preparing for college

Take what you think you're going to need and triple it. Then take what you think will fit and halve it. Then remember you have a roomate and halve it again. Fitting all the comforts of home into a 14 by 12 room that you are sharing with somebody else is difficult. More than difficult, it's damn near impossible. And yet millions of students do it every year.
Trying to do it on a budget of, well, honestly, next to nothing is even harder. So what is absolutely necessary? And what isn't necessary, but is necessary if you want to ensure you don't go insane? I'm not completely sure yet, but I'm working on it.
Trying to ensure that I don't get out of college owing more than I will make in my lifetime means making some cuts. I planned on living all year on rice and beans. However, rice and beans are both difficult to make in the microwave.  Which meant that at least the first several weeks I would be tearing my hair out every time I needed to make food. Luckily, my family is extremely well stocked, and my mom is helping with food. Peanut butter and homemade jelly, homemade soup, applesauce, salsa, and lots of other foods that are great to snack on. Not to mention cans upon cans of peaches and pears. My current laptop is several years old. How old I'm not sure. 5? 6? More? It is also touchy, has a broken hinge, and I managed to pry off the h. Typing is annoying when the h only works hhalf te time. see? Of course, all of the physical issues happened after I discovered I did not have enough money to buy a laptop without, well, living on rice and beans. Thankfully, I have an extremely generous uncle.
I'm extremely good at compartmentalizing. I can also live off of nothing. I also have a bad habit of spending more than I can afford when things are an amazing price. Sometimes thats a good thing.
I'm attempting to find the perfect balance of minimalism and comfort. I always have much more clothing than is strictly necessary, but I can't seem to pare it down. I always over pack. I think I'm going to use more office supplies than I actually do. I read to much, and refuse to read it online. None of that makes me an ideal roomate. However, when I do get things set up, I'm neat as a pin. I hhave routines, and I stick to them. I also have a full schedule, or I will.
My roomate and I were matched up in some weird online dating site way. We're within an inch in height, love the same shows, the same music, and are both insanely chipper. We're going to drive each other nuts. I thhink. Or we'll be best friends.
I'll post my packing list later. Right now I have a tub full of towels and sheets, a backpack that I got for super cheap, a beautiful green butterfly chair, and 2 brand new pillows.
Good thing green goes with purple.
Blessed be,
Ren