Dear future college students,

When you enter college, you will be inundated with lists and advice on what to bring to school and what to leave at home. Lucky for you, I put together a list of all the things that no one ever tells you.

• Earplugs
  You and your roommate will always be on different schedules. So when you need to sleep, get some work done, or just plain be left alone, these come in handy. If earplugs weird you out, earphones are just as effective. Even if you’re not listening to music, you will still be left alone.

• Thank you cards
  College is filled with going on interviews and awkwardly asking for letters of recommendations. If you ever want to ask people for letters again, you had better write a thank-you. FYI-cheapest ones can be found at Wally-world.

• Air-fresheners
  College can be a smelly place.

• Silverware
  You will most likely remember plates and cups but forget the utensils. Plastic ones work well. And if you can only afford some, go with knives and spoons-they do everything a fork can.

• Can Opener
  You won’t realize this until you buy a can. Thus, I’m saving you from that frustration. You don’t need pots and pans though; you can borrow them from the ‘mom’ of the floor.

• One set of sheets
  You only need one set. You’re only going to take them off when you go to wash them, and then you can just put them back on. And if you’re gross and never wash them anyways, why have two sets?

If you forget some of these, rest assured. You live on a floor with dozens of other people, so just learn the art of “borrowing.”

You’re welcome,
CMS