<p>So, what did you buy before heading off to college?</p>
<p>The only immediate thoughts that come to mind that I need to buy are:
Bedding
Rug
Mini-Fridge (how big, i can get up to 5 cu ft)
Microwave
Desk lamp
Floor lamp
Towels (7)
Storage unit with 3 drawers
School supplies</p>
<p>Sticked thread right at the top:</p>
<p>I've been through that 5 times and its far too much stuff for a small dorm room.... i want the bare neccessities.</p>
<p>don't get a floor lamp. Desk lamp should suffice in addition to your dorm's light. 7 towels is also a lot. I change mine every week and I only brought 4.</p>
<p>psh...2 towels should suffice and don't worry about storage, whatever you take your clothes down in will do for storage. Plus colleges usually give you plenty of space to put things with a foot locker and a desk.</p>
<p>I also think thats too many towels. </p>
<p>Don't forget a laundry hamper. I'd suggest one of the collapsible mesh ones with handles. </p>
<p>With the lighting, don't buy anything till you get to your room and see what the lighting situation is. </p>
<p>I'm not sure about the storage unit thing...maybe some small desk organizer type things. Also, for storage, I have a storage box for under my bed, but generally speaking, you should have enough storage space.</p>
<p>surge protectors, and a network cable so you can plug into the ethernet</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've been through that 5 times and its far too much stuff for a small dorm room.... i want the bare neccessities.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Your original list already contains more than the bare necessities. As this thread goes on, it'll just take on the same feel as the "A-Z" one, because different people need different things. There are items that I've seen people absolutely swear by, yet I never would have had the slightest use for.</p>
<p>Your college will most likely send you a packing list, or the website will have one posted. Those are as close to the bare necessities as you'll find. Beyond that, you just need to start paying close attention to what you use on a daily or weekly basis, and what you don't think you could (or would be willing to) go without in a dorm. At some point, after you have an idea of what you really use, but while you still have time to shop around, run back through the "A-Z" thread and see what looks interesting to you. You don't have to buy every item listed, but if someone mentions something that makes you think "Oh! I never even thought of that...I would definitely use that!" then pick one up for yourself.</p>
<p>There will be stores by your campus and you'll be able to do some shopping after moving in (even if you don't have a car...everyone's running errands for the first few weeks). Try to be prepared (being the only person with a hammer is a great way to meet people those first few days...), but within reason.</p>
<p>Sorry, we can't tell you what your "bare necessities" are.</p>
<p>ETA: There was a fairly recent post regarding how many towels to pack. You may want to do a search and glance through it before packing seven.</p>
<p>Just go thru the A-Z list and pick out the things that you think you'd need. I copied and pasted that whole list into Word and then I went thru and deleted the things I don't need.</p>
<p>All I'm taking on the move in day (I'm planning to take the non-essential things later) is:
bedding
clothing
shower things
makeup
laptop
chargers for laptop, cell phone, i pod</p>