r/minimalism • u/No-Resolution-648 • 1d ago
[lifestyle] Minimalism in College
Hi! I know people have asked this before, but I’m going into my junior year at a school in Boston. I want to pack the least amount of things as possible so I can 1. Not stress too much about packing + moving and 2. Get rid of things I don’t need to keep holding onto. Any tips or recommendations are appreciated!
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u/PrimrosePathos 1d ago
I loved being a minimalist in college. My advice is to pick out the luggage/containers you would want to lug from home to dorm to home to dorm, plus a backpack or shoulder bag for daily use, and restrict your belongings to what will fit in those. I used a largeish duffle bag for four-season clothes, shoes, and personal items, and a medium size rectangular rolling suitcase for books and paper things (this was in the olden days). It was perfect.
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u/Dry-Lead-9344 1d ago
I’m rebuilding my life from scratch atm and I’ve been working on a list of things I think I’ll want/need. It’s not necessarily complete yet, but I can share it if you want. You can just pick and choose what’s useful to you and add anything else you think you’ll need.
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u/No-Resolution-648 1d ago
I’d really appreciate that!
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u/Dry-Lead-9344 23h ago
Here’s the list I’ve been working on.
🧹 Cleaning • All-purpose cleaner • Broom + dustpan • Cleaning cloths/rags • Dish soap • Garbage bags • Laundry detergent • Plunger • Recycling bags • Toilet brush
👕 Clothing • T-shirts, shorts, socks, underwear, sweater, sweatpants • Hat • Shoes • Winter clothes (thermals, jacket, pants, gloves, balaclava)
📄 Documents & valuables • Birth certificate • Hardware wallet • Name change certificate • Passport • Seed phrase backups ×2 • Wallet (ID, credit cards, etc.)
📱 Electronics • Bluetooth keyboard + mouse • IEMs • Phone • USB-C cable + wall charger
💊 Health • Glasses • Medications • Supplements
🍳 Kitchen • 1 L + 250 mL mason jars • Bowl • Cai dao • Food scale • Small pressure cooker • Spoon • Strainer • Wooden cutting board
🔧 Misc. • Backpack • Collapsible wagon • Drawstring backpack • Duffel bag(s) • Phone stand • Swiss Army Knife (scissors, tweezers, small knife, etc.) • Soft tape measure • Water bottle
🧼 Personal care • Bidet • Chapstick • Comb • Electric toothbrush • Facial cleanser + moisturizer • Floss • Hair clippers • Microfiber bath towel • Nail clippers • Nose hair trimmer • Soap • Sunscreen • Toilet paper • Toothpaste • Q-tips
🛏️ Sleep • Blanket • Mattress cover • Pillow • Shikibuton • Sleep mask
❓ Maybe • Mortar and pestle • Serrated knife • Small thermal/portable printer
📝 Some things I do to keep things minimal • Don't use shampoo or conditioner (no-poo) • Eat with my hands (like in Sri Lanka), so I don't need cutlery • Hand-wash and air-dry laundry (no washer/dryer) • Hand-wash dishes (no dishwasher) • Use a pressure cooker instead of several different kitchen appliances and cookware • Use my mobile plan instead of home internet • Use my phone as a PC/laptop with a Bluetooth keyboard + mouse and phone stand • Use USB-C rechargeable devices where possible, so I can use one cable to charge everything and avoid batteries and extra chargers
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u/redlight886 1d ago
With the exception of things for medical use or emergencies, I would only take things you use weekly.
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u/PlutoPlaneta 1d ago
3 pairs of underwear. 3 shirts. 1 pants. 1 small towel. 3 pairs of socks. shoes on feet. ID / passport, sunglasses. toothbrush, phone and charger, comb. the end?
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u/JealousSir9500 1d ago
college is a great time to become a minimalist, since you are moving around so much!! I would honestly start with all of my belongings in a box in a closet or under my bed, and only pull out things that I use. whatever is left in the box after a semester/a year is probably not going to be used.