What first time college students need?

Question

I have two of my children heading off for college away from home for the first time. Is there a list of things that they need to take?

Answer 1

Try going to http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsHome.asp?order_num=-1

Answer 2

They need to know in advance some of the major academic pitfalls that can happen to a college student:

1) Time budget. As a rule of thumb, they should study at a minimum of 2 hours for each hour in class. For a student enrolled in 12 semester hours (the minimum for full time study) that would be 24 hours of study and 12 hours in class for a total of 36 hours a week. This amount of study is needed just to avoid from getting lost. Marketing majors might need only study 1 hour for each hour in class but once they have gotten their degree they really don't have much better options than a high school graduate.

2) Go to the book store or library to read an example text that would be used in the class that you are thinking of enrolling in. If you cannot understand the material or you are totally turned off of the subject then pick another subject (if at all possible) to enroll in.

3) Sometime the book required for the class is not available in enough numbers for the entire class. If your one of those students without a book it can really hurt you.

4) Sometimes a class is filled up and your advisor will tell you that you are put on a list to be enrolled if someone drops out. If that happens and they offer to enroll you after you had missed the first week, Do not do that. Being a week behind can really damage your gradepoint average.

5) With regard to what to take, remember that if your going to start living in a dorm with a totally strange (I mean unknown) roomate and posessions are at the peril of however careless the roommate is with your belongings. An unlocked door could mean your clothes, computer and books could end up missing.

It is common for a college textbook to cost $100 so don't leave your books unattended at the library.

You might want to wait a week or two before bring in really expensive items to check the waters so to speak.

6) If your enrolled in a high demand major, sometimes a university will have a 1 or 2 semester hour introductory class that demands 5 or 6 semester hours of work. The idea is bate and switch. Lure the student to the university with the major but then make it impossible for many students to stay in the major.

Answer 3

When I was a freshman, I forgot to pack a lot of stuff that I didn't think of. Look at it this way...Say you were stranded on a desert island. What would you want to have with you?

Stuff I wish I'd have brought my first year:
-Cooking utensils/plates. The dorm had a kitchen in the basement (albeit a very unsanitary one), and I had a microwave in my room. All I brought was some silverware. That doesn't work out very well if you don't want to die of starvation or horrible campus food.
-Duct tape. It's useful for so many things.
-Tools. My computer broke and I spent two hours hunting down a screwdriver so I could replace the part.
-A jacket/winter clothes. Every fall there are a bunch of freshman who didn't realize how cold it gets here.
-An umbrella.
-Pencils and other school supplies. They're really expensive at campus stores, and depending on yourcollege's location you might not have an alternate place to buy them.
-Medicine(cough syrup, Excedrin, etc.)

I hope that helped you remember something.

Answer 4

I work at a university in Oregon and this is what we advise students to bring if they are living in a dorm.

Bedside lamp
Alarm Clock
Waste Basket
Hangers
Computer
Printer
Phone (other than cell phone)
Ethernet Cable
Head Phones
Surge Protector
Portable Music Device
Sheets and Pillow Cases (two sets extra long twin)
Towels
Pillows (2)
Blankets (2)
Laundry Bag
Stain Remover
Laundry Detergent
Pepto-Bismol
Pain Reliever
Band-Aids
Cough Drops
Shampoo
Bath Soap
Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Dental Floss
Comb/Brush
Nail Clippers
Razor/Shaving Cream/After Shave
Phone/Address Book
Stapler/Staples
Printer Paper
Printer Ink
Pens/Pencils
Notebooks/Notebook Paper/3-Ring Folder
Paper Clips
Scissors
Ruler
Dictionary
Envelopes/Stamps
21 Pair Underwear
21 Pair Socks
7 Pair Pants/Jeans
14 Shirts
Sweat Pants
Light/Heavy Jacket
Tennis Shoes/Boots/Black Shoes
1 Set Business Attire
Camera
Posters/Art

I know that it can be expensive, but today all students really need to have their own computer. It should be one that they can use for the next four to six years, too.

Answer 5

Personal items:
Medications (prescription and non-prescription)
laundry bag or basket (detergent and quarters too!)
towels and bed linens
shower basket to hold shampoo and soap
basic cleaning supplies (the dorms probably have vacuums to borrow, but ask)
Microwaveable plates/bowls
Basic school supplies (don't go overboard...professors may give extra explanation of what supplies are necessary for classes, so deal with it then)
bike (if the campus is large)

Things to coordinate with roommates, so you don't have 2 of everything:
A large fan or 2 (if there is no air conditioning)
carpet for dorm room
Microwave
Mini-fridge (the counter-high size is recommended over the small cube size)
TV
Stereo
Caller ID Phone (optional)

You should also ask the school what to bring, as they will probably have a list of recommended items and banned items (candles and hot plates are probably a no-no). They will also be able to tell you what is already included in the dorms, as well as the specific requirements for a bed loft if you want to get one.

Answer 6

When I left for college everything that I brought with me could fit into the back of a small car. By the time that I left I almost needed a moving truck. Your kids will find out over time what they need and will get it themsleves (through a summer job!!) or they will take it from home.

Answer 7

Most of the things they would have if they were living at home, but not quite as much since there won't be as much space. Let them take the essentials, and anything else that you think they will need. And make sure they have fast access to money, just in case there is something tht they need ASAP that you did not think of.

Answer 8

Well, if your children will be living in the dorms, then ask the dorms about what they need to bring. Most would be to bring bedsheets, quilts, pillows, lamps, etc. My mom is putting vitamins and stuff in my luggage...hehe...I'm going off to college as well this year. Basic medicine, maybe a can opener for late night snacks, mugs and spoons. Best of luck!

Answer 9

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Answer 10

linens, towels, hygiene products, a gift card to a local retail store (Target, WalMart, KMart), Gas card, a phone (for the dorm), clothes, lamps, cleaning supplies, a computer, refigerator, fan, tv, etc. Check with the school they are attending to see if they have any recommendations.

If they are not going to be roommates then talking with the people they are rooming with would help. That way there won't be any duplicates.

Answer 11

Furniture, dishes, and a lot of small things like: toilet paper, towels, extra light bulbs, vaccum cleaner, micro-wave, desk lamps, and money of course.