Everything You Need To Know About College // FAQ

College move-in is just days away for most freshmen and although I’m prepping to leave home for the third time, those first-day jitters still feel so fresh! I think a lot of the nervousness stems from simply not knowing what to expect. Not to mention, there is a lot of change that comes with college: new living situation, new roommates, new town, new items, new everything.

Today I’m rounding up the most frequently asked questions regarding college. We’re talking about everything from what to pack to school supplies! Hopefully, this will give you all some peace of mind and leave you feeling *a little* more prepared for what’s to come.

Take a deep breath, friends! It’s going to work out exactly the way it’s supposed to—I promise.

What are a few must-have items for my dorm? 

I actually just filmed an entire video on dorm room essentials that you can check out here. However, I’ll leave you with my top three must-haves:

Command Strips: If you’re someone who wants an aesthetic room and lots of wall decor, velcro Command Strips are a must. These allow you to hang everything without leaving holes in the wall. They’re super easy to apply!
Long Bed Skirt: I half lofted my bed in Centennial A at Kent State to give me more space to organize. I highly recommend getting a king bed skirt to cover all that crap. It will make your room look so much cleaner and really pulls it together.
Brita: You need a Brita and a good reusable water bottle freshman year. You’re walking back and forth campus so much and the mini-fridge isn’t big enough for a bunch of plastic water bottles. Get a Brita.  Don’t lie to yourself; you don’t like tap water no matter how hard you try to convince yourself, lol

What advice do you have on living with a roommate?

Understand that your roommate does not have to be your best friend, you two just need to be liveable. Treat your roommate how you want to be treated—remember that it’s not just your space. Also, remember that sometimes you need space/alone time and there will be times your roommate needs it too. Try your best to be mindful!

You also need to be honest right off the bat. If you want to have a guy sleepover every night say that. If you want to go out every night say that. If you want to be best friends and get everything for your dorm matching say that. Communication is key and it’s so much better, to be honest about what you expect out of your college experience right off the bat. It will avoid lots of confrontation later on!

What clothes should I pack?

You’re in luck, I also just filmed a video on this! You can check it out here. However, here’s a quick list of some key items I couldn’t live without 

-going out shoes: one sandal for summer and one boot for winter
-black jeans: but also bring a few other pairs for class, going out, brunch
-comfy walking shoes
-sticky bra
-comfy clothes: lots of them; you will wear them more than anything
-basics: tank top, short sleeve, long sleeve, bodysuit; so you can mix and match
-slippers
-robe: if you’re communal bathroom living
-three coats: a parka, a puffer, and a rain jacket

What do I NOT need to pack?

You don’t need to bring every single top you’ve ever owned. I brought far more than the average person and only touched half of it. Of course, because of the blog, I was getting new clothes left and right so my situation was a little unique but the key to packing is IF YOU DIDNT WEAR IT AT HOME, YOU WON’T WEAR IT AT SCHOOL.

That is u less it’s a tiny, strappy black top for going out and in that case, pack it ;). 

What should I wear to class?

some outfits from last school year

Whatever you feel comfortable and confident in! Most girls go for trendy athleisure: Converse, tennis skirts, Lululemon, college tees, etc. However, I’m also a fashion student so plenty of people wear cute skirts, heels, and statement sleeve tops to my classes. I always dress up for fashion classes and take it easy in jeans, a sweater, and booties for the rest of my classes. 

However, I also spent an entire year online learning and in that case, I wore a matching sweat set most days. I also wore faux leather leggings with an oversized sweater a ton! Comfy was key for me as I wasn’t doing a whole lot of moving around— however you NEED to get out of your PJs. It makes alllll the difference in your productivity /motivation. 

What should I wear going out? 

some going out outfits from last school year

The going out attire can definitely vary from school to school so this advice is coming from me, a Kent at state student. 

I personally love a black bodysuit and black jeans. You can’t go wrong—a fun belt + statement earrings help dress it up a bit. Freshman year we did a lot of frat party hopping and I spent most days in grubby, white sneakers or black chunky boots. Last year’s party scene was different due to Covid and most things happened in apartments where you could wear heels/your nicer pieces without fear of them getting trashed.

I’ll include some photos of me throughout the years here so you can see some of my going-out fits! Find what makes you feel confident and stick with that- for me it’s a heeled shoe and fake lashes! 

What school supplies do I need?

I highly recommend holding off on school supply shopping until after your first day of classes. Your professors will tell you everything you need! It can be very different from high school and I found that I didn’t use 80% of what I bought freshman year. For me, a 5 subject notebook and a pencil pouch full of highlighters and pens were all I needed.

Almost everything else was done on my computer. I have a MacBook Pro 13 inch and it’s my baby! If you are in fashion you will also need the Adobe Suite- most of your assignments and projects will be done through Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. 

You do, however, need a planner if you want to successfully manage your time. I love the Happy Planners from Create 365 and use Bic Pens + Tombow markers to write everything down.

How do I find “my people”?

You find your people when you stop worrying about finding your people- I know it sounds silly but it takes time! Say hi to everyone, make conversation everywhere you go, and remember that everyone else is just as nervous as you are. 

It’s so important to get involved and to be the kind of friend you want to make. I ended up clicking so well with my freshman year suitemates and we’ve been inseparable since. I made great friends through my sorority and talk with my littles almost daily. I also have a few friends that I see weekly that I’ve met through Instagram (as silly as it sounds), class, clubs, and more!

Hang in there—it takes a lot of effort on both parts to get past the surface-level party girl phase. 

What advice do you have for girls going through recruitment? 

Be yourself. As cliche as it sounds, you will find your home if you go in with an open mind and are sure of yourself. Confidence is sexy and these girls are trying to find like-minded girls with similar interests and personalities. If you’re honest with who you are and what you want out of a sorority you should have no trouble fitting right in.

I’m covering all kinds of frequently asked questions in this video if you’re curious about cost, what to wear, how it works, and more.

How do I manage my time? 

Like I said, get a planner. And don’t just get it, use it. It will change your life. Right down all of your assignments on the first of the month and make a conscious effort to see your friends. Understand that people are overwhelmed and busy and adjusting to college life too. It’s okay to take breaks from people and just focus on yourself for a bit but it’s also easy to fall into the antisocial hole if you’re not careful. 

Because I work 40 hours a week on top of a full course load, I text everyone Sunday night and try to have at least one “social interaction” with a friend planned for each day whether it be a walk, dinner, a party, or even a photoshoot.

It’s also important to remember we all have the same 24 hours in a day. If you want to make something happen you can. But you have to put forth the effort. Start time blocking and making lists of everything- the feeling of checking it all off will keep you on top of it all.

Got any more college questions? If so, be sure to leave them down below and I will do my best to answer them. I know it’s a nerve-racking time but I promise you will have a blast. Take a deep breath, hug your parents tight, and get ready for the craziest adventure. Remeber, you can be whoever you want to be. This is your fresh start! Go get em, girl!

With love, McKenz

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