Moving on... preparing for Fall

<p>After all the deliberations and finally making a choice, now we can focus on the next step... I thought it might be fun and helpful to compile a list of necessities and niceties for going off to college. Students at Rose would probably be the most helpful as to what is useful. I've heard of all kinds of things, like a rolling trash can for laundry (however, I think that would be for the larger universities).
They change the bedding, so I guess we don't need the cute dorm twin XL sheets that the stores have in the fall? On an overnight campus visit, my S saw some kids had memory foam mattress toppers, which sounds like a good idea, however IDK who sells that size.</p>

<p>I'll start a list and everyone can add on:</p>

<p>shower caddy
rolls of quarters (I've heard they can be a hot commodity)
towels
laundry soap
storage cubes or Rubbermaid totes
toiletries</p>

<p>Necessities on my S's list (to be coordinated w/roommate):
Xbox 360
stereo</p>

<p>I'm sure there is a list of things not to bring-like a Magic bullet, etc.</p>

<p>Considering I’ve heard that 2 washer loads=1 dryer load and that people spend an average of 2-3 dollars every time they go for laundry. This may be interesting. </p>

<p>[Wonderwash:</a> Septic Tank Systems, Portable Washing Machine, Clothes Dryer](<a href=“http://www.laundry-alternative.com/pages/wonderwash.htm]Wonderwash:”>http://www.laundry-alternative.com/pages/wonderwash.htm) </p>

<p>It seems nice, but I’m not sure how viable it would be to have that thing taking up space.</p>

<p>Ok, I don’t know about some whiz-bang clothes washing device, but definitely plenty of quarters.</p>

<p>As far as clothes, make sure you’ve got plenty of socks and underwear as those are the items that always run out first. You can rewear shorts/pants a couple of times and you will get plenty of free t-shirts here, but socks and underwear will always be the limiting factor of laundry.</p>

<p>But yeah, no refrigerator or sheets.</p>

<p>There is a great thread on here that I have used every year when packing to come to Rose. It’s a comprehensive list and a lot of it you won’t really need, but it’s a good place to start.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>wow-now that’s comprehensive. Thanks for the link.
I did have a student Q on backpacks. S currently lugs around big heavy math & science books. I’m assuming it will be the same at Rose? Any suggestions on a backpack? I did get a $75 heavy duty one for free last year from Staples after rewards (Swiss gear) that I’ve been saving.
What size is the laptop and when can they get them? S has been waiting for that since sophomore year! The sooner he gets it the better. I hope they don’t have to wait until August.</p>

<p>You do not have to worry about a back pack. Your son will receive a very nice one with his computer! Computers are issued when school starts unless the student opts to take Fast Track Calculus.</p>

<p>Students will receive laptops Monday morning, August 30th if the Orientation schedule is the same this year as in years past.</p>

<p>Red, I used to have something similar to that washer many years ago. Honestly, it’s more hassle than its worth. After ten minutes of cranking a heavy, loaded, off-kilter drum, you realize that it’s not worth it.</p>