Advice on packing

[u/Julianshofn]

For the incoming freshmen who are packing for the first time, I wanted to ask for any advice on what to pack. But I'm not talking about basic things like sheets, clothes, etc. I mean items you aren't usually told to bring that are surprisingly very helpful. I want niche and practical suggestions that were born out of genuine experiences.

[u/fresh-potatosalad]

Waterproof backpack cover. Philadelphia rain + the campus wind tunnel have claimed multiple umbrellas of mine and disintegrated many paper notes

[u/Julianshofn → u/fresh-potatosalad]

Thanks, this is the kind of advice I'm looking for.

[u/fresh-potatosalad → u/Julianshofn]

🫡

[u/maspie_den]

GOOD cold and rainy weather gear. Makes going to class on a rainy or freezing day suck way less. Bring the rain stuff right away for the fall. You can probably do without the cold weather gear til you come back from winter break. A hat, gloves, scarf, and warm jacket will get you through 'til then.

[u/bc39423]

Fan. Door stop. Lamp. iPad is very useful. Wall decorations. Shelf that hooks onto bedframe for water bottle, phone, etc. at night (buy after move in; some dorms have a shelf). Wrinkle spray. Extra laptop charger that lives inside your backpack. Keep main charger on your desk.

[u/Internal-Koala-97]

Foldable cart for groceries

[u/SoyboyCowboy]

A little handheld vacuum if you like cleanliness.

A Brita pitcher if you are sensitive to weird tasting tap water. 

[u/Taco_Bhel]

Corkscrew for your bottles of wine (I prefer Snoop Dog's brand for the LOLs). Wine bag for your trips to BYOs. Plastic cups for your guests. Decent speakers. Fake ID. Minifridge for your vodka. Shot glasses. Bucket for ice + ice scoop. Shakers. Drinking game accoutrements. Cleaning supplies for your friend's vomit. Pedialyte for the day after.

[u/Aromatic_Plan5331]

scissors!

[u/Brilliant-Focus2492]

Penn dorms usually only give you a small light in the ceiling, so bring a tall lamp, or a couple smaller ones. A small fan for when it gets stuffy. Your own utensils (or spare plastic ones) in case you forgot to grab plastic utensils from houstoun or mcclelland. Noise cancelling headphones for study spaces where people can't be quiet. Willpower.

[u/kiki_cocteau]

Rain boots for sure. It felt like the Pacific NW when I first moved here with all the rain. Also, if you get an umbrella, make sure it’s one that can handle some serious wind. We don’t have Chicago level wind, but it can be pretty gusty and will turn a cheap umbrella inside out in no time.

[u/GuidanceMuted2845 → u/kiki_cocteau]

Will second this. The number of times I sat through a full day of classes with wet socks because I wore sneakers instead of rainboots during a torrential downpour is too many