The Everyday Girls Guide To: Packing For College

Greetings class of 2020! I want to do my part in making the transition into college easy as possible for you, so I have created a guide to packing for college.

Last year, I lived in a traditional dorm room with a roommate and a communal bathroom in my hall. I have many friends entering into the collegiate world in a few weeks, so I knew it was time to create this list of what to bring. I definitely over-packed for my freshmen year, but hey, you live and learn.  Here is all the necessary things you'll need for your time in dorm life.

I didn't include what type of food and clothes to bring because I have a post in the works on what bags, food, and clothes to bring for college. Coming soon!

You can download the PDF version of the list here.
Good luck to all freshmen!! 

1st Year Reflection + Where I'm Headed

Well, I have said my farewells and see you soon greetings to my freshmen friends and memories. More has happened to me in this first year of college than I could ever put into words. After saying all the goodbyes and even packing up my freshmen dorm, it didn't really sink in that it was over and that I will be saying goodbye to the people in my life that have become my home away from home in the past nine months. It didn't hit me till the flight from Kansas to Portland. Three months will fly by and I will have a busy summer so I the reality of missing these people isn't what hit me (even though I will miss them like crazy), the reality was that the first year of my adult life, the first year of me being on my own, the year of figuring out who and what I rely on, the year of surrounding myself with people that challenge me, the first year of firsts is over. A year of growth, adventures, tears, authentic friendships, conversion, & stepping out of my comfort. All this was coming to an end. This is what I was reminiscing about and realizing that I will miss this time of my life, because you only have one freshmen year of college. But then I soon realized that yes, I should think back on these past nine months and be thankful, but now I need to close that book and put it on my life shelf. I need to open my next book and get ready to write in it because I have a whole book shelf to fill up. This last book was just the beginning and I should occasionally go back and open it to realize how far I've really come. 

I've lived my freshmen year and I don't have any regrets. Everything I experienced this first year in college, I had to go through it to get to where I am today. 

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and place, because you'll never be this way ever again. "
-Azar Nafisi

// One of the biggest lessons I've learned this past year is that if I want something, go get it. Sounds simple enough but there's an art to it and I was privileged to have many inspiring examples of how to do this. I've always been a pretty confident direct person, but his year I was challenged to put my God given gifts and personality out there and go after what I want. Looking back I can see that a lot of the opportunities that I was given this year was because I wanted to get the experience and opportunity so I simply found a way to get it. The feeling is so rewarding knowing you set a goal, you went after it, and you achieved it. 

 // Leave any preconceived notions you may have of college at the door. The movies do an awesome job in creating a college experience that more often than not is not realistic and shouldn't be. Realize everyone's story is different. It's okay that you didn't meet your future spouse in the first month and it's okay that you don't have your friend group solidified. It's also okay that you may not even have a major picked out yet. Your story and path is unique and so special that sometimes it just takes time. 

// Go to everything and meet everyone the first few weeks of school. Seriously this was the best decision I made my first month of college. You might not up being friends with those people that you first hang out with, but that's okay. You aren't suppose to be friends with everyone in college, but you are suppose to learn how to step outside yourself and say yes to things that will challenge you. 

// Don't be afraid to go to events by yourself. Again the best decision I could have made. It is very intimidating to go to the dining hall and not know who you'll sit with. Or walk into an event by yourself and have to meet people on your own. But DO IT!!! You'll grow so much and it is strength that will take you far in life. Growth happens when you you let go of your comfort zone. College is a time to learn how to be on your own. It's a time to learn to be in the present moment and what the present means for you. It's a time to figure out where you fit in society and giving yourself permission to blossom into the real you. To do that, sometimes it calls for you to be uncomfortable and flying solo. 

First year was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything, and just made me more convicted to keep goo forward. The growing and challenging myself didn't stop just because school ended. I will be putting everything that I learned this first year at BC into more practical forms in my summer internships. 

This summer I am blessed to be learning about two fields that I have a growing passion for. I will be interning in the communication office for the Archdiocese of Portland as well as be an office intern for Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. I am extremely excited, nervous, and optimistic as I begin writing a new book on my shelf of life. 

Dorm Diaries || The First Month At College

Well, I'm finally getting around to sharing about my first month of college. I've done so much already that it feels like I have been here forever! It has definitely been a whirlwind month filled with lots of emotions. It has been one of the most challenging months but also the most rewarding. It didn't really hit me that I would be living 1,800 miles and nine states away from my family, until those final goodbyes after the family send-off Mass.

I am completely surprised that I ended up in pretty much the middle of no where, since I am a city girl. But now that I have been here for about a month and half, I now know I wouldn't want to be any where else except here at BC.

The first couple of weeks were definitely an adjustment, but even with all the changes I felt like it was an easy and natural transition. Part of the reason for this smooth transition is the school itself. They have such a strong vibrant community spirit that you feel it as soon as you step foot on campus.

The first week was a whirlwind of events because of a Freshman tradition they have here called ROC Week (Raven Orientation Camp). It was an exciting (sometimes stressful) week of events, that ended with the traditional beanie banquet. I am now a full fledged Raven!

Molly, one of my AWESOME ROC leader!!!

Obligatory 1st day of class pic with the president 

 There are little gems all over campus, including the beautiful grotto of Our Lady.

 One of best things about going to BC is that you are constantly surrounded by some inspiring Catholic giants! For instance, we were blessed to hear Sarah Swafford talk to the woman, which was AMAZING!

 With some friends at a birthday party for the Blessed Mother on September 8th.

 This was a daily thing during my first month of college. ;) Just in case anyone was curious on what I get, it was a Sugar Cookie Latte.

 R A V E N  GAME DAY!!! We won! ;)

At another game with some friends!! 

Okay, so I am in the process of a dorm tour post. So that should be up SOON!! In the meantime here is a sneak peek to the room. 

Well, until the next post (which hopefully won't be that far away), I want to leave you with these words from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI that encompasses my schools motto this year. 

"The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." -Pope Benedict XVI

Dorm Diaries //Freshman Year Bucket List

18 days till I'm BC bound! ❤

 1. Attend college
2. Meet 10 new people & continue to be friends with them
3. Take at least 1,000 pictures
4. Get an A on a test
5. Dance in the rain
6. Stay up for 24 hours
7. Join a club
8. Go to at least 5+ football games and other sports
9. Stay organized
10. Stick to a prayer schedule
11. Avoid the Freshman 15
12. Go on a road trip
13. Lose 20 lbs
14. Surprise someone
15. Spend a whole day sleeping (I don't think this will happen)
16. Have someone come visit me
17. Explore all the buildings on campus
18. Go to office hours!
19. Participate in big campus events
20. Take an early morning walk on a Saturday morning
21. Make friends with a foreign exchange student
22. Don't procrastinate
23. Visit the rec center 3x a week
24. Have a picnic
25. Participate in a campus wide tradition
26. Stay classy
27. Learn a another language (Take Italian while studying abroad in Florence)
28. Pass all my classes
29. Grow even deeper in my Catholic faith and relationship with Christ.
30. Have a girl's night in
31. Don't give up
32. Thank those who normally don't get the gratitude
33. Call Mom & Dad ♥
34. Blog.Blog.Blog
35. Go to Adoration frequently and daily Mass
36. Spend time in the library
37. Consider "study abroad"
38. Send a letter to a random person
39. Live in a dorm
40. Remember why I am at school
41. Write a letter to myself and save it for Senior year
42. Leave notes in library books
43. Participate in residence hall events
44. Thank a professor
45. Keep room clean
46. Attend a "theme" party
47. Make a difference
48. Receive a care package from Mom
49. Vote in student government elections
50. Chalk dye my hair red for game day
51. Have a  picnic on the football field in the off-season
52. Have lunch with my favorite professor
53. Donate blood
54. Make friends with one person in each class
55. Take a selfie with the mascot (Rocky the Raven)
56. Attend concerts that take place on campus
57. Try to challenge myself daily so that I may become the best version of myself