A to Z: What To Bring To College

<p>I actually mapped everything out, and everything except the couch and the coat rack would fit on my side of the room. I could upload them, but that could get fairly off topic.</p>

<p>I made the mistake of bringing too much to college (my house is about 2 hours away so it was easy to do) and I’m having a really hard time keeping my room clean.</p>

<p>Definitely bringing stuff back/not bringing as much next year.</p>

<p>I love this list! It’s amazing - I will start my college shopping very soon and could not be more thankful for this comprehensive, and most importantly, organized list.<br>
Great job everybody! I love CC and owe it nearly my life! :)</p>

<p>That is one BIG list…</p>

<p>It seems like a lot of stuff but when you think about it, most of it’s stuff that you already have and it’s mostly just a matter of remembering to pack everything and narrowing down the list to the essentials.</p>

<p>And what about storing all this during breaks when dorms are not open?</p>

<p>Alex dude! I am borrowing your clothes</p>

<p>I just leave my stuff in the dorm during breaks, except for clothes I’ll be wearing, some electronics, and homework. The only time I’m bringing everything home is when everyone has to leave for the summer.</p>

<p>seriously cut down on that list. There is alot of stuff that you DON"T need.</p>

<p>Starting college in the fall!!!
also what you can do is pack all your warm clothes to college and wear them then when you go home for thanksgiving bring your warm clothes and trade and leave them at home and take your cold weather clothes. and when it gets warm again just go home and switch them again. also since most people are gona have roomates you can just call them up and decide on whos gona bring what so both of you dont have to spend as much and your room wont be all cluttered with both your individual lists of things.</p>

<p>This is perfect. :)</p>

<p>Thank you so much to kate and everyone else who’ve added suggestions. I’m an overly anal listmaking mom too, and I’m capable of taking bits and pieces here and there and coming up with my own list of things for my things to buy and pack. Fortunately, we’re just crossing the state line and driving rather than shipping, so it doesn’t matter so much how big of a load we end up taking, but if we get there and there are things we forgot, there’s a big Target just off campus. :)</p>

<p>My list ended up not really being that big after all. No grills or bikes; I think the biggest thing was the mini fridge and his futon, TV and XBox. The school makes you buy your lofts and laptops from them, so it’s all the small (and expensive) stuff after that, and a lot of it I’ve already picked up anyway. I have to wait until he gets his room assignment at the end of April to know exactly how big his room is and if he gets a private bathroom to see if he can squeeze a bookcase or trunk in.</p>

<p>But again, thanks so much for the ideas! I don’t think there was even anything in there that I picked out that my son would disagree with.</p>

<p>Is there a “What To Bring To College - Plane Edition” floating around? For those of us who are going to college on the other coast and don’t plan to drive. I was thinking of buying most of the stuff on this list when I got there. Is there anything other than clothes, toiletries, and electronics that should go in the suitcase(s)?</p>

<p>I would imagine just common sense would tell you.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t buy a computer or any other expensive electronics before leaving. While it could be argued that there are important reasons for doing it before, there are way more significant ones to argue after.</p>

<p>1) Warranty and repair - While if you buy it from Dell, Best Buy or Apple, you can simply return it anywhere, the same can be argued if you don’t have one of those stores near campus and won’t find out until you settle in.</p>

<p>2) Traveling with electronics - Generally a pain in the ass. Yes, you might be able to use it while you’re on the plane but the extra time to clear security isn’t worth it. Just bring some magazines or books or school brochures to keep you busy. </p>

<p>3) Traveling with electronics part 2 - Luggage gets lost. That’s just a fact of life. Don’t risk it with a laptop or computer because you can’t afford to not have it for a few weeks waiting for them to process it or worse, process an insurance claim to replace it. </p>

<p>As far as generally what I recommend-
Go window shopping. Find everything you’re going to need, and calculate it into a cost at that store. Basically, price shopping. You find a backpack you like at a store you know is near campus, and just write down how much it costs. Then buy a gift card from that store for that price (Plus a little extra for tax and possible varying prices) and wrap the list around it, and put it somewhere safe. </p>

<p>You can basically do this at 4 or 5 important stores where you know you need stuff and you know there’s one near campus. (You can also use their website combined with a store locator and the school address to find out what’s close and what isn’t.) Then once you touch down near the school, just go to the stores you made lists for, use the gift cards and you’re all set.</p>

<p>Do int’s usually buy stuff at campus or they bring them from home?</p>

<p>good lord, it’s going to take about 2 months to go through this whole thing, ■■■■■.</p>

<p>You forgot an important one: </p>

<p>A GUITAR!!!</p>

<p>Has anyone brought a swivel sweeper vacuum? I have one now at home because I hate having a dirt floor and stuff sticking to my feet, lol.</p>

<p>One of my best friends has a Swiffer that he lets me borrow every now and then…it’s definitely good to have one. :)</p>

<p>“I’m an overly anal listmaking mom”</p>

<p>That made my day.</p>