<p>Laser printers are pretty cheap on a per page basis, toner cartridges last a long time and college kids don't seem to need color (or can get access somehow if urgent).</p>
<p>Underbed storage at Bed Bath and Beyond or Target- suggest you buy 2 unless she has great closet space. It's a large rubbermaid type container with a hinged top that opens from either side.</p>
<p>Ink-jet printer- We've used HP at home and college. Currently we have an HP Officejet 6210 (printer/copier/fax/scanner). Not expensive. We bought it at Circuit City. College son has a similar model.</p>
<p>roll of quarters for laundry machines.</p>
<p>Read this thread-- its a classic!
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html</a></p>
<p>Mine left the iron/ironing board home, but swears by Downy Wrinkle Releaser. She claims college is the time in her life when she doesn't feel the need to be perfectly pressed.</p>
<p>Wrinkle</a> Releaser - Products - Downy</p>
<p>Also, check with your college on some items. My d's school laundry doesn't take real money...students swipe their student ids and money is deducted from an expense account. Also, at her school (UNC-CH), most dorms have printers. So my d left her printer home as well....got tired of worrying about buying cartridges. </p>
<p>Something that has been very handy is shelving. UNC has a vendor that sells desk hutches and closet shelving 'made to fit' for each dorm. Very inexpensive, unfinished wood....girls usually like to decorate/boys not so much. Purchase can be made online and the shelving is delivered to the dorm room prior to move-in. Might check to see if your school offers similar.</p>
<p>TV....my d has always had one in her room and her friends do like to gather there and watch certain shows together. So it's a social thing. (However, they all head to a big screen in one of the classrooms for "The Office".)</p>
<p>The above list sounds good to me. One thing I noticed not on there and that I fail to understand is the need for an electric kettle. But my d and all of her friends insist it's a necessity. (I'm not a hot beverage fan, so this may be why I don't get it.) She also had her list of eccentric necessities...like the Texas-shaped ice cubes. That's a whole 'nother list.</p>
<p>I agree with the electric kettle, very usefull. Regarding the colapsable hamper, we picked up an inexpensive one at the local chain household store and it didn't last a month, I'd say if you have a laundry basket you don't also need the hamper, or at least get a good hamper. Regarding medicines, make sure you have the basic cold and flu care stuff: pain/fever reliever, decongestant, imoduim, etc. Maybe one of those instant cold packs. It can be hard for a sick kid in a dorm to go out and get medicine. And some snack items: granola bars, energy bars etc, hot cocoa or tea bags.</p>
<p>TV was a HUGE social thing the last two years for D1. Big get togethers for The Office, Desperate Housewives and of course Grey's Anatomy. ;) She also has a Wii and the girls love it and the boys like to finally play a video game that the girls enjoy. Big in-room Wii parties... the Olympic game was really big at the end of the school year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the Downy wrinkle release tip! How could I have not known about this before!!!</p>
<p>Something else, if the school doesn't provide it, a trash can. I also noticed that a roll of paper towels got used pretty quick. Most of the "office" supplies I sent didn't get used.</p>
<p>No iron or ironing board unless she's very unusual. Maybe just the iron and an old towel to iron on the desk.</p>
<p>At the end of her first year, my daughter brought back the microfridge and it's still in the garage. </p>
<p>No TV. TV is a social experience in the dorm.</p>
<p>Lafalum84, that's great advice. the thing you need to do citymom is not to panic. most of the time kids take more than they need to. mostly not everything they're going to need. just remember you can send things if she needs it.</p>