<p>Okay so I have some questions about said topic. </p>
<p>1)First, I know I have to get new sheets/comforters and whatnot (my dog chewed the fluffy stuff out of mine) but I was also wondering what other things i need for my room besides clothes, and school supplies. </p>
<p>2)Also, I'm buying all my extra non-tuition payments with my own money because we really don't have a few thousand for those things, and i will by the end of the summer. I want to find a good student laptop that is not HUGE or come with stupid features. can't be a mac or whatever its called either. I want to know what a good one is, if schools recommend a certain laptop and an estimate on how much it will cost. </p>
<p>3) I'm having some confusion with the "smartcard" debit cards most schools use. The description my school used was that it had my picture, my year, school and a barcode. They said the barcode was for scanning at the school store. I want to know if stores like CVS and stuff can scan that as well. does it work like a real debit card or do you need to withdraw money from it at school before going off campus?? very confused...</p>
<p>Hey,
Well if you want you could get a fan, since it gets hot the first couple of months. You should aso bring an alarm clock, desk lamp, maybe floor lamp, maybe rug if you want to, bed risers (really useful)...
You'll always find that you are missing something once you get to school but you can always get stuff there...
And for Choate at least, our cards only work in school.</p>
<p>As a parent with college kids, here's my advice. Get your linens, decent laptop, plastic storage bins to fit junk under the bed, printer (schools say you don't need one but they sure are handy), hangers, posters, 2 pillows (your bed is also your couch/seating), good mattress pad, memory key for computer (very important), ethernet cable (many dorms are not wired), laundry bag for dirty clothes (easy to lug to the basement laundry rooms), a decent backpack with a built in laptop sleeve, and a first aid kit (customized to your needs--plastic bin with cold meds, tylenol, antibiotic cream, bandaids, instant cold pack, stomach medicine, benadryl, and whatever else you think you may need), and clothes. We've had great luck with Dell laptops --check out your college's website for system recommendations. You need to get Microsoft Office (either Student addition or Small Business). The Smartcard is probably the same as most colleges. You put money into it and can use it to pay for stuff on campus--at the campus bookstore, campus food places, vending machines, etc. As the balance goes down, you can add more to it. You can't take money out of it like a bank debit card. Some off campus places may accept it but not many(check the college website for specifics). Also, bring a small TV and refridgerator. Removable stick on hooks are also handy.</p>
<p>Don't go too cheap on the laptop because you want it to last a couple of years. Probably something in the $1500 range but if you can't afford that, you can still get a decent laptop for less. Just make sure you also buy the microsoft word program (either student edition or small business). It's essential for college. I would also recommend a fan and good desk lamp. And a credit card.</p>
<p>We have Dell laptops and like them. Check your school to see if they any particular requirements - for instance my daughters school required windows XP professional rather than XP home (which I have on my laptop and am perfectly happy with).</p>
<p>If you do decide on a Dell make sure you google Dell Coupons. Usually there are coupons out there that can reduce the price of your computer and they are usually better than the specials on the Dell site and are not advertised on the Dell site. They generally replace the Dell special offer.</p>
<p>Also, if you go to the Dell website, check out the section that says "for education". If your college is listed with Dell, you get a discount of about $200.</p>
<p>as far as computers -- check with the school you were admitted to. Most have certain computers or computer configurations they advise. macs are very, very popular with students because they aren't as prone to viruses. don't buy office until you check with the school -- I know that some of the schools have office on their virtual desktop and require you use that to do papers, so they recommend that you do not purchase it on your own.</p>
<p>many boarding schools don't allow medicine in your room -- tylenol, benedryl, etc. Since you are a minor and the school is your defacto parent, there are legal issues involved. Check with the school first.</p>
<p>Make sure you know the size of the bed before you buy linens -- some have a standard twin sized bed, others have an extra-long twin bed.</p>
<p>Also, many schools say no tv's in the rooms. </p>
<p>Planning your list is a good idea, but I have read that schools often send you a suggested list of what to bring. They also tell you what appliances are not allowed (I recall reading on some lists that schools have on their web sites that halogen lamps are not allowed as being a potential fire hazard).</p>
<p>So, no need to go all out now and make purchases!</p>
<p>I've never come across a college that didn't allow a tv in the dorm room. Most dorm rooms are hooked up for cable tv too. You just need to bring your tv and cable wire. Work it out with your roomate so you don't end up with 2 TV's. A memory key is a little memory storage key that fits into the usb port. It's a good idea to not only save your papers on your laptop but also on the memory key. This way, if your laptop gets messed up, you still have your work saved on the memory key. College dorms do allow and recommend bringing a small stocked first aid/medicine supply. Definitely check your college website for computer system recommendations. Do not purchase a halogen lamp--they're unsafe and not allowed in most dorms. Some dorms do not allow microwaves so check the specific college website. Usually, if they don't allow a microwave, one is available for use in the dorm lounge.</p>
<p>The memory key costs anywhere from $15-$40 depending on how much memory is on it. Usually 1 GB is plenty for storing your papers/research/writing.</p>
<p>Nysmile: your advice is for college dorms. I believe that the original poster is asking about what to bring to her boarding school dorm....and high school boarding school dorms DO have more rules than college dorms.</p>
<p>nysmile... just in case you were confused, we are talking about prep schools not colleges and i think college students may have a bit more freedom. just letting you know. still thank you for all the advice :)</p>
<p>there is no such thing as a memory key. Its called RAM. make sure your computer has at est 1 GB with xp and atlest 2 if your using vista. Or jsut get a mac there so much better.</p>
<p>I remember seeing something in the St. Paul student handbook about how computers should have at least 2 GB of RAM, windows XP and 80 gigabytes of memory or something like that. Personally I would go an average laptop and a good desktop. Laptop for use during classes/portable, desktop for homework and other stuff. Then again, a good laptop could be used for anything so it's really just up to you :X</p>
<p>get a computer with alot of RAM. i like dells since you can customize them to your needs, and you can get a discount if your school is listed. or a macbook is always a decent choice</p>
<p>I think that instead of spending the money for both a desktop and a laptop, you should get the best laptop (most RAM and memory) that you can afford. Maybe a monitor to use with your laptop if you like a bigger screen. It amazed me how many people did not have printers. Apple gives you a free multipurpose one with any purchase. Also get something to back up to.</p>
<p>From what I understand, at least at NMH, the printers are a waste of space and money. the dorms have a laser printer in the main room/computer area that everyone can print to. Even kids who bring a printer don't end up hooking it up half the time -- plus, if you use the school's printer you don't have to worry about buying ink cartridges and paper.</p>
<p>We did ask around -- most kids have laptops. easier to take to study groups and take home with you on breaks. I don't see the reason for buying both -- if you really need a larger screen than the one on the laptop, buy a separate monitor (just make sure your laptop can display on an outside monitor).</p>