Archive through August 04, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archives: The off to college thread......:
Archive through August 04, 2003
Aus10 | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 07:41 am     My one and only son is going off to college 1300 miles from home in approximately 3 weeks. We've been trying to get a few things for him to take but don't want the hassle of having to pack "too much" as I usually do. We've been reading a few pre-made lists and they give the usual things i.e. sheets, towels, etc. But what things did you take to your dorm that you found extremely helpful and things that a normal list wouldn't include? I didn't go to college, (preferred to get married instead) so I'm a complete idiot about all this......not to mention I'm already starting to have seperation anxiety. I'm just not ready to cut the umbilical cord just yet. I'll probably be crying my eyes out for the next few weeks folks so bear with me. |
Egbok | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 08:31 am     Aus10, first, congratulations to you and your son for his arrival to college! You must be proud. I have three kidlets currently in their college years. I've visited dorm rooms over the past few years, here's what I've seen: 1. Posters on the walls. 2. Plastic cups, bowls, spoon, fork, etc. 3. Picture frames filled with friends and family. 4. Overnite bag, sleeping bag. 5. Small flashlight, extra batteries. 6. Clip-on lamp. 7. Extra extensions cords. 8. Push pins for bulletin board area. 9. Small whiteboard with dry erase marker to mount on front of their door for people to leave them messages. I'm sure I'll think of more but since I just woke up and haven't finished my morning cup of coffee, this is the best I can do! LOL |
Mware | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 08:41 am     Power strips with surge protector for plugging in stereo, TV, computer, etc. Postage stamps Quick breakfast foods |
Spygirl | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 08:48 am     ~Prepaid calling cards for long distance calls to home ~All the necessary toiletry items in a great plastic carrying case of some kind so he can get it to and from the showers if he has community showers ~Quick ANY foods - lol |
Azriel | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 05:34 pm     I don't think it's possible to pack light for college, but then again I had two girls and they probably require more essential gear than boys. The powerstrip and prepaid calling card are a must! Small fridge. My daughters had one that doubled as their night stand. Also a plastic box to put food in so it doesn't attract bugs. Most dorms will not let you nail or tack anything to the walls so get some of that tacky putty stuff that doesn't damage walls to hang posters. An alarm clock with the loudest buzzer you can find. (you won't be there to drag him out of bed after the late night 'study sessions' at the local college hangouts) A large can of Lysol. (One of my daughters and her roomie had to share a bathroom with two girls that they referred to as the 'skanky hos' nuff said) I got my daughter one of those plastic 3 stacked drawers on rollers to put her toiletries and hair dryer in and she just rolled it in and out of the bathroom (again so the 'skanky hos' wouldn't use her makeup, soap or deodorant) Dorm rooms seldom have enough space for all their clothes, magazines and books. Get one of those shallow plastic boxes that they can slide under the bed to hold all the spill over essentials. OH and did I mention the Ryder truck and 2 strong men you need to haul them and all their stuff back and forth to college? |
Jan | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 05:42 pm     I have no kids but I am storing some stuff for a cousin's son for the summer while he is at home. I am storing a small fridge, a storage bin on wheels with three large drawers (in which he appears to have all his school books etc) and a small electric vacuum/carpet sweeper thingie (that surprised me..but dorms are so filthy sometimes that it is probably a good idea) I stayed in a dorm once when I had to stay in Toronto for 6 weeks (they rent them out in the summer) and the place was a PIGSTY. I was afraid to use the bathroom (a communal one) it was so dirty..so I would think that lots of cleaning stuf would be essential. Then, depending on what you can afford..a computer or laptop would probably be really good. I hope he has a ball. |
Monkeyboy | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 06:01 pm     The Microwave is the greatest invetion EVER! Oh and Ramen Noodles are part of the College Food Pyramid along with Popcorn, Spaghetti-o's, Tuna, and Tapatio salsa. |
Monkeyboy | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 06:03 pm     Oh and Azriel's Lysol advice is good too...Our bathroom was shared by a lot of "skanky hos" lol. |
Cinder | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 06:15 pm     Ironically- our newspaper had an article about just tha subject today. I could not find it online, but the advice was similar to what Azriel said. Plastic stroage bins can double as nightstands and table. I never stayed in the dorms, but I saw one once.(Before I got married I had to live at home) The room was TINY!!!!!! I wouls say to only pack the essential clothes. Oh darn-) saw this advice in another magazine too- why oh why aren't they online. No High school letter jackets. |
Weinermr | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 06:25 pm     Portable TV, clock radio. |
Mak1 | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 06:41 pm     Congrats to Aus10's son! Rolls of quarters - for doing laundry, vending machines, and sometimes FOOD when funds are running low Laundry detergent/dryer sheets Flip-flops (to wear to and from the skanky communal showers) (or maybe only the girls wear these) Remember, anything you happen to forget can probably be bought somewhere near the college. |
Sherball | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 09:44 pm     You all have developed a pretty comprehensive list... I had to do this move last year when I went off to college...A light that can clamp to the head board of a bed or a desk lamp is essential for late night studying when the roommate wants to sleep...refrigerator, i dont knwo what i would have done without one...a lot of mattresses are awful so a lot of people use the foam egg crates...I of course needed a tv, dont forget the phone...I know this isn't for the dorm, but my campus (university of florida) is huge, many people have bikes...if you are bringing a bike make sure you have the "U lock" or else it is very easy for the bike to get stolen...hope this helps!!! |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 10:14 pm     Hey, Sherball, good to see you posting. |
Aus10 | Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 01:10 pm     Wow!! Thanks all! Great suggestions, and I agree so much about the Lysol, but I really don't know how much good it's going to do....he got a room with a community bath on the floor...OH YUCK! Keep em coming all if your think of any more...... Good to see Sherball here as well...but for my son's school all I can say is "GO CANES!!!!" |
Monkeyboy | Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 01:22 pm     Aus, since he has a community shower, make sure he brings some sort of sandals because those showers are the most disgusting things on earth. |
Sherball | Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 02:54 pm     Aus 10- OH NO!! your letting him go to the enemy!! I was actually very close to applying there...i really liked the campus and Miami is pretty selective in admissions...plus great football and baseball...wish I could say the same thing for UF about football... |
Aus10 | Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 05:26 pm     He's really looking forward to the football games. Especially the first home game this year against the Gators. Of course, this mom knows a heck of alot more about the gators than she does about the canes, since I'm a big SEC fan. He looked seriously at UF but wanted to be closer to the ocean for academic reasons. We heard nothing but wonderful things about UF though. Are you going back this fall? If so....have a wonderful school year and who knows...the gators MIGHT pull it off! |
Kaili | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 06:08 am     oh yeah- the showers- uck. I remember going to shower and there being condoms and nasty used tampons in the stalls. Must have been some skanky hos there too- LOL I don't know how your son is, but probably buying the meal card is a huge waste of money. My first year I got the card and had I think 5 meals a week available on it- maybe more. Well the campus food was gross and I preferred making something in my room. (I bought one of those 2 grill counter top stoves even though you aren't supposed to have them in the dorm- a sandwich maker too for grilled cheese, etc). Anyway, the money doesn't carry over at the end of the semester, rather than wasting the money because they will NOT refund you for what isn't used, I ended up standing by the cashier and sliding my card for everyone who went through just to use up the meals left on it. There's also the flexi option- my two colleges both called it something different- where you put money on the card and can use it whenever. It also usually expires at the end of the semester and I remember at NAU watching people line up at the convienience store buying out soda just to use up all the dollars. Point being- don't put more money on the card than he will need. You're better off getting him grocery store gift cards. I never got a meal plan at UW-O because I was living in an apartment, but I heard about their plan and they had two flexi kinds of things where one was for food and vending and another just for genera; university use (they were called Titan Dollars). That plan would have been useful if I was on campus and before I was paying for my own stuff- they money was good at the copy shop, bookstore, etc. Find out about the plans. |
Aus10 | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 06:24 am     Great advice Kalli, but unfortunately we were forced to buy a meal plan for him. All freshman were required to do so. We did get him the minimum one we could get by with though. The sandwich maker is ideal though!! Grandma is giving him her old microwave so the grocery store gift cards are also a great idea. This thread just proves how educational TVCH can be!!! |
Kaili | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 06:37 am     Find out if the campus rents the refridgerators too- one school I was at rented them while the other I know just provided them (and they had microwaves attached to the fridge). I rented one at first, then had a roomate that had one. |
Muttley | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 01:37 pm     Congrats, Aus10. I did this last year with my daughter. Now that she's about to start her sophomore year, I feel like it's old hat. Agree with all the suggestions above, but with a few caveats. Has your son been in contact with his roommate? This way, first of all, there's a connection before he gets there. But most importantly, there aren't two TV's, two fridges, etc. Also, bring a Brita pitcher or bottled water. One never knows what the quality of drinking water is (especially if your son is used to filtered or bottled water at home), or how far he has to go to get it. My daughter kept her filled pitcher in her fridge; a lifesaver. Definitely get the egg crate material for the bed, and make sure you buy *extra-long* linens! Good luck, and don't worry about crying-- we all did it! |
Kaili | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 01:53 pm     You know, my bed frame at my dorm was extra long but the mattress was not. I had completely forgotten about that- I had to shove pillows and extra blankets in the gap on the frame. You may want to get a window fan too- my dorm got really hot in the winter. I was on the 4th floor and had my windows open all winter (with a fan). (Great suggestion about talking to the roomate- mine brought nothing and my mom and I ended up making a huge shopping trip after getting there) |
Calamity | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 01:59 pm     A few other things to add to your list... A small tabletop fan - I discovered the white noise was great at muffling dorm sounds when trying to sleep or study. Assortment of spices/condiments. Duct tape. Waterproof picnic blanket for studying outdoors. Contact list with addresses, phone numbers, etc. for family/friends/doctors/etc. First aid kit. Backrest for sitting up in bed or on the floor. Good luck! Oh, and pack some dress clothes for interviews, etc. |
Aus10 | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 04:25 pm     LOL.....He has been talking with the roommate, and my son is bringing the refrig, microwave and playstation 2. Roommate is bringing telephone w/answering machine, TV and DVD player. What cracks me up is these boys have all the electronics worked out, but when I talked to son about things like linens, clothing etc. all I got was "I don't care. Whatever you buy me will be fine." Is this a guy thing??? I ask what color he said he didn't care....Wonder what he'd think if I was a really mean mom and bought pink...LOL.......bet he'd answer me next time |
Sia | Monday, August 04, 2003 - 04:46 pm     Mware, I think the surge-strip is a fabulous idea for a college-bound student. I think I'll start giving them as graduation gifts!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea. Aus10, I would also look for something in which to store some valuables (as in cash or jewelry), but something that wouldn't be conspicuous as a place for a potential thief to look, if that makes sense. Some stores sell Comet cans or hairspray cans that have hidden compartments for hiding cash. Obviously, the best thing for a college student to do is to rent a safety deposit box at a bank in the city where he's attending college in which to keep important papers/cash/jewelry and/or to use an ATM card to withdraw small amounts of cash as needed or rely on credit cards to make purchases--if he's responsible with money and won't overspend. Dorm security wasn't a big problem when I attended college, and I don't remember ever having much cash, LOL, to worry about. |
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