…Lots of junk. In my desk:

500 sheets of computer paper

Sometimes you have to print things out. You need paper.

10 CD-R discs

For burning stuff to CDs.

Football schedule

Yes.

Campus map

A must for freshmen.

Stapler

Usually, I use this to staple things.

Staples

These go into the stapler. The smallest box at the bookstore was 5000 staples. I could staple papers every day for the rest of my life and never run out.

Calling card

I get lots of these as gifts and they are super convenient.

Fine point marker

For labeling my perfectly legal CDs.

2 pens

For writing.

2 pencils

I’m not sure why I have pencils. I guess for bubble-sheet exams.

80 sheet notebook

For when I need a loose sheet of paper.

Saline nasal spray

Keeps my nose happy

Bookstore receipts

For records and so they don’t rob me more than necessary.

Stamp

Yes, I have one single stamp in my drawer. I bought two but used the other one.

Ibuprofen (cold & sinus)

A big huge box of it. 40% more free!

2 big packs of gum

Gum is good to freshen your breath and keep you awake in classes.

Honey-herb cough drops

I wanted the orange flavored ones but was tricked into these. They make the bags the same color on purpose.

Pizza coupons

I never order pizzas, but if I did I’d save some money on them.

Scissors

You’d be amazed how often there are things to cut.

$1.50 in change

It’s just change. It’s just sitting there. Sometimes I need quarters for laundry.

Soda cap

With my favorite motivational phrase.

The Bible

The guidebook for all the things they don’t teach in classes. One book I actually want to read. I have the New Living Translation and I like it.

Watch

My parents gave it to me, for tellin’ time.

40 Envelopes

That’s right; I have one stamp and forty envelopes.

Candy

I’ve usually got some kind of candy sitting around. My family sends me all kinds of great stuff.

Cards and letters

Like I said, my family sends me great stuff.

Extra cash

If I have more than $20, I stow it in a little can in one of my drawers (only rarely do I have more than $20 in cash).

Checkbook

That vitally important, annoying little thing is rarely balanced.

“Mini Lunchbox-o-stuff”

for mechanical pencil lead and erasers, batteries for the remote, and yet another spare pen.

Knit hat

I’d freeze to death if I lost it, and there’s nowhere else to put it.

Books

Good ones I always forget I have.

Schoolbooks

Those things that cost about $400 and an arm (or leg, your choice) every semester. Should have learned earlier to find them online, instead

Notebooks

To keep track of the things I’m supposed to be learning in my classes.

…In my closet:

Wrinkle remover

An iron would work better, if I knew how to use one. I don’t.

Bucket w/loofa, soap, shampoo

I learned camping that you take a little bucket with you into the shower so you don’t have to worry about getting community shower juice on your clothes.

2 hoodies

Hooded sweatshirts are great. They have that nice big kangaroo pocket, they keep you warm, and when you pull up the hood you can pretend you’re a monk.

Rain jacket

Light enough to be cool, but water repellent so I never get totally drenched when I’m wearing it.

2 Winter coats

For when a hoodie doesn’t cut it. I have one that I wear a lot and a nice leather jacket for when I care how I look.

Umbrella

I never carry it, but it’s a nice thought.

Racquetball racket

I played a couple times and then realized I’m not very good.

Beach towel

Mostly used for leisure pool basketball.

Hat

When the hat is not enough, it’s time to get a haircut.

Light-up football

This great little thing is from my parents. One night we threw it around for at least an hour in front of the dorm.

Small duffel bag

Just the right size for a weekend at home or a road trip.

Laundry hamper

I throw my dirty clothes in it; it folds up real small for traveling.

Other clothes

I have a few pairs of jeans and some nicer pants, a lot of shirts and such…clothes you need for school will obviously vary depending on the weather.

Bleach

Don’t buy the tablets, they don’t work!

Dryer sheets

I got really sick of my clothes all being covered with static…

Spare chapstick

for the winter days, when the rest runs out. Actually I don’t think I’ve ever run out of, I just lose them.

Antacid tablets

for when I let a headache go too far or the dining hall food is disagreeable

Screwdriver

for my bike, although it only fits about three of the screws

8 Travel tissue packets

these things are nice when your nose won’t stop running. I always have at least one in my backpack.

Shampoo

I use a peanut-soap bottle’s worth to take in the shower

Soap

ditto

2 extra sticks of deodorant

when you sweat as much as I do you can never have too much deodorant.

Spare toothpaste

in a tube

Spare toothbrush

the other one’s bound to fall apart eventually

Zinc lozenges

these things taste awful but they really do work. Take a few of them a day if you feel like you’re getting a cold

Shoe deodorant

my feet stink. My shoes do too, unless I put this baby-powderish stuff in them

Stain remover

my best friend

p.s. – I overlooked a ton of necessities, I promise. I’m baffled by the number of odds and ends I need over the course of a semester. Also, realize that every person has different needs (girls ESPECIALLY). Don’t worry about having everything right away; lots of my things were acquired over time. Good luck, and be sure to make friends who have plenty of useful stuff!