<p>Okay, we're two weeks away from sending our oldest child out of state to college. We've started to make a checklist of items to pack. What would be most helpful is a list of items that freshmen and their parents commonly overlook or forget about...likewise, anything that you wish someone had told you or your child to take to school. This would include items of clothing, particular items for the dorm room, etc.</p>
<p>True, but they often don't feel like trecking to the campus store at the exact time when they need the stuff, so they end up "borrowing" from roomates all the time. I told my d not to get into the habit of borrowing from everyone, but to provide for herself.</p>
<p>Fan
Light bulbs
Paper towels
Febreze
Mirror for dorm room (girls)
All cables for computer (ethernet)</p>
<p>Neither of my kids had cars the 1st year and the closest place to buy stuff (the bookstore) was running out of alot of items within the 1st couple of days. </p>
<p>Plus I'd rather buy things at discount prices than have the kids buy them at marked-up rates. In the end, it all comes out of our pocket.</p>
<p>Bandaids are one item that my son complained that he had not thought to bring with him or buy. Somehow, you don't feel like going to the campus store when you're dripping blood on the floor from a cut.</p>
<p>A water bottle with a tight lid (it's going to end up on the same desk as the laptop, and spilling water on a laptop is not a good idea)</p>
<p>Power strips. Extension cords. </p>
<p>All of the chargers and cables that go with all of the electronic stuff that young people cannot live without.</p>
<p>A battery-operated alarm clock (this is a backup for the electric one, which is useless if the power goes off).</p>
<p>I don't know. It's one of those things we always have around in case it's a good idea to induce vomiting. As I remember, there were a number of times in college when it was a good idea to induce vomiting.</p>
<p>One thing you should NOT bring: Your high school yearbook.</p>
<p>It is irreplaceable. One of my college roommates had hers with her at college. Somehow, it got wet. It was irreparably damaged. She was heartbroken.</p>
<p>If they are planning to get a campus job ( or any other type), I believe they need to have 2 forms of ID- like SS card, passport, drivers license etc. Please check- but I really think they need multiple ID's to procure employment.</p>
And... they remember to bring their laptop but leave the power brick still plugged into the outlet at home. Even though you reminded them (we won't mention how many times ;)). And they remember the cell phone but leave the battery charger behind.</p>
<p>Not just the first time you send them off, either :p.</p>
<p>We ended up getting our D a coat rack and she was the envy of the dorm! The wardrobes were so small and she goes to a cold weather school. It was terrific to have a place to hang wet jackets, hats, mittens, ski clothes, down vest etc.</p>