Don't forget these items when you come to OU

Courtney Cohen, an OU junior hailing from Florida, said she "got lucky" because her roommates were able to bring items such as furniture for their apartment.

"For me it was different because I'm from Florida. I didn't bring anything with me. I had to get it all here," Cohen said.

Although Cohen and her roommates were lucky enough to be able to furnish their apartment, what many students do not realize is that furniture is just the beginning of the things needed to keep their home comfortable.

Some seemingly everyday items are usually forgotten in the moving process, and there are some things that students should be sure to stash in boxes for the school year.

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice. One of the biggest benefits of living off campus is access to an actual kitchen, which can greatly expand the usual student diet of ramen noodles. At home, mom and dad make sure to keep it stocked with the essentials, but when Wal-Mart or Kroger has pizza rolls on sale, it may be hard to remember to purchase them.

"I realized when we go grocery shopping we don't have basic stuff like flour and sugar. You get things you can make or snacks but you don't have actual cooking things," Cohen explained.

Which brings up the next point:

You can have food, but if you don't have anything to cook it in you might as well starve. "My roommates brought a couple pans but we realized we didn't have a spaghetti pot for the first two weeks so we cooked noodles in the microwave," Cohen said.

Since living off-campus is an upgrade from residence hall life and a meal plan, it may seem a little bit over-zealous to come to Athens with seven different varieties of serving spoons. Luckily, different stores in Athens can help you out if you're in a spot and need a new pan.

"We had to go to the Dollar Store to get a pack of pots, a frying pan, weird things you don't notice until you have to use them," Cohen said.

Also, take note that most places do not provide residents with ice-cube trays for their freezers, which may seem almost insulting to residents.

Be creative! When it comes to furnishing a new place, there are ways to do it inexpensively and with style.

Cohen said she used a set of utility shelves from Lowe's to hold her items as well as give her room some character.

"I kind of just had to go with it. I think it's different so it makes my room more cozy and like my little area," Cohen said. "For my jewelry actually, I put it in each one of the utility shelves holes."

Also, Cohen suggests finding places for special items. "Jewelry storage is important."

Be selective. Instead of bringing everything you ever owned "just-in-case," limit the amount; chances are there will never be an emergency where you will need to wear a Sponge Bob Square Pants t-shirt acquired in seventh grade.

Moving into a rental property and out of the dorms usually gives residents some personal space, but the rooms are probably not going to be as big as expected.

"Always remember to pack the essentials first and then pack the things you can live without," said Liza Lieberman, a junior who initially forgot a cutting board for her kitchen. "Clothes are a must have."

Cha-cha-change. When you're living in the dorms, quarters were only really valuable in laundry situations. But living off-campus means that most students will be able to own a car.

OU has just implemented a policy requiring drivers to pay for campus parking meters until midnight, meaning keeping a few extra quarters around will add up to savings in the long run.

"I think if you own a car it would be a good idea to always have change with you," Lieberman said. "All the parking uptown you need coins for the meters. No matter where you park, there is no free parking until late."