tuesdayair

armchrtravir-- studies show multivitamins are bad for you, it's much better to get vitamins/minerals through fruits and veggies. i dont remember the specifics, but i had to write an article on that...anyway, that was random but... avoid multivitamins, i guess.

"Millions of people take vitamin supplement pills everyday. However, despite common belief, vitamin supplements do not increase life expectancy rate. In fact, studies show that the supplements may increase the risk of premature death. The Cochrane Collaboration, which regularly pools data from trials to evaluate drugs, found that supplements for vitamin A, vitamin E, and betacarotene are detrimental to health: vitamin A was lined to a 16% increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to 7%, and vitamin E to a 4% increased rate. Instead of taking supplement pills to replace, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables will provide the antioxidants that soak up harmful byproducts of metabolism.

Sources:
Latest news, sport, business, comment and reviews from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk
news.bcc.co.uk
"

jennycraig

I know people have mentioned buying a hamper for your dirty clothes. It's nice to have a laundry basket as well, to transport your clothes to/from the washer and dryer.

shellmetaphor

I'm going to mail a package to my school before I get there with some things in it that I'll need. That's just a little bit less that I have to shop for once I get there!

And ickleronniekins, "What if my shampoo explodes in my bag and explodes through the ziploc?"
I ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT THAT! Lotions and things, too. I don't like to take anything carry on that the security folks might take from me, so I check basically everything. Hahaha.

mehappykid

I will save my luggage space for things that might be hard (or even impossible) to find near my BS. As for daily shampoo or any liquid things, I will just bring a small bottle (maybe for one week use) and then buy on-line the day before I leave home (if you are not sure whether you will go out campus for shopping within the first week).

adsum

a mattress pad! I didn't have one freshman year and it was like sleeping on a crappy bed at camp.

a lot of lamps. the overhead one is usually weak and using it as your main source of light is thought of as very newbly. also it really does suck, lamps make the room feel more homey.

a small couch or chair (again, it makes you seem less newbly...plus people are more likely to hang out in your room if you have seating) (target or a salvation army near the school are good for this)

food and drinks- people will always be asking for some but you'll be more well-liked for your trouble. plus you can (and will) get really hungry at night
(popcorn, small chip bags, cereal, granola bars, water bottles, red bull)

decorations. that's another newb thing to do, have a room that isn't decorated. buy some posters. common ones for girls are:

music (bob dylan, grateful dead, bob marley, and the beatles are popular choices)
modern art prints
posters of vintage ads, movies, vogue covers, etc.
black and white photography (often of couples)

more random stuff I'd bring if you want to avoid the situation in which you notice that all the girls have such and such item and you want one too...so basically just a list of very popular items for girls:

*pashminas
*Bean Boots (tall shearling LL Bean hunting boots, expensive but something you'll probably want for christmas once you see everybody wearing them)

here's the link- L.L.Bean Boots, 10" Shearling: Bean Boots at L.L.Bean

*cable sweaters (J.Crew is the best for these)
*polos (Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, or Vineyard Vines, not American Eagle)
*pearls (earrings, necklace...you'll find yourself wanting them)
*sweatpants and boxer-y lounge shorts (seriously, it's all anyone wears after check or to breakfast)
*spandex (under armour bike shorts, esp. if you're playing field hockey)
..or if you want people to think you're really cool, cheesy printed spandex
(go to runningfunky.com for these)
*weird clothes/accessories for dances (people are always trotting this stuff out- stuff like a pirate eyepatch, feather boa, shiny spandex leggings (like those gold lame ones from american apparel), leotard, dorky glasses, etc....preppy people love their themed dances)
*DVDs- another popular thing in a dorm...this is an arena in which most things are accepted, so feel free to, *gasp*, do what you want on this one



obviously none of this is necessary, but if you're worried about fitting in and everything (especially if you're a girl,) these are good tools to have at your disposal. also, sorry if I sound like a snobby valley girl in this list, it's just what I've learned from observation. I could've saved myself a lot of feeling left out if I had brought some of these things with me, and in the first few months you'll probably appreciate anything that makes you feel like you're a part of the strange world of boarding schools.

adsum

oh and a couple of things I wouldn't bring:

binders, paper, pens, notebooks, etc. don't buy this stuff in advance, it's just a hassle and you can easily go to a supplies store when you get there. also don't buy too much of these...remember that you won't need a binder for every class, and you can buy things at the bookstore.

a printer. maybe other schools aren't like this, but mine has a dorm printer that is always stocked with ink. printers take up a lot of room and aren't really necessary if the dorm has one.

a desktop computer. my dad had me bring two computers, a mac mini and a macbook, and it was a mistake. just bring a laptop. again, the dorms have computers (in my experience)

old textbooks. a few people I know did this and it's not a good idea.

winter clothes. you'll be going back home for at least thanksgiving, so save room and bring the coat and heavy boots back with you then.

ahh I've been talking waaay too much.

keylyme

Unless you liver far away, though, the school bookstore is much more expensive than the department store for binders, notebooks, etc. I bought lots of this stuff on sale and packed it all in a plactic crate. My son is set for a couple of years.

Neither my college daughter, nor my bs son used their printers (and my older son never even brought one). There is one in the lounge and in pretty much every building.

hellosunshine

Someone should make a compiled list of everything on this board..or at least start and then we can all help out..omitting repeats. That way we could look at what has been said, copy, paste and add if we think of something that isn't already on there.

bowlofchilli

I'll do it, I've been meaning to; this is such a great thread!

hellosunshine

Awesome! If you have to stop, just post the post # that you ended on and one of us can try to pick up where you left off.

bowlofchilli

I'm done!!
If I finish my homework early I might sort it into sections.


The Utimate Supply List for Boarding School.

-Laptop
-Lots of sticky notes
-A cushy chair
-Book case
-Refrigerator/Electric cooler
-Under-bed storage
-Full-length mirror
-Shower tote
-Bath slippers/shower shoes
-Over the door hook for towels etc...
-Things to soften your bed (i.e. tempurpedic cover)
-Swifters and small hand held vacs
-Microwave popcorn
-Pop tarts
-Flavored water
-A lot of clean underwear
-Headphones/stereo/MP3 player
-Running shoes
-Pictures of your friends, family, posters
-Pens, pencils, stationary supplies
-Camera
-Bike and lock
-Cell phone
-Febreeze
-Plastic storage drawers
-Trash can
-Lots of hangers
-Seat cushion, extra pillows
-Paper clips
-Thumb tacks
-Chargers for iPod, cell phone, camera etc...
-Printer and refill cartridges
-Fan
-Candy "Bring candy when you first come and everyone will be all over you like a cheap suit."
-Mittens
-Adhesive goo for posters, etc..
-Dry-erase board
-Quarters for laundry
-Earplugs or noise canceling headphones
-Extra long sheets
-Extension cords, surge protectors etc..
-Ethernet/phone cords
-Long lasting food- Microwavable meals, frozen pasta, ramen, crackers, canned fruit etc...
-Non refrigerated food- granola, fruit, nuts, chex mix, pretzels, etc...
-Silverware
-Flashlight
-Rubber wellies
-Funky apparel for traditions (bright colors, weird patterns, American Apparel lame)
-Desk lamp
-Comforter/duvet
-Favorite books
-Lotion
-Rug
-Cell-phone company wireless connector for internet access
-Stick on wall hooks
-Water bottles
-Shoe rack or tree
-Locks for lockers (where applicable)
-Bed risers
-Toiletries
-Beach towel
-Extra lamps
-Snow boots (bean boots or similar)
-Uggs
-Nail clippers
-Gum "Gum is a must have. Lots and lots of it. And everyone will love it if you have gum because everyone always wants it, so its good for forging those first ties for friendship in your dorm and in random places on campus"
-Stamps
-Extra toothpaste
-Disinfectant spray/bleach
-Lint brush/delinter
-Wrapping paper and bows
-Shoeboxes (for projects)
-Stain remover
-Extra computer battery
-Tea bags/hot cocoa mix
-Calendar (wall, whiteboard or desk calendar)
-Duct tape "...is for quick fixes. stuff that may fall apart during the year, taping electrical cords together, taping storage boxes, etc. It's one of those items that belongs in a 'first aid for anything' kit."
-Paperwork (passport, birth certificate, eyeglass prescription, group membership cards, passport photos, CPR certification card, insurance info, for students from farther way)
-Web cam (if not included, for talking with parents)
-Stuffed animals
-Jump/thumb drives
-Sewing kit
-Swiffer
-Umbrella
-Playing cards
-Extra socks
-Pearls
-DVDs
-

risingjunior

bowlofchili, i love you.

hellosunshine

I love bowlofchili too! Let's start a fan club.

bowlofchilli

Lol, thanks you guys.

hsmomstef

Just to add to the total confusion of the list, here are some links to other threads on CC about what to take to college. Granted -- not everything will apply, but there is quite a bit on these lists that will apply.

Items for college that most parents overlook...

Last year's shopping, checklists, and bedding threads.

Unfortunately -- these are huge, multiple paged threads -- but some good info!