<p>This may have already been discussed, but for all of you
who have sons or daughters already in college, could you
provide us parents who have kids getting ready to start college with a list of items your kids just could not have lived without. I am sure you remember what it was like shopping for that first year! I know I am starting my list, and figured you guys would have the best advice! Thanks.</p>
<p>My list:</p>
<p>Money
Money
Money</p>
<p>Check the link at the top of the Parent Cafe titled, “Now that decisions have been made, here are …” Someone thoughtful posted links to many old threads about college necessities and packing lists. Very very helpful.</p>
<p>Lots of extension cords/surge protectors, especially in older dorms–</p>
<p>I’m a college professor – my plea is that you send them with a stapler and staples… ;-)</p>
<p>Check out your child’s cell phone plan and make sure he/she can use it from the college. Also, get a plan with lots and lots of minutes so your S/D can call you and friends whenever he/she wants. We had to increase our D’s phone plan and it has been a big plus for us. She calls frequently and it has really helped us keep in close touch.</p>
<p>My D needed more plastic dishes to heat things in the microwave in the dorm, and also more flatware (both tended to disappear). Lots of supplies for colds…no drugstore close by.</p>
<p>Duct tape was #1 on the list of son’s favorites. I believe he is now on roll 3. I don’t think I have ever used a whole roll in our house.
The collapasible clothes hamper was very handy.
Lysol was a surprise hit. Son used lots.
Tool kit, box of OTC drugs and bandages-I labeled ea drug w/indication and dose.
The sticker tape stuff for dorm walls was also popular.
UPS surge protector for computer.</p>
<p>The list:</p>
<ol>
<li>Money (lots of it x 3)</li>
<li>Duct tape</li>
<li>OTC drugs and first aid kit, thermometer.</li>
<li>sticker tape stuff</li>
<li><p>UPS surge protectors</p></li>
<li><p>Extension cords</p></li>
<li><p>Plastic dinnerware.</p></li>
<li><p>Staplers and staples</p></li>
<li><p>Collapsible cloth hamper</p></li>
<li><p>hangers</p></li>
<li><p>Umbrella</p></li>
<li><p>Raincoat - poncho</p></li>
</ol>
<p>hey simba~</p>
<p>Thanks for compiling the list! Now we all can just print it out when everything gets put on it! ~b.</p>
<p>The Aries whiteboard. I’ve explained the concept a few times, but here it is again.</p>
<p>Get a whiteboard (for IN your room, not your door, to hang above your desk) with a small bulletin board and eraser attached. Bills and such go on the bulletin board so that important things don’t get lost. On one side of the whiteboard, write each assignment as it comes in (and a due date if not the next class). I had headings for each class and just filled in with the assignments. On the other side of the whiteboard, write out the “things to do,” such as laundry, paying parking tickets, sending sister a package for birthday, whatever. Obviously, erase as things get done. It’s incredibly helpful to see things which have to be done. Planners aren’t too useful for college, when things are assigned and due in different weeks. </p>
<p>Beyond that:</p>
<p>*hole punch which can do at least 10 pages at a time
*waste basket
*lamps
*narrow, tall bookcase. I have one which is about 18" wide. The narrow part is so that it can fit anywhere, and the tall part - so that it can fit a lot of stuff
*plastic containers for under the bed storage
*extra towels. I swim, so there is a chlorine towel, and then two for the shower - one for me and one for waist-length hair
*I second the nomination for microwaveable (which also means small - microfridges are tiny and big plates don’t fit in there) plates, bowls, and mugs
*caffeine in favourite form. This could be instant coffee, snobby tea with honey, or Starbucks coffee (kept in fridge), flavoured syrups, and a French coffee press.
*shower caddy for shampoo, toothbrush, etc
*sponges and a small bottle of detergent for washing dishes
*some kind of computer back up - those USB mini-storage devices or whatever.<br>
*egg crate mattress - college mattresses are about 6" thin (which is why normal bed linens will fit on there)
*reliable alarm clock with battery back-up (power outages are not uncommon)
*AAA
*slippers </p>
<p>Not necessary but good to have (depending on the kid):
*collapsible chairs (those ones which fit into a bag) that can be stored under the bed
*fish - hey, most dorms allow them
*hot water heater if the microwave is just too slow or if roomies are on a different sleep schedule
*tons of pillows, blankets, and squishy stuff (my bed is covered with them - very comfy - then again, that could also be the 350-thread count sheets)
*first aid kit - I injure myself all the time, so ACE bandages, neosporin, Aleve (for migraines), ibuprofen (for sprains), Nyquil (because everyone in the dorm gets something and you need to sleep), band-aids, gauze - should mention here that my friends do not let me be without the above items because of my proclivity to get hit by cars
*depending on space in room, papasan or small easy chair
*stereo system - for the non-i-tunes crowd
*trunk for bed linens
*rug if room is not carpeted (and maybe if it is - think of how many people have gotten ill on said rug)
*confession: my senior year single had all of the following items: set of gourmet cutlery; cutting board; Pier 1 large and dessert-sized plates; 20 different spices; silicon spatulas (heat resistant to 500F); non-plastic silverware; crystal stemware (because I would disembowel myself before drinking Veuve out of plastic); chenille throw & matching throw pillow for easy chair; fridge, microwave; stereo system (not a boombox ); TV; Mexican pottery for serving food… you get the picture. Confession 2: I used almost all of it.</p>
<p>The list:</p>
<ol>
<li>Money (lots of it x 3)</li>
<li>Duct tape</li>
<li>OTC drugs and first aid kit, thermometer.</li>
<li>sticker tape stuff</li>
<li><p>UPS surge protectors</p></li>
<li><p>Extension cords</p></li>
<li><p>Plastic dinnerware.</p></li>
<li><p>Staplers and staples</p></li>
<li><p>Collapsible cloth hamper</p></li>
<li><p>hangers</p></li>
<li><p>Umbrella</p></li>
<li><p>Raincoat - poncho</p></li>
<li><p>Whiteboard with eraser attached</p></li>
<li><p>hole punch which can do at least 10 pages at a time</p></li>
<li><p>waste basket</p></li>
<li><p>*lamps</p></li>
<li><p>*narrow, tall bookcase. I have one which is about 18" wide. The narrow part is so that it can fit anywhere, and the tall part - so that it can fit a lot of stuff</p></li>
<li><p>plastic containers for under the bed storage</p></li>
<li><p>extra towels. I swim, so there is a chlorine towel, and then two for the shower - one for me and one for waist-length hair</p></li>
<li><p>I second the nomination for microwaveable (which also means small - microfridges are tiny and big plates don’t fit in there) plates, bowls, and mugs</p></li>
<li><p>caffeine in favourite form. This could be instant coffee, snobby tea with honey, or Starbucks coffee (kept in fridge), flavoured syrups, and a French coffee press.</p></li>
<li><p>shower caddy for shampoo, toothbrush, etc</p></li>
<li><p>sponges and a small bottle of detergent for washing dishes</p></li>
<li><p>some kind of computer back up - those USB mini-storage devices or whatever.</p></li>
<li><p>egg crate mattress - college mattresses are about 6" thin (which is why normal bed linens will fit on there)</p></li>
<li><p>reliable alarm clock with battery back-up (power outages are not uncommon)</p></li>
<li><p>AAA, AA Batteries</p></li>
<li><p>slippers
Not necessary but good to have (depending on the kid):</p></li>
<li><p>collapsible chairs (those ones which fit into a bag) that can be stored under the bed</p></li>
<li><p>tons of pillows, blankets, and squishy stuff (my bed is covered with them - very comfy - then again, that could also be the 350-thread count sheets)</p></li>
<li><p>depending on space in room, papasan or small easy chair</p></li>
<li><p>stereo system - for the non-i-tunes crowd</p></li>
<li><p>trunk for bed linens</p></li>
<li><p>rug if room is not carpeted (and maybe if it is - think of how many people have gotten ill on said rug)</p></li>
<li><p>Paper, pens, pencils, markers, hiliters …</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here’s a link that was posted earlier on CC. Very, very complete.</p>
<p>So much to buy and so little time. :)</p>
<p><a href=“General Error Page”>http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/pto/CollegeSupplies.pdf</a></p>
<p>Some of you will get school-specific lists of what to bring. Stanford had that in its new student packet (that comes out early in the summer I think) and it was very helpful, because it lets you know the size of the beds at the particular school (XL twin at S), the exact things that are and are not in the room (e.g., they supply wastebaskets, some schools do not), information about outlets, permitted stuff, and so forth. </p>
<p>Lots of over-the-door hooks and towel bars were great (the boys have an internal door between their rooms and two closets and they all have hooks on them). Son loves his egg crate mattress pad. The under-bed plastic storage drawers and bins have been great.</p>
<p>Ahhh…this is my favorite topic, I had so much fun shopping for DS’s dorm room last summer! I would go from Target to Ikea to BedBath&Beyond to Office Depot to the Container Store to (and online at Garnet Hill for soft sheets)… (But–ack–soon it will ALL BE COMING HOME AGAIN–where to fit it all???)</p>
<p>My daughter isn’t planning on moving back to Seattle after she graduates next spring. Since she will be living in a townhouse this fall- where I am hoping she will cook occasionally- I have been very slowly buying her some things for the kitchen ( it is furnished like other dorms-- but minimally)
today I bought a set of GoodGrips utensils @ Costco- I already bought her a teapot- but she said she already has one- new teapot for me I guess-also bought some really nice ceramic bowls they can use for soup/cereal/mixing. Now I am looking for a toaster oven.
Some of the things that we got immediately freshman year were a desk lamp and table lamp ( always need more light)
A window fan.
Sticky stuff for posters
an area rug
a hotpot for water
rolls of quarters ( although those are outdated many places)
word magnets for door frame</p>
<p>Patient
D school has storage facilities for some stuff- other students have also rented space for the summer and share a unit for things that you don’t need until fall.</p>
<p>Thanks, EK. I believe that I have seen a service advertised that picks up and stores your stuff and then delivers it to the new dorm address in the fall. For those who live very close by, though, it may be just as easy to pack it all up and store it at home…somewhere. </p>
<p>I don’t know if they are allowed in all dorms, but I agree that my S has really enjoyed having an electric hot pot for making tea/hot chocolate etc. The one I bought for him is the same one we have at home–the Tfal Vitesse that you can get through drugstore.com as well as other places. It boils water in 90 seconds, has an auto-off function as soon as the water boils–it’s great. </p>
<p>Second and third the need for a fan–one per kid I think, and yes to lamps also. </p>
<p>One of s’s roommates brought a monitor/TV. Other one brought a laser printer that they all share, and the roommates buy the toner and paper. That has been a godsend for them with all the papers, etc. </p>
<p>Alarm clock, of course.</p>
<p>Wow, guys, this is great. I just didn’t know where to start as this is my
first in college. He spent last summer in NY, but we went with the bare
minimum. Going to school is quite different. These are great ideas - keep them coming. Lots of things I wouldn’t have thought of - knew you guys would come through, but looks like I am going to have to take out another loan besides the college loan!!!</p>
<p>see if you can get in touch with someone at the school they will be attending. There was no need for a hot-pot at my school as there was a boiling water tap on each floor…but if they don’t have that, definitely buy one! Also some schools have rules against microwaves, george forman grills, toaster ovens, etc, so be sure to check out the rules for sure.
I wish that I had brought more cookware, although by the end of the year, I knew enough people to borrow things from. A recipe book (perhaps homemade) with favorite simple recipes are great for someone that knows their way around a kitchen (I made quite a few desserts and a few entrees within the past year)
stacking milk crates were great for storage, as well as collapsable file boxes
don’t forget the scissors, rulers, colored pencils, glue, and markers! (I’m at an engineering school and all of the above were used multipe times…I seemed to be the only one that brought anything)
water filter pitcher that will fit in dorm fridge with room to spare
slippers and flip-flops of course 
It’s the little things that make the biggest difference</p>
<p>I don’t think I could possibly add anything to this incredible list (made very orderly by Simba!) But I would like to point out that the suggestion of the egg crate mattress should be reconsidered. I know it has been banned at our D’s campus, and probably many others. Our CC resident fireman (1075) was wonderful with his explanation on another thread about the dangers of the egg crate mattress! It is more likely to burn that other types of bedding materials, and will give off a noxious and even toxic smoke when it does. He was most helpful in his information about fire codes in dorms, etc., and I am grateful for his explanations. Be sure to read through your S/D’s dorm info before making any purchases!!</p>
<p>My kids’ lists of true necessities (not desirables) is much shorter:</p>
<p>*sheets, towels, blankets, quilt (which I make, thereby making them necessities), pillow (cheap source for blankets is a length of polarfleece from the fabric store)
*laptop with appropriate cabling for dorm–which functions as organizer, alarm clock, stereo
*Ott light (the small portable folding one)
*Surge-protecting extension cords
*clothes–including appropriate outer- and foot- wear for climate and also including regional variations (my son has a suit for Boston, for example, but my D has no need of such formality)
*pens, pencils, notebooks, text books
*cell phone
*normal hygiene stuff (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.) (One thing we didn’t anticipate is that some places don’t fluoridate the water (Portland, OR is one) and my D needed to have fluoride rinse, since her teeth are fairly non-resistant to decay.)</p>
<p>Note what’s missing: refrigerator, microwave, hot pot, rugs, dictionaries (they use on-line ones), computer printer (son uses the networked ones, D has one after tiring of walking to library). Many of those things are desirable but not necessities. And they take up space and cost money.</p>
<p>Added Items for the Artist
1/4" electric drill (cordless) and drill set
Dremel
wrenches (crescent, ratchet, allen)
screwdrivers (phillips and flat-head)
hammer
exacto knives
pliars (regular and needle-nose)
metal and wood files
tool box
heavy duty stapler (must open flat)</p>