A-Z Essentials for Freshman Year

A good attitude! 

College can be an intimidating place at first, but it is also so easy to make friends! Everyone is in the same boat, and looking to make friends, so you can go and sit by anyone in the Perry (or Fresh, or the Union) and get to know them! 

Bandaids

A lifesaving item! Not everyone thinks of having these babies, but everyone will need one at some point! Be a good friend :) 

Bathing Suit 

You never know, a friend may invite you to their pool, or for a last-minute weekend trip to the lake, and you’ll need a swimsuit! But no panicking, since you already have one!

Big Trash Bags

Big trash bags are great for many things. They are great for moving clothes on hangers, and for moving pillows. (And they’re also good for your trash can!)

Blackout Curtains 

Although my roomie and I never pulled an all-nighter, we would have been VERY appreciative of blackout curtains. We had a nice and bright view of the sun at 7:30 each morning!

Brita 

If you get nothing from this, GET A WATER FILTER! Starkville tap water is not necessarily my favorite for drinking water. Britas are great and convenient to fill up your water bottle, EasyMac, or ice tray! 

Business Outfit 

I did not think about this, but when interviewing first semester, many organizations required Business Casual attire! So, make sure you have one #BOSS #LADY outfit that you feel confident in!

Calculator 

When I was moving, I was so focused on designing the cutest new room, that I forgot that I was coming to MSU to take classes(Oops, Sorry Mom). During your Freshman year, you’ll probably have at least one math class where you’ll need this fine piece of technology. 

Can opener

Sometimes your can of chicken noodle soup will not have a pop-tab, and that’s when this tool comes in handy. 

Coffee Maker

A cold morning must, I did not always have the motivation to get out of bed and walk to the Union for Starbucks. There’s something therapeutic about brewing your own cup of Joe in the morning!

Dehumidifier

If you’re living in a traditional dorm, or new construction, you will need one form of these! For a traditional room, I would recommend a big one, but for a new construction, I would recommend a small Damprid or something for your closet. 

Disposable Camera

You’ll want to remember all the special moments, and what a fun way to do it, am I right????

Drawer Organizers

Make sure to check how many dressers your room comes with. Some dorms have 1 for the room, some have 2. Either way, has anyone told you how many t-shirts you get in college??? A lot. You need the extra space (even if you end up putting your snacks in the bottom drawer ;) 

Dry Shampoo

Mississippi is HOT, and sometimes you will not have the time to fully wash your hair before a meeting, so dry shampoo is one way to go!

Favorite Pens

A personal preference of mine is a pink, Papermate Inkjoy pen, I mean, who can hate writing when it’s in such a cute color???

Foldable Drying Rack

There are only so many places to hang wet clothes in your little shoebox, and having these wet clothes strug all around your room is not the tidy-est answer either.

Good Walking Shoes

Take it from me, you will absolutely thank yourself later. 

Hamper

Make sure it is one you can carry or roll down to the laundry room. Also, check to see that it is big enough to hold a lot of laundry, but also small enough to store in your closet or under your bed! 

Headphones

I feel like this one is self-explanatory :)

Ice trays

Having an ice tray for your freezer is a must!! This past year the ice machines in the dorms were turned off due to COVID, so this was the only way to put ice in your water bottle!

Journal (Saying it LOUDER for the people in the back!!)

Freshman year is SUCH a season of growth, so writing all about your freshman experience in the beginning, and then even reading it at the end of your freshman year is such a good way to see the Lord’s faithfulness, and just how much you’ve grown on your own this year. 

Kitchen Things

Cheffing it up in your shoebox can be fun! I just recommend a knife, a few measuring cups, and some tupperware. These will take you a long way. Also, just having a roll of aluminum foil! I can not tell you home many times my friends texted and asked if they could borrow it to make some late night cookies.  You can check out pots and pans from the front desk! 

Masking tape

To hang things! Whether it’s decorating your friends door for their birthday, or just hanging things around your room, a roll is always handy!

Mattress Pad

Everyone seems to knows about this, but it is another MUST have!

Pepper Spray

Ah, a good ole friend to have when you are walking from your parked car, which is parked about 4 minutes away from your dorm entrance. #STAYSTRAPPED everybody. 

Personal Fan

The air conditioner in your dorm is great, but if it is hot outside and you just got  back from a long walk from Starkvegas Snowballs, or your bathroom is steamy from a hot shower, having a little fan to put in your face is quite nice. 

Phone Wallet

Seeing how your Phone and ID are your lifeline, having them together is quite convenient! Most times I never leave without my phone, so a phone wallet is good to have to make sure you can get back into your room!

Picnic Blanket

Not a typical item, but mine was put to use SO MUCH this year! It can be used at baseball games, picnics at North Farm (or the refuge), or just sitting on the Drill Field on a nice day! 

Planner

Talk about a lifeline!!!!

Portable Charger

You will be on the go a ton! Having this is good for long academic days, but for any sort of event. A #mommove, but so handy, and you will be #prepared for impromptu plans! 

Rain Gear

Specifically a rain jacket, walkable rain boots(emphasis on the walkable!), and an umbrella are useful! Trudging across campus in the pouring rain is not my favorite activity, but there is also the BUS! The bus can be intimidating and confusing to use at first, but they are a nice resource to get you where you need to go, and help you stay as dry as possible! 

Shower Organizer

In a new-construction dorm, you will need one that hangs from your showerhead, and in an older one, you will need a caddy you can just pick up and take with you to the shower! Trust me, you have more shower items than you think. 

Slippers

Personally, I never wore slippers until I got to college, but here, everyone wears them! They’re nice to slip on and head down to let your friend in the dorm, but also nice to wear to go get a late night snack from Insomnia! This one it at the utmost importance because in my mind— these are the #shoes #of #college !

Small Vacuum

Talk about HANDY-DANDY! Your room feels even smaller when it is dirty. Having a clean room is also a key to staying motivated. For me, nothing is getting done unless I have a clean room. 

Smells

When it comes to a having a clean room, half of it has to do with how it smells! Many people use scentsys, or the scent sticks (but nothing involving fire.) 

Speaker

For having a midnight dance party with your roomie, singing in the shower, or getting ready with your friends, a speaker can definitely bring some F U N energy! 

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are necessary for many reasons. For completing an outfit, to hide your eyebags (sometimes your identity, if they’re big enough) and to help protect your eyes from the bright sun on your daily commute to class! 

Swap/Dress up Clothes

Sometimes, you get a last minute invite to a date party, so it is good to have some assorted items on hand to reduce some stress! Bringing your old costumes from homecoming week is a good place to start, but also having a few accessories to just add to any theme! 

Throw Blankets

BLANKETS! An essential part of living, to me at least. Good to have for personal use, but also for when you have friends in your room! 

Tide Pen

You heard me, #MOMMOVE, but can help prevent staining, since you probably won’t want to do another load of laundry in the next few days to come.

Tote Bag

Talk about a VERSATILE object! Having a go-to tote is one of my most used objects. When bringing things home for the weekend, going to a friend’s dorm for the night, packing all the supplies to decorate for a friends bday, or just to carry your groceries in. This item is important in order to make it all in ONE TRIP!

Wagon

Thank goodness for WHEELS! A case of waters can be quite heavy, or just bringing your hamper, overnight bag, pillow, and backpack home for the weekend, this is good to make the trek to your car in one trip! There are some great ones on Amazon :)

Weekendender Bag

Something on the smaller end of travel-wear, but big enough for a couple outfits! You and your new friends may be itching to take a weekend get-a-way, whether it is to one of their houses, or the beach, this is a wonderful item to have!

Wrinkle Releaser

Steaming may take up some time that you do not have, but thankfully there is wrinkle releaser!!! She can get the job done quick and make your church dress look just like NEW!