Im leaving for college soon, what should I bring with me?

Here’s a list of what I send to my students:

What to Bring to College

· Television

· VCR or DVD

· Microwave (750 WATT or smaller)

· Refrigerator (4.0 or less cubic feet)

· Stereo

· Computer and printer (if available) ALSO an Ethernet cord

· Power strip/surge protector

· Sega/Nintendo/Playstation

· Sports equipment (football, volleyball, basketball, and any other type of ball)

· Desk lamp

· Alarm clock

· Laundry bag (or basket) and laundry soap

· Laundry money (quarters)

· Basic sewing kit (needles and thread or safety pins)

· Eating utensils

· Cups and plates

· Bedding and pillows

· Mattress pad

· Room decorations (photos/posters)

· Iron and small ironing board

· Organizer or planner (calendar)

· Backpack/ bag

· Bike and bike lock

· Box fan or desk top fan

· Bath towels, soaps, robe, etc.

· Can opener

· First aid kit and band aids

· OTC medications (ex. Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Alergy Sinus, Gold Bond)

· Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, deodorant, etc…)

· Shower shoes

· Umbrella

· Pictures of family and friends

· Your insurance card/health insurance information

· Phone cards (you can get your parents to buy these for you if you promise to call home)

· Lock box (for cash, medications, etc)

· Batteries

· Flashlight

You want towels, sheets (probably twin extra-long), a mattress pad, pillows, a blanket, a comforter, a wastebasket, a flashlight.

You may need a fan–I was amazed at new dorms which were not air conditioned.

You want pens, pencils, notebooks (which cost more at the student bookstore–often $2.49 compared to 3 for a dollar at K-Mart) and similar school supplies, plus a backpack.

You want basic health supplies–whatever medication you might take for a headache, an upset stomach, a fever, plus a little first-aid stuff like bandaids and polysporin.

You’ll use basic grooming supplies–soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.–and possibly a container to transport it all to the bathroom down the hall. (BTW, where our kids went to school, going down the hall in your towel was just fine. No robe needed.) Flip-flops are wise.

You want quarters, for laundry and vending machines.

You want a laundry basket or hamper, plus some detergent and dryer sheets.

You want an unbreakable drinking glass or water bottle. A set of unbreakable dishes plus a fork, spoon, and knife may be handy. If you have kitchen access, a pan with a lid and a small skillet, plus a spatula and a wooden spoon, are good. Potholder and dishtowel, too, plus a sponge to wash it all.

A computer and printer are wonderful to have. Whether they’re absolutely necessary depends on how accessible the school’s computers are. You’ll need CDs or a flash drive to store your stuff if you don’t have a computer.

A bike is great–plus a pump and a tire patch kit.

A cheap camera.

Something to play music–and headphones.

The school will have rules about what you can and can’t have. Often they limit electrical items (especially in-room cooking of every kind), candles, weapons (even decorative ones that don’t work), window coverings like curtains, and decorative items like posters.