Unexpected things you should bring to college

Being a college student is expensive, so it's to your advantages to find ways to save money. With the average tuition at a four-year college reaching nearly $33,000 in the 2009-2010 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, scholarship opportunities are valuable resources for an affordable education. Additionally, bringing the right supplies with you on move-in day will keep you from having to run out and buy emergency items later in the year. Here are some unexpected things that every college student should bring to school.

Ear plugs
You might feel like you can sleep through anything, but that auditory ability will be put to the ultimate test in your freshman dorm. Between night-owl study sessions, snoring and widespread dorm parties, there's no telling what sorts of activities your roommate and fellow floor-mates will get into that will keep you up late.

Shower sandals
At first glance, wearing sandals in the shower seems like an odd notion. However, in community dorm bathrooms (particularly men's bathrooms), you may encounter a shower that is less-than-hygienic. To keep your feet fungus-free, shower sandals will become your new best friend.

Extra power strips
Think that one power strip you packed will be enough? Think again. Whether your dorm was built last year or a century earlier, adequate power outlets are hard to come by in the average freshman accommodation. Between a mini-fridge, microwave, laptop, TV, printer, scanner, digital music player and smartphone charger, you'll need plenty of power strips to fuel your electronic devices.

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