Shocker survival kit

Every student thinks they know what they’ll need for college: clothes, bedding, toiletries, a shower curtain, etc.

However much you think you know, there is always something you realized you needed after it’s too late.

To help you remember those hard to remember items, we at The Sunflower have compiled a list.

1. Headphones – I don’t know how noisy your house is, but chances are, a dorm is louder. Believe it or not, dorms aren’t built with thick, noise-cancelling walls. If you don’t want to hear the party going on down the hall, you’ll want something to help you focus on your homework.

2. Thesaurus – Writer’s block is real and it sets in at the most inconvenient times (right before a big due date). If you’re hung over or otherwise decommissioned, you’ll need some help thinking of words to impress your professor.

3. Bedside table – There will be days when you don’t want to get out of bed. For those days, it’s nice to have a place to put your laptop to watch movies, or lamp for reading books.

4. Dry-erase board – It helps to write things down, especially important due dates or test days. If you’re anything like me, a wimpy agenda book goes unused, but a massive dry-erase board constantly in your face gets the job done.

5. Electric candle-warmer – Dorm rooms can start smelling a tad funky. Unfortunately, due to fire hazards, lighting candles is prohibited. Instead of spraying gallons of Febreze everywhere, try melting candles with an electric warmer. This gets you the nice smell of candles without burning down the dorm.

6. Coffee maker – If you aren’t a coffee drinker before college, you will be by the end. Instead of spending the little amount of money you do have on Starbucks, try making your own in your room. The smell of freshly brewed coffee will also help keep you wide-awake on your all-night homework sprees.

7. Ibuprofen – Whether you picked your roommate or went potluck, your roommate will get on your nerves. Instead of killing them, take a couple of these to ward off the headaches.

8. Water filter – If you aren’t used to Wichita tap water, it may be a good idea to invest in a water filter pitcher. It’s cheaper and better for the environment than bottled water and will keep you from gagging every time you want water.

9. Ice tray – Keeping an ice tray in your freezer will ensure that every drink you serve is cold. As an added bonus, if you get fun trays like Star Wars characters or fake teeth, they will help start interesting conversations or impress your guests.

10. Ethernet cable – The wireless won’t always work and chances are your professor won’t take that as an excuse. Having a decent Ethernet cable will ensure that you always have fast Internet to get homework in on time.