What to buy for college freshman?

[DVCLiz]

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

Unless you apply early decision or early action, most schools I know about have a March 15 or April 1 notification date. We didn't find out until then - nobody knew where they were going by December unless they had applied early decision or early action and had accepted with a deposit. I'm in NC so it might be a California thing.

 

[LisaR]

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.

OMG! That is beyond cool. You don't even need a nook to use that. Unfortunately, they still didn't have a single book my DD is using this semester. Hopefully, the amount of books they have will grow in time because it seems like a great option.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

A bong and lots of Tylenol?

Oh please, get with the times. You get them a hookah.

 

[2goofycampers]

A good back pack
broom/dustpan
trash bags/trash can
swiffer
small vacuum if carpet
coffee maker
small set of nonbreakable dishes
silverware
a pizza pan to heat frozen pizza

 

[Kimberly]

-laptop, if he doesn't already have one

-the metal crates which you can assemble into shelves, or clothing racks... can make them bigger or smaller depending on the space available for what's needed

-bedsheets for a twin size bed (I had a larger bed at home)

-extra money as credit on his meal card (probably 200-500 dollars for the semester, depending on location)

-you might be able to get away with something a little larger than a mini fridge

-television, with a dvd player... flatscreen would be best, as it is a space saver (dorm room cable is aweful... just the basic stuff only, don't worry about movies, you can "rent" them from your dorm)

-hangars... a lot of them (at least 50)

-at least 3 or 4 surge protectors with at least 5 or 6 outlets in each

-hot pot

That's all I can think of for now... just trying to remember what you absolutely NEEDED in the dorms that people actually often overlooked. The surge protectors is a big one though.

 

[daughtersrus]

My DD's at IL State Univ and they don't allow any heating appliances besides a curling iron, straightener and blow dryer. No coffee pots, hot plates, microwaves, toaster ovens...They don't even allow floor lamps.

The two things that DD needed were long ethernet and coax cables. They don't have wireless in her dorm and the cable outlet isn't near where they wanted the tv.

We got each of my DD's a new tv, dvd player and fridge before they went away. Depending on the roommate situation, they may need their own. DD#1 had a roommate that she didn't get along with. They each ended up watching their own shows/movies with headphones and had their own fridge to keep their items separate.

DD#2 has great roommate so they share a tv, dvd player and fridge.

Not sure if it's been suggested but a laptop lock would be good as well.