<p>Duke seems to have a great and accessible computer lab. Apparently (for my daughter at last… something to do with headphones?) minus the distractions of Youtube and Facebook.</p>
<p>Princeton, Arizona State, Reed, and Case are all working with Kindle on getting required textbooks issued in the Kindle format. The pilot program starts this fall with selected students . I hope it works. Textbooks for $10!</p>
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[QUOTE=Marian]
Actually, you need at least two alarm clocks with LOUD rings, in addition to the cell phone.
[/quote]
For the mornings of final exams, I always found a half gallon of water, downed around midnight, more effective than any alarm clock. ;)</p>
<p>I’d agree that a car isn’t necessary, especially for kids who are in an urban setting. I suppose if a student couldn’t afford a computer that he/she would find a way to use the computer lab, but it seems to me that there are other ways to save money that aren’t so inconvenient. My D did find that her printer wasn’t necessary and she’ll not bring it next year. She would print her papers at the computer lab. Also, for most classes, she could email her papers/assignments to the professor. The tip on CC classes only makes sense if a kid is going to spend two years at a CC and then transfer. Most colleges and universities have rules limiting the number of outside courses for which an enrolled student can receive credit. D2 has one meal plan offering–D1 had choices and she did save money by choosing more limited plans. D2 saved a whole bunch of money when she kicked the diet soda habit–plus, she’s probably healthier. She substituted water for diet soda and uses tap water. She keeps one of those filter things in the fridge in her room and uses a water bottle. (She did get rid of the Nalgene bottles that were recalled.)</p>
<p>I read about Kindle and textbooks. The Kindle required would be the one with a bigger screen, which is closer to $500. Still, it would be an amazing savings. I can’t believe that the books would cost $10 though.</p>
<p>Not taking a computer is crazy, IMO. My teachers expect students to have a computer and somtimes they ask us to download and run freeware programs . . . A computer lab usually will not allow any programs to be to downloaded and executed (for fear of viruses.) Also, does it really save money? If you already have a laptop, it doesn’t cost you anything more (unless it breaks.)</p>
<p>I completely agree with #2, though . . . I’ve saved hundreds of dollars buying books online. Also #4 and #5 and, in many cases, #1. But I do think an occasional weekend car trip with friends is fun and worth the money. ;)</p>
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</p>
<p>Check out this alarm clock . . . When it goes off, a propellor on top flies off and then the alarm clock won’t stop until you’ve retrieved it and put it back . . . Hopefully you’re awake by the time you find it on the far side of the room (and hopefully your roommate isn’t glaring murder at you!) ;)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9171/[/url]”>http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9171/</a></p>
<h1>1. D in DD does not need a car. D in western Mass definitely does. She cannot get to her job or internship without one.</h1>
<p>Books - D has saved a lot by purchasing online through Amazon or the like. Definitely avoids the bookstore. </p>
<p>Printer - not necessary. We pay for printing service at the college. </p>
<p>Meals - iffy. D in DC can’t eat as cheaply b/c the area costs are high. </p>
<p>CC credits - not accepted. </p>
<p>As for not joining greek life of any sort, I think thats individual. Both my H and I were involved and loved it. Worth every penny.</p>
<p>Would anyone be making a list of things (and reasons) certain items ARE unnecessary? Most of us agree that a computer is necessary, but I’d like to see a longer list (and perhaps more specific) of items that just aren’t needed. It would help those of us who will be packing, and those of us who are thinking about it.</p>
<p>Things NOT needed - </p>
<ul>
<li><p>TV: They’re better off not watching TV but if they really feel the need, they can usually go to some common area that might have one or find someone else who has one to watch ‘the game’ on. College is a time to meet other people, get involved in things, work out, do HW, get an on-campus job, etc. - not watch TV. Besides, they can always watch a certain amount on their laptops with streaming TV shows.</p></li>
<li><p>Furniture: It was kind of funny to see what some of the parents brought on move-in day to the UCSD dorms. Some brought a sofa, recliner, bookcases, etc. none of which would actually fit in the room and all of which they needed to cart back home after having the frustration of not being able to leave it there. Before bringing any furniture make absolutely sure it’ll fit and that means coordinating with the other roomies up front.</p></li>
<li><p>Books: They don’t generally have room for lots of their ‘favorite’ books and they’ll likely not have the time or inclination to read them anyway once they start. If they feel they don’t already have enough to read for assignments and they really want to they can always get a book to read from the library.</p></li>
<li><p>Excess fridges/microwaves/toaster ovens/other appliances: Make sure they coordinate with the roomies on these so there’s no redundancy. Many dorms will limit what can be installed in a room anyway because of power concerns. UCLA, for example, won’t allow a separate fridge and microwave - it has to be a “Microfridge” combo or only one or the other. Most ‘heating’ appliances aren’t allowed due to fire concerns and current draw. Most other appliances aren’t needed.</p></li>
<li><p>Clothing: Okay, they should bring ‘some’ clothing but they don’t need huge wardrobes. They should think through what they’d actually need. If possible, some part of the clothing can be exchanged for others if the parents come visit a time or two.</p></li>
<li><p>Lots of extra sheets/blankets. They’ll likely not use them. When they need to they can just strip off their sheets, wash them, then put them back on. Guys will likely not bother with this regardless of how many sets they might have.</p></li>
<li><p>Bicycle: Only bring one if it’s a bike friendly campus and they’ll really use it. Bikes are subject to theft.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>We actually went out and got son a bookcase his room was so big and the shelf provided was so small, but otherwise I agree with #49, though my son does find time to do some light reading and brings a dozen of his favorite books with him.</p>
<p>agree with uc_dad. Most kids bring way more than will fit.<br>
I could never have done with college textbooks on a kindle. I’m a highlight, underline, draw diagrams in the margins kind of student. Even for lit. classes, I ended up making notes (Russian novels usually needed a list of all the nicknames the characters went by…)</p>
<p>My D began nesting as the summer wore on, and asked to bring our breadbaker. Her roommate communicated that she’d be bringing her sewing machine. With the thought of having their very own room and no SAT’s they turned into Meg and Jo in Little Women. </p>
<p>Upon graduation, D’s most important possessions were her art portfolio, some outrageous found-object art sculptures (one based upon a metal clothes hamper frame I’d sent her with as a freshman), her remarkable collection of platform boots from e-bay, and home-made stilts from her work in the campus circus. </p>
<p>It is hard to make rational sense out of either transition.</p>
<p>Financially, it was important to read every inch of fine-print in order to avoid buying from the college what is helpful to some, but not for you. Examples: redundant college health insurance, on-campus parking privileges for a student without a car, tuition insurance in case the kid leaves mid-year. Just think through what’s right for your family.</p>
<p>Our kids appreciated us leaving with the larger suitcases after freshman orientation so they didn’t have to store them in the room. Colleges differ on their set-ups for mid-year and summer storage. In retrospect we’d have been better off with clear plastic garbage bags for move-in day from a car (Clear, so they don’t get accidentally thrown out with garbage, all before being unpacked.)</p>
<p>Some schools cut back on building bookshelves in new dorms, or replacing them, because students hang on them and break them. We also ran off to Target and bought a very small, freestanding put-together bookshelf case and left S with it, and a set of tools. He put it together the first week. We didn’t buy it until we saw the room, however. </p>
<p>A helpful thing was asking the RA (Resident Advisor) to unlock a door and let us see, for 2 minutes, “any” room the night before move-in. That gave us enough idea in time to shop such items in the mall closest to the college, the night before move-in. Bring cookies for the RA; they work very hard that night! </p>
<p>S’s roommate’s parents didn’t understand why ours wanted an extra bookshelf. We were distressed to see the roommate unpack an enormous TV for their undivided triple room, for all the reason UCSD_ mentioned upthread. All 3 got along famously, however and are still good friends. I didn’t mention these conflict-resolution assists: Bose padded headphones; blindfolds for sleeping; arranging the room to point the TV away from the other 2…). I’m for leaving TV’S at home, for parents to enjoy more home movies on Saturday nights, worry-free about kid’s precise location on the planet.</p>
<p>My kid went without cable TV. What a rip-off in my mind. $45 a month PER ROOM in each dorm. Not sure who is making out like a bandit here, housing or the cable company or both. She had a small TV with a build-in DVD we got her for graduation for watching a movie now and then. We were glad the roomie was not a TV watcher either. There was a TV in a lounge on every floor. And if there was something she really wanted to see, she could find it on the internet later in the week.</p>
<p>Funny thing about regional/individual college needs/wants. D1 goes to a school where it is common that each roommate has their own fridge,two per room! Flat screen tvs are the norm. NO ONE watches tv in a central gathering place.We have visited for three years at various times of the school year and never seen the tv on or anyone using the common area. Cable is included in all rooms. For the girls, no one misses Grays or Desperate Housewives. 
Futons are a must for visitors. Kids use George Foremans, toasters, microwaves, toasters in room. It is a small private LAC in rural Iowa. :)</p>
<p>At my daughter’s school, not too many people have TV, most students watch movies and shows on their laptops.</p>
<p>My S will bring his car. His two other friends who will go to the same school will split the parking fee and help pay for gas for a ride home. S will also have a job off campus. Parking is hard to find, so he may be parking a long ways a way and taking the (free) bus to get the car as needed. His only concern is that his car doesn’t get vandalized. I also don’t want him driving when the weather gets bad. The road home is always very dangerous, esp is bad weather. The Greyhound can always be used to come home for $20 each way. He does plan on coming home every other weekend. Cannot go without seeing his GF for that long.</p>
<p>These are great tips! Going to use the clear plastic garbage bag idea…</p>
<p>ways to save/make money
instate school-
work instead of unpaid internships summers
work during school year- helps budget time and meet people.
School within driving/train distance
Not going back home for every break
no car
no tv
spring breaks in town studying * not in Cancun*
shopping at * the bins*
$2 bahn mi
community college classes summers</p>
<p>Things not to save money on
medical checkups
necessary medication
good food
a relaxing break
trying to go without a needed textbook by sharing/using the one at the library
sleep</p>
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<p>^^^ funny! (v. true, though!!)</p>
<p>PS I’ve never been to Cancun…so many kids have, though, these days…</p>
<p>@ familyoutdoors above
</p>
<p>Is there a break-in alarm that can be bought and applied to the car now, with a DECAL. The decal, in that situation, could make his car the one they’d skip over, going for the easier marks.</p>
<p>In one community, we had to buy a burglar alarm for our house as it was a vulnerable neighborhood for break-ins. I asked the company if I could just buy their decal. The boss laughed and said I was with the research, which proved houses with decals do get skipped over. For me to buy the decal cost $10 and the actual house alarm system $l,000, so I had to buy one to get the other. But you get the idea.</p>
<p>Many cars get vandalized for the electronics. If his looks like a good set of equipment, is he willing to strip it down now to protect the car investment (oh, noes!!). This might discourage the GF and then he wouldn’t have to commute home so often, saving gasoline ;)</p>