Towels, Sheets, etc.....what Else Does a Student Need at College??

A case of microwave popcorn, or their favorite snack from Costco or anonther wholesale club. They will really appreciate it those late nights.

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Dish soap and "easy" cleaning supplies like windex wipes, swiffer. When you buy a laundry basket and detergent, remember it might be a long haul to the laundry room so make sure it's east to carry. Shower shoes are a must along with a shower bucket. Quarters for the laundry! I never had enough of those in college. Check to see if the college allows mace on campus too. Some schools do and some don't, but if they do it's not a bad idea. My CD player was a must have too. Also, a small fan for the room, especially if the dorm doesn't have air conditioning (mine didn't!).

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Here are some suggestions: self-addressed and stamped envelopes to Mom (or dad, grandparents, etc..) so he/she doesn't have an excuse not to write!; gift cards for gas, fast food, etc; desk lamp; bulliten board; dry erase board for dorm door; dry goods/easy to prep foods/snacks; bottle water; trashcan with lid and trashbags; flip flops for shower; shower caddy; printer paper; wrinkle release spray (made by Downy - awesome stuff!); full length mirror.
Good luck!

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A hot pot and a large mug with a lid. Flip flops for the shower. Ear plugs and eye mask to get some kind of sleep. Iron and fold away ironing board. Egg shell mattress pad or other foam padding. Clip on light for bed. Pepper spray. Attend a self-defense class.

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Laptop--ask at freshman orientation if your child will be required to buy a special laptop for his or her major. My son had to have an expensive architecture computer his sophomore year, so we bought a cheap laptop for his freshman year.

Umbrella--my son thought I was crazy and ended up being grateful to have it every time it rained.

Cell phone--If your child does not have one get one now. Dorm rooms no longer have phones. All the kids have cell phones.

Debit card--The biggest thing we did was get our son his own checking account and a debit card and taught him to online bank. He only wrote two checks all year--to UT to pay his tuition. He even left the checks at home when he went to school in the fall. His account is attached to my account and my name on his account. I can go in and check his balance and transfer money from his savings account to his checking account and put money in to give him a birthday present, etc. It is a quick way to get money to your child when he needs it. It is very nice to watch where he is spending his money. I noticed that he was going to Moe's Southwest Grill once a week and found out the cafeteria was closed one meal a week. For the next special occasion I gave him gift certificates to Moe's. He loved it.

I did not give my son any envelopes and stamps. He would never write me a real letter--but he emails me several times a week and he calls me when he needs anything.

Go online and look at the college website. Under Housing it should tell you what is already in the dorm room. My son had a microwave and refrigerator already in his dorm room. He also needed extra long twin bed sheets.

He uses his ID to do laundry. His Vol card could be used to buy food, do laundry, buy books in the bookstore, etc. He had money on his debit card and would use his debit card to put money on his Vol card.

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A lock box to keep valuables in. (tell them to keep the key to the lock box in a secure place) DEFINITELY flip flops for the shower. Some cleaning supplies, but make them easy to use - swiffer makes some great products. Quarters for the laundromat if they are not coming home on weekends.

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One or two power strips/suge protectors. They need either a plate or two or some disposable plates utensils, even if on a meal plan. Rolls of quarters are great if their washers and dryers use them. (some places are going to being able use your ID cards). Girls==may need closet organizers. Also,a couple of small plastic containers with lids for misc items. If they use a community bath, particularly girls need a little plastic mesh bucket or something to carry shampoo, conditioner, bath things to and from room. A collapsible laundry basket or bag. Unlimited text messaging.

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P.,
My son moved into his dorm last year. He purchased a dorm size fridge, but got the cheaper one without the freezer, this was a mistake. For the extra 20 bucks or so, he could have kept ice cream, ect.
This year he plans to purchase a small microwave and a sandwich maker. Clint is an Art Edu major. He has late classes, sometimes being in a studio into the late nite hours. The cafeteria was closed a lot when he was hungry.
Keep in mind, most dorm rooms are small.
A cell phone with lots of minutes.
Good luck,
terri

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I just recenty went thru this last fall when my only child (daughter) went off to college. Thing not included on the list as: lamp, tv stereo stands fan dishes and pot and pans if they will me doing any minor cooking. Laptop printer and all cords. Just think of this as his 1st mini apartment, so he will need all the comforts of home. A few pic or things to put on wall. Us the 3m tags that don't leave marks and just peel off. Curtains and rods. Pack of thread and needles for the time when they need to sew. Detergent for laundry and cleaning dishes and some type of cleaning solution to clean/disinfect the room with. Don't forget broom and mop and cleaning cloth. Its a lot to think of and for the 1st couple of weeks you will be buying things left and right. To make him feel more at home have a care package sent to him with all the thing he loves (food, games, music) about a week or so. This will mean so much to him as he might be missing home. This will be hard on you to let go as it will be for him to not be with you everyday. The phone calls will be many til he gets comfortable and meet new friends. Hope this transition goes well. Just be prepared for all the calls everyday saying what he need next. Lol. Enjoy!

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Go through her room and take note of the things she uses on a daily basis and is comfortable with in your home. Duplicate that. You may need to downsize it for her dorm room. Have her make a list with you so you don't forget anything.

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My best advice is duct tape. I used duct tape for so many things... It helps with hanging up posters on the cinderblock walls... Its a weird item to pack but you will be happy that you did!

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Starbucks Giftcards!!!!! (or Pizza, food, Barnes and Noble) that makes a great gift and every student really appreciates it!

Other random idea for dorm life survival- flip flops or shower shoes for the shower (they are usually yuckie). A small non-clear pouch for taking personal items to the bathroom (females).

Maybe a magazine subscription for something fun (nice to at least get SOME mail each month).

Good luck!

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College can be scary, especially if you are going somewhere that is far away from home. The dorm rooms are very industrial, therefore not helping the situation. I would bring decorations, extra pillows, pictures of family and friends, movies with popcorn, candy bars, etc., rugs, maybe even a little tool kit & first aid kit (just in case). Anything you can think of to make a "room makeover" is going to help. I don't know how much space you have to work with but even adding a bean bag or some cool looking chair could add character. Don't forget the laundry basket with some detergent and fabric softener in it! This may sound cheesy but you could write a note and leave it somewhere for you child to find later. I know college students are older and may think that is cheesy but really, when your child is alone and having a bad day, they can always pull out that note (in your own handwriting) and feel connected to home again because there will be those moments. I went to a college in a different state, 6 hours away and only knew one person! It was hard the first week or so but I quickly got adjusted and loved it!

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laptop...TV....comfortable office chair....rug....if not in a loft, bed risers so dressers, refrig, microwave, etc can be stored under the bed to maximize space....plywood board for under the mattress...shower curtain and spring rod for closet if there are no doors....peel and stick wall decorations as most rooms can't be decorated....sticky tack...white/corkboard for door...
a shower caddy to carry supplies to and from the bathroom (out at WalMart already)...several laundry baskets as most students do laundry every few months as money allows.... ummm.....thats all I can think of right now.

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pictures of family having fun and a photo album on the table of home!

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Will your child have a roommate? If so, I would contact them and see what they are bringing. When I went to college my roommate had already purchased a t.v., microwave and other similar items. Also you might check and see what the college or university provides in their dormitories. Where I went to school, a refrigerator was already in the room. You should also check and find out what appliances are not allowed. For example our college did not allow hot plates. A dorm room usually is not big enough for two of everything and two of everything is not always necessary - some items can be shared. The suggestion for flip flops to use in the shower is good and I'm not sure if anyone has suggested this, but a bathrobe is handy as well as a small pale/bucket to carry items (shampoo, washcloth, etc.) to and from the showers. Good luck. Care packages from home every couple of weeks might also be good. My first semester of college I had a lot of homesickness.

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A computer or laptop isn't necessary. Most if not all colleges have computer labs that can be used for typing papers, research, and the internet. B4 getting micro or fridge, talk to the roomate and see what he/she has so that only one of htem brings it. THere are usually not enough plugs for more than one or the room.

As for what to make the traansition easier? Depends on your child. I enjoyed hte fact that my parents stayed a bit and helped arrange the room, put up clothes, etc. I myself did take a few pics from home as well as a few stuffed animals that I just had to have. But, if you child doen's want you to stay and help be ok with it and leave. I remember wanting to be an "adult" but having my mom around made it harder too. Remember that the move is probably harder on you than yuor child.

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My daughter is also going to college and she just got one of those plastic set of drawers, 3 high. You can find them at Walmart and other places like that. There is very little storage in the dorm rooms, and that is great for anything, as well as being light weight and also on rollers. Easy to clean too. Good luck with everything. It's a huge transition...LOL!

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Cereal Bowls, Lysol Wipes (my daughter lived and died by these), Kool-Aid Pitcher & a couple of large plastic tumblers, a medicine "cabinet" box with Motrin/Advil/Aspirin, Pepto, Band-aids, Antibiotic ointment, etc.
These things might sound funny, but when our daughter went to the dorm we covered all the large things, it was the incidentals that kept her running to the local Wal-Mart. If she wanted Tuna Salad she needed a knife, a fork and a bowl to make it in. If she had a nervous stomach...Pepto. Cut her finger on the old dorm furniture...Band-Aid. you get the picture. I guess my thoughts are think of it as an extended camping trip and then start gathering!
Good Luck!

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A computer and printer that works really well. A t.v. with a DVD player would be nice for lazy Sunday's.

Forget decorations and stuff. It's tends to end up on the curb at the end of the year anyway because kids are so excited about summer. They don't spend much time in their room and college is about growing up. Provide some cash and let your grown-up kid decide what to get.

Don't forget cleaning supplies (i.e. dish soap, something to clean the dorm floor, bathroom cleaner if there is a private bathroom). When I went to school I was unprepared and didn't think I needed that stuff. I was so wrong!!! The custodians normally do not clean the room. The cleaning of the room is up to the students.