The three most essential things to me in college:

<li><p>my swiss army knife. i’ve needed it in situations i would have never imagined, and producing it always brings a sigh of relief.</p></li>
<li><p>food. lots of it. cheezits, tortilla chips, granola bars - it’s all delicious when i’m cramming in vocab at 3am before a 10am russian exam.</p></li>
<li><p>febreze. college kids, especially guys, stink. it’s great to mist on a “dirty” shirt that i want to wear again or to use to fumigate the common room when a funk arises.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>what other somewhat nonconventional items have your “s’s” and “d’s” found to be absolutely crucial at school? none of the lists of “things to bring” that i saw before moving in included any of these items (except for food, but its importance was greatly understated.)</p>

<p>"(except for food, but its importance was greatly understated.)" I agree. My D's main topic of discussion is what she is able to find to eat.</p>

<p>Many of us gave up our swiss army knives for leathermans quite a few years ago. In any case a small tool kit is essential for a college student. Be sure to include string, epoxy, duct tape and some small nails or push pins.</p>

<p>Many colleges are now wireless, but my D needed internet cable connections. If that is the case, it pays to get a crimper to make your own cables. The connectors and cable are real cheap and some long cables may be needed to be able to rearrange furniture. Also related to computers, are a usb jump drive and a printer. The jump drive allows use of school pc's and is a good backup. We picked a laser printer. Some like the 3 in 1's, but my D has not needed a scanner or fax. The lasers are now cheap, very fast, and the toner is dry and there is no issue with the ink drying and clogging.</p>

<p>Finally, lots of clothes hangers and a laundry bag.</p>

<p>I gave out leathermans for graduation gifts and the kids seem to like them. I hope they're using them!</p>

<p>My son talks A LOT about food (or lack thereof). Why doesn't he just walk to the grocery store? (Yes, I send him stuff often...I'm a sucker.)</p>

<p>Flip-flops...zories, shower shoes...whatever you want to call them.</p>

<p>My son did win a CD because he was the first person to sprint across campus with dryer sheets to the campus radio station. I guess that's a good use since judging by what we brings home at break I don't think he does much laundry. Maybe I'll send him some Febreeze. :)</p>

<p>That's pretty funny texasmom. I think I sent dryer sheets with son. He complains often how expensvie it is to do laundry. He must have thought it was FREE at home here.</p>

<ol>
<li>Money</li>
<li>More Money</li>
<li>Even More Money.</li>
</ol>

<p>LOL at the swiss army knife reference.D received a Swiss Army knife and mag flashlight when she graduated HS from her few years older cousin.She now says,years later, that they were among her most useful possessions during her dorm years.
She also says paper towels are important.They are useful for cleaning,eating off of,emergency toilet paper or tissues and probably many other uses!</p>

<p>Great ideas: I'm assembling a care package now and will include Febreeze. And food.</p>

<p>S pouted at Family Weekend that while I gave his friends dorm-friendly dust-busters for HS graduation, I didn't give <em>him</em> one. My bad, will rectify.</p>

<p>I just got a ping 2 days ago from him with the URL of the eBay search he did for leathermans, so I guess I know what he wants for Christmas.</p>

<p>About the swiss army knife: one is on my S's Christmas gift list, cuz he forgot to take it off his keychain when he flew home and of course it was confiscated at airport security...he tried to retrieve it when he got back, but airport personnel told him they'd destroyed it...so...if those pocket knives are in fact as crucial as Cav indicates, warn kids about remembering to put them in checked baggage (or leave them in their dorm rooms) when they fly!</p>

<p>I give up, what's a leatherman?</p>

<p>How about over-the-door hooks? Where else are you going to put a damp towel? Before buying, be sure they will fit the door. Son's dorm has industrial-width doors, which are 1.75 inches thick, while doors in most homes are 1.375 inches thick. You can get adjustable-width hooks at Container Store.</p>

<p>I sent an over-the-door hook but it didn't fit on the door. :( I didn't even know there were adjustable-width ones, another shopping trip, yay.</p>

<p>nunof-- a [url=<a href="http://www.leatherman.com/%5Dleatherman%5B/url"&gt;www.leatherman.com/]leatherman[/url&lt;/a&gt;] is a multi-tool thing that folds up into itself, with more heavy-duty tools (including usually at least good pliers) than the Swiss Army Knives of my youth.</p>

<p>Don't forget anti-bacterial disposable wipes (mostly for dusting & cleaning!).</p>

<p>I wouldn't be able to survive at school without my plug-in air freshener and my beloved, obsessively cared-for set of pots and pans.</p>

<p>Based on this list, so far, I think my son's "gotta have right now" item seems odd:</p>

<p>Speakers.</p>

<p>It became his constant request within days of arriving on campus...a good set of thumping speakers. Perhaps this is related to his summertime premonition that his room would be the place where everyone would gather for parties. </p>

<p>Darn, I forgot to include that in my "how did your child select a college" thread.....it had to have a campus with kids who like to party. </p>

<p>If he calls home and asks for a strobe light or a fog machine, I'll let you all know :) (don't be surprised)</p>

<p>Leatherman definitions:</p>

<p>a Swiss Army knife on steroids
OR
a Swiss Army knife with tools that actually work</p>

<p>Comment on knives in general: I used to carry a Leatherman micra on my key chain until a) it stopped being legal to carry on planes AND b) it stopped being legal to carry in school in both (K-12) school districts where I substitute.</p>

<p>Be aware that knives with blades longer than a certain length (and some Leatherman tools qualify) are considered weapons in some jurisdictions. Also be aware that they do not go into carryon luggage when flying, and that checking any luggage adds enormously to the difficulty of flying.</p>

<p>Tool -orignally made by the leatherman company.</p>

<p>They are usually plier like devices with fold up handles for carrying in the handle of the pliers are the swiss army knife, cork screw, finger nail file etc... the pliers are helpful </p>

<p>and the name brand ones are usually good quality</p>

<p>Window fan. </p>

<p>It doesn't take up floor space. When your dorm room is a million degrees, it is really efficient at getting the cool, night air in the room.</p>

<p>Definitely, ariesathena. Also a space heater, if school has cold winters. (My space heater is the only thing that gets me out of bed during the Boston winter.)</p>

<p>Molliebatmit,
I do hope you try grad school on the west coast, and can give your heater to someone else.</p>