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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 7:39 pm
Well, I know this early, but my son will be going off to college in August. I thought I would start a thread to give me ideas good one or examples of what should not be done for the graduating student going off to face life on their own. For example, necessities for their room, ideas for care boxes to send to them. ETC.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 5:41 pm
Maybe this should be moved to the parenting thread.
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Forum_moderator
Moderator
01-01-2004
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 6:58 pm
Moved as requested. (MG)
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 7:47 pm
One of the coolest things my dad and mom did was to mail my packages in popcorn -- it was "homemade" then put in big ziplocks when it cooled and used as "cushioning." Boxes only took a couple days to reach me, so I could have some "real" popcorn and eat the packing! As a Wolverine going to school in Buckeye country, I really and truly missed the "fresh" stuff -- apples, peaches, asparagus. My parents would send the seasonal items and helped me "taste" home again. The other thing that I remember a lot of people forgetting were "desk" things -- staples, paperclips, scissors, etc. Oh yes -- accompany any and all packages with quarters for laundry! LOL
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:04 pm
Well, as a former dorm dwelling college student.... Contact the roomate if there is one and find out who's bringing what. Most important thing. you don't need two TVs! Water shoes and something to carry the bathrroom goods. Those floors are NASTY. I went to shower one time and found a bloody tampon in the shower stall. Not cool. I'm hoping a guy won't find this especially My dorm room had a sink, but they don't all have them. If he doesn't have a car, he definitely needs a bike. Commons food is generally gross. Stick with a basic meal plan, or just go for flex (or whatever they might call it) dollars. Find out if the dorm rooms have mini fridges/microwaves. The mini fridges were available for rent at my college, but most people bought their own. We all had to have our own microwaves if we wanted them. At the school I transferred to I noticed they were all provided with a little fridge that had a built in microwave on top. Dorm beds are often twin long- normal twin sized sheets won't fit. Everyone has cell phones these days so I won't bother about the phones. He'll probbaly have his own. We also had a coffee maker and a sandwich maker in our room. We had a plug in stove burner too but you aren't supposed to. Remember there's not a lot of storage space. You get a closet, a dresser, a desk, and under your bed. Those plastic bins are great, especially the stack ones with drawers. you gotta utilize every inch they give you. I liked buying school supplies- i had cash on an account that worked at the bookstore, the convienience store, etc in addition to my flex food dollars that only worked for food at the food courts/commons. Glade plug-ins if he likes that. Dorms stink. No incense though. Oh! Speaking of plug ins, those outlet extenders/power strips and extention cords! A camera, empty photo albums and stuff like that, plus photos from home. For posters, you need that sticky gummy stuff to get stuff to stick to concrete walls. Everyone has a dry erase board for their dorm door. Attach that pen with a string and tape or it'll be gone fast. I'd get a little safe- he may have some stuff he doesn't want his roomate or their friends getting at. People go in and out of rooms a lot. I'll think about this some more- maybe something else will come to me.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:08 pm
a bucket or caddy to hold shampoo, and other shower items. Maybe even flip flops for the community bathroom. Stamps and cards/stationery (if you think he'd write) 'course with email, that is not as popular as it was in my day!!! laptop??? cell phone or calling card message board for dorm room door rubbers 
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Secretsmile
Member
08-19-2002
| Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 8:06 am
I thought of a few things that my college kids think they couldn't live without; (1) bunk risers, they are heavy plastic cup shaped things that you put under the legs of the bed so it raises it, and more can be stored under it. (2) hanging shoe and sweater holders. These get hung in the closet and the kids use them to store everything, occasionally even what they are made to store. For your own peace of mind, double check with your home owner's insurance to make sure their possessions are covered, if they are not it's inexpensive to add it or to get renter's insurance for them.
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Llkoolaid
Member
08-01-2001
| Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 9:29 am
$$$$MONEY$$$$ believe me that is all they want. Lots of good ideas above, I would also tell them to pack some formal wear. I ended up making a few trips to bring shoes and gowns that they didn't think they would need.
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Jmm
Member
08-16-2002
| Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 4:07 pm
Sherbabe, The best thing we did was check the school website for information. Do you know what dorm he will be assigned to yet? My daughter was in an older dorm and they didn't allow microwaves and many other electrical appliances. You don't want to waste money on things they won't be allowed to use.
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Danas15146
Member
03-31-2004
| Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 7:12 am
Rolls of quarters for laundry!!!!!! My cousin/goddaughter is going into her third year of college and still looks forward to family events when she knows that I'll be giving them to her!
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 3:59 pm
Thanks for all the good ideas. Keep em coming. As far as dorm life goes I know that no hot plates are allowed and only 1 small fridge per room. The "care" boxes will be fun to send. Can u tell I only have 1. I'm going to be absolutely lost next August.
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Jmm
Member
08-16-2002
| Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:21 pm
As far as "care" boxes go, when I went to the grocery I would pick up a couple of things each time. Some of the things she loved were: 1. Ramen noodles 2. Individual servings of fruit cocktail and applesauce 3. Pasta Anytime (basically pre-cooked, but requires no refrigeration for storage until heated) 4. Boxed mac and cheese 5. Cookies, cookies, and more cookies 6. Instant cocoa (with marshmallows, of course) I'll have to ask her, but these were some of the things I remember.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 11:00 pm
Linens and Things, or Bed Bath and Beyond have a check list of things that we found helpful! WalMart had a great collapsable laundry bag that was cheaper than the Linen's and Things one - DS college had 'debit' school cards that we could load up with money, these cards were used in the food service, the vending machines, as well as the laundry rooms, thereby lessoning the need for cash/change! DS college dorm also had lockers in the bathroom/shower room, so he needed a padlock for that room... so a lot depends on how the school is set up! DS loved the bed risers, but would've preferred we purchase the kit that made a bed into a "loft". He also loved the bean bag... or the round chair. He loved his Playstation game (I hated it!! *grin!) I bought him extra lamps, one for his bed and one for his desk, honestly I dont think he appreciated light!! He did appreciate the fan tho!!
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 11:16 pm
bump, any more great ideas out there?
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Graceunderfyre
Member
01-22-2004
| Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 6:33 am
my dad made me a loft out of leftover deck wood when they put on a deck. . .it was like 2 inches away from the ceiling, I literally bumped my head every night! It was the greatest loft ever But I'm telling you this because you need to see how high the ceilings are in the dorm room you are in. My cousin went to the same college as I and he helped my dad build my loft. My cousin was in a newer dorm and was on the top floor - so he and his three roommates made a three level bunk bed/loft type deal so they could have more space in their room. My room was in the basement and probably out of code but since I was the RA, I didn't get in trouble. No matter where you go to college, mail in general is appreciated. But don't go overboard every week, just do it once a month or so.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:58 pm
thanks again for so many useful ideas. my son just found out he will have a community shower in his dorm. he is not thrilled. i'm snickering hysterically. only child, can u tell
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Schoolmarm
Member
02-18-2001
| Friday, May 13, 2005 - 1:27 pm
That would make the "john bucket" a necessity! This is a plastic carry-all to put your bathroom stuff in. I remember it well! I'm guessing that he will also have to share a room! LOL! I had an only child for a room mate once and boy was it tough on her.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 9:27 am
I did go online and Bed bath and beyond has a registry for college stuff. So, I signed him up. I figure, we the parents, can get the big stuff and if anyone wants to get something else for him they can choose from there or gift card.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 12:44 pm
Anyone else in this chapter of their life i just found a wonderful link. on the bedbathandbeyond site, don't forget to look at the survival 101 link. excellent information. barnes and noble, as well, as great info. many times their gift cards can be used at university book stores.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 7:04 pm
guess i am the only one on these boards w/ a recent high school graduate going to college in August. This might get people talking however. It is about the new vaccine they have for meningitis. they are recommening for incoming high school freshman, incoming college freshman, and another age group which slips my mind. i'll try to find my source on this and write back.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 7:40 pm
Sher, my kids just had this shot. They're 12 and 14 and the doc says it will last 10yrs I believe.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 9:24 pm
Some good basic lists for college students with kitchens here at Yum Yum.com.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 11:20 pm
Sher, how bout a first aid kit (I say this as a naturally clumsy person who just had to go hunting for a bandaid, lol.) And a small kit for otc meds like tylenol, antacids, cold meds, etc. I'm sure he can get stuff like that around school, but it'd probably be more convienient having it handy instead of having to run out when he's suffering with a cold or whatever.
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Secretsmile
Member
08-19-2002
| Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 7:34 am
I just remembered a key thing my kids need in their dorm rooms. I very basic tool box. Nothing that will encourage them to remodel the dorm room, but a small light weight hammer and a multihead screwdriver.
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Graceunderfyre
Member
01-22-2004
| Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 9:14 am
Oh yeah War that's great - I remember from my college days, boys NEVER had cold meds or pepto when they needed it. I think a totally cool gift from the parents would be a collage of pics of friends and family (esp the extended family) that he will see less of. And to remind him why he wants to come home. At Meijer's they have the same clear plastic collage frames that Bed Bath & Beyond has for $30-$50 for just $20-$30. Of course, you could just go to Walmart and buy a large plastic frame and then cut the pics so they all fit together. I stress plastic because it will prob. fall off the wall or get hit by a ball and glass would break.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 7:40 pm
Once again, thank you so much for all your wonderful ideas. I've started shopping, as can't do it all in one paycheck. trying to spread it out. so far, i have a box w/desk supplies, a box w/ medicine/first aid and a box w/ laundry/cleaning supplies. Went to wal-mart. their prices are generally the lowest. Also, for a grad gift, my sister gave him a compact fridge. home depot has a great one for $99. made by magic chef. they have it in black, which is of course what he wanted. the shelves are glass, so if anything spills it will be better, a small freezer w/push button defrost and a cool dispenser in door that holds pop cans. it is very cool and i am just hoping his roommate does not have one too. what hoping to share the cost of higher priced items for room. ie: rug.
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Graceunderfyre
Member
01-22-2004
| Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 7:46 pm
if you've got space for it, a coffee table that is hollow for storage is always a great thing in the center of the room. . . my first year or so, I remember using the big plastic totes I packed in with a board across it as our coffee table. Of course we girls put nice pretty cloths on top of it and we never wrestled on top of it, so it worked well for us.
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