<p>^ I agree about buying online. About 90% of my non-grocery purchases are online. First, it’s usually cheaper and second, I can read online product reviews for quality and reliability. Then I Google for the cheapest total price.</p>
<p>Also for those going by plane or long drives, just about everything can bought online and then either be shipped to the student’s new mailing address (you may need to call your CC company to tell them of this new, approved shipping address) or “ship-to-store” (Walmart, JCPenney, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc.) BUT before ordering, first check to see how long they will hold your purchase at the store. Also, most college towns have secure, nearby mini-storage facilities available that they could rent with another student(s) for the summer rather than bringing everything home.</p>
<p>I also agree that all lists must be minimized and customized to gender, climate, major, etc. Mine knows what he’ll will or will not use such as a second set of sheets would never get any use. But, my geek son will be one of the few who uses the computer locks as he has over $10K in PC and laptop hardware (paid out of HIS pocket so he’s very protective). And unlike most, he wants to take golf clubs for the many local courses. So again… minimize and customize!</p>
<p>ETA: I know I’m wasting my breath to tell most college students to NEVER, EVER check their bank accounts or enter their debit or credit card number over a wireless network or smartphone. The security, as compared to a hardwire connection, is much less secure. I’ve read many articles that say that thieves are learning that smartphones are very insecure and the source of an up and coming crime wave. Personally, I plan to lock down my son’s credit through the three credit bureaus to protect him from identity theft.</p>
<p>I think that the ethernet cable is a good idea even with wireless. It is often faster, and there may occasionally be glitches with a wireless system. With any cords or cables, they will always be much cheaper online than at an office supply or computer store. </p>
<p>A 10 foot long power cord with a good surge protector is always good. Some colleges do not allow any regular extension cords.</p>
<p>A big difference is whether there are discount stores that are easily accessible to the student. If so, the shopping list can be much smaller. However, if they attend college in a rural area with few stores or a high priced area or need a car to get to a decent store, then it makes sense to have a much more complete shopping list. </p>
<p>Some college bookstores may be convenient but very overpriced for routine items.</p>
<p>My cousin lived in Manhattan, and she was amazed how much cheaper prices were at CVS stores in Pennsylvania than the CVS was in Manhattan.</p>
<p>Printer cables, ethernet cords and similar items should always be bought over the net. The stores make huge profits on these items.</p>
<p>Whether you buy them and ship them or get them there, Clorox wipes are an essential. You can clean almost anything with them and when one of the roommates gets ill, they are great for disenfecting surfaces.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the nightlights that keep popping up on these lists. My kids’ dorm rooms have all looked out on quads which are lit like day by those orange street lamps. It’s more a question of whether the shades can block out enough of this to allow them to sleep! If they feel the room is too dark, they can pull up the shades & get the orange glow.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of getting a dorm size fridge or any other kind of appliance, go to your local Sears and choose the model you want, then order it & have it waiting for you at the Sears nearest the school. Deposit child’s stuff in dorm room & then drive off to nearby mall to pick up fridge, microwave, whatever. </p>
<p>One thing to check out carefully is the desk & desk chair the school provides. Our older D’s wrists were permanently injured by the desk & chair at her Ivy League school (It’s okay, it only hurts at night Mom"). After that we learned to go to Staples, Office Max etc and choose an inexpensive but ergo chair, we got one for around $99–same thing—order it sent to the branch nearest the school. Set up & use instead of the nonadjustable chair from the school. </p>
<p>Maybe colleges are catching on to this issue but when we were visiting them last year for the youngest child, we saw plenty of evidence they are not. </p>
<p>Older D also got an inexpensive modular desk while we were at it, for use in her Jr & Sr years. It comes apart with a screwdriver for moving or stroage, and it has the drop down shelf for the keyboard, and little shelves & crannies for stuff. She is still using it at her home.</p>
<p>Also if you are planning to use bed risers and store things under the bed you can go with a full size comforter. It can hang down over the side of the bed to cover the things under the bed, and provides a little more coverage for some of those big guys!</p>
<p>Heck no. My son would never EVER wake up to his cell phone alarm!! His bed-shaker alarm clock will definitely be going with him. As as for a watch, I’d love it if my son would leave his home - it’s a rather expensive titanium Seiko…and I’d hate for him to lose it! He loves wearing his watch though…it’s a nice look, and many young men do like to wear them.</p>
<p>Some schools don’t allow bedrisers and some have beds that adjust high enough to get alot under. I’d hate it if my roommate had a night light going all night. Take a flashlight if it’s too dark in the room. My kid never used his bathroom caddy - at least not for bathroom stuff. They had a cubby in the bathroom.</p>
<p>Our son was not great at doing laundry and we found Purex 3-in-1 laundry soap/softener easy to use and store. Amazon offers students free two-day shipping accounts - Amazon Prime. Sometimes it’s easier to have kids look around at what others bring and, if they like it, probably Amazon has it. Don’t forget a box of facial tissues, hand sanitizer and Lysol spray. Kids do get sick; lots of them vomit…the Lysol spray got used.</p>
<p>Re desk chairs: Although our family loves ergonomic desk chairs, one of our kids was unable to have one in her dorm room sophomore year. The room was simply too small for it to fit.</p>
<p>Even if the room is not as ridiculously small as that one, it’s important to remember that many colleges will not allow you to remove furniture from the dorm room. So there has to be room for BOTH the chair from Staples and the one that came with the room. (Hint: In some rooms, the chair that came with the room makes a great printer stand.)</p>
<p>Another thing your child will need, even if he never intends to drive, is his driver’s license. This is for getting on airplanes – something that might happen as early as freshman year if the student applies for internships. A passport would also work, but a driver’s license is easier to carry around.</p>
<p>Some students use a State ID instead of a driver’s license. Also bring the social security card (or a passport) if there is any chance that a student will be working. </p>
<p>I have no idea what I would use a calling card for. </p>
<p>Some colleges (like my own) are phasing out wired internet in the dorms. </p>
<p>Got my son a small lock box his freshman year, and it has been invaluable. He can place any small, additional amount of cash that he has in it, but he also made copies of his health insurance, license and passport to keep in it – just in case. I, too, have copies of his license and passport at home, should something happen.</p>
<p>Where does he keep the lockbox? It just seems to me that having one simply advertises that there is something of value in it, and any sticky fingers that were in the room, would go fo that first.</p>