students to leave bags out in the hallway (I’d be afraid someone would steal it). you’ve definitely had a different experience than many college students I’ve spoken to, that’s for sure!