<p>I went freshman year without a proper raincoat (I had a windbreaker that kept my torso dry but not my arms, and a tiny umbrella that kept my head dry). </p>
<p>I wish I had a bike here on campus. It is the fastest and most convenient way to get around by far at my school.</p>
<p>-Umbrella (especially since I go to school in Miami)
-Memory foam mattress topper
-Clipboard (great for doing homework anywhere!)</p>
<p>A mini fridge to keep all of my delicious midnight snacks in!! :D</p>
<p>^Yeah, our dorms provide fridges, but many people bring an extra one so they have two. Often so they can have one for food and one for alcohol, though it’s also nice to have two fridges just for food, more space then.</p>
<p>-Mattress topper!
-Rain boots (much needed!!!)</p>
<p>The books for the college.</p>
<p>A mattress topper, ear plugs, and a switch blade for protection (I’ve had to use it once only, thank goodness). Nyquil for when I have trouble sleeping too. Oh yeah, disinfecting wipes. I lived in a suite style dorm with boys who apparently where never taught to clean, so I would go through a container of disinfecting wipes in like 2 weeks.</p>
<p>Headphones! Whether they’re for exercise, studying, or just watching a TV show on Netflix without annoying your roommate, they’re essential.</p>
<p>Netflix. I know, counter-productive. But there are a lot of Saturday afternoons before things get started up and you will not be in the mood for studying. Plowing through a few episodes of 30 Rock, Parks & Recreation, or Arrested Development is a great way to relax.</p>
<p>Umbrella, Rain Jacket, and Rain boots. I go to school in NC and it rains A LOT. I’ve been caught in storms unprepared and the walk back to my room left me soaked through to the bone. 95% of the time, however, I stayed as dry as I wanted because I could pick a combination of my rain gear depending on the day.</p>
<p>Keep 'em coming for us Class of 2017 parents! Just started filling a box in the corner of my son’s room with bits and pieces as I think of them.</p>
<p>Yes, great list… what kind of actual school supplies did you need?</p>
<p>The little tiny stapler saved my life this semester–often did homework last-minute and turned it in :eek:</p>
<p>I have a huge umbrella which is useful. Wish I had a bike. Haven’t needed a clipboard although that would be nice to carry around. What would be nice is one of those lanyard things which you can keep your Clipper card and ID in, as I don’t always have pockets!</p>
<p>Glue gun !!!</p>
<p>If you want to splurge, a printer was a really nice addition to my room. Made it a lot less hectic when writing a last minute paper and meant I didn’t have to run to the library every time I needed to print something.</p>
<p>My D loves her feather bed topper (twin size) You place it directly on the dorm mattress and secure it with a mattress cover (the kind with the elasticized edges). She prefers this to the memory foam topper. Then make the bed with the usual linens. A down comforter (queen size) is nice on the top.</p>
<p>Printer, feather bed topper, ear plugs, drying rack (the dryers in my dorm often didn’t quite do the job), umbrella, medications of all kinds–you never know when you’re going to get sick, and that’s the last time that you want to be going out to get some DayQuil or whatever! Also, a reusable water bottle, towel wrap (Target has some nice ones that velcro so you don’t have to awkwardly hold up your towel when going to the shower, great for living on a co-ed floor), an eye mask, a bedside buddy, Tide pods, and a storage ottoman which was super helpful to use as a step-stool to get up to my lofted bed in addition to being a great storage compartment and seating for when my friends came over. Oh, and I can’t forget command hooks! Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Don’t forget a plunger! I can’t count the number of times people throughout the building asked if they could borrow my handy plunger. </p>
<p>Get some killer cockroach spray as well.</p>
<p>Great ideas! Keep em coming!</p>
<p>I convinced my dd to get two tv trays for her apt - the girls use them all the time to eat while watching dinner or when doing projects - they fold up when not being used so they don’t take up too much space. Also had to buy an extra floor lamp for behind her bed for better lighting in her room.</p>
<p>Just thought of more essentials–a mini Dirt Devil ([Dirt</a> Devil Easy Lite Hand Vac : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/p/dirt-devil-easy-lite-hand-vac/-/A-10296714#prodSlot=medium_1_9&term=dirt+devil]Dirt”>http://www.target.com/p/dirt-devil-easy-lite-hand-vac/-/A-10296714#prodSlot=medium_1_9&term=dirt+devil)) was a lifesaver, and something that nobody on my floor thought to bring, so they ended up using mine all the time. Also, I really like my bath caddy (like this one: [Day/Night</a> Shower Caddy - Fuchsia - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=18206293&RN=2195&BTSMode=true&]Day/Night”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=18206293&RN=2195&BTSMode=true&)) with interlocking compartments, because that way I could separate my toothbrush/toothpaste from shampoo/body wash, etc. I got a rug from IKEA for $20 that I really liked to make the room more home-y, definitely not an essential but just a decor idea! I really did enjoy having a microwave, so whether you decide to rent a microfridge unit from the school or bring your own is up to you, but you definitely will want one for late night popcorn/Easy Mac, whatever! Lastly, to echo what the poster above said, I needed better lighting in my room, so when I got to school I ended up going to Walmart and bought a clip-on light that clipped on to my bed which was really nice for when my roommate wanted to go to bed but I wanted to study, and also for late-night reading. That’s all I can think of for now!</p>
<p>For school supplies I use a ton of flash cards, but thats how I learn. It is nice to have your own printer and a stapler is a must (get a nice one, not a small dollar store thing that will break stapling more than 2 pages). To take notes, I use comp notebooks because than I don’t have loose papers floating around because I’ll lose them.</p>