Three Things You Shouldn't Bring to College

The transition from residing in a nice spacious bedroom to living in a limited-spaced dorm can be quite tricky. You have to consider your roommate and their belongings, along with items that are simply prohibited in a college dorm for safety reasons.

So what exactly should be left at home when going off to college? Let's take a look.

1. Leave "Sparky" at home.

Say it isn't so? While I'm sure it would be interesting if pets were allowed in campus dorms, safety violations prohibit pets from being welcomed in dormitories. The good news is that many colleges and universities allow fish. In case you're in dire need of pet attention, a fishy companion may be exactly what you need. But be warned, college is very time consuming. Forgetting to feed your pet companion is very likely to happen.

2. Say no to the entire closet.

While college can be a fashion show at times, bringing your entire closet is unnecessary. If you never wore the sweater you got from grandma two years ago, what makes you think you're going to wear it in college? Dorm closets have limited space. When the end of the year approaches and it's time to move out of your dorm, you will regret bringing 50 pairs of shoes as you attempt to stuff them in to the car.

3. That's a negative on the hot plates.

If you want hot food without having to leave the comfort of your dorm, you're going to have to microwave it. Hot plates and other similar cooking devices are not allowed in most college dorms because of safety reasons. You wouldn't want to burn down the dorm by accidentally leaving the hot plate on while rushing to class.

Dorm life can be one of the most impacting parts of the college experience. Why not enjoy it safely and comfortably by staying uncluttered and hazardous free?

By Crystal Garner, University of Southern Mississippi