5. What I need

...Lots of junk. In my desk:

· 500 sheets of computer paper = Sometimes you have to print things out. You need paper.

· 10 CD-R discs = For burning stuff to CDs.

· Football schedule = Yes.

· Campus map = A must for freshmen.

· Stapler = Usually, I use this to staple things.

· Staples = These go into the stapler. The smallest box at the bookstore was 5000 staples. I could staple papers every day for the rest of my life and never run out.

· Calling card = I get lots of these as gifts and they are super convenient.

· Fine point marker = For labeling my perfectly legal CDs.

· 2 pens = For writing.

· 2 pencils = I’m not sure why I have pencils. I guess for bubble-sheet exams.

· 80 sheet notebook = For when I need a loose sheet of paper.

· Saline nasal spray = Keeps my nose happy

· Bookstore receipts = For records and so they don’t rob me more than necessary.

· Stamp = Yes, I have one single stamp in my drawer. I bought two but used the other one.

· Ibuprofen (cold & sinus) = A big huge box of it. 40% more free!

· 2 big packs of gum = Gum is good to freshen your breath and keep you awake in classes.

· Honey-herb cough drops = I wanted the orange flavored ones but was tricked into these. They make the bags the same color on purpose.

· Pizza coupons = I never order pizzas, but if I did I’d save some money on them.

· Scissors = You’d be amazed how often there are things to cut.

· $1.50 in change = It’s just change. It’s just sitting there. Sometimes I need quarters for laundry.

· Soda cap = With my favorite motivational phrase.

· The Bible = The guidebook for all the things they don’t teach in classes. One book I actually want to read. I have the New Living Translation and I like it.

· Watch = My parents gave it to me, for tellin’ time.

· 40 Envelopes = That’s right; I have one stamp and forty envelopes.

· Candy = I’ve usually got some kind of candy sitting around. My family sends me all kinds of great stuff.

· Cards and letters = Like I said, my family sends me great stuff.

· Extra cash = If I have more than $20, I stow it in a little can in one of my drawers (only rarely do I have more than $20 in cash).

· Checkbook = That vitally important, annoying little thing is rarely balanced.

· “Mini Lunchbox-o-stuff” = for mechanical pencil lead and erasers, batteries for the remote, and yet another spare pen.

· Knit hat = I’d freeze to death if I lost it, and there’s nowhere else to put it.

· Books = Good ones I always forget I have.

· Schoolbooks = Those things that cost about $400 and an arm (or leg, your choice) every semester. Should have learned earlier to find them online, instead

· Notebooks = To keep track of the things I’m supposed to be learning in my classes.

In my closet:

ØWrinkle remover = An iron would work better, if I knew how to use one. I don’t.

ØBucket w/loofa, soap, shampoo = I learned camping that you take a little bucket with you into the shower so you don’t have to worry about getting community shower juice on your clothes.

Ø2 hoodies = Hooded sweatshirts are great. They have that nice big kangaroo pocket, they keep you warm, and when you pull up the hood you can pretend you’re a monk.

ØRain jacket = Light enough to be cool, but water repellent so I never get totally drenched when I’m wearing it.

Ø2 Winter coats = For when a hoodie doesn’t cut it. I have one that I wear a lot and a nice leather jacket for when I care how I look.

ØUmbrella = I never carry it, but it’s a nice thought.

ØRacquetball racket = I played a couple times and then realized I’m not very good.

ØBeach towel = Mostly used for leisure pool basketball.

ØHat = When the hat is not enough, it’s time to get a haircut.

ØLight-up football = This great little thing is from my parents. One night we threw it around for at least an hour in front of the dorm.

ØSmall duffel bag = Just the right size for a weekend at home or a road trip.

ØLaundry hamper = I throw my dirty clothes in it; it folds up real small for traveling.

ØOther clothes = I have a few pairs of jeans and some nicer pants, a lot of shirts and such…clothes you need for school will obviously vary depending on the weather.

ØBleach = Don’t buy the tablets, they don’t work!

ØDryer sheets = I got really sick of my clothes all being covered with static...

ØSpare chapstick = for the winter days, when the rest runs out. Actually I don’t think I’ve ever run out of, I just lose them.

Ø Antacid tablets = for when I let a headache go too far or the dining hall food is disagreeable

Ø Screwdriver = for my bike, although it only fits about three of the screws

Ø 8 Travel tissue packets = these things are nice when your nose won’t stop running. I always have at least one in my backpack.

Ø Shampoo = I use a peanut-soap bottle’s worth to take in the shower

Ø Soap = ditto

Ø 2 extra sticks of deodorant = when you sweat as much as I do you can never have too much deodorant.

Ø Spare toothpaste = in a tube

Ø Spare toothbrush = the other one’s bound to fall apart eventually

Ø Zinc lozenges = these things taste awful but they really do work. Take a few of them a day if you feel like you’re getting a cold

Ø Shoe deodorant = my feet stink. My shoes do too, unless I put this baby-powderish stuff in them

Ø Stain remover = my best friend

p.s. – I overlooked a ton of necessities, I promise. I’m baffled by the number of odds and ends I need over the course of a semester. Also, realize that every person has different needs (girls ESPECIALLY). Don’t worry about having everything right away; lots of my things were acquired over time. Good luck, and be sure to make friends who have plenty of useful stuff!