Many colleges and universities are pivoting to an entirely online semester. Others are attempting to begin in-person and adapt to the conditions. If your college is in this second group, you may be concerned about how to pack for a first semester that may or may not be in the dorms.

Packing for freshman year is difficult enough, but how do you pack for a semester as unpredictable as this? Begin your packing preparations with these 3 realities in mind!

Prepare as if you will come home before the normal break.

Overpacking can be the default for an incoming college freshman. Why? You’ve never been in college before, so you’re not sure what to bring and what not to bring.

Because this semester is unique and slightly unpredictable, approach packing with the idea that you may not be in the dorms for the whole semester. (Even if your college is taking necessary precautions, you may still be sent home early.) 

How does this idea impact packing? Below are some ways you can adapt your packing:

• Think of transporting items home: Consider leaving the bigger items that are non-essential (more luxury or comfort items) at home. For example, while having a nice office chair or a lounge chair for your dorm room may be nice, transporting this item home may be difficult. You can always bring bigger items (like a chair) at the beginning of another semester, but getting them home may be expensive and impossible.

• View this as temporary housing: Your dorm room can be “your place,” but this semester may not be the time to view this space as your home away from home. Rather than spending money on nice items that work great during a normal semester (e.g. decor items), consider waiting to invest in these items until a later semester.

• Purchase the items you will use: This sounds like a no-brainer. Duh. Why would you purchase items you won’t use? You can easily buy things you might use or you’re thinking about using. Think of bringing only essential items, not niceties.

Prepare to be moved to quarantine during the semester.

You have a high possibility of being moved around this semester, considering with the chance of you or your roommate(s) being exposed to the virus or contracting the virus. In other words, your dorm room may not be your final living destination.

How does this reality impact your college packing? You need to consider the possibility your belongings may need to be moved, and this is how you can prepare:

• Purchase containers in which you can transport your items: Large storage bins can be extremely helpful when transporting clothing, shoes, and other similar items. You may bring larger containers with you to school, but purchasing smaller storage containers after moving in will probably be more helpful.

• Pack your belongings strategically: Filtering your packing through the lens of being moved will help you pack strategically. Considering this possibility will help you leave out items that are unnecessary or cumbersome.

Prepare to take courses in a hybrid format.

Many in-person classes are adapting their format to decrease the spread of COVID. While teachers are trying to preserve the sense of community and interaction found in face-to-face instruction, your teachers will likely adapt many elements to working online.

While you’re coming for in-person college, you need to prepare yourself for online elements. How does this impact packing for college? Here’s how:

• Prepare to read online documents and textbooks: If you struggle reading school work on screens and not paper, you may want to consider investing in a personal printer. If your eyes struggle with the strain of looking at a screen for hours on end, you may want to consider investing in blue-light glasses. If you struggle to navigate online formats of books or course pages, you may want to consider purchasing a tablet or eReader that helps you succeed.

• Prepare to work independently: Your professors will try to help you still reap the benefits of in-person college; however, you will likely need to adapt to working on some assignments in isolation or over virtual means. This can be a big adjustment for new college freshmen. Consider purchasing items (e.g. soundproof headphones) that can help you stay focused and get things done. 

This semester (and probably this school year) will be one for the books. While you can easily view this time as being an obstacle or a problem, do your best to view it as an opportunity to grow and adapt. This year will be what you make of it, which starts even in something little like your packing list.