How To : Packing for college

Going to College, especially in another country is a time for new beginnings - and a chance for you to reinvent yourself...so why pack up all your old life and take it with you? Many freshman make the mistake of over-packing when they first travel to their new college.  It can be a frightening and nerve-wracking experience to leave behind your old bedroom, your friends and family to embark on new opportunities. It can be tempting for students to try and take many "comforter items" along with them. It is easy to get attached to items such as clothes, journals, sketchpads, photo albums etc - and you may worry about becoming nostalgic or homesick - but remember that you will amass a lot of new things over your time in the US so you won't need to cling on to things from the past so much! Also, remember - the less 'essentials' you pack, the more room you will have for a few personal reminders of home! We have created a checklist to give you a better idea of what you need, without all the 'security blanket' stuff that will weigh you down! Don't forget - at college in the US...you are never too far from a store selling all the essentials so be strict with yourself and don't over-pack!