UofSC

We recently asked a current USC senior about advice for packing for freshman year. Here's her list of do's and don'ts! 

Can't live without:

Microwave: Three words: Popcorn, popcorn, popcorn

Eating utensils/dinnerware: Yes it means more things to clean, but you can’t eat cereal at midnight without a bowl and a spoon. 

Mattress topper: College is new and exciting and wonderful, but the beds, sadly, may not be. Don’t forget to get a comfortable mattress topper (we recommend egg-crate) to cushion the blow of those early mornings. 

Robe – Guys, gals – this one is self explanatory. One cannot simply anticipate when one will accidentally lock oneself out of one's bathroom. 

Extra chair – Bean bags are generally out now because after an hour into Mean Girls, your comfort level isn’t what you expected from this “vintage piece.” Fold out chairs are easier to store and you can easily find one that suits your style and comfort. Regardless, you’ll need an extra sitting space for those weekly Game of Thrones viewing parties. 

Extra blanket: It may be #famouslyhot here but we sure know how to use the air conditioning (you’ll understand, soon, future students). It's also handy for a picnic or lazy afternoon on the Horseshoe. 

  Waste of space:

Too many picture frames: It's great that girls like to be visually reminded of best friends and memories, but you won’t have as much shelf/desk space as you expected and you are extremely limited on what (and how!) you can hang things on the walls. 

Curtains/Curtain rods: Some residence halls may have curtain rods already built into the wall, but most only have blinds. Fun FYI: you are not allowed to drill into the wall anyways, so its better to just stay away from trying to hang curtains. 

Too many cups: Kitchenware is a must, but you’ll gather more free cups, koozies and sunglasses in the first month than you’ll know what to do with. 

Too much food: If you can’t make it in a microwave or eat it cold, don't bother. Your meal plan will ensure you won’t starve and you’ll have Carolina Cash for quick snacks. Sadly, residence hall life doesn't allow for pot roast or chocolate soufflé.

Consider shipping some items to your student mailbox ahead of time. Especially if you’re traveling from out of town, it may save a lot of space and time! Or you can find stores that are close to campus for you buy items when you move in.

Talk to your roommates ahead of time. You may way to decorate or think about sharing large items—there’s no need for two televisions!

See what your residence hall and the university provides. You may not need a refrigerator!

Save space! Consider bringing containers or 3M Command Strips to hang jewelry or put away your hygiene items. It's also a great way to stay organized. You may not have as much space as your home! 

Bring all paperwork—insurance cards, any identification, prescription forms, or any other personal information. Consider a small box to lock away papers, extra funds, or anything personal. Your roommate will be great, but there’s nothing wrong with a little security. 

Don’t forget the things that you can’t live without. If it’s your furry blanket or mom’s special sauce on your food, you may want to bring a little to hold you over until the next time you’re home. 

Bring only what’s necessary. Don’t try to pack your entire room! Take time to separate things that you need or want to take. Create an area in your house of things that you plan to take to college. This is a great way to keep track of your list!

Let's face it. We all see the brochures of the summer outdoor activities. Whether it's biking across a bridge, kayaking, surfing or tubing, we want to give it a try, but we don't have the equipment. 

But then you read this post and your life changed in the most incredible way...seriously. You're welcome.

So here's how you get the equipment. Pay attention. It can get very tricky.

Find some friends who have a valid Carolina Card. Your brother that graduated in '06 won't do--sorry.

Go to the lower level of Strom. This is one of those cases where you shouldn't take the elevator--it's a gym. Use your energy to burn calories!

Select your equipment. Lucky for you, U of SC has great rates. After all, we are college students--we love anything with the words "cheap" and "free."

SAFELY load the equipment in your car. In other words, don't strap it to your trunk or ride around with your door propped open. 

Ahh, the relaxation begins. Be safe and enjoy! Thanks to Campus Outdoor Recreation and Liz Cornish Jones for their help! Your summer adventures have #nolimits!

Let's face it, we all can't wait to go to college, especially a college like THE University of South Carolina. 

After your orientation today, you may feel like you were thrown into a pit of fire--sorta like Simba here...

And you're probably feeling confused, or clueless about your next step...

Let's face it--Orientation is fun, but it's also a day of tons of information and questions. Lucky for you, we've got you covered! We got some tips from Mary Robinson, Coordinator of Transfer and Special Student Population Services, just to make sure that you feel home at Carolina. So wipe that confused or frustrated look off of your face, and get excited because your journey has no limits!

Be intentional about your college experience! Set academic, engagement, and social goals for your time here at Carolina.

Don’t Wait! Seek out the resources here on campus early.

They’re Free!! All those resources you should seek out early? They are free! So use them.

Get Involved! The more involved students are, the more likely they are to graduate. And we have over 400 student organizations at USC!

Get to know USC’s Campus! Find a friend, pick up a self-guided walking tour map from the Visitor’s Center or just wander around. But get to know your Carolina home!

Get to know your fellow Gamecocks! While you are walking around campus, get to know the people here. We are such a diverse university and students come to USC from all 50 states and over 100 different countries!

Be a Healthy Carolinian. Take care of your mind, body and spirit. USC provides an environment that encourages healthy choices, healthy behaviors and a healthy place to live. For those times when you may need a checkup, you can visit our Student Health Services Office or our Counseling Center.

Prepare for Advising! Know what steps you need to take towards graduation and come to your advising appointment prepared with any questions.

Get to know your Success Coach! The Student Success Center is dedicated to helping you from admissions to becoming an alumnus of USC and provides transfer students with a specific staff member that can answer a variety of questions about campus and college life at USC.

"Trying to keep cool today?"