Tips for first year college student.....

[Killswitch]

My stepson is going away to college in the fall. His mother and I have begun to gather some necessary supplies, and things like Clothing, sheets, towels, grooming items, a dry erase/corkboard etc etc.

Toss out some suggestions of items you think might help out...things you wished you would have thought of when you went away for the first time.

Any survival tips would help as well.

On computers.....Laptop, or PC.

Thanks!

 

[mbb308]

Along about second semester, the Sophomore girls quit caring that you're a Freshman guy and will hang out with you. Just be patient.

 

[Killswitch]

Im not the student, but hanging out with sophmore girls sounds fun....lol

 

[Guest]

 

[loveyamon]

a phone card

 

[Killswitch]

Cool EE, we have micro on the list now...great idea....I'm going to go watch Seven on TNT, but I would greatly appreciate anyones input...I will be back in a few hours....Thanks again!

 

[mbb308]

Im not the student, but hanging out with sophmore girls sounds fun....lol

I recall it fondly.

 

[Monazwx]

Is the bathroom communal?

Shower shoes would help.
And bed elevators too, these beds are so low that I might as well be sleeping on the floor.

 

[bluntforcemama]

What he might need:

Lots of condoms (just in case!), a few good hang-over remedies, and a calling card.

 

[ammre]

laptop.
alarm clock.
printer/copier
yaffa blocks
towls
shower caddy
Large garbage can
large hamper (for easy throwing action or else everyhting will be on the floor instead)
feather bed
power strips
trunk with lock
tape(masking)
tape(duct)
tape(clear)
sizzors
stapler
hole puncher
clip lamps (like the desk lamps that have a big clip)
mac n cheese
burnable cd's
disks
a metal laptop lock
USB hub
a lifetime basket supply of medication (think robatussen advil sudafed badn aids more tape(atheletic))
uhm... i'm sure there's more.. but as i look arorund my room that's all i can think of at the moment.

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

a kettle for boiling water, a coffee perkulator
coffe, hot chocolate, mr noodles/ramen noodles/kraft dinner
pens pencils erasers, underwear/socks, paperclips stapler staples, thumb tacks, slat pepper, ketchup radio/cd/tape playerquarters clip board dictation tape recorder for lectures with extra tapes, headphones

 

[Rubyfruit]

We have to tip them now?

 

[loveyamon]

laptop.
alarm clock.
printer/copier
yaffa blocks
towls
shower caddy
Large garbage can
large hamper (for easy throwing action or else everyhting will be on the floor instead)
feather bed
power strips
trunk with lock
tape(masking)
tape(duct)
tape(clear)
sizzors
stapler
hole puncher
clip lamps (like the desk lamps that have a big clip)
mac n cheese
burnable cd's
disks
a metal laptop lock
USB hub
a lifetime basket supply of medication (think robatussen advil sudafed badn aids more tape(atheletic))
uhm... i'm sure there's more.. but as i look arorund my room that's all i can think of at the moment.

Holy Shit !! Can Kill put that on your gold card ??? That's an amazing list.

 

[morninggirl5]

To go along with the microwave


Refrigerator
Plates
Cutlery
Sets of cheap (read disposable) microwavable bowls
Dish detergent
Small shelf to keep it all on

To accomplish the goal of actually learning:

Lots of pens and pencils
pencil sharpener
Hi-Liters
Decide NOW what kind of paper, notebooks he's going to use and buy locally
backpack

 

[Guest]

 

[Monazwx]

Has Cell Phone made the list yet?
Prepaid service will be best.

 

[rosco rathbone]

earplugs and Stacker

 

[Willing and Unsure]

first aid kit (small one, there's some by Johnson and Johnson that are good)
toothbrush, toothpaste (I almost forgot when I first went to school)
alarm clock
cordless phone
lamp of some form
hangers
snack foods
bookends (depending on shelf availability)
quarters
laundry soap
laundry basket
instructions on how to do laundry
pillow
headphones
umbrella

 

[Ice Cold]

Packets of ramen noodles
Bucket of peanut butter
plastic utensiles
extra toilet paper
pre-paid spending card
xtra sheets
something to cover the window up... those parking lights can shine in your room all night long.
powdered iced tea or drink mix, school stores don't stay open all night.
I'd recommend the pc, usually there is a lot of writing to print out and school labs usually suck.
Cleaning suplies.

 

[medjay]

Someone already mentioned condoms but I'd just like to reiterate that. Condoms. Condoms. Condoms. Condoms!

While in school I saw several friends pack up, never to return due to knocking someone up/getting knocked up.

Not to mention the twenty or so frat guys who ran a train on the campus whore only to discover that she was HIV+ and out for revenge.





Did I mention condoms?

 

[Cuckolded_BlK_Male]

Don't binge-drink yourself in a coma or a casket!

 

[Mellon Collie]

I'm trying to think of things that people haven't listed yet:

Diskman/headphones
Tons of storage containers
Mattress pad, mattress pad, mattress pad, mattress pad
Extension cords
Change for laundry that will actually be spent in the vending machines

 

[medjay]

Don't buy textbooks until you're absolutely sure you have to. And even then, if it's possible, borrow them from someone else.

 

[Monazwx]

Mellon Collie is so right.

How could quarters be left off the list.
The change-machines don't ever work anywhere.

Carry at least $10 in coins.

Medjay's right too. Used Textbooks save bundles of cash.

 

[Gilly Bean]

Anything electrical, you must check through the college first for almost all campus's. For instance, most colleges all my friends have attended did not allow microwaves or hotplates, but allowed refrigerators.

Most also don't allow pets, candles, or anything that creates a fire hazard.

Also, many campus's are now wiring dorms for internet access, with T1 hookup's right in the rooms, so internet hubs aren't needed, either.




Basically, get a list of what's allowed, and not allowed, before bringing it.

And, I know here at CMU, they give you your roomie's names and home #'s before arriving, so have him call his roomies, and find out what, if anything, they have for furniture or tv's and such.

It's easier knowing ahead of time, rather than having 2 or 3 people all show up with a TV, and no one providing any actual furniture. Same with Fridges.


Stock up on easy microwavable food, because even if they don't allow mic's in rooms, they usually have 1 per floor in a community room.


Snacks that are easy to eat on the go are a must, because often, class schedules can go for hours with only a 10 minute break in between.


A jar of quarters for laundry, pop machines, snack machines, etc.


Phone cards for calling home, or any place else they need.

Find out what there is for eating in that town, and get gift certificates for places like ordering a pizza, or stopping in at a local resturant. It gives them an automatic out for food, if they get sick of dorm food.

A reading lamp for next to the bed, or one that clamps right on to the bed.

Under the bed containers by a company like rubber maid, to store things out of the way. Dorm rooms are small, and storage can be limited.

If you opt for a cell phone, get one that has free long distance, and unlimited minutes. They will use it, don't worry. The more incentive they have, the more likely they are to call home.