Personal Things You’ll Want To Buy Before Freshman Year

A young woman in a white tank top holding and examining two white shampoo bottles in a grocery store aisle.

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  • Are you counting down the days to the start of your freshman year?

    We’re excited for you! You’re about to embark on a one-of-a-kind life journey and develop so many skills and friendships along the way.

    But before you haphazardly throw your belongings into a suitcase and drive to campus, make sure you have everything. A lot of first-year students remember the big items, like a comforter and clothing, but forget smaller personal things. Here are a few items you’ll want to buy before freshman year.

    A Restock on Toiletries

    Save yourself the trouble of buying new shampoo and toothpaste during your first week of classes and restock now. Get at least the following:

    • Shampoo
    • Conditioner
    • Face wash
    • Any other skincare products you use
    • Deodorant
    • Toothpaste
    • Toothbrush
    • Dental floss
    • Razors
    • Body wash

    Full Prescriptions

    If you’re managing any ongoing health conditions or you’re someone who takes medication regularly, this one’s huge. Fill all your prescriptions before heading to campus. Make sure you have enough to last until the next break when you can visit your local pharmacy or doctor. Knowing you’re prepared will keep stress at bay and allow you to focus on your studies and new experiences.

    Also, stock up on basic over-the-counter meds. Though no prescription is required for these items, you will definitely need them. Think pain medication like ibuprofen, allergy medication, stomach ache medication, and the like.

    New Glasses or Contacts

    If you wear glasses or contacts, now is the time to stock up. If you wear contacts, you will obviously need to make sure you have enough sets to carry you through your first year.

    If you wear glasses, you might have a functional pair, but college is a great time to do a self-care reset and establish a more adult style. Therefore, you can try finding new eyewear that you’ll want to wear even after college. This is also an essential opportunity to upgrade your prescription, even if it’s just a minor change. You want to see as well as possible in college! Just remember what to look for when buying new glasses.

    A Shower Caddy

    Remember that long list of toiletries you have to pack? Yeah—you’re not going to want to carry all of that by hand to the bathroom. This is why a shower caddy is a dorm room essential. It makes carrying toiletries to shared bathrooms so much easier. Find one with a lot of space and compartments.

    Towels

    You’ll want more than one towel. At the very least, you need one for showering, one for washing your face, and one for outdoor adventures. Have a few plush options on hand, but don’t forget to bring a microfiber towel! It dries super quickly and folds up compactly, making it perfect for traveling, like for going to the beach or on a road trip with friends. Ultimately, comfortable, quality towels can make life just a bit more pleasant.

    You’ll want to buy these personal things before freshman year to begin your college adventure in the best way possible. You’ll feel prepared and confident knowing you have all the often-forgotten basics packed and ready to go.

    Image Credit: photo by JackF, license #87701804

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