New college student must have list?

[paintnolish]

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

Lucky! Not us. Not that I live on campus, but I live close enough to walk and did so every day this past semester: rain, sleet, and snow!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

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

That's what I forgot. Tissues! A box of tissues will be needed just like at home.
A Keurig is nice, but the stuff is expensive to use with it. I just took a small jar of coffee, a box of tea bags and a box of instant hot chocolate. Cheaper for the college budget.

 

[monarchsfan16]

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.

The best thing to do with the alarm clock is put it on the desk or dresser. That way he HAS to get out of bed to turn it off. This makes staying in bed too long less likely. Don't worry about bothering the roommate in the time it takes to get out of bed. Everyone snoozes the alarm or just lets it go anyway.

 

[mamacatnv]

Glade Plug-Ins - that dorm room funk is gross!

 

[Kimberly]

Glade Plug-Ins - that dorm room funk is gross!

Never helped my dorm rooms much!

a newish computer with cable lock for laptops (wifi is helpful too since a lot of students just hang out in the computer lobbies)

the FULL meal plan

tote for toilletries

the mace (pepper spray) that fits on a keychain (ya never know when you might need it...)

don't worry about cough/cold medicines... most health centers give them away for free... the dorm rooms are small as it is

towels are an absolute must... between 2 and 4... a robe is helpful too

don't worry about a microwave either... they're banned from most dorm rooms... they draw too much electricity

one of those flexible laundry hampers that you can stuff anywhere, but also stays upright

hangars!

radio/stereo/ipod/clock radio

extra buildable crates for more clothing storage if needed

I know I may get some slack for this... but for women especially... some form of birth control.

All I can think of now... may be back to add more.

 

[golfgal]

Keep the list coming-these are great, thanks. I jot down things that I didn't have before as they pop up. He has all the computer stuff, including a printer. They have printers in each dorm so I will tell him to print the big things to the dorm printer and save his ink .

As for the birth control, I will send him with the message that if he thinks he is mature enough to have sex, he is mature enough to buy his own condoms and we won't help him FINANCIALLY if he becomes a Dad too soon.

I got this at IKEA a while ago to put in his closet. It is triangular shaped so it will fit in the corner of a room or closet. It is sturdy enough for clothing but not for books. It comes in a carrying case similar to one of those folding lawn chairs.

It is $29.99. It is called the Ikea PS Organizer if anyone else wants one.

 

[bumbershoot]

protection

I know I may get some slack for this... but for women especially... some form of birth control.

I was a good girl until I was 21 (and had decided that I knew exactly what I would do if I became pg), but considering what most around me were getting up to with each other even the first WEEK of our freshman year, I gotta say YES to those.

Except, honestly...while women are the ones who deal directly with the consequences, women are also the ones who can lie about being protected. So an "active" man especially needs to make SURE he's got himself, er, covered, so that he KNOWS he's taken measures. Not to mention, it's the only thing that helps to protect from everything else that can happen when "active".

The people that I knew whose parents were forthright, open, and helpful about such things were the ones who either WAITED or were ALWAYS prepared. I waited for other reasons (felt that knowing what I would do was an absolute requirement), but I definitely noticed that those who had trojans etc provided by a parent were much more responsible about it all!

Whatever happened to cinder blocks with wood planks and bean bag chairs???

Target happened. I know this b/c Target showed up in Tacoma during my senior year, so I had to deal with whatever I could find until then!

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!

I love both ideas!

A guy with those things will be looked on highly by others. A girl with those things will be considered very cool by others.

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. Every August (frosh orientation at my alma mater) Target fills with moms and teens...I always get a bit happy-sad about it (my mom died 10 years ago) because it's such an exciting time. Sniffle.

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

Ooh that's cool.

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....

A thought that occurred to me here....a good MAP of the college town! Actually that would have been great for me, too.

 

[Christine]

As for the birth control, I will send him with the message that if he thinks he is mature enough to have sex, he is mature enough to buy his own condoms and we won't help him FINANCIALLY if he becomes a Dad too soon.

No worries for him. Most large schools have a "Condom Caravan" that drives around and passes out free ones!!

 

[J Le]

Its been a long long time since I was in college and it'll be quite some time before any 'kids' I know are entering. Two items stand out in my memory - my roomate one semester had a cross (she asked if she could keep it out and I had no problem with that) and I had family/pet pictures. I know most are stored electronically but sometimes its just nice to have the framed version nearby.

To go along with all the electronics - batteries and charger wires.

 

[Kimberly]

No worries for him. Most large schools have a "Condom Caravan" that drives around and passes out free ones!!

My school supposedly had one, and we NEVER saw it. Was always around the student union at odd times. Most of our condoms came from the vending machine, and they were free. All you needed to do was push in "A1"... funny to think that they were right beside the doritos!

 

[pipersmom]

The only thing I would add, esp if microwaves aren't allowed (they weren't at my college) would be a hotpot..they're cheap and we ate ramen noodles, mac and cheese, had hot choccy and coffee, you name it. It got a TON of use.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have never seen this. I have to look for it now. Thanks.

Yes, they are very portable and I will be taking them with me on my next vacation!!! I used to love those little Tide detergent tablets. They were great for travel but they quit making them. These sheets are the next best thing. Only drawback is that there is fabric softener in them (although it is not overwhelming at all). I prefer not use it but it's okay on a temporary basis. I guess these sheets could be a problem too if you have skin sensitivities. I do but they did not bother me.

They are great on vacation! Perfect because they are all-in-one. Great college tip, Christine!

My DD is away at a summer workshop at a college at the moment. It has given us a good feel for what she will need when the time comes.

The thing she has been most grateful for has been the fan that we sent. She said it gets very sticky at night and everyone likes a different temperature. She likes it cool and is loving her fan.

PLEASE make sure the fans are not plastic!!! Those little fans (not even sure if they make them plastic anymore because they are such a hazard) are a FIRE HAZARD. Our local college had a terrible fire several years ago, caused from a plastic personal fan.

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

So, is this in MN? Gosh, I loved it there! (Rochester)

 

[PrincesCJM]

I have only read the first page so I don't know if this has been mentioned. Especially with shared bathrooms, college kids will want to have a pair of shower shoes (aka flip flops) that are solely for shower use. If you wait to long or have really large feet, you will want to buy them ASAP.

 

[MrsPete]

College dorms are a "less is more" kind of place. Don't bring too much stuff "just in case".

Also, make sure that the kid is the one doing the planning, and you're just the helper. I'd help with the big set-up stuff (like sheets and lamps), but I'd let the student worry about little things like laundry detegent and school supplies -- a dorm is a perfect "half-way on your own step", so don't do it all for him.

I agree with the majority of the things that've been said:

Extra-long sheets -- don't forget the mattress pad; that makes a big difference in comfort level.
Small rug for beside the bed.
"Clamp lamps" (that clamp onto a bedpost) are handy for lofted beds, where nightstands are impossible -- all college students need to be able to read in bed.
Extra pillows for comfort while reading in bed.

Milk crates are the best things ever -- we had REAL mik crates, but today they're probably purchased things. Be sure to get the STURDY ones. They're perfect for moving in, then turned on their side they become bookcases, pantries, or nightstands. They can be closet organizers. If you need more space, a couple boards can expand milk crates into larger bookshelves. And then when you're ready to move out, they're moving boxes again. Every college student needs 6-10 of these things. And duct tape to hold them together in the desired positions. Best things ever.

Definitely coordinate with the roommate before bringing any large items. In a small space, you don't need two refrigerators, microwaves, etc. Also, if you're buying a refrigerator, get the small cube type. I had the larger one, and it was harder to move and the extra space wasn't helpful. Even if you have a refrigerator, a small cooler is nice (thinking squishable 6-pack size) so you can bring back a decent amount of ice from the ice machine on the first floor.

I would've loved a washing machine that operated with the student ID instead of quarters!

Check into what's offered on campus before you buy too much. For example, back when I was in school we could "check out" a vaccum cleaner from the security guard in the evenings (he'd hold our school IDs until we brought it back). It cost nothing, and we didn't have to store anything in our small rooms. Also, our health department had a "self care cold clinic". It was a room with posters about symptoms and what kind of meds would be good. No appointment needed, and when you were done, you checked off what you wanted on a list . . . 20 minutes later you'd be walking out the door with a bag of Nyquil, Sudafed, whatever you wanted. No charge. They also gave out free condoms. Well, actually, not free: A chunk of your tuition goes to cover the health department, so you've paid for those services -- so use them! It would be wise to be sure that your student knows that the health department is there, and he should read up on how to access its benefits BEFORE he's sick and needs help. The answers'll be in all that "welcome to campus" stuff, and while the health center information isn't as exciting as how to get your student tickets for the football game, it's necessary.

Also, on that subject, be sure he has an insurance card and knows how to get prescriptions filled, knows what to do in case of health emergencies, etc. Back when I was an RA, you'd be surprised how many freshmen came to my door saying, "My asthma medicine has run out -- I know my mom brings it home in Eckerds bags, but what do I do?" Also, a few freshmen used to expect me to teach them to use the washing machines! It's important that students know these things before they go away to school!

No one's mentioned a good backpack. Maybe it's so basic that no one would forget it.
And for girls, a wristlet-type wallet that'll hold a student ID is handy for days when she doesn't have pockets.

And finally, along with the refrigerator and microwave, think about a few -- few being the key word -- kitchen items. A can opener, a sharp knife and small cutting board, and a bit of dish soap. A couple medium-sized Ziplock containers (for bringing things like dry cereal out of the cafeteria). Also, a couple refillable water bottles will save money and will be good for the environment.

 

[ugadog99]

Well, when I read your question, my first thought was lots of money or huge financial aid. Taking it seriously, my daughter says a mattress pad/foam topper is KEY. Those beds are, in her words, crap. A desk lamp is great so if the roommate wants to sleep/nap, you don't disturb him. Obviously, a great alarm clock/ihome is a must as well as earbuds for your ipod. LOTS of printer paper, if your college doesn't offer free printing, and ink cartridges, too. We get free laundry, but if you don't, tons of quarters. We'll keep thinking!

 

[MrsPete]

A desk lamp is great so if the roommate wants to sleep/nap, you don't disturb him.

Again, check on what you'll have before you start spending money: My college dorm desk had a "hutch" with a book shelf up top and a good built-in light underneath. Even within the same college, different dorms may be furnished in slightly different ways, so it makes sense to wait 'til the last minute for things like this.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Plenty of female "products". With everything else to remember, it wouldn't be inconceivable to be unprepared for an unexpected guest during the first few weeks.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

extension cords and a tool kit (screwdrivers, etc.)

hangers and light bulbs

pop-up hamper, laundry detergent and fabric softner

large area rug (find out the size of the room)

snacks like granola bars, microwave popcorn, bottled water, etc.)

small vacuum or electric broom

and lots of extra $$$$

 

[RAV]

extension cords, a floor lamp, the hanging rod that doubles closet space, if not bunking-risers are inexpensive and make room for underbed storage, desk blotter calendar,clorox wipes, some mild over the counter remedies like pepto, tylenol, - memory foam to top mattress-

though he lived in a traditional dorm, my son requested a skillet to use in the community kitchen when he tired of dining hall food

remember to pack some dress clothes or you may find yourself shipping them at the end of the semester for presentations

just wanted to mention my son wanted no part of the shower caddy as I was told only the girls use them

 

[stsomewhere]

cards, a football or frisbee