The Freshman 15 - Things You Didn't Know You Needed

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Heading off to college for the first time? I am sure that you have heard of the Freshman 15 before. Let me assure you, it is a real thing.

All of a sudden your sleep schedule is off, you can eat whatever your heart desires, introduce alcohol calories, and quit going to soccer.

As a horrible heads up, the number fifteen is light for some people, too. 20 lbs happens, to a lot of folks.

That’s not what we want to talk about today, though. Let’s talk about more fun things! Here are is the Freshman 15 of things you didn’t know you needed.

All of these things will make your life so, so much better!
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1 – Water Pitcher

Brita 10-Cup Everyday Water Filter Pitcher
Stay hydrated while you study, and um, in the morning, with a water pitcher in your room.

2 – Good Shower Shoes

Vertico Shower Sandal Rubber

Residents of newer dorms may only have to share their bathroom with one person, but for most folks, the shower is down the hallway. You want to get good quality shower shoes. Cheap flip flops make your feet hurt when they are wet and might break on you two months on.

3 – Cute Pajamas*

Sleep & Co. Pink Plaid Pant and Polka Dot Tank Top Pajama Set & Briefly Stated Men’s Superman Microfleece Pajama Set

*A LOT of people are going to see you in your pajamas. You want to own a pair that isn’t scandalous.

One day someone’s parents are going to be visiting while you walk to the bathroom at 11:30 in your PJs. You’re going to spend a lot of time in your PJs, while a lot of folks are around!

4 – Healthy Snack Foods

Healthy Snacks Care Package

Studying is basically a synonym of snacking and we are talking about the Freshman 15. Load up on healthy(er) snacks, like trail mix, dried fruit and the like, so that you can skip the vending machine. It’s better for your waistline and your wallet.

5 – Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Residence can get loud and unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about it sometimes. Escaping to the library is an option, but if your school doesn’t have a 24 hour library, your 2am studying could rely quite heavily on noise cancelling headphones.

6 – Amazon Student

Did you know that Amazon prime is FREE for students? Yup. Free.

Skip the netflix, use the streaming from Amazon and have the convenience of replacing that textbook you lost the next day. They want you to get hooked, but in the meantime it will save you $99 a year!

7 – Hydroflask

Hydro Flask Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Like we mentioned before, stay hydrated! Take this awesome bottle with you to class, to play ultimate and on the road.

8 – Dry Shampoo

Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo, 4.8 Ounce

There will be days when you are very happy you own dry shampoo.

9 – Delicates Laundry Bag

Pro-Mart DAZZ Delicates Wash Bag

Industrial laundry machines suck and are extremely hard on your clothes. Protect them with a delicates laundry bag.

10 – Quirky Power Strip

Quirky PVP-1-WHT Pivot Power 6 Outlet Flexible Surge Protector Power Strip White/Blue

You have a host of electronics and there will not be enough power outlets for you. The quirky power strip is flexible so that no matter the size of your plug, it will fit.

11 – Sewing Kit

Sewing Kit for Home, Travel and Emergency

Did the button fall off your favourite top, or your blazer jacket broke the day of your big group presentation? Keep a small sewing kit on hand to deal with these mini-mergencies.

12 – First Aid Kit

Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit

You never know when your textbook is going to strike back with a vengeance and give you the papercut of your student nightmares.

Plus, a first aid kit with an ice pack is always handy to have, when you’re recovering from a volleyball spike gone wrong, or a night of dancing on what used to be your favourite shoes.

13 – Succulent

3.5 Inch Small Round Modern White Ceramic Succulent Planter Pot – MyGift®

I know, I know, it’s hard enough to keep yourself alive sometimes during freshman year. Adding some green to your space livens it up, proves you can keep more than one thing alive, and improves the air quality in your space. Succulents are preeeetty hard to kill, too, though I wouldn’t put it past my black thumbs.

14 – Smart Phone

Samsung Galaxy S5

Yup. You’re going to want one of these.

15 – Second Pair of Sheets

Colorful Gray Chevron Twin Sheets

Forget to swap your laundry? Spill your late night study snack on your bed at 1am? Life is less stressful when you’ve got a second pair of sheets on hand.

16 – Overnight Bag

Canvas Carry On Weekend Bag Gym Bag

Yes, we’re on sixteen of the Freshman 15. I know. Like I mentioned, the Freshman 15 is a low-end-estimate.

When your new best friends for life invite you to their cottage for the weekend, or you plan an epic road trip to Montreal, you need a bag to take with!