College Packing - Freshman

Along with all the usual first aid kit stuff, make sure she has a bottle of gatorade, sprite, or sierra mist tucked away too. That way if she has any stomach issues at an inopportune time, she can stay hydrated. If you are throwing up at 3 AM you don't really want to walk to the convenience store to get something, if there is even a store open. Having crackers just in case is also helpful.
 
Probably a rolling cart (like a rolling laundry cart) because it can be rough to drag the pop up hangars..and surge protectors/power trip things. There are never enough outlets and you do not want your computer unplugged because your 'lovely' roomie decided she needed to blow dry her hair.

That and some cleaning supplies, like the clorox bath and toilet wands and then the lysol or clorox wipes.
 
When I went to college, I way overpacked. Some essentials:
Dvd's
First Aid Kit- include meds like a costco size container of dayquil/nyquil. You won't believe how much germs spread around dorms.
Microwave/mini fridge (I lived in the dorms, my roommate brought the fridge, i brought the microwave)
Printer
I brought a cheap plastic bowl, cup and plate. a silverware set. Just enough for one :)
large box of microwave popcorn. healthy snacks are good too!
Case of water bottles!
desk supplies (paper, highlighters, back up printer ink-very important!)
If they have communal showers, bring shower shoes (we all used old navy flip flops) and a shower caddy to keep our shampoo and stuff in.

How far will she be? I lived about an hour and a half away, so I only needed summer/fall clothes at first, but I packed a hooded sweatshirt. She can always bring the other clothes later!

Also, a lot of people will say to have a laptop, but for us, we didn't really need one (this was 4 years ago, so things could have changed) If you don't have the money for a laptop, it will not be the end of the world. The same with those little recorder things. Everyone got one for graduation, and no one ended up using them!

A small desk lamp is good for when a roommate is sleeping, but you still have to stay up. this way the big over head lights can be turned off. Plus one of those travel book lights.
 
2 things my college age DD's really thought was great was a first aid kit...I packed Tylenol, baindaids, cold stuff, stomach stuff, ace bandage, heat pack, cold pack, what ever you may need when you are sick...first it was great as when someone else was sick it opened a path to a new friendship, and when you are not feeling well...you want it then! You don't want to walk where ever to get something! I add bags of M & M's (for medicinal purposes only!) every few months (think exam times here).

The other was a small set of screwdrivers, hammer, duct tape!, and some other wrenches. Kids that bought some furniture at Ikea never thought of what they would need to put it together. Came in very handy!

Check out the school's limitations on what they can have in rooms...some don't allow coffee makers ect.

Good luck!

Totally agree with this post. Once she's assigned a roommate have her contact the roommate and they can decide who is bringing what as far as tv, microwave, minifridge if those are allowed. Space is limited and there is no reason to have two of most things.
 

Tell college bound child to put everything they think they need to take in a pile in a designated location in the house. Then about 2-3 days before they leave, tell them they can only take 1/2 of it!

I did this with my niece and it worked wonders! Granted she's only about 2 hours from home...but it let her get everthing out she thought she needed and then pared it down to what was realistic to take.

Enjoy this special time with your kid....it's wonderful.
 
Great advice already given! But DO check with the school to see what is allowed. Several people mentioned bed risers and they are prohibited at DD's school. Can't imagine why, but they are!

A small kitchen kit: paper plates, plastic knives, forks, spoons....
 
Everyone is giving you some great ideas.

I thought of a few more things. She might want a small electric reading light to use while in bed. It helps to respect our room mates sleeping times.

An alarm clock is usually a good idea. I know many people use their cell phones but a good alarm back up is essential.

If there is room in the room or in the closet, you might want to look into one of those rolling stacked drawers. My kids preferred the one with a few smaller drawers on the top and bigger ones on the bottom.

If the rooms are not carpeted you might want a rug as mentioned above or at the least a small throw rug to used by the bed.

If the bathrooms are down the hall, she will want a plastic bathroom bucket or caddy. Make sure you get one with drain holes in the bottom.

Our son's group of friends took complete family room sets with recliner chairs, sleeper sofas and large screen movie type entertainment packages. :confused3 It was just way too much for me!:scared1:

We did finally agree to a couch, actually more of a love seat in size) and of course it was a sleeper sofa. The darn thing weighed a ton! We laugh about it now but I swear each year DS picked a room that was higher and higher and normally in a building that had no elevator! One year there was an elevator but:upsidedow well, warning this is gross ..........there had been a party the night before and some idiot used the elevator as a bathroom! The RD was understandably ticked and had the elevator shut down! So as DH and I aged the moving process got harder and harder! :rotfl: By DS's last year we refused to help with the moving process!:lmao:

In all honestly one the best things our kids did when they arrived was to apply for a single room. It gave them the option of studying and living in their room without dealing as much with other, up to three, roomies. They all stayed very social but just found it easier to pick who was in their room rather than be assigned. Two of our kids went on to be RA's (Resident Assistants) and then RD's (Resident Directors). It helped them in so many ways. Financially it was good as housing and meals were covered. It taught them invaluable people management skills and of course brought them hours upon hours of work and heartache! LOL!

So continue to gather ideas and information but most of all enjoy, take photos (yes, they will balk at that but do it anyway), and make some wonderful life long memories! :lovestruc
 
The first thing that was unpacked every year when I went to college and the last thing down to the car at the end of the year was the window fan. I cannot stress enough how important this was in August/May when moving heaving objects in an un-airconditioned dorm. It goes on the top of my college top-ten must-have list. Followed by:

2. Small but sturdy umbrella (must fit inside a backback)
3. Quarters (lots)
4. A sturdy backpack (this is actually worth spending $$ on)
5. Alarm clock with battery backup and loud alarm
7. Plastic flip-flops only for shower use
8. Headphones
9. Extra blanket, electric if allowed...and even if not (my dorm room heater had two settings- surface of the sun and off)
10. One of those little "broom-stick" type vacuums
 
My two cents....

I have a first year college student too and I think we did pretty good at the planning but here are things that no one told me but someone should of.

1. Clorox wipes so they can wipe everything down when they move in.

2. Besides a first aid kit, pack them a cold kit....kleenex, lysol, cold medicine, lozenges (my son was so sick with a cold, he could even go out to buy the stuff)

This piece of advice only comes from personal experience...have the class schedule of your child....have long conversations about in case of emergency.

My son is at Northern Illinois University and having fears since the Virginia Tech shooting, we set out a plan when I dropped him off his first day.

And basically it was a conversation how important it is for me to know right away that he is fine. As soon as he hears if anything went down, to call me or text me that he is fine. When things happened at NIU, I knew before it hit the news wire and he told me he was fine. So he was able to get a signal out before the phone lines were jammed.

Hope this helps.
 
* computer

*Bed raisers, a cheap way to add extra storage in the room: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13262713

*Egg crate or some type of matress topper

*XL twin sheets. . . dorm beds are longer versions of twin sized beds

*alarm clock

*pop up hamper: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=12987358&BTSmode=true

*shower tote: (important for carrying your stuff to the bathroom): http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=110810

*a good pair of no slip flip-flops/sandles for taking a shower in

*Plastic storage containers (great to keep things under the bead, especially out of season clothes or other things you don't need all the time).

*small dorm room fridge. . . I had mine my first wo years and then sold it for almost what I bought it for. I did get one with a freezer section. I got it at walmart for less than $100, I think it was closer to $50

* Desk Lamp

* Regular School supplies (paper, pens, planner, etc.)

* Comfort things to not get home sick (favorite blanket, stuffed animal, posters, whatever)

* cleaning supplies (swiffer dusters, swiffer mop/broom and refills)

* First aid Kit

Those are things I couldn't live without (I was in undergrad from 2001-2005). . . but I had tons more stuff. . .
 
You've gotten some great tips. I haven't read each one, so forgive me if this is a repeat, but I'd give your DD a prepaid phone card to use to call home. A photo album with pictures from home, high school friends, etc. is nice for those homesick times or to show new friends. No matter how much you plan, there are going to be little things she discovers later that she needs. I would have loved to have a Walmart gift card for things like that. And don't forget the importance of care packages and notes from home. My friends and I were always so excited to receive mail!
 
10. One of those little "broom-stick" type vacuums
We were able to "rent" a full-sized vaccum in the evenings from the front desk receptionist for a quarter. This is the kind of thing you want to know before you start buying stuff! (and moving it, and storing it in a small space)
 
I would recommed a 2-wheeler for move in day. And a comfortable pair of shoes. Move in always takes 2x as long as you think it will.
 
Definitely wait on bigger items (fridge, micro, tv/dvd player) you may decide with roomie; perhaps she has one of these already and will bring hers.
And look for lists of what to bring (probably somewhere on the website, or in paperwork she'll receive before move-in day) to see if any major things aren't allowed - some schools won't allow students to bring their own appliances, but will rent a microfridge combo. As PP have said, bed risers, etc. may be off limits at her particular school.
I attended camp over the summer, fully prepared with my fans in tow, only to find out the dorms I was staying in were new, and equipped with AC! Also, one of the dorms available to freshman at my school is new and also has AC, so a fan would just take up space and be frustrating to take home later.

This year I'm bringing some capris/flip flops because it'll still be warm in September, flip flops for the shower, flash drive so I can bring my documents to the labs/library and print there - no need to bring a printer/buy ink!, storage: under-bed and rolling carts, and a 1st aid kid along with basic clothing, bedding, toiletries and school supplies
 
Hmmm...I was the kid that used a trailer to move out of college my senior year! 4 years in the dorms and 2 summers I stayed on campus, so I never packed up and left. It's amazing what you accumulate over 4 years! I highly suggest moving out of your dorm room once in a while... :) (To be honest, my stuff probably would have fit in a large car, but we had the trailer and DH (then DiFi) was moving out of the same building so we joined forces to move!)

The things I couldn't have lived without my 4 dorm years:
egg crate/foam mattress pad
fan(s) (great for hot nights and to provide white noise)
desk lamp
computer (I tried doing the lab thing...I couldn't concentrate)
First aid kit!
shower bucket and shower shoes

Beyond that, I could have left a whole lot home!

One thing I did, because I lived on the 3rd floor, no elevator to the basement laundry was to use a clean 20 oz juice bottle to put laundry detergent in so I didn't have to lug the huge bottle downstairs. The bottle held several loads of detergent so I always had plenty.
 
Steer clear of too much high school related items. Stick to college school colors or neutrals. HS items all of a sudden seem very childish a few weeks into college. If your DD is going to rush a sorority first semester, hold off on buying too much, she will want EVERYTHING in the new sorority colors and you may end up re-buying colored items.

If you have communal bathroom, a bathrobe is an essential! No worries about clothes getting shower spray or walking back in a towel.

I might be dating myself, but paint pens were great. We used them decorate everything from party cups, to bulletin boards. Also made it easy to label things. LABEL everything, so there is never any question with a roommate over who owns what. (e.g., put DD's name on the back of commom shared items: fridge, TV, DVD player, micro, furniture)
 
You have gotten some great advise here and I don't know if this has been mentioned or not, but I would start saving the Linen and Things, and Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons.

They were a great savings to me. You can use one on every single item that you purchase and don't worry if they expire they will still honor them. They will also honor them at each other's stores.

My last one leaves in September. :(

It just breaks my heart.
 
I work at a University....skip the phone cards and give DD/DS a cell phone! Many universities are notifying people by cell phone when there is an emergency. Most students these days don't have a phone in their room...they just have a cell phone.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I have more of a "consideration" suggestion....we had a tile floor and stools, snd we put tennis balls on the bottom of the stools so that they were quiet when sliding along the floor...yoou just cut an "X" slit in them and pop them on each leg.Also make sure ther is adequate window covering..it can be as simple as sheers, but they have to attach to something, so double check the rules...also, not sure if colleges allow this, but the gummy adhesive that rubs off the wall when you are done...( make sure it will not leave a grease stain) but this stuff can be a life saver in a pinch...from plugging small holes that ants etc can get in...to keeping things from sliding on a desk etc.
We plan on purchasing a lot of things once we actually get to wherever our daughte is attnending. We have a van, but it will not make the trip to any of the schools on her acceptance list, so the SUV/roof rack will have to do. We priced renting a U-Haul or rental van ...RESERVE THESE EARLY! They book up fast...anyway, it is cheaper for us to buy the items that would be too large to bring, such as the mini fridge, microwave...DD plans to just sell or donate them when she is ready to graduate...and for the summers, well, she hopes to chip in with friends for summer storage for the 4 months...again, it really does come out cheaper than us renting a van for a week, for 4 years.
I would also include some sort of ant traps, bug type stuff...and our DD also plans on taking her rollerblades. We cannot transport her bike, so this seems like the next best plan.
I plan to send gift card a lot, more so than the expense of shipping care packages...mainly becasue her #1 choice is in Fl and the whole bottled water thing. I also plan to have her take pictures and engrave of any *important* things...so if they do walk away, she has an image to show kids or post. One last item we are including is an electric pencil sharpener. It is actually the same on DH bought for me in college...our DD is planning on Art school and it is invaluable to have.
Another thought is the shower curtain rod/divider for the closet area...some dorms have this sectioned off, but no privacy, kids are justwalking in so it can provide a nice quick change area if needed. Along the lines of the cable for the lap tops...my final suggestion is a foot locker that you can chain to the bed or secure somehow if your child is bringing a game system....when they leave for the weekend, etc, they can lock up the system if they choose, so it does not disappear. Sounds bulky, but my friends son does it and is glad he has it.
extra contacts/eye drops or spare glasses if you have them
sunscreen if necessary...and umbrella as mentioned
batteries
air freshener...even tho smoking is banned in a lot of the dorms, clothes still carry the scent
trash can
and I completely agree with the dolly/luggage type carier item...life saver!
Have fun!
 
I think this has been said before but...I could not have lived without a robe and shower flip-flops. I still have nightmares over the communal showers.:scared:
 


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