What to buy for college freshman?

[Chelley00]

I'm working on Christmas lists and budgets (4 kids = have to plan early!) DS17 is a high school senior, and I'm thinking of starting to buy things for him to take away to college next year. We're the practical ones so he will be perfectly happy getting things to take to school, plus college stuff will not be the only things he gets for Christmas.

I'm thinking microwave and mini-fridge. Anything else I should put on my maybe list?

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'm working on Christmas lists and budgets (4 kids = have to plan early!) DS17 is a high school senior, and I'm thinking of starting to buy things for him to take away to college next year. We're the practical ones so he will be perfectly happy getting things to take to school, plus college stuff will not be the only things he gets for Christmas.

I'm thinking microwave and mini-fridge. Anything else I should put on my maybe list?

My DD17 is also a hs senior and I'm thinking there will also be College Dorm type items under the tree this year.

What about a TV if he doesn't already have one in his room and bedding, like the "bed in bag" type that's everything you need all coordinated. Also towels. DD will be getting a laptop as hs graduation gift but that's another idea. I know of some other things I'll start collecting but they won't be under the tree, things like a first aid kit and personal hygiene products, but they won't be gifts.

 

[christineann]

Those items are great for a college dorm room, but please check the rules at your son's particular dorm. There are very strict rules for wattage and size of those items at many schools, and I know of several colleges that don't allow students to bring microwaves.

How about some items with the college logo on them, such as a fleece throw, insulated tumbler, area rug? If you know the size of the dorm room, a small bookshelf might be a good idea. Other things he may like to have include a good desk lamp, an under-bed storage bin, a desk organizer, small stereo or radio, and small TV with built in DVD player. You might also consider a gift card to Walmart or Target for after he moves into the dorm and wants to pick out stuff for his room.

Best of luck to your son. My youngest is a college senior, and I can't believe how quickly the years have gone by!

 

[kimblebee]

A bong and lots of Tylenol?

 

[MouseMomx2]

As the mother of a college freshman, my advice would be to hold off on the big items until closer to the start of his freshman year. Not only does each college have its own rules as to what is allowed, his roommate may have the same items and they'll end up with two in the room.

We got DD gift cards last Christmas...earmarked for college items. Once she got her roommate assignment and they got in contact with each other the "who brings what"s fell into place. DD got the fridge & mircowave while her roommate got the television.

I would suggest a comforter & sheets, towels, a caddy for the shower, a fan, a flash drive, a small tool kit, a flashlight and a lap desk as items he'll need that you can get now.

 

[Hannathy]

Almost all the schools allow microwaves, some have wattage limits but everyone of my DD's friends allowed microwaves.

I will suggest that the stuff like Micros, refrig,sheets, etc is cheapest right before school starts they run specials so unless something is on sale at Xmas I wouldn't get those or at least watch the price. My DD got her micro for $28 and her fridge for $58
Kohls did have some sales on the XL twins that you need recently and I got her another set cheaply.

One thing you could think of is their laptop. And a printer.

TV

If you are looking for little things that my DD has needed
Fans- she took 1 but could have used 2
chair
lamps
grounded extension cords!!! They need a lot I had to mail her another one this week so she could reach her bed or the hall with her computer.

Gift card to the school bookstore/if he knows where he is going

 

[minkydog]

We're getting DD17 a GPS, since she got lost trying to find the gas station.

 

[tvguy]

Almost all the schools allow microwaves, some have wattage limits but everyone of my DD's friends allowed microwaves.

I've got 2 kids in college, and between the two of them we toured 9 colleges, and the rules on microwaves in dorms are all over the place. Microwaves are cheap now, that is something I would wait on until I knew the specific rules on the college your child is going to.

One state college only allowed students to use a refrigerator/microwave combo that is rented from them. It is designed so that both don't run at the same time to protect the wiring in the dorm.
Another college had an outright ban.
My sons college had no restrictions, and some of their dorms were built in 1923....I can only imagine what the wiring is like there.

 

[jme829]

I'm working on Christmas lists and budgets (4 kids = have to planirt early!) DS17 is a high school senior, and I'm thinking of starting to buy things for him to take away to college next year. We're the practical ones so he will be perfectly happy getting things to take to school, plus college stuff will not be the only things he gets for Christmas.

I'm thinking microwave and mini-fridge. Anything else I should put on my maybe list?

DD17 is also a senior this year. While she is not going away to college, she will be commuting to a university about 8 miles away.

Among other things, I plan on getting her a digital voice recorder so she can record lectures. I figure then she can re-listen to it while she is studying and compare her notes to the recording to make sure she has the key info.

I'm also getting her an ipod dock and a sweatshirt from her chosen college, along with some other non-school type things.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd is a college sophmore and she has changed schools.

The first school the roommate brought the fridge & microwave, they were only allowed 1 per room.

This yr, at this school, they provided the fridge & microwave and would not allow you to bring in your own.

So buying my dd a fridge and microwave would have been a waste. I would hold off based on my experience.

Unless of course you know the school your ds is going to and know the dorm rules.

My dd's friend at this school is in a suite and she has a full sized fridge with a kitchen area. No stove but it has a kitchen table and a full kitchen sink.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Will your DS even know where he is going at Christmas? My kids didn't get their acceptance letters until February. Both went to the same school and no microwaves allowed.

Also, you don't know what size sheets. Many schools have the long singles. My kids' did not. And both moved to apartments required full size sheets later in their time there.

I'd go for things like trash can, stapler, printer paper, power strip, flash drive.

 

[barkley]

get your child a gift that will result in a HUGE gift to both your child AND YOU in the long run-a nook or a kindel.

i live in a university town and frequent the bookstore that sells most of the text books (undercuts the university by a bit in cost)-the difference between the cost of even a used text book and the electronic version IS MASSIVE. if you get a highschool senior one for christmas that gives them 8-9 months to get used to using it so it will become second nature by freshman college year.

in the long run it will save you a fortune in text books, and they will not have to schlep around a hulking backpack

 

[tiggger1]

My go to gift for seniors going to college is a first aid kit but not the regular kind...i make my own. I buy a tote and fill it with stuff that they will need but not always remember.

pain reliever
band aids
tweezers
antibiotic cream
sewing kit
a few bottles of pepto
tums
toe nail clippers
medical scissors
gauze
medical tape
cold medicine
allergy medicine
Vicks
cough drops
ice pack
ace bandage
alcohol wipes
I also threw in some tea bags and a mug....that way when they get sick they have everything they need without having to go out to get it...

I usually get the most of it at walmart and get the generic brands. or on sale .I think I got almost all of the stuff on the list plus the top for around $25

 

[LisaR]

get your child a gift that will result in a HUGE gift to both your child AND YOU in the long run-a nook or a kindel.

i live in a university town and frequent the bookstore that sells most of the text books (undercuts the university by a bit in cost)-the difference between the cost of even a used text book and the electronic version IS MASSIVE. if you get a highschool senior one for christmas that gives them 8-9 months to get used to using it so it will become second nature by freshman college year.

in the long run it will save you a fortune in text books, and they will not have to schlep around a hulking backpack

You got me all excited but not so much now. My DD is taking four classes at the community college this semester. I just went and looked up all of her books and there wasn't a single one offered electronically. Bummer! That would have been a great way to save.

 

[southernbohemian]

I always recommend a tool set. My parents found a very compact one with the basics - hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, box cutter, allen wrenches, and heavy duty scissors. Most kids don't bring these and have to borrow them from a dorm office. I used mine all through college and still have it in my tool chest today.

I like the idea of the digital voice recorder. If your child doesn't or won't have a car, a bike might be a good idea.

Most of the usual "dorm" stuff is probably better put off until the end of summer because of the sales and the fact that each dorm is different.

 

[Hannathy]

Also make sure you child likes the books on the computer. My DD doesn't and while books are expensive not as expensive as tuition so I want her to use whatever format she likes the best to get the best grades. She had a couple high school courses use them and she hated it.

 

[tvguy]

Will your DS even know where he is going at Christmas? My kids didn't get their acceptance letters until February. Both went to the same school and no microwaves allowed.

Also, you don't know what size sheets. Many schools have the long singles. My kids' did not. And both moved to apartments required full size sheets later in their time there.

I'd go for things like trash can, stapler, printer paper, power strip, flash drive.

Wow that's late. Schools have been so crowded here in California that the past couple of years they stopped taking applications after the early application deadline because they were full. Both my kids had all their acceptance letters by the first week of December, and had to accept by the first week of January

 

[christineann]

A small toolbox is a great idea! My son gave my daughter one for Christmas, and she has used it often. You can get a nice set from Lowe's that's not very expensive.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have a HS senior as well and he goes to a private school so we are already familiar with buying books. It would be my dream come true to find ANYTHING on the kindle format for HS or College. Sadly we didn't find anything for senior year by my friend in NJ found some for her DD who goes to CC back there.

I hadn't even thought to get college stuff for my son for next year??? I usually am the planner but never even thought of that!!

I will be stocking up on power cords though, it is the one thing I have heard mentioned over and over again.

 

[golfgal]

You got me all excited but not so much now. My DD is taking four classes at the community college this semester. I just went and looked up all of her books and there wasn't a single one offered electronically. Bummer! That would have been a great way to save.

Did you look on the Nook Study list or just the regular ebook list. The Nook Study app is different and is NOT for the Nook or Kindle, it is for the PC because the applications needed for the book are too intensive for either. On the Nook Study you can highlight, type notes, print notes or flash cards, etc. It is an AWESOME program. It came out right after we got DS's books for this semester but he will be getting some on there for next semester (for half the price of USED books).

OP, I would wait to buy much for the dorm because there just isn't any "standard" of what he will need. Some colleges even have requirements of what kind of laptop and what programs they want on that laptop. If he knows where he is going, you can research that online but if he doesn't, I would wait to get too much "stuff". Even getting the office supplies he will need-tape dispensers, scissors, notebooks, paper, etc. will be less expensive at back to school time.

Someone else mentioned school logo stuff-again, unless he knows where he is going, this won't work either but is a great idea if he does.