What to Bring to Hillsdale After Winter Break

Written by Lauren Smith

“Necessities” for Hillsdale College students include a good work ethic and an insatiable curiosity. But there are some other things that are nice to have—such as a pillow, soap, and your favorite snacks. And by the time you’ve packed six bins of items you didn’t know you needed, plus your favorite stuffed animal, plus that one hair tie you can’t live without, you’ve probably forgotten where you started. Was that tub bathroom supplies? Or linens? I see towels, but I also see plastic bottles. Darn, we’d better just open it up and start over. Inevitably, in the rush of traveling and saying goodbyes and making a final Target run, you’ll forget something. Acceptance follows, then regret, then vain promises that you’ll grab it when you go home for Christmas break. Spoiler alert: You won’t. You’ll forget. Again.

To jog your memory, here’s a list of commonly forgotten items and some of life’s extras you won’t regret stuffing into your suitcase.

  1.       Underrated: A desk lamp. All Hillsdale dormitories come with furniture, and all rooms come with lights. But you won’t want to turn on the overhead light on a cozy spring evening, when the window is open and the crickets are chirping and the sunset is turning everything golden. You’ll want a small lamp or some fairy lights.
  2.       Good to have: Backup chargers. Picture this: You wake up one day, you’re about to be late for class, and your phone is at 1%. If you don’t have a backup charger, you’re condemned to wait, phoneless, until you can buy a replacement. But if you brought a backup, you can grab it and go. (If you forget your backup, though, there’s still hope. The College provides a convenient charging station in the Student Union, and campus honor code means you don’t have to worry about leaving your phone there unattended.)
  3.       For easy printing: Clear ID case. It’s easy to keep your ID on the back of your phone, but there are downsides. If you lose your phone, for example, you also lose your ID. Or you might have a phone that isn’t big enough to offset the size of the ID and its case. Or you might be one of those over-achieving people who doesn’t have their phone while they’re studying, so when you go to the library to crank out a paper, you’re unable to take advantage of the College’s free printing. I like to keep my ID in a clear, flat case that attaches to my backpack. That way, whenever I have my textbooks, I also have my ID.
  4.       Helps with tests: Stand-up pencil case. For $7 on Amazon, you can purchase a cute canvas case that folds into a pencil cup, which can sit on your desk while you’re taking tests. This ensures that you don’t waste valuable time scrabbling for a pencil when the one you’re using runs out of lead. It also keeps your desk organized for easy cleanup.
  5.       More useful than you’d think: A watch. We have the Central Hall clock, which is a beautiful feature of central campus, but beware of organizing your life by the Central Hall clock or your phone; both of these can be major distractions. (If you look up at Central Hall, you’ll stop to take a picture. And if you stop to take a picture, you’ll also check Instagram. And if you check Instagram …) A watch can be set a few minutes fast, so you’ll always arrive early even when you’re “late,” and you can get an analog watch that doesn’t tempt you with Instagram.
  6.       Handy: Daily planner pad. I keep a digital calendar on my computer. Each evening, I reference that calendar and write out the next day’s specific tasks, scheduled events, and classes on a “Daily Plan” pad. This gives me the satisfaction of checking off completed activities, provides a backup schedule in case my phone dies, and reminds me to think carefully about what I need to get done.
  7.       If you can’t hug trees: Spring allergy meds/humidifier/air purifier. Little compares to the despair of a two-month-long pollen-induced sinus infection. How do I know? I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say that if you have environmental allergies, you’re almost certain to be allergic to something—or everything—in Michigan. Many of the dormitories are surrounded by trees, which means both beautiful scenery and runny noses. Don’t forget your non-drowsy allergy medicines and a HEPA air purifier.
  8.       Save some money: Keurig. It doesn’t have to be a Keurig, specifically. I’m partial to matcha lattes, so when the local price hit $5.50, economics suggested I produce my own. Make sure you have a way to enjoy your favorite drinks without going to a coffee shop. Your wallet will thank you, and professionally produced caffeine will become an even more enjoyable treat.

These are just a few of the items that will come in handy during the spring semester. Don’t worry if you forget something, though; there’s a Kroger and multiple pharmacies within walking distance of campus, and Amazon makes daily deliveries. In the end, there’s nothing you’ll need more at Hillsdale than a good pen, some paper, and a subject you can’t wait to study.

Lauren Smith, ’25, is a prospective political economy major and French minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

Published in December 2022