What are some essentials you need when going away to College?

Question

Examples: how many sets of sheets? Laundry basket? Towels? My son will be going away next year and I want to start buying things that he can take with him. I also want him to use them...not go wasted because they are not what an 18 yr. old would want.

Answer 1

Many schools also have lists of what they suggest kids bring and not bring. Once you know which school he will be attending, you can contact the houseing department and they should be able to give you a list.
In the mean time, you can start pre-shopping to spread out the expenses. Most schools have extra long twin beds, standard twin sheets won't fit. If your local stores don't stock them, the national catalog vendors do--Lands End, Garnet Hill, etc.
Two sets of sheets, a light blanket or comforter, a pillow or two should be enough for the bed. Towels are bulky and storage is at a premium, 4-5 bath towels, 6-8 wash cloths, and 2-3 hand towels will get him through the week. Some kids will use a plastic laundry basket, some will prefer a drawstring duffle bag for laundry, that's a question for your son. (The advantage of the basket is that it is easier to toss dirty clothes into one place, the disadvantage is that it takes a lot of floor space and both hands carrying it to the laundry. The advantage of the duffle is that it's a little more discreet and can be carried with one hand. The disadvantage is that it is harder to use to toss dirty clothes at the end of each day.)
Many dorms now come equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave oven. Most do not allow other cooking in the room. Two each of the following will allow him to nuke simple meals and snacks: plastic plates, bowls, tumblers and mugs. (Anything more takes too much storage.)
A water pitcher with a filter with a cleanable water bottle will allow him to take water to class without the expense of buying bottle water. Some of the cleanable bottles you can buy have clips for back packs or belts.
Ask your son what he considers essential and you will get a more electronic answer: a computer, printer, and sound system,(plus power strips and surge protectors.) Some schools want incoming freshmen to have the same sort of computer, some want them to have laptops. You should wait until he is accepted to buy this equipment. (All the major computer suppliers will run sales in the fall for students.)
Most schools don't allow freshmen to have a car. If he is going to to a school with a large campus, you might consider a bicycle with a good lock. (Do NOT get an expensive bike with all the bells and whistles, it will be more likely to be targeted by thieves.)
Before he leaves, take photos of all the big ticket items he is taking and engrave them with some sort of identification--his initials and your home phone number. Your home town and the last few digits of his student ID number--something unique. Make a folder with all the receipts, model numbers, and warranty information so you will have it in one place. Check with your homeowner's insurance and see if his bike and computer will be covered with your policy. If not, you might consider adding a small insurance rider to cover them against theft, loss, etc.
Once you see his dorm room, you will be able to see what sort of extra storage he will need. Over the door hangers, and slender stacking shelves/drawers are available from many national suppliers. He and his roommate can coordinate who needs what and share some of the cost. The last thing he is likely to need for comfort's sake is a rug for the room. You can get inexpensive carpet remnants and have the store bind the edges or check the catalogs for options.
Once your son has been accepted, your mailbox should overflow with companies wanting to supply all these things. Good-luck to you both.

Answer 2

I would buy one set of sheets (think of storage).
Get a collapse laundry basket or sack.
I wouldn't buy "towel sets" because he probably only needs 3 full sized towels and maybe 1 or 2 face towels.
Another good idea is to make a medical box with Tylenol, band aids, pepto bismol, cortisone cream, chloraseptic spray, cough suppressant and all other items that an active boy needs.
Lastly, I would purchase a small safe. My parents got me one and it was nice because I could lock up important documents and other miscellaneous items (jewelry).
Don't buy everything. Make sure either your son contacts his roommate or you contact the roommate's mother. That way, you can discuss larger purchases such as fridges and televisions.

Answer 3

A Picture Collage Of The Two Of You.(If You Have That Many Pictures) I Think He Would Appreciate That More From You. It'll Add A You Of You To His Dorm Room. :-)

Answer 4

BEDDING STUFF/TOWELS
Bed Risers
Blankets
Comforter
Egg Crate
Husband Pillow
Mattress Pad
Pillow Cases
Pillows
Sheets
Towels
Washcloths

CLOTHING
Bandana
Bath Shoes
Bathing Suit
Bathrobe
Belt
Boots
Boxers
Coat
Fall Jacket
Gloves
Hangers
Hat
Headband
Jacket
Jeans
Nice Pants
Nice Shoes
Nice Socks
Pajamas
Pants
Pool Shoes
Sandals
Scarf
Shirts- Long
Shirts- Short
Shoe Boxes
Shorts
Sleep Shirts
Sneakers
Socks
Sunglasses
Sweat Pants
Sweaters
Sweatshirt Jacket
Sweatshirts
T-Shirts
Watch

COOKING/FOOD STUFFS
Aluminum Foil
Bowls
Can Opener
Cups
Dish towels
Food
Fridge
Microwavable Dishes
Microwave
Microwave Containers
Oven Mitts
Plastic Cups
Plastic Silverware
Plastic Wrap
Plates
Silverware
Snacks
Toaster Oven
Water

ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER
Batteries
CD Holder
CD Player
Cell phone
Cell Phone Charger
Clock Radio
Computer
Computer- Cables
Computer- CD's
Computer- Disks
Computer- Mouse
Computer Info
Computer- Monitor
Computer- Printer
Computer- Recov. Disks
Desk Lamp
Digital Camera
Discman
Electric cord
Fan
Flashlight
Ink
Lithium Battery Charger
Mouse Pad
Music CD's
Nightlight
Paper (Computer)
Pencil Sharpener
Phone Card
Portable CD player
Surge Protector

HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Ace Bandage
Acne Cleanser
Alcohol Swabs
Antibiotic Cream
Band-Aid
Blistex
Blow Dryer
Body Lotion
Brushes
Burn Gel
Chapstick
Clearasil
Cold Medicine- Day
Cold Medicine- Night
Combs
Conditioner
Cotton Balls
Deodorant
Detergent
Detergent Tabs
Eye Drops
First-Aid Kit
Flickers
Floss
Floss Pix
Gas Pills
Gel
Hair Gel
Hair Smoother
Hair Straightener
Health Card
Lint brush
Mirror
Mouth Wash
Nail Clipper/scissor
Nail File
Pumice Stone
Q-Tips
Razor
Shampoo
Shaving Cream
Skin Cream
Small Tissues
Soap
Soap Holder
Soft Soap
Sun Block
Tissues
Toiletries
Toiletry Caddy
Toothbrush
Toothbrush Cover
Toothpaste
Tums
Tweezers
Tylenol
Vaseline
Vitamins

LAUNDRY/CLEANING SUPPLIES
Bounce
Broom/Vacuum
Cleaning Supplies
Clothes Dryer
Dishwashing Detergent
Garbage Bags
Garbage Can
Laundry Bag
Lysol
Mesh Bag
Paper Towels 2
Pledge
Shower Curtain
Stain Stick
Vacuum
Windex
Woolite
Ziploc Bags
MONEY/IMPORTANT PAPERS
Address Book
Address Labels
ATM Card
Calendar
Credit Cards
Directions**
Money
Parking Pass
Passport
Purse
Wallet

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Binder
Book Bag (knapsack)
Book Ends
Bookmark
Books (pleasure)
Calculator
Clipboard
Colored Pencils
Cork Board
Crayons
Desk Drawer Organizer
Dividers
Doodad Cup
Double sided tape
Dry Erase Board
Electric Pencil Sharpener
Envelopes
Eraser
Folders
Fun Tak
Glue
Glue Stick
Highlighter
Hole Puncher
Index Cards
Looseleaf Paper
Magnets
Manila envelopes
Manila Folders
Markers
Masking Tape
Mounting Tape
Note Pad
Notebooks
Paper Clips
Pencils
Pens
Permanent Marker
Poster Tape
Post-its
Reinforcements
Rubber Bands
Ruler
Safety Pins
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Scrap Paper
Sharpener
Stapler
Staples
Stationery
Tacks
White-Out

MISCELLANEOUS
Airwick
Blue Chair
Candles
Candlesticks
Cards
Dresser Cubes
Games
Gum
Journal
Matches
Photos/Photo Album
Plastic Bags
Plastic Boxes
Poker Chips
Posters
Sewing Kit
Shelving Paper
Stamps
Storage Boxes
Stuffed Animal
Tool Kit
Umbrella