College Apartment Essentials

Moving into your college dorm was a big deal, but now you have your very own college apartment, which is an even bigger deal (And sadly, just a bit more expensive). Moving into your dorm was an exhausting process on its own, as you had to go buy all sorts of things to make that transition from high school to college just a little bit smoother. But now, since you’ll be all on your own this time, below are some essentials that lots of people forget about when moving into their first apartment. This is a list of random things that you’ll wish you bought before you move in, since most people tend to forget!

CLEANING SUPPLIES

As silly as this sounds, this may be one of the most forgotten things when moving into an apartment. In the hustle and bustle of buying furniture, decor, and all sorts of other goodies for your new place, you forget one thing you absolutely need, and that is cleaning supplies! Be sure to bring a sturdy broom and mop because the floors will definitely need a good deep clean before you even move in. A good vacuum is always a great investment and something you can keep using even after moving out of your college apartments. Be sure to keep other things such as wipes, paper towels, sponges, toilet brushes, dish soap, and spray cleaners on hand. Just try to think about how you would clean your own bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen at home, and buy the products you need. 

BASIC TOOLKIT

Another necessity that a lot of people forget or simply opt out of bringing is a basic toolkit. It does not need to be anything fancy, just something with a hammer, screws, and other basic tools to hang up decorations or put together furniture. Be sure to also include things like masking tape and command strips in your little toolkit to ensure that you have everything you need to make life a little easier. If you are bringing your car with you, consider making a secondary toolkit with all car related things, such as jumper cables, a tire pressure checker, and other things you would need in case of emergency. Dad isn’t here to fix all these things for you now, so take matters into your own hands!

MEDICINES & FIRST AID

Another very important thing to purchase and pack when moving out on your own is a first aid kit and medicines. Gone are the times where you get by on borrowing medicine from your parents. Invest in the medicines that you use the most, such as Advil or Tylenol for headaches and cramps, cough syrup for those pesky colds, and anything else that you would normally take (such as pills for allergies or stomach aches). Be sure to also pack a little first aid kit of basic essentials so you don’t have to scramble in case of an emergency. Pack items like band aids, gauze, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes, and whatever else you deem necessary for a fully stocked medicine cabinet!

TONS AND TONS OF STORAGE

Now this one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how much storage you will come to need in your own place. If you want to live as organized as possible, you definitely need to opt in to buying some good storage solutions. Something as simple as large plastic bins or as fancy as decorative boxes and baskets are a great way to store random items in your room like extra towels, clothes for a different season, extra toilet paper, etc. This keeps it out of dust and harm’s way, while also decluttering your entire room and not having to make it a mess as you move in! (Plus, what better way to store all of your cleaning supplies, tool kits, car essentials, medicines, and first aid supplies?)