What you REALLY need to bring to a college dorm (A List)

Hey guys,
Last year was my first year at OSU (OH-! haha) and I was flabbergasted on what to bring since I didn't really have any older friends and my brother was useless (but I still love him!). So I searched the internet for the most in depth, mostly girl-oriented (sorry fellas) lists I could find, and I have to say my freshman year in the dorms was pretty sweet.  So here's what I found, tried out, and loved:

1.) Fan
-whether you have air conditioning or not, it's probably not going to be up to your usual standards and without it sleeping will be miserable

2.) Some form of file back-up
-your laptop might come with it, you could get an external hard drive, flash drive, or I've been using Google Drive for free and it has been a God-send.

3.) Sticky Wall Hooks
-Start out with like 5-10 and then get more if you need them. They are amazing for jackets, bags, scarves, hats, and I even hang my curling iron, hair dryer, and flat iron on them by my mirror. Get all the counter space you can!

4.) Storage
-If you can help it, don't buy any storage bins/shelves/whatever until you've actually seen the space you'll be living in. That way you can find out what you ACTUALLY need. I only brought a 4 storage crates (cheap from walmart) that I stacked up next to my bed so it doubled as an alarm clock stand. Boom! Done.

5.) Desk Lamp
-You're going to need light for studying (and eating when you're roommate's snoozing lol) so get a cute one in your favorite color to brighten your desk.

6.) Power Socket Board
-You have a lot of crap to plug in (unless you don't have a phone, laptop, TV, printer, flat iron, alarm clock, microwave or fridge).

6.) Containers for the Bling
-My favorite way to organize jewelry is on my bulletin board. Just pin up the cardboard squares your earrings come on (our cut your own), drape your necklaces/bracelets/headbands and now you also have more decoration for your wall (yay :)). Try pinning pictures of your and your pals before the jewelry and painting the frame to jazz it up.
-Other options- silverware organizers for your drawer can also hold jewelry, jewelry trees from Claire's and the like are really cute too, or just plop it in that cute box you've always had

7.) Decoration
-Pictures: not only are they great for wall decoration, but also for letting your roommate know that you are a normal person who can make friends (not like they doubted you or anything).
-Posters: display what you love and fill those gross pale walls (I made a collage from my old Seventeen magazines full of inspiring quotes and stuck it next to my desk to cheer me up during my study blues)
-Lights: Christmas string lights can make a lofted bed feel like a fortress or turn your ceiling into a night sky. Just make sure your roommate's cool with them.

8.) An Adorable Bed-set
-Just splurge on that Bed Bath and Beyond super pack of beautiful fabric. You're gonna be sleeping on it for the next four years (even in your apartment) so you might as well be in love with it.

9.) One extra chair
-Your dorm will probably come with one desk chair, but you'll need another.  It can be one of those squishy bean bags or a full fledged futon, but I'm guessing you're probably going to have other people come into your room at some point and they're going to need a place to sit. Or maybe your back will hurt after sitting in the same seat and you need to switch it up mid-study session or you'll fail Calc tomorrow. You can thank me later.

10.) Clothing Solutions (my ideas)
-newspaper or better for lining your drawers
-hangers and a basket for your shoes in the closet
-over the door hooks for scarves and belts to grab on the way out the door
-a tub for storing clothes for next season under your bed or in high cabinets

11.) Accordion file
-Now that you're living on your own, you have to start keeping important receipts and forms organized. This is one way to do it.

12.) Minimal school supplies
-I'm pretty sure you can just survive off of paper, pencils/pens, and one three ring binder per semester, but use whatever tools work best for you. I would also recommend a personal stapler and three-hole-punch so you don't have to trek to the library

13.) Shower Caddy and flipflops
-For navigating that route to the showers down the hall and avoiding fungi and what not from other kids.

14.) That Thing You Love
-Your favorite teddy bear, volleyball, or pair of heels. Bring one thing just for the purpose of cheering you up or feeling at home.

15.) Med-kit
-bandaids, cough drops, ibuprofen/advil, neosporin, ace bandage wrap, thermometer, daily vitamin and other medications
-Save a trip to the clinic with these quick fixes

*Things You Can Get By Without*
-TV: I never had a problem finding my favorite shows on my laptop and they usually stream important news/sports/events live. Plus, dorms usually have one in the lobby or basement.
-Printer: it's usually a nickel per page at the library and easy to grab on the way to class
-Food From Home: only bring a couple favorites because most schools require you to have a meal plan when you live in the dorms and you'll want to get your money's worth.  If this isn't the case at your school, stock away!

First Post

When you start getting frustrated because twitter is too small to convey all your thoughts and no one wants to hear your rants on facebook, it's about time to get a blog. I heard journaling is supposed to help people deal with feelings and right now I've got quite a few of those. And you never know, I might be able to connect to other people and their feels too.

But before we begin, where are my manners? My name is Nichole and as my blog title suggests, I am indeed a ginger (the kind that freckles and burns in the sun, but with darker hair color).  I'm nineteen years old and...... already getting bored of this post LOL. That should be enough, right?

Happy reading!