What did you buy to send your child off to college

[Lynn CC]

hoosll
LOL, I think I can empathize with you!

 

[Crankyshank]

Lynn, if he's going to school in MA, a few schools are making it mandatory for students to have laptops.

My sister just left Saturday for her soph year at UCONN. She's sharing a room with 3 of her friends so they really don't have much room.

My parents bought her a laptop and an ergonomic keyboard and an optical mouse. Bed linens, some tableware, a micro wave, mini fridge, and a combo tv/dvd player. My gramps made 2 ladders for her and her roomies so they can have bunk beds to free up more space.

She stocked up on snacks and tolietries but usually comes home once a month or every 2 mos to stock up on stuff at BJ's to bring back with her.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Besides the PC don't forget about gas cards, phone cards, gift cards to fast food and other resteraunts. This make great gifts or stocking stuffers. I received some kind of card from my mama every month and I was only 45 mins from home! Especially if your child isn't someone who can work because of school load. My parents had a firm rule that the first year I couldn't work at all so I was on a tight budget that they set for me. I could spend the money each month however I wanted but unless it was a dire emergency I wasn't getting another penny from them. It actually helped me alot when I got out of school and started working and having to deal with all the grown up things.
Another good gift is putting extra money on meal plans because most schools have places to eat other than the cafeteria and those places take money off the meal plans. This is a good way for students who don't have cars to eat "fast food" on campus. Good luck to all you parents and your students.

Tina

 

[lecach]

Duke University in Durham even has internet connections outdoors in the area where students camp out for basketball tickets. I thought that was a pretty cool idea.

 

[Snowysmom]

My DS who is going back to UMass tomorrow has a PC. Very few students he knows have laptops. They are too easily stolen. However, 3 state schools now require laptops-Bridgewater State, Framingham State, and I think Worcester State. They have a deal with Dell. So, depending on where he ends up going, that may dictate what kind of computer he takes. We also send along the usual-Food,money, underwear and socks, clothes, money, school supplies, fan, lamps, DVD's, telephone, bedding and towels, and did I mention Money? Right now my living room has been taken over by all kinds of boxes and bins. We are wondering if they will fit in the van.

 

[Pam]

My DD began her freshman year last week. She got a laptop. I ordered a printer for her and it is being shipped directly to her dorm.

We also got a mini-fridge - her dorm has a kitchenette down the hall with a microwave. She took a coffee pot, TV with built-in VHS player, a DVD player, a Palm Pilot with a built-in MP3 player, posters for the walls, storage bins, bedding, towels, etc.

 

[Kellyh123]

My Daughter started college last week. We bought her a laptop. You can insure all of their technology ( phone laptop pda etc) with our insurance it is only 35 dollars a year extra. Her school, the University of Texas at Austin provides refrigerators and microwaves for each room. She is not lonely at all. Having a blast!

 

[Lynn CC]

You can insure all of their technology ( phone laptop pda etc) with our insurance it is only 35 dollars a year extra

Kellyh - is that insurance that you got from the school?