Boarding School Supply List

<p>Before everyone starts getting worked up, yes, I know about the ultimate supply list already on this forum, but I figured we could use an updated one since the other was from 3-4 years ago. The other one was also filled with lots of comments not regarding supplies, so PLEASE ONLY POST SUPPLIES NO OTHER COMMENTS so that it is easier to use. Thanks!</p>

<p>This is the packing list from the Deerfield website. I don’t know of it will be the same for ALL but here it is:</p>

<p>Appliances
alarm clock/clock radio
camera
desk lamp with compact fluorescent bulb
floor lamp with compact fluorescent bulb*
fan
flashlight
stereo (& headphones to avoid disturbing others)
smart strip surge protector recommended
*Please limit lamps to two in number. Usually one is sufficient.</p>

<p>Bedding
mattress pad
pillow
bath towels (2 4) / wash cloths (2) / hand towels (2)
blankets (1)
sheets (4) (XL twin, unfitted & fitted)
pillow cases (4)
bedspread or comforter (1)
Clothes and Shoes
The amount of clothing you bring depends on how often you do your laundry. Weekly laundry service can be arranged through E. & R. Laundry Service, and community washing machines & dryers are also available in every dorm.</p>

<p>dress code clothes, ties, etc.
special events attire – e.g. DeNunzio disco (1st weekend), prom and various semi-formal events)
athletic socks (10+)
bathrobe
belts, dress pants, or special skirt/dress
dress shoes (at least 1 pair)
jackets (casual & dress)
jeans
sneakers (2 pairs)
sweaters
T shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants
turtlenecks
underwear (lots)
winter coat, hat gloves, snow boots & rain boots
raincoat / umbrella</p>

<p>Miscellaneous
athletic equipment as appropriate
backpack for books, small duffel bags for trips
reusable water bottle
rechargeable batteries
cinder blocks may NOT be used to raise beds
risers can be used BUT ONLY in certain dorms: please call the Dean of Students Office before purchasing
bike, lock, & helmet
cup & mug
dictionary
envelopes
hangers (about 40)
key chain
quarters for laundry machines
laundry bag, eco-friendly detergent
laundry marking pen: please put your name on all of your belongings.
plastic hooks with adhesive
posters/pictures (if more than 4 they must be laminated or framed)
sewing kit: needle, thread, buttons
reusable bags for shopping
stamps
stationery
tissues
plants</p>

<p>School Supplies
binders
calendar & planner
highlighters, loose leaf paper, & notebooks
paper clips
pencils
pens
ruler
Whiteout
scissors, tape, thumbtacks, etc.</p>

<p>Toiletries, etc.
shower caddy to hold toiletries
aspirin
adhesive bandages
hygiene products
hair bands
hairbrush & comb
nail clippers
soap & container
toothpaste & toothbrush
antiseptic ointment – like Neosporin
razors, etc
shampoo & conditioner
makeup, jewelry, & hair items</p>

<p>Plastic bin with tight fitting lid for snacks (granola bars, etc.)</p>

<p>Over-the-door hooks, or sturdy free-standing hat rack, for coats, jackets, wet towels, etc</p>

<p>Adjustable “Double hang” closet rod…it gives you a second tier. This came in very handy.</p>

<p>Just one example:
[Double</a> Hang Closet Organizer - Chrome : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/p/Double-Hang-Closet-Organizer-Chrome/-/A-10580593]Double”>http://www.target.com/p/Double-Hang-Closet-Organizer-Chrome/-/A-10580593)</p>

<p>A plush mattress pad or feather bed. You’ll be surprised by how meager the school mattresses are. This stuff is bulky, so if you are arriving via airplane, arrive a day earlier and so you can shop for all the bulky stuff near the school. Ask your schools’ parents for tips on where to shop.</p>

<p>Another option for long-distance students is to UPS/air-freight/mail-order your stuff.</p>

<p>A caveat regarding the over the door hooks. At DS’s school, the doors were too thick to accommodate them.</p>

<p>If you’re coming from far away, Bed Bath and Beyond has a program where you can go to your local store, pick everything out that you need, and then it will be waiting for you at the store closest to your school in August/September. It’s under their “Shop for College” tab, and they call it “Moving Solutions.”</p>

<p>[Moving</a> Solutions - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsmovingsolutions.asp?]Moving”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsmovingsolutions.asp?)</p>

<p>Another caveat for families coming from far away and planning to buy stuff near the BS: since a lot of the New England BS are in proximity of lots and lots of colleges, we found the the college crowd had already bought up a a lot of hot items. There was still lots on the store shelves though, but the “better value” stuff was gone.</p>

<p>I highly recommend mattress pad+ feather bed. It turns a meager mattress into a cloud! (have done this for both my girls)
Also shop all the “BIG” stuff at local Target/WalMart etc- there is always one close by. And I second UPS’ing all the bulky stuff- school mailroom will be ready and waiting for it!
Dont forget snacks!!!</p>

<p>Made this on MS</p>

<p>TOILETRIES</p>

<p>-Shower tote
-shower shoes
-Toiletries
-Towels(2-4)
-Washcloths(2)
-Flat Iron
-Tissues
-Band-Aids
-Makeup
-Shampoo
-Conditioner
-Hairbrush
-Feminine hygiene products
-Hair bands
-Nail Clippers
-Razors
-Shaving Cream
-Soap
-Toothpaste
-Toothbrush
-Deodorant
-Floss
-Nail Polish
-Nail Polish Remover
-Q-tips/Cotton Balls
-Lotion
-hairbrush/comb
-contact stuff/glasses
-Itch Stick (bug bites)
-acne stuff
-lip balm
-hair dryer
-Mouth wash
-Neosporin
-perfume/cologne
-mirror
-Vaseline</p>

<p>CLEANING STUFF</p>

<p>-Swifter and small hand held vacuums
-Febreeze/air freshener
-Quarters for laundry
-Disinfectant spray/bleach
-Lint brush
-Stain remover (Tide pen)
-laundry bag/hamper
-laundry detergent
-paper towels
-broom/dustpan
-Lysol/Clorox wipes
-Sewing kit</p>

<p>ELECTRONICS</p>

<p>-Laptop
-Refrigerator/Electric cooler (if permitted)
-Headphones/stereo/MP3 player
-speakers
-Camera
-Cell phone
-Chargers for iPod, cell phone, camera etc…
-Printer and refill cartridges (optional)
-Fan
-Extension cords, surge protectors etc…
-Extra computer battery
-Flashlight
-Web cam
-Jump/thumb drives
-blank CD’s
-DVDs
-alarm clock
-batteries
-light bulbs
-mouse pad
-calculator (graphing, scientific)</p>

<p>PAPER STUFF (SCHOOL SUPPLIES)</p>

<p>-Lots of sticky notes
-Pens, pencils, stationary supplies
-Paper clips
-Thumb tacks
-Stamps
-Shoeboxes (for projects)
-Printer Paper
-Notebook Paper
-Notebooks
-Tape
-Stapler
-Art Supplies
-Markers
-Scissors
-atlas
-day planner
-envelopes
-erasers
-folder
-foreign language dictionary
-highlighters
-manila envelopes
-sharpies
-pencil sharpener
-tape measure
-three hole punch
-calendar
-graph paper
-masking tape
-reading books
-book marks
-rubber bands</p>

<p>FOOD</p>

<p>-Microwave popcorn
-Pop tarts
-water
-Candy
-Silverware
-Gum
-granola bars
-mints
-Cereal
-powdered drink
-Tea bags/hot cocoa mix
-Non-refrigerated food- granola, fruit, nuts, chex mix, pretzels, etc…</p>

<p>FURNITURE & STORAGE</p>

<p>-crates
-Under-bed storage
-Over the door hook for towels etc…
-Plastic storage drawers
-Lots of hangers
-Stick on wall hooks
-containers/storage
-A cushy chair
-Book case
-Seat cushion, extra pillows
-nightstand
-Full-length mirror
-posters
-poster goo
-Dry-erase board and markers
-Shoe rack or tree
-Desk lamp
-Extra lamps
-bulletin board
-desk chair
-drying rack
-folding chair
-Pictures of your friends, family, posters
-hanging jewelry organizer</p>

<p>BEDDING</p>

<p>-Things to soften your bed (i.e. tempurpedic cover)
-mattress
-Twin sheets(2-4)
-Comforter/duvet
-Stuffed animals
-Fleece Blanket
-Pillow(2)
-Pillow Cases(4)
-Blanket for sitting on outside/ground</p>

<p>CLOTHING</p>

<p>-slippers
-lounge wear/robe
-A lot of clean underwear
-Running shoes
-winter wear (mittens, hat, scarf)
-Snow boots (bean boots or similar)
-Uggs
-normal clothes
-Umbrella, raincoat
-duffel bag
-Backpack/Messenger Bag
-Extra socks
-sunglasses
-bathing suits
-swim goggles
-extra flip flops
-unique clothing items (spandex, costume pieces, bright patterns)
-accessories and jewelry
-Pajamas
-Rain boots
-tote bags
-sports apparel
-Belts</p>

<p>Miscellaneous </p>

<p>-Water bottles
-Locks for lockers (where applicable)
-Wrapping paper and bows
-Paperwork
-Playing cards
-sports balls and equipment
-board games
-duct tape
-musical instrument/music books
-lanyard, key chain, wristlet
-eye glass repair kit</p>

<p>Medicine if they allow it. I’m not sure if schools would make you pay for some Tylenol or even Midol when you need it. Plus, living in a dorm means more germs being spread around. Lots and lots of undergarments and basics so you don’t have to do a whole load of laundry just because you’re running low on socks or something. And for girls, definitely plan storage for jewelry, accessories, hair tools, and makeup if you need to. I’ll probably get some small plastic drawers to organize my beauty stuff in so it’s not just laying all over the place. :D</p>

<p>Bump bump bump</p>

<p>emmy, </p>

<p>Yes the previous list has been around a few years, but the stuff you will need is the same. As the schools generally supply their own list, it’s the comments and insights that are interesting.</p>

<p>Except for stick on wall hooks and an extra bed pillow or two, I’d avoid buying anything from the furniture and storage list until Parent’s Week-end. After a few weeks, you’ll have a very clear sense of what you need. Dorm rooms are small; you may not have room for a lot of that stuff, or it may already be provided. My kids’ school provides a vaccuum for students to use in the dorm; I did get him a carpet sweeper that works on tile and rug for quick clean-ups, though I don’t think it gets a lot of use. I don’t think you’ll have a lot of space for stuff like swiffers and hand vacs. </p>

<p>Ditto the recommendation for the matress pad, though we got one of memory foam, not down. Wait until the college stuff starts going on sale in August–you can get them for half the usual price.</p>

<p>Best thing to buy right now: iron-on labels for your clothes and a good Sharpy marker. It takes a long time to get everything labelled–but the one thing of my son’s that didn’t get labelled (his shoes!) got lost before the end of second term his first year.</p>

<p>^ Bumping so those are accepted can discuss this in 13 days!</p>

<p>^ Isn’t this a tad too early? Not that I’m complaining…on the contrary, I already have tabs opened up to browse a few of the items listed here! XD</p>

<p>This is a great thread – figured since people are starting to slowly purchase things for this fall’s new kids. QUESTION: For kids who are fairly closeby and whose parents are driving them … are trunks the norm for packing? If so, is it typical to keep the trunk in your room as a “coffee table”? Just trying to figure out if I should invest in one. Thx.</p>

<p>And one more question (for now): Did you buy a lockbox of some sort for storing valuables?</p>

<p>Personally, I would not bother with trunks. Unwieldy, heavy, take up a lot of space. Just pack your kid’s stuff in how ever many suitcases/duffles it takes to fit it all, and then take the suitcases home with you when they’ve unpacked. Just leave a suitcase/duffle or two with them in case of any trips (I plan to leave one larger duffle that could accomodate a week’s worth of clothes, and one smaller weekend type bag). Also, I guarantee that the kids need WAY less stuff than you/they think they do. This is not the same as moving into your first apartment. Just send them with enough clothes for a few weeks, some things to make the room seem homey (comfy sheets/blanket/pillows, etc), and the basics of school supplies. They’ll figure out what else they really need, and you can send it by Amazon Prime or bring it at parents weekend.
When I went to boarding school, lo those many years ago, my mom insisted on sending me with bright Marimekko bed linens and matching pillows and curtains, and lots of funky decorations for my walls. I know she was just trying to help, but I was always embarassed when other kids came into my room and commented on how my room looked. Gradually much of the stuff she sent me with found its way into the depths of my closet or under the bed, but I really wished I’d started off with a more minimalist approach until I had a better handle on how everyone else’s rooms looked.</p>

<p>It’s very helpful to have some small extra surface that can act as a bedside table for an alarm clock, light, small fan, etc. The room configuration might work out for you to use a desk or dresser this way, but then again it might not. Something with storage does double duty - we bought D some stackable cubes that could hold small drawers, at Target, on the day we brought her to school (if you can arrange your time for an extra supply run after you see the room, that’s ideal).</p>