Right now, as an incoming freshman, you’re probably being bombarded by things you must do and already have a running tab of items you must pack before coming to the University. I know this is likely to be a hectic and stressful period. However, I’d like to offer some crucial and often overlooked items that you will be happy you packed. Here’s my list of essential items for surviving your first year of college.

Shower shoes

If you’ve yet to experience the glory of communal showers, prepare yourself for large hairballs and unknown substances covering the cold, slimy shower ground. All of which I can assure you do not want to be touching your feet. To make your introduction slightly less burdensome, I strongly recommend buying a pair of showers shoes — rubber flip-flops or sandals will do. I’ll even condone wearing Crocs for this one instance. Just make sure you pack a pair of shoes to wear in the shower. Trust me, you’ll be happy you did.

Rain boots and umbrella

These two items might be seemingly obvious, but they are easily forgotten by many. Given the unpredictable central Illinois weather and the frequent inaccuracy of weather apps, I recommend buying a sturdy travel umbrella to keep in your backpack at all times and a pair of sturdy rain boots to endure puddles; I’ve suffered way too many rainy days trudging home in soppy clothes and shoes. Save yourself the trouble — make sure to pack these two items.

Ear plugs

I cannot stress enough the usefulness you will find in a pair of ear plugs. For the annoying people running and yelling down the dorm hallways late at night or even just noisy neighbors as you try to study, ear plugs will seem like a godsend to you. Don’t forget: most first-year students will be sharing a space with at least one other person, a person who may take to studying, Skyping or playing video games late at night when you wish to sleep. If you are even more unfortunate, your roommate, along with a partner, may engage in other late night activities and make other, ahem, noises you’d rather not hear. A pair of earplugs will be invaluable to you no matter what noises you are trying sound out. 

Professional clothes

You might have glorious plans to wear pajamas or sweats to class everyday and cannot remotely imagine when you might need to spruce yourself up. Still, I urge you to pack some versatile professional clothes because, mark my words, you will need that tie and slacks, or dress and heels, at some point. It might be an internship or job interview, Greek formal or even just church when your parents come to visit. Nevertheless, you will need to dress up eventually, so pack some nice clothes.

Condoms

Yes, these too are often an overlooked first year item. Regardless of your current level of sexual activity or if you have every intention of abstinence in the near future, having condoms on hand is a good idea. At the very least, a friend may ask to borrow some. McKinley Health Center offers free condoms to students. Other groups will pass condoms out from time to time around campus and often on Quad Day. Be safe; stock up.

Laundry detergent

It is my hope that most incoming students have experience doing their own laundry. However, I’ve discovered that many do not. Regardless of your previous familiarity with a washer and dryer, do not forget to bring some laundry detergent. 

If you’re anything like most of us on campus, you will wait as long as you possibly can before you do laundry. Whether that is a couple weeks or — god forbid — even a month, detergent will be essential when you do finally get around to doing your laundry.

Power strip

Our generation is notorious for our dependence on electronics. The couple of plugs provided in your dorm room will not be enough to fuel most people’s abundance of items, i.e. your laptop charger, phone charger, alarm clock, microwave, coffee maker, fan, mini fridge and so forth. Not only does a power strip enable you to power all of your items, it makes it easy to unplug all of your items, which you will need to do on school breaks. Make sure to grab one.

Audrey is a junior in LAS. She can be reached at [email protected].