| Okay, so I was one of those freshmen who | | | | first in-dorm meal and have to eat it with their |
| brought way too much to college, but there's | | | | fingers. (Note on this: some freshmen prefer to |
| something to be said for being over-prepared. My | | | | eat with their fingers.) A refrigerator is also a |
| reputation for "having it all" got around the dorm | | | | must. You're better off buying one rather than |
| quickly, and I met quite a few people thanks to | | | | renting. Over the course of three semesters |
| my over-preparedness. After all, you'd be | | | | worth of refrigerator rent, you could have bought |
| surprised how many people tried to open their | | | | one anyway.Bring a comfortable pillow and |
| first can of spaghetti-o's, only to find that -- uh oh | | | | blankets. Your dorm bed will be uncomfortable. |
| -- they didn't have a can opener. And who knew | | | | This is practically guaranteed -- so bring whatever |
| the lemon juice I'd brought to highlight my hair | | | | you can bring to make it more comfortable for |
| with would so appeal to the drinking crowd?My | | | | you. Invest in 4 cement blocks to raise your bed |
| personal arsenal aside, what should you really take | | | | up. Dorms are notoriously small and this will give |
| with you for your freshman year? I think I'll start | | | | you plenty of extra room. This also makes a |
| with what not to bring: For one thing, forget the | | | | great hiding place, especially if you have an illegal |
| shower sandals that your mother will recommend | | | | pet in your room.Buy yourself one of those |
| to save you from catching a variety of heinous, | | | | erasable message boards for your door. It will |
| foot-transmitted diseases. You'll bring them, and | | | | probably be one of the most useful investments |
| the only thing they'll be useful for is killing flies. | | | | you'll make over the course of your dorm-stay. |
| Trust me on this. You'll never wear them. Don't | | | | This is the standard college way of communicating |
| bring anything breakable. That includes your | | | | with someone who is not home. If you don't have |
| mom's good crystal and your goldfish bowl. | | | | one, you won't get your phone messages. I can |
| Dorms get rough. Nothing breakable will last more | | | | almost guarantee this. My roommate and I also |
| than a week, and I know you'd hate to see your | | | | used to use the markers to leave notes for each |
| beloved goldfish lying in a puddle on the floor. Most | | | | other on our mirrors. And on a fun note, the |
| importantly, don't bring anything of any significant | | | | washable markers make great stained-glass |
| value. Leave your diamonds and rubies at home. | | | | window art. Just make sure to assure your Head |
| Even if you're great about locking your door | | | | Resident that they are, indeed, washable.Bring lots |
| regularly, your roommate may not be. Things get | | | | of stamps and stationary. Bring comfortable |
| stolen.Okay, that said, there are some absolute | | | | walking shoes. Girls should make sure to have a |
| must-brings when you go off for your first year | | | | jacket with lots of pockets -- campuses aren't |
| of school...If your school allows it, by all means | | | | conducive to constantly carrying pocketbooks. |
| bring a microwave and hot pot. In most colleges, | | | | Bring a fan -- sometimes the heat in the dorms |
| the school food is about the worst you will ever | | | | gets unbearable. From what I've heard, this is |
| taste --unless you like tofu burgers, that is. My | | | | typical of many campuses.Most importantly, bring |
| freshman year at college there was a food | | | | your sense of humor and adventure. All kidding |
| service by the name of SAGA. My fellow | | | | aside, college is one of the best times in your life. |
| students had fondly nicknamed the service | | | | Just be prepared to have fun, and to improvise. |
| "Savage Attempt to Gag Americans". It was | | | | You'll get good at this during your freshman year. |
| very aptly named. You'll also be surprised how | | | | And as long as you have your trusty can opener, |
| many creative meals you can make with these | | | | what more could you really need?Lisa Koosis is an |
| two appliances. I even baked a cake in my | | | | author on |
| microwave. Along those lines, bring eating utensils | | | | which is a site for Creative Writers, where she |
| -- at least one complete set (fork, spoon, knife). | | | | keeps her online portfolio. |
| You'd be surprised how many people cook their | | | | |