Be prepared with this small but necessary packing list.
You’re starting freshman year! Congratulations and welcome to the next chapter of your life. You’ve officially stepped into independence, so making a call to mom or dad is no longer an acceptable fix-it strategy for every little job you encounter (sorry…they call it tough love for a reason!)
The good news is you don’t need a garage full of gear to handle the little emergencies that come with living on your own. You just need 5 tools, a little confidence, and maybe a YouTube video or two.
Class is in session, so let’s get equipped.
Not the flashiest tool in the bag, we know, but skip this one and you’ll find out the hard way that your mini fridge does not, in fact, fit under the lifted bed. Almost every job starts with a tape measure, so pick one up and you’ll be able to answer the “will it fit” question before you’ve hauled that couch up three flights of stairs.
2. A Good Multi-Bit Screwdriver
Every freshman needs a good screwdriver. Actually, scratch that: Everyone needs a good screwdriver! Assembling flat-pack furniture? Tightening a loose hinge? Swapping batteries in a smoke detector or fixing whatever your roommate broke this time? Screwdrivers got you.
Most furniture and fixtures don’t stick to one screw type. One minute you need a Phillips tip, the next a Flathead. The last thing you need is to be hunting for driver bits when you could be hunting for that Ramen spot your friend told you about. That is exactly why a multi-bit screwdriver is the right choice. Now, we might be a bit biased on this one, but we know EXACTLY where you can find the best multi-bit screwdriver around.
3. A Utility Knife
The unsung hero of moving day. A good utility knife makes quick work of packing tape; from the first box you unpack to the twentieth box. It can also help start your other DIY tasks, because everything comes in a cardboard box these days (you may need to get a bit creative though if the utility knife you ordered also comes in a cardboard box…)
4. A Compact Worklight
Dorm lighting was clearly designed by someone who has never lived in a dorm. Add in the inevitable, poorly timed power outage, and you’ve got a strong case for a compact worklight living in your bag at all times. This will come in handy when fixing something in a dark closet, finding what rolled under your bed, or just surviving a blackout without killing your phone battery. Our 4-in-1 style light, featuring a flood light, spotlight and more, makes a perfect and compact choice for this. Check! On to the next one!
5. A Compact Hex Key Set
If you’re getting ready for dorm life, chances are you’re soon to be surrounded by flat-pack furniture. Now those packs normally come together with a bunch of hex bolts so a compact hex key set or better yet a Hex Driver means you’re not digging through a junk drawer or borrowing from three different neighbors to get your desk or bed frame built. Pair it with your multi-bit driver and you'll have basically every piece of dorm furniture beat before your roommate's even opened the instructions.
None of these tools take up much space, and none of them will break the bank, but together they’ll get you through move-in day, flat-pack furniture, dorm fixes and beyond. Start with these 5 and you’ll already be more prepared than half your floor (not to mention lending these tools out in times of need could make you PRETTY popular!)
Curious which driver you think would best suit your situation? Check out the Megapro lineup!
