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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 02:23 am |
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OK, it's WAY too quiet here. I'm guessing that everyone is laying around eating bon bons and enjoying the relief of finally getting the deposits in the mail, but don't rest on your laurels too long. There's much to be done!
Let's start a college shopping list -- What things are not "obvious" ones to bring to college, but sure come in handy.
I'll start: A medical box -- I bought one of those plastic shoe box size storage containers and packed it with: bandaids, aspirin and tylenol, cold tablets, sore throat lozenges, diarhea medication, anagelesic cream, small tube of aloe vera, blistex, thermometer, allergy pills, and blister patches.
My daughter thought I was nuts.
Until she started to need the stuff in that box.
It has been really great this year to be able to tell her when she calls home saying she's feeling sick or has had an unfortunate encounter with, say, a broken mirror (happened within two weeks of arrival) to go to her "meds box" and use such and such.
Tonight she told me that she's been really happy to have "the box" at the ready.
So, any other thoughts? What will you be packing for your kid? What things have made a difference for your kids who are already at college?
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 02:25 am |
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Need to add one more thing. Now, don't laugh. But the other thing I gave to my daughter when she left for college was a roll of...
Duct tape.
She finds it comes in handy for all sorts of things: taping down computer wires, repairing things, halloween costumes, and, yes, keeping her mouth shut when people on her floor are driving her nuts.
So, remember to pass on the duct tape. 
Last edited on Mon Apr 30th, 2007 02:26 am by CarolynLawrence
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Chedva
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 11:33 am |
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Sorry, Carolyn - I had to laugh. Life's too short not to laugh!
Don't know if these are "obvious" or not, but here goes -
A printer. I know most colleges have a "printing center" that kids can send their documents to and then pick them up. However, that center can be quite a distance from the dorm, and who wants to head over there at 2 in the morning, especially in a cold climate? Or suppose there's something personal or confidential that your kid wants print but doesn't want sitting around on a public printer until he/she gets there? And I know that co-workers inadvertently pick up my documents from a shared printer at work, and my printer's right outside my cubicle! I wouldn't want to risk losing a term paper.
A shredder - both for these personal things that kids don't want lying around, and for those credit card offers they'll inevitably get. (Although my d mentioned that some drunken dormmates may decide to shred her notes as a joke - so the jury's still out on this one.)
Power strips (which of course can be taped down with duct tape)!
A small tool box - screwdrivers of various sizes, a small pair of pliers.
(The medicine box is a wonderful hint!)
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limner
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| Joined: | Sun Jul 16th, 2006 |
| Location: | Tennessee USA |
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 11:37 am |
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LOL, Carolyn! Your duct tape reminder made me think of my S as a very little kid. He loved tape. He used it for all sorts of things, mending, embellishing, you name it. For years afterward, I peeled tape off things.
And the med box is a brilliant idea. I hpe to be able to add to this list as we go. One thought: Carleton has a list of recommended items to bring, from the essential to the "nice to have." Your kid's school may have the same thing or you can use the Carl list as a jumping off point.
http://apps.carleton.edu/student/housing/housing/faq/packing/
It also has reminders about things like medical insurance cards (get one for your kid if you he or she can use your inurance).
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mackinaw
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 6th, 2006 |
| Location: | Michigan |
| Posts: | 750 |
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 01:20 pm |
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For the artist/designer:
A tool box (or a fishing tackle box), with:
Exacto knife, drawing compass, straight edge, metal tape measure, needle-nosed pliers, regular pliers, crescent wrench, allen wrench hex set, hammer, wood saw, portable electric drill (1/4") and drill bits, screw drivers (flat head and phillips head), dremel, staple gun, portable/foldable easel, metal files. (Plus supplies to be purchased in locale -- masking tape, scotch tape, white glue, paint, wood, paper, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.)
Last edited on Mon Apr 30th, 2007 03:02 pm by mackinaw
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Northeastmom
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 04:36 pm |
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| My son had most of his things packed in collapsable duffles, and boxes. I thought getting rid of the suitcases and boxes would leave things uncluttered. His roommate brought a lot of things in plastic boxes. My son did want to have some large plastic boxes for underneath his bed (extra storage space). This year some things will be packed into plastic boxes, rather than corregated boxes.
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CalifCarolyn
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 06:55 pm |
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The medicine kit is a must! My older D had to dig into hers within a couple of days of school starting in 2005. I put it all together in a plastic shoe box which fit nicely into her desk drawer. Band Aides, Tylenol, Cold Meds, tweezers, small scissors, cotton swabs. benedryl, and meds for flu were well received. I also put in several of the instant cold and instant heat packs-which came in handy for cramps and a twisted ankle.
Another thing she liked was the small office supply kit (again in a small plastic box) I put in tape (clear, scrapbooking squares and duct), stapler/staples, paperclips, rubber bands, staple remover, pencil sharpener, extra erasers, liquid paper, thumb tacks and pins. Twist ties (like on your bread wrappers) work great for keeping cords under control.I also put in some of the Avery Brand velcro picture hangers since they come off of walls without leaving a mark. A small hammer and both a Phillips and regular screwdriver. We also bought a ream of cheap printer paper I also put in a sharp knife.
electronics-we bought s surge protector power strip and an inexpensive printer--My D got in the habit of removing the power cord or ink cartridge when she discovered her roomate had started using it because the roomate wanted to save her ink (long story there). A bike lock was a later addition for linking through her desk drawer handles to keep her out of her supplies and for a kitchen cabinet where my D kept munchies. My D would use the printing center in the adjacent dorm for most final drafts but this allowed her to print research etc..
a deck of cards, the game Apples to Apples and a deck of Uno cards proved to be a nice way to pass the time with new friends when it was cold and snowy outside.
laundry bag which doubles as a hamper with handles and dryer sheets (soap seems to be easy to acqire on campus) but my D likes a certain brand of dryer sheets so that her clothes smell like home 
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Wstrdg
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 07:14 pm |
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Last edited on Thu Jul 12th, 2007 07:21 pm by Wstrdg
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CalifCarolyn
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 07:43 pm |
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Wsterdg-re:stuff that will stick to cinder blocks....my classroom walls are cinder blocks and most adhesives that I have used are sensitive to the changes in temp. If the bed is a loft D1 found that the things that clamp onto the bed work well. this is one that the container store carries
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=77567&PRODID=10015576
and here is a lamp from pottery barn
http://www.pbteen.com/products/p1517/index.cfm?pkey=clgttsk
or here is one on sale at Target for under $10.00
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_2/601-1076829-9048162?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000GR54TY
since he isn't into clothes you might use a hanging shoe/sweater holder in the closet to hold extra 'stuff' I use one in my 'craft' closet and they do hold a lot of weight...and fold flat to transport.
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=77208&PRODID=64320
D2s dorm also won't have any room for underbed storage they have beds built into the wall that pull out. It will be a tight fit for my clothes horse of a daughter She is going to scope out the amount of space she has when she goes to Orientation in June
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CalifCarolyn
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 07:48 pm |
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oh remember a sewing kit.....even if your kiddo has never had a need for one it could make them very popular or at least a bag of safety pins.
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One-2-Go
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:14 pm |
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Son #1 has this hamper on wheels:
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2261273&cp&kw=laundry+wheels&origkw=laundry+wheels&sr=1
He also has this duffle for when his dirty clothes travel home:
http://www.amazon.com/Laundry-Bag-Canvas-Duffle-Natural/dp/B0000ZLB4E/ref=sr_1_2/002-8787200-9687232?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1177963498&sr=8-2
Getting both for Son #2.
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:35 pm |
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Anyone have experience with those sticky hangers? Do they work? How much weight will they hold?
>>
My daughter found them next to useless on her cinderblock walls. They'll hold up a towel, but that's about it.
What you might look for are the reading lamps that have clamps on them so they can be attached to a headboard. (Assuming of course, they'll be a headboard on the bed).
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hummingbird
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:39 pm |
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This is a great thread. Keep 'em coming! 
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patsmom
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 08:57 pm |
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Some type of locking file box is good for important papers -- passport, checkbook, health insurance info, etc. I also sent copies of S's laptop receipt from Dell and all info he would need in order to get warranty tech support. He needed to have his laptop screen replaced under warranty last year so it was good that he had this info at hand when he had to call Dell. I bought the locking file box at Office Depot, I think.
Also, those humongous ZipLoc bags with handles look like they would be great for hauling stuff to campus if traveling by car. They're stronger than trash bags and the handles make them easier to carry. They're big enough to hold bedding, towels, etc., but are also good for loose small items, clothes, shoes - whatever. They take no room to store in a dorm and can be used again to bring stuff back home.
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CalifCarolyn
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Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 09:39 pm |
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http://www.dormvault.com/
I am looking at something like the little one for storing passport and plane tickets If it works I think the $50.00 might be worth it. It could lock over a closet rod. does anyone have another suggestion?
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Lynda
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 12:28 am |
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All my grad presents contain duct tape and a small tool kit. Son made lots of friends with the hammer and duct tape. We are on our second duct tape pack from Costco-think son has gone through 5 rolls.
I bought the vacuum bags-Costco and Target carry them. It gave us more space in the cars. Son used them as regular bags when he returns. The super durable trash bags work very well when son comes home-uses it to hold lots of irregular stuff.
Son found lots of use for Lysol the first year. Don't forget flip flops for shower shoes.
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binx
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 11:33 am |
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My S1 also made lots of friends for being the only person on the floor with a tool box.
I will add - a lock for the laptop. S2 lived in a suite, with people coming and going all the time. He locked the laptop to his desk and left it there. Never took it with him to class or library. Used school computers when not in his room.
My kids are minimalists. If suitcases will stay at school, they can also become storage. S2 used his for laundry. Rolling suitcase was easier than a laundry basket. Since he had to store it, figured might as well use it. He uses the smaller one to store music. And if it has a lock on it, can become a safe of sorts.
S2 also got an "all-in-one" printer as a graduation present from my sister. The ability to scan, copy or fax from his room has been a lifesaver, especially at tax time, when H needs one more document!
To add to the office supply box, include some business size envelopes and stamps. The campus post office is rarely open when my kids have time to go there.
S1 also got a lot of use out of microwave cooking utensils and melamine dishes. (Cup, plate, bowl, silverware.)
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Jaxmom
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 12:16 pm |
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DS has a couple of those pop-up hampers and says they are useful.
He has also really used this stick vacuum, and he saids that his friends loved to borrow it (especially girls).
Edit- Links are too long; This is the Linens N Things address below- search pop-up hamper and Shark Stick Vac ($29.00 or so).
http://www.lnt.com
Last edited on Tue May 1st, 2007 02:06 pm by Jaxmom
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Chedva
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 12:48 pm |
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| Jaxmom, your links don't work. Can you try again? Thanks.
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hummingbird
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Posted: Tue May 1st, 2007 01:19 pm |
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| I cut & pasted the URLs and they took me to the items on Linens 'n Things.
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