As an incoming freshman to Michigan State University, you are excited, anxious, thrilled and stressed to make college memories. When it came to packing, some are early birds, who pack a month early, and then there are those who wait a bit.
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE: The do's and don'ts of what to pack for your dorm
Either way, these are some tips on what to pack other than your basic fridge, microwave and mattress topper (you will not want to forget one of those) and what to leave at home. Hopefully, people can be saved from the frantic Meijer rush.
Do’s:
Medicine kit
The first thing to emphasize as much as humanly possible, because it really was my savior this past year, is a medicine kit. A good kit includes: basic cold medicine, painkillers, allergy meds, ointment for rashes or bug bites, Pepto Bismol, cough drops, a thermometer, Band-Aids, rubbing alcohol and gauze.
These items help if dining hall food messes up your stomach for a day, or when the grass was being mowed leads to sneezing and especially when the flu hits. The last thing you want to do is trek to Target to buy meds, or spend a bunch of money to have it DoorDashed.
Tool kit
Get a small tool kit with your basic Phillips and flathead screwdriver, a hammer, a tape measure, Allen wrenches and a pair of scissors. You would be shocked how many messages get sent in the dorm group chats asking if anyone has a screwdriver or a hammer. If you have a tool box you could be the hero of your hall, and maybe make a new friend.
Extra blankets
When you move into the dorms, it will be blisteringly hot outside, but you cannot forget extra blankets. Living in the dorms is amazing, but the heating isn’t. Normally, the heating is working, but it must be busy heating something other than your dorm, and everyone will be freezing. Except you, because you read this column and brought extra blankets.
Cleaning supplies
Remember your cleaning supplies, and remember to be smart with your money when you buy them. The cleaning supplies at the dollar store are the same as the ones at the big box stores; it’s just $1.25 instead.
Don’ts:
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When it comes to what not to bring, that's more of a case-by-case situation, but a few things will just take up space and are provided by MSU.
Printers
You might have been told you will have to pay to print things at MSU so it would be more efficient to buy your own printer now and it will pay itself off with how much you use it. Not true. There are many places around campus where free print is offered and if you end up having to go on a big hunt, its a great way to familiarize yourself with campus.
Ice machine
I know ice cold water is refreshing, but having an expensive ice machine that wakes you up in the middle of the night with loud noises and has to be cleaned frequently is not. Ice is provided at the dining halls, water bottles can be put in fridges and most water bought at Spartys is already cold, so save the money and the time.
Aesthetic hassles
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Remember, everything you bring in on move-in day eventually has to be moved out. So some of the more aesthetic things like an 8-piece bed set, the cute stools, the big mirror with lightbulbs all over and a super adorable and heavy headboard are great to look at, but not something you will want to carry out at the end of the year.
