Composite List of "What to Bring to Boarding School"

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:09pm

1) This is a composite, alphabetical list of what to bring to BS.

2) If you have worthy suggestions about what else a student might like to bring, please list it. If you have specifications-- like what types of bandages students should bring, or what snacks are popular in dorms etc-- please list it as well.

Other than that, just ignore items on the list you don’t think are necessary and don’t complain about it, because it doesn’t help anyone.

Edited list from “kateapollo”.

All credit, except for edits, goes to “Kateapollo”

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:10pm

Acne/cleansing wash and acne cream
Address book
Alarm clock: very important! J
Allergy medicine: Claritin or Benadryl or other anti-histamine
Anti-Itch cream: for bug bites (also good if you’re going to do road-trips off campus to mountains/lakes on weekends etc)
Atlas-- any cartographers out there? A world or nation atlas is informative

Backpack/messenger bag
Balls: Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, baseballs, tennis balls
Bandages and band-aids: for sprains and cuts
Batteries, especially AA
Bicycle, helmet, LOCK
Binders
Bins or boxes for storing papers/folders
Blanket: fleece or thermal
Bleach
Blender
Board games (Monopoly, a chess or checkers set etc)
Body lotion
Bookcase: find a slim, tall bookcase if you’re pressed for space. It’s good for organizing text and literary books; of course you can store anything on it-- from food to board games to boxes of cleaning supplies. Great storage. If it’s a shorter bookcase, you can put decorations atop it-- pictures, a vase etc.
Bottle opener
Broom or short-handled brush with dustpan (if you don’t care for vacuums or Swiffers)
Brush: get a good scrubbing one for cleaning grout/tough stains
Bucket: get a sturdy one for use in cleaning/mopping
Bug spray (to keep your skin from those awful mosquitoes etc)
Bulletin board with pins

Cable/wiring organizer: for your computer wires
Calendar: to keep track of the date and days; dry-erase calendars are awesome for scrawling in important events and then erasing for the next month
Calculator or graphing calculator
Camera-- at least a disposable one
Can opener
Cds
CD cases, or soft-cover CD folders which are more space efficient and easier to carry
Cereals, cereals, cereals
Chair: a comfortable one, not a desk chair, but more of a reading/relaxing seat. Try the:
a) butterfly chair <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree;
b) Egg chair <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree; or
c) the classic beanbag
Chair cushion: if you don’t want to bring or buy a desk chair, buy an attractive seat cushion for the chair that the college provides
Chips
Clothes:
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are amazing, easy to use and leave a good scent
Coffee
Coffee machine
Cold and cough medicine: Robitussin/Dimetap
College-rule line paper
Colored markers and colored pencils
Comb or hairbrush
Comforter
Computer-- Laptop or Desktop or Notebook.
Conditioner (hair)
Condoms/birth control pills/contraceptives etc.
Contacts
Contact lens case
Contact lens solution
Containers: small plastic or mesh containers for small accessories (paperclips/tape/white-out/jewelry/makeup)
Cooking pans and pots
Cordless Phone and/or Cell Phone: very important!
Correspondence: Various cards or letter paper, for birthdays or congratulations etc
Cough drops/lozegnes
Cotton balls: many uses, including for applying/wiping off make-up, applying antiseptics to cuts and wounds
Cotton facial pads: for applying or removing foundation and other make-up, also for applying facial lotions, toners and astringents
Curling iron (hair)
Curtains: if your dorm room doesn’t provide curtains, an attractive set of curtains can help bring color and life to your room

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:11pm

Eating Utensils: inexpensive utensils OR disposable plastic utensils will do: packs of disposable OR two to four inexpensive sets of knives, spoons, forks, cups, mugs, plates, bowls
Eggshell pad or mattress pad or mattress foam
Electric lights: like Christmas lights you put on your tree or around your house-- small strings of white-light bulbs can be lovely strung around the edges of your ceiling
Envelopes (white, letter type)
Erasers (Staedtler erasers are amazing [Office</a> Supplies, Furniture, Technology at Office Depot](<a href=“http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...rasers&An=text]Office”>http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...rasers&An=text))
Eye drops

Fabric softener for the dryer
Facial lotion (especially if youre in a colder climate and your skin will tend to dry out more easily)
Favorites books
Febreze: excellent to temporarily rid clothes (and blankets, pillows, etc) from odors <a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/febrez...original.shtml[/url]”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/febrez...original.shtml</a>
Files and expandable filing folders
Flashlight
Floss
Folders-- with pockets and three-prongs
Folding chairs/tail-gaiting chairs/folding lawn chairs-- any easy, folding chair that you can quickly prop open for guests or haul down to the game for tail-gaiting is a plus
Footstool (if youre vertically challenged)
Foreign Language Dictionary: for whatever language youll be taking in college
Foreman Grill
Fragrance: perfume or cologne, or body sprays
Frisbees!
Fruit: apples, bananas
Fruit juices-- orange, apple, grape, tomato
Futon: a bed at night, great for seating two or three visitors or for watching TV

Gatorade and other sports/electrolyte drinks
Glasses
Granola bars, Nutri-Grain bars
Graphing paper

Hair dryer
Hairbands/hair pins for ladies
Hairspray/sculpting cream
Hammer
Hand-held electronic games (Gameboy etc)
Hand and feet cream (Neutrogena makes the effective and inexpensive Norwegian formula [women’s</a> Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Hand Cream - Neutrogena](<a href=“Skin Care Products for Healthier Skin | Neutrogena®”>Skin Care Products for Healthier Skin | Neutrogena®))
Headphones-- very important-- both to block out annoying sounds from your roommate or keep music your roommate doesnt like to yourself
Highlighters
Hot Pot: I love this thing. Quick and easy and hot, no need for an electric kettle or coffee machine or microwave with it <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree;
Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:12pm

I-Pod or other music player (MP3, CD player)
Internet access software/wiring
Iron
Ironing board

Kleenex or other facial tissue

Laptops and desktops: for work/studying, but plays your music and DVDs as well
Laptop case
Laundry basket: a lot of people prefer the sturdy plastic baskets to laundry bags. Can hold folded clothes better as well
Laundry detergent
Laundry Hamper or Bin: hampers are always useful; some of us use canvas bins with handles to toss wet towels and dirty clothes in; others have large mesh or canvas laundry bags (folding hampers are great if you need space)
Lip balm
Lint-roller
Loofah/sponge or wash towel
Lysol, especially the sprays and the all-purpose cleaners (though the scent is sometimes too strong)
[LYSOL</a> | Disinfect To Protect | Products](<a href=“http://www.lysol.com/solutionsfinder.shtml]LYSOL”>http://www.lysol.com/solutionsfinder.shtml)

Make-up (a lot of more low-maintenance girls I know often just go with the basics-- foundation or tinted moisturizer for covering up flaws, mascara and lip gloss or a lipstick)
Manila envelopes (for papers or reports that you dont want folded)
Map-- of your country, your state, the world, your college campus
Masking tape
Microwave
Milk
Minifridge or Microfridge
Mints or minty gum
Mirror-- a good mirror, from full length <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree; to vanity mirrors to overhang mirrors
Mop
Mouse
Mouse pad
Mouthwash
Multi-vitamins (especially vitamin C, when youre trying to keep your immune system up around cold season)
Muscle Relief: Salonpas <a href=“http://www.salonpas-usa.com/salonpas.html[/url]”>http://www.salonpas-usa.com/salonpas.html</a> or Icy Hot Patches or Thermal Patches for aches
Musical instrument/music books

Nail clippers
Nail file
Nail polish remover
Neosporin
Nightstand: if youve got room, nightstands are nice-- put a small lamp and your reading books atop it. Looks pretty and if it has drawers, it offers more storage space for whatever youd like.
Notepads

Oxi-Clean gets rid of stains <a href=“http://www.oxiclean.com/laundrysub.a...SubNav=Laundry[/url]”>http://www.oxiclean.com/laundrysub.a...SubNav=Laundry</a>

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:13pm

Pack of playing cards
Pain and fever relief-- Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen
Paperclips
Paper towels
Pencils
Pencil case/container
Pencil Sharpener
Pens: regular blue, black and red; have at least one, nicer ball-point pen as well
Photos and picture frames
Pillows
Pine-Sol: the original scent is great, its good for floors
[Pine-Sol:</a> Original Pine-Sol](<a href=“http://www.pinesol.com/original.shtml]Pine-Sol:”>http://www.pinesol.com/original.shtml)
Plants: IF you can take care of them. Theyre lovely and its nice to have some green in your small dorm room
Plasti-tak <a href=“http://www.teachersparadise.com/c/pr...ducts_id/25260[/url]”>http://www.teachersparadise.com/c/pr...ducts_id/25260</a> or other mounting material that wont leave stains or holes on the walls
Popcorn
Pop-Tarts
Posters, of course ([AllPosters.com</a> - The World’s Largest Poster and Print Store!](<a href=“http://www.allposters.com%5DAllPosters.com”>http://www.allposters.com))
Post-its
Powder drink mixes: They are cheaper to buy than sodas, and all you need is a large pitcher of water and a spoon. Powdered lemonade and Kool-Aid are cheap and easy to make.
Power strips (because youll only have so many electrical outlets)
Printer Paper (white)

Q-Tips: tons of uses-- for cleaning the insides of your ears, for applying or removing make-up, etc

Radio/stereo
Ramen/Cup Noodles (of course)
Razor, shaving cream and aftershave for males
Religious texts: if youre religious, bring your Bible or Koran or Torah etc.
Reusable water bottles, like Nalgene bottles
Robe
Roller-skates or ice-skates
Rolls of coins or your laundry card
Rubber bands
Rug!: to add attractiveness to the bare tile or wood floor of your room-- and keep your feet warm when you slip out of bed winter mornings

Safe or lockbox for valuables: jewelry, watches, etc-- actually, any box with a lid will do to store your valuables in, just as long as you dont leave your bracelets, watches, rings etc lying around
Screwdriver
Shampoo (if preferred, you can pour your shampoo or conditioner in small plastic bottles with flip tops-- see Container Store-- to save space in your shower tote)
Sharpies or any other permanent marker (thick and thin)
Shaving lotion, gel or body wash for shaving
Shaving razor
Sheets: at least two and preferably three different sets of sheets for your bed, often college beds are extra-long twin size
Shot glasses
Shower caddy/tote: should have a hole or holes in the bottom, for drainage
<a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree;
Shower shoes (flip-flops)
Small pair of nose hair scissors (gross, I know, but for any overgrown hairs from your nose)
Snapple/other tea brands
Soap or body wash
Soap container: itd be best to have a container for it, so the other items in your tote wont get soppy and sticky. Bed Bath and Beyond has some handy plastic soap cases with latches
Sofa or armchair: if you can fit at least a small one into your room, go for it!
Soup: Campbells makes microwavable soups <a href=“http://www.campbellsoup.com/soup_at_hand.asp?cpovisq=[/url]”>Quality Soups, Sauces, Food & Recipes | Campbells.com;
Spiral notebooks
Sponge: get one for cleaning dishes, another for cleaning your dorm/bathroom
Spray bottles, clear: for various uses-- holding cleaning fluid for example <a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/browse...76&itemIndex=1[/url]”>http://www.containerstore.com/browse...76&itemIndex=1</a>
Stamps
Stapler and staples
Steamer or Footlocker: these are more expensive, but theyre usually attractive and add character to the room. You can store extra blankets or out of season clothes in them. If you have room, they look good at the base of a bed. You could also sit on it or store books or knickknacks atop it.
<a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/browse...35&itemIndex=2[/url]”>http://www.containerstore.com/browse...35&itemIndex=2</a>
Stomach Relief: Ah, Pepto Bismol.
Straightening iron (hair)
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Swiffer Dry: extremely easy to use, quick and easy to clean (just dispose of the cloth after use; hard to pick up more than lint and hair, however
Swiffer Duster: excellent and easy to hold and maintain <a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ers_hand.shtml[/url]”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ers_hand.shtml</a>
<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/dry.shtml[/url]”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/dry.shtml</a>
Swiffer Wet: use like a mop, very easy to use and leaves a great fresh scent
<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/wet.shtml[/url]”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/wet.shtml</a>
Swim goggles

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:14pm

Tape measurer
Tape dispenser and clear tape refills
Tapestries: hang them up on the wall, above your bed, etc <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree;
Teabags
Three-hole punch adapter
Toaster oven
Toothbrush
Toothbrush case: Bed Bath and Beyond has a great little plastic toothbrush container with a latch, so the bristles of your toothbrush dont get all gross jumbled next to everything else in your shower tote or caddy
Toothpaste
Towels (at least two sets each of bath towel, hand towel, face towel etc)
Trash Can
Tree Floor Lamp: these are good because you can use one lighting source to illuminate different parts of your room-- in a tiny room, one light can be aimed at your desk, the other at your bed while you read, the other at the ceiling. They range from inexpensive and colorful <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree; to more polished
[Office</a> Supplies, Furniture, Technology at Office Depot](<a href=“http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...e+lamp&An=text]Office”>http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...e+lamp&An=text)
TV
Tweezers

Umbrella- a good, sturdy one

Vacuum: any slim, lightweight one will do. It doesnt need to be an expensive, bulky vacuum to get the job done.
Vacuum: hand-sized, to clean up dust in corners, on desks etc
Example: <a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree;
Vaseline: or petroleum jelly. Its oily and sticky, but if you dont have lotion or lip balm handy, a spot of Vaseline will do it.
Video game console
Video games
Multi-vitamin
Vicks Vapo Rub: I always put this on my chest and throat when Im sick
Vitamin C: to keep up your immune system during cold season
Vitamin E: this comes in two forms-- one is in a gel-like pill, the other is in a small glass jar. The ingestion of vitamin E is supposed to soften your skin, strengthen your hair. The vitamin E in a jar-- vitamin E oil-- is often put on scars or stretch marks to advance healing and lighten the scar
Vitamin D/Oscal: to keep your bones strong

Washcloths or washrags: use old ones for rinsing or drying dishes, and cleaning floors
Water bottles
Water filter pitcher [Brita</a> International](<a href=“http://www.brita.com/index.shtml]Brita”>http://www.brita.com/index.shtml) and replaceable filters
Water pitcher: a regular one, if you dont want filtered
Waterless hand sanitizer <a href=“http://www.purell.com/original.aspx[/url]”>http://www.purell.com/original.aspx</a>
Whiteboard with dry-erase markers (lots of people hang these outside their rooms so friends can leave messages)
White-out or correctional fluid (I prefer the rolling, tape-dispenser-like white-out)
Windex or other window cleaner; the wipes are especially handy
<a href=“http://www.windex.com/mirror-cleaner/[/url]”>http://www.windex.com/mirror-cleaner/</a>
Writing Basics: a writing style book, a dictionary, a thesaurus

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 1:16pm

All credit, except for edits and addons goes to Kateapollo

Some items on the list were added by me. I changed a few things, as the list was originally intended for college. It is mostly dorm ideas.

Sticky would be nice.

hotchkissjin · March 15, 2009, 1:44pm

two words:

holy crap

scaredbutchill · March 15, 2009, 3:00pm

two words: I agree^

benevolent4them · March 15, 2009, 3:03pm

And I thought just bringing clothes would be enough…

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 3:41pm

Bump.

Sticky anyone?

geokid08 · March 15, 2009, 3:52pm

I wonder how I’m going to bring all this from california O_O

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 3:54pm

Don’t need to bring it all. It is all I could come up with, some of it you bring anyway!

geokid08 · March 15, 2009, 4:02pm

That’s true haha

Well, I’m greatly looking forward to this fall :D

pianogirl13 · March 15, 2009, 8:13pm

Bumpity Bump Bump – bump bump!!

azulhearts · March 15, 2009, 10:42pm

…

oh dang…

Except for the shot glass part O.o I don’t think we’re over 21… lol
I just got a new (overly large) bookcase for my room too D:

principalviola · March 15, 2009, 10:44pm

Shot glass = win for super caffeinated coffee.

principalviola · March 16, 2009, 4:26pm

Bump.

Please sticky this or Italianboarder’s. Thanks.

Aspirant94 · March 17, 2009, 3:28pm

Mercersburg’s “What to bring/what not to bring” list

Bring:

<pre><code>* a pillow, a bedspread, a washable mattress protector, and towels

two sets of towels and twin-sized bed linens (one for washing, one for using)
two laundry bags
a desk lamp (no halogen lamps, please)
a wastepaper basket
a closed container and utensils for any food you might keep in your room
a telephone for your room
</code></pre>

Leave at home:

<pre><code>* Bed, mattress, desk, and dressers (Though they may not be your style, weve got these basics covered.) halogen lamps

cooking appliances or refrigerators, unless youre a prefect
television sets or DVD players
beepers and paging devices
</code></pre>

Consider bringing:

<pre><code>* a soft or upholstered chair or sofa

a small table for your computer if youre bringing one
your computer printer
window curtains
one large (9 x 12) or two medium-size rugs for your room
radios and other sound equipment
</code></pre>

boarderkid · April 6, 2009, 6:29pm

Do people normally come to BS hauling tons of things? And leave with many things as well? About how big are normal rooms (namely, L’ville and Peddie but any BS, really)?

Composite List of "What to Bring to Boarding School"

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