5 Things to Bring Back for Spring Semester

Jogger on central campus

Students all over the globe are preparing to head back to school for their spring semester. This means rounding up all of your clothes, gifts, and belongings that ended up spreading out all over your house on break and hauling the mess back to your dorm or apartment. In all the confusion and disarray, though, there are 5 items you should remember to load in your car at all costs!

1. Climate appropriate clothing. Many regions throughout the country are now entering the doldrums of winter, where it is getting much colder, nastier, and more dreary. If you hadn’t already brought up more cold weather items, you may want to consider doing so. Now is the time for hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, and puffy jackets. However, another thing to think about is the imminent arrival of springtime in many places. Depending on where you live, it could start getting warmer and warmer in a month or two. If you don’t get to go home very often, you may want to think about bringing some warm weather clothing options with you too. You wouldn’t want to be stuck in a parka and furry boots on the first 65 degree day of the year!

2. Cash. You never know when you might need a little cash in your day to day activities. If you’re like me, you don’t have a branch of your bank near you, and don’t feel like incurring those dreadful fees every time you want to use the ATM. So get some cash while you’re home, and stow it in your purse or wallet. That way, if you find yourself in a crunch and far away from home, you won’t have to worry about it!

3. A calendar. Now that it’s a new year, you probably need a new calendar. On top of that, it helps a ton with organization. I just purchased one of those giant desk calendars, and I intend to use it often. Now that it’s the second semester, many people will begin to think they don’t need to worry about stuff like that. The freshmen feel they’ve gotten the hang of things and don’t worry so much about going to every class on time or remembering every assignment. The upperclassmen may be feeling a bad case of senioritis, and simply don’t care anymore. Writing things down in a calendar, whether it be handheld, digital, or on the wall will help keep everyone on track.

4. School supplies. Chances are, after a semester of vigorous note taking, studying, and hauling things to class, your school supplies are vastly depleted. Take a moment over break to pick up some pencils, notebooks, binders, and anything else you may need to get back to classes soon. But cheer up – summer is in sight!

5. Anything you’ve been missing. Has there been anything you noticed around your dorm that you wish you had but kept forgetting to get? Or, after a semester of use, have you nearly used your entire supply? Make a list of things you’ve forgotten at home (screwdrivers, scotch tape), or anything you’ve used up (shampoo, staples, hand soap) etc, and take time to purchase those items so you’ll be all set when the new semester ends.