New college student must have list?

[dejr_8]

protection

 

[pixiegoose]

That's so funny! I met my best friend in college because my dad and my brother packed me a tool kit! (She happened to need scissors, and hadn't unpacked yet, but it's also amazing how many batteries you can't change without a screwdriver these days. - I met eveyone on my floor!)

That was going to be my suggestion. My dad made sure I had a fully stocked toolbox and I was quite popular freshman year because of it.

Something else to remember is a small sewing kit with safety pins, black/white thread, and needle(s) because duct tape can only fix so much!

Also, a lamp that attaches to the bed is really helpful when the bed is lofted so that you can see where you're climbing and can read in bed (yes, some of us read in college!).

 

[Coach K]

Whatever happened to cinder blocks with wood planks and bean bag chairs???
Oh yeah-this is the 21st century!!!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Double check to make sure of the length of the bedding in the dorm -- ours had "extra long" twins and we had a devil of a time finding sheets at the time.

Popcorn popper! Quarters for the laundry machines, as well as laundry supplies (bag, soap, softener, etc.).

I'd google "college packing lists" and read some of the articles that come up -- this list looks pretty comprehensive: http://www.netnewsdesk.com/resources/439/File/wspacking.pdf

FWIW, I just saw XL twin sheet sets in JCPenney this weekend.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My other suggestion that my in laws did by the time they were on kids 2-4:

Arrive plenty early, set up and then go to Target in the college town to fill in what seems to be actually missing once you see the room, roomate etc. No matter what you try to prebuy you will get a bunch of stuff you end up not needing and still end up going out for things you realize are needed as soon as you get unpacked.

 

[golfgal]

Double check to make sure of the length of the bedding in the dorm -- ours had "extra long" twins and we had a devil of a time finding sheets at the time.

Popcorn popper! Quarters for the laundry machines, as well as laundry supplies (bag, soap, softener, etc.).



I'd google "college packing lists" and read some of the articles that come up -- this list looks pretty comprehensive: http://www.netnewsdesk.com/resources/439/File/wspacking.pdf

They have XL twins and we did get XL twin sheets. Their laundry machines use their ID cards and you just need to load money on the cards. I hated trying to come up with quarters so this is a GREAT deal.

This was also the case at my DD's college. We had to rent the "MicroFridge."



This is good too. We bought those Purex detergent sheets that are all-in-one detergent/fabric softener. One small, easily storable box lasts all semester.

I will look for the laundry sheets. Those sound GREAT and easy for a teen boy to use . They have a kitchen on each floor with a microwave and we already have a mini fridge for him to take for their room.

If you are going to loft the beds get a "bed buddy" from some place like Bed, Bath and Beyond. It is a canvas strip with pockets on one end. You tuck the long end under the mattress to keep it in place and have the pockets to hold things that you need to have close at hand like a cell phone or alarm clock.

I will look for this too. I was trying to think of some kind of a shelf system or something he could use for his alarm clock and a light. I was thinking one of those corner racks you use for a shower might work but I don't know if they are tall enough.

My other suggestion that my in laws did by the time they were on kids 2-4:

Arrive plenty early, set up and then go to Target in the college town to fill in what seems to be actually missing once you see the room, roomate etc. No matter what you try to prebuy you will get a bunch of stuff you end up not needing and still end up going out for things you realize are needed as soon as you get unpacked.

I was figuring we would need to make at least one Target run while we are up there. They have move in starting on Friday morning and some activities for the kids in the afternoon with some parent things in the evening so I figured DH and I could run to Target while DS is busy.

 

[punkin]

My other suggestion that my in laws did by the time they were on kids 2-4:

Arrive plenty early, set up and then go to Target in the college town to fill in what seems to be actually missing once you see the room, roomate etc. No matter what you try to prebuy you will get a bunch of stuff you end up not needing and still end up going out for things you realize are needed as soon as you get unpacked.

I think this is probably a good idea. I have trouble visualizing what DD's room will look like (assuming they ever tell us where she is assigned). The dorms are almost all very old with strange room configurations. I will have to go there, measure everything and then go shopping.

 

[paintnolish]

My other suggestion that my in laws did by the time they were on kids 2-4:

Arrive plenty early, set up and then go to Target in the college town to fill in what seems to be actually missing once you see the room, roomate etc. No matter what you try to prebuy you will get a bunch of stuff you end up not needing and still end up going out for things you realize are needed as soon as you get unpacked.

Yep. We live in a college town, and every Aug. Target carries everything a college kid could need. Plenty of long twin sheets!

Otherwise, has anyone suggested a good umbrellla? Get one that can withstand high winds! Possbly a rain proof jacket, too. Nothing is worse than walking through a torrential downpour and sitting through hours of classes drenched.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

That's so funny! I met my best friend in college because my dad and my brother packed me a tool kit! (She happened to need scissors, and hadn't unpacked yet, but it's also amazing how many batteries you can't change without a screwdriver these days. - I met eveyone on my floor!)

Yep. I had a pair of regular pliers, needle nosed pliers and a screwdriver with multiple heads.


If the floors are just tile, get a couple rugs. I had a carpet, taken from one of the rooms in our house when we replaced the carpet, and everyone loved my room. With pics on the walls, a fridge, tv and carpeting, everyone always said my room was homey.

If there is a kitchenette on each floor, make sure to have a small amount of kitchen supplies such as a pot or pan, small (or large) measuring cup and some kitschen utensils. I made mac and cheese alot or fixed ramen noodles on occasion. Don't forget things such as small containers of salt, pepper and sugar.
Just make sure that he doesn't leave these items in the kitchen, though. They can disappear in a matter of minutes.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

I found note cards were very helpful - I never really used them in high school much, but I used them A LOT last year (my first year of college). I had one class that was nothing but memorization, and the note cards helped me a ton.

Also, I LOVED the 3D Command Hook things. I used them everywhere!

In addition to what's been said already

Cold medicine-cough drops, sudafed, etc. Colds ALWAYS hit when you either don't have time to go to the store or don't have a way to get to the store.

These other ones probably seem like common sense, but apparently they're not. Stapler, staples, and a three hole punch (if using binders). I was VERY popular when people in my dorm realized I had a stapler

I also find it really helpful to have a few manilla envelopes and manilla folders. One of those things you never seem to have when you need, and I've needed them every year.

Twice the ink cartriges and printer paper that you think will be necessary

I agree with all of these, especially bringing extra ink cartridges. I was printing off a paper for a class right before I left for the class, and the ink in my printer ran out. I didn't have time to run to a computer lab, so I was VERY glad when I realized I had an extra ink cartridge.

This was also the case at my DD's college. We had to rent the "MicroFridge."



This is good too. We bought those Purex detergent sheets that are all-in-one detergent/fabric softener. One small, easily storable box lasts all semester.

I can't recommend these enough. I can't tell you how many times I went down to do my laundry just to find all of the laundry machines overflowing with soap and water (especially the first week of school). With the Purex sheets you don't have to worry about how much detergent to use - you just throw a sheet in with your clothes and then just transfer it to the dryer when you go to dry your clothes.

Another thing: check to see if the washing machines use quarters or not. In my dorm, we just swiped our ID card (that was pre-loaded with money). No need to collect quarters when the machines don't use them

Yep. We live in a college town, and every Aug. Target carries everything a college kid could need. Plenty of long twin sheets!

Otherwise, has anyone suggested a good umbrellla? Get one that can withstand high winds! Possbly a rain proof jacket, too. Nothing is worse than walking through a torrential downpour and sitting through hours of classes drenched.

Yes - definitely an umbrella to keep in your backpack. I know lots of people who got soaked saying, "Oh, I have an umbrella, but I left it _____." I know where I live, it's not uncommon to walk to class in the sun, and to walk out in pouring rain.

And for girls - rainboots!

 

[golfgal]

Yep. We live in a college town, and every Aug. Target carries everything a college kid could need. Plenty of long twin sheets!

Otherwise, has anyone suggested a good umbrellla? Get one that can withstand high winds! Possbly a rain proof jacket, too. Nothing is worse than walking through a torrential downpour and sitting through hours of classes drenched.

Their entire campus is completely connected by tunnels so they won't have to worry too much about this.

 

[NotUrsula]

Tools. The most needed (other than scissors and the aforementioned stapler) are small slot and phillips screwdrivers, a needlenose pliers, a regular size vicegrips and a small claw hammer, plus a really good tweezer and a magnifying glass (useful for splinters, but also for repairing computer wiring.) Also, a few large binder clamps, and a couple of over-the-door hooks, for hanging up odds and ends and the shirts that didn't quite dry when he did the laundry.

Don't forget to give him the lecture about hanging up wet towels and laundry where it can air out. Mildew is a bear. If he's using a hall bath he'll need to hang up the damp towel when he brings it back to his room, or he AND his room will start to smell interesting really quickly. (I remember that this was always an issue in college laundry rooms -- the guys' towels always smelled sour with mildew because they never hung them up between uses. They were always trying odd things to try to get rid of the smell.)

 

[AshleyW]

The one thing I would have never thought of that EVERYONE uses (at least at U of I) is a lanyard.

We had a prox card to get into our dorm building, a key to our dorm room, and a separate key for the bathroom. The lanyard helped keep all those keys plus car keys together and are generally harder to lose than just a simple keychain. They sell them at most campus bookstores for under $5, usually.

Other than that, the stuff I couldn't live without:

Laminated monthly calendar to hang on the wall
A small vacuum or a sweeper - I always had people on my floor borrowing mine.
Flip flops for the showers
Dry erase board for the door
Plastic rubbermaid tubs - I shoved all my junk in these: snacks, shoes, books, etc. and then just stacked them in my closet to get everything out of the way.
Flash drive
Power cords!! My dorm room only had 2 outlets - definitely not enough.
Filtered water pitcher for my mini fridge - the water from the faucet was gross.

 

[Christine]

Regarding the "trip to Target." I tried to bring everything I could. My DD went to school in Morgantown, WV which is a lot of narrow, hilly streets with no real discernable "pattern." It took us 45 minutes to go 3 miles on move--in day. It was awful. Getting to Target and the grocery store took the better part of the day. I was warned but, ultimately, you need something. If your kids' college towns are easily navigatable, then go for it. If not, think twice. There's usually thousands of people descending on the college town over one or two days. Not pretty...not pretty at all....

 

[Mandychelle79]

One thing that I didnt think I would need, but did was a printer. The program my computer used wasnt the one that the school used.

Food that can be eaten without heating or refrigeration ( i love cold ravioli)

1st aide kit

 

[erincon23]

DS's dorms provide the microfridge, so that's good. Last week, the Purex sheets were on sale at Wal-Mart for $2 (reduced from nearly $7), don't know if they still are. On move-in day, they have a big party at Target late at night -- bus all the kids there, have food, prizes, games, etc., so kids can get that stuff they missed.

All of these things are great! I'm making a list. The thing I'm wondering about is school supplies -- I'm assuming notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, but colored pencils? what else? College math -- he'll be taking algebra (despite the fact that he was in honors math for three years -- but he's a music major, didn't take AP or college level, so he has to go right back to basics and that's fine with him -- easy A, he figures, we'll see) -- scientific calc? Or can his brother have it for his HS freshman year?

Erin

 

[daisyx3]

At our local bed, bath and beyond last week, they had the college displays already out. Included were lists from all the local schools plus Ohio State. Every school is different so I'd check for that list--most schools have them online in the residence life section. For example, DD is supposed to have a power strip at her school but no extension cords are allowed.
I'm trying really hard to scrounge "extras" here at home--college is enough money without buying her everything new. She can use our old (cleaned) bathroom wastebasket and her own desk lamp. I couldn't believe that the dorm has a landline but she needs a phone to use it! If I can't find a cheap phone she'll just have to use her cell. The laptop is blowing most of the budget.
We will get her bedding because it is XL--and a mattress pad; you never know who was on that mattress a year ago, gross! What is a "pillow protector"? It's on the list. If she has HER pillow and a pillowcase, what are we protecting her from?
I'm also hoping roommate has a TV and fridge. We have never let the kids have TVs in their rooms, so if she needs to take one she'll have to take ours!
I am glad things have changed enough that she doesn't have to cart a big crate full of albums and a stereo--she'll just have her Ipod and her Ihome to use it with.
The important thing is I'm letting her make these decisions. I'm not measuring and reminding, etc. She wants to be an adult and live in the dorm so let her make some mistakes. In her dorm you can only use the university's "loft" kits, and she's thinking they don't want to loft the beds (she's never liked bunk beds), but if they don't, they won't have much room to move. That's something she'll figure out sooner rather than later.
Daisyx3

 

[louey]

Keurig single cup coffee maker for tea, hot choc. coffee etc.. Trashcan, over the door hooks, double sided stickies for hanging posters, definately power strips, snacks in a plastic container, my daughter loved having stuff to munch on in her room. You don't always feel like going to the dining hall.
OH and I almost forgot Tissues for you after you drop them off I just know that no one could ask me for a week how my daughter was I would end up tearing up. She will start her senior year in the fall I am ok now

 

[pigletgirl]

Microwave (check and be sure they are allowed),
Mini fridge,
Bedding (at least 3-4 sets),
Towels (again 3-4),
Flip flops for the shower (!!!),
Laptop,
Printer,
Office supplies (the professors will let you know specifics on the first day of class)
Plenty of jump drives (waaay cheaper to buy at walmart than on campus)
Meds (ibuprofen, tums, ect...easier to keep those than going to campus health)
A good backpack (one that can carry the computer along with notebooks)
Plastic hangers
Hamper (one that is easily identifiable...people steal them all the time!)
Pantry items...(canned soup, ramen noodles, basically anything that is shelf stable that can be microwaved.)
Hmm, thats enough for now...
Ohhh, when it comes to your ID badge, you will only wear it for a week or so. After that it will be thrown into your bag. It will be used for meals and getting into the dorm.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I'm currently in college, so I'll try to help on this one!

-Towels (bring at least 2 sets. Sometimes doing laundry is the last thing on his mind and it's good to have a spare set just incase)
-Hygenic products/toiletries
-Snacks and pantry items (peanut butter and jelly, bread, soups, chips, etc. Sometimes there are days you just don't want to eat in the caf!)
-Storage bins (for shoes, extra clothing, etc.)
-Lights (I know my previous dorm rooms were not lit enough. Floor lamps..if they are allowed, or desk lamps are great)
-Hamper
-Hangers and closest organizer
-Basic meds (headache meds, cold meds, cough drops, etc. Your son will get sick, A LOT! Especially the first year)
-Extension cords, surge protectors
-Lysol or some kind of disinfectant
-Office supplies, computer, printer
-Some kind of desk organizer or shelving (depending on what kind of desk he has in the room. I only had a desk with no shelves, just drawers. So I got a shelving set to put my books in.)
-DVD player or game console
-TV
-Wires for internet and cable
-Those plastic drawer sets...life savers for storage of the little things, like toiletries.
-Trash can
-Hamper
-Swiffer or small vacuum
Stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond also have free lists of basic items that you will need to purchase.