<p>Making a list of stuff to bring off to college. </p>
<p>Is there anything you didn't bring that you wished you had? Or something you thought wouldn't be useful that ended up being so?</p>
<p>Also, what not to bring would be helpful.</p>
<p>Make sure you have ethernet cords if your room has hookups for them. The wireless in your dorm may be awful.</p>
<p>Screwdrivers are helpful if you need to open up something to put batteries in.</p>
<p>Flashlight, in case of emergencies or you just need to find something quick while your roommate is sleeping.</p>
<p>Batteries.</p>
<p>No seriously, these things are more rare then diamonds. Buy them, lock them in a safe, tell no one you have them.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to bring what you are packing…seriously triple check you bags because you don’t want to get to your dorm (if you are not near home) and find out that you forgot your toiletries or something back at home…because that is just not fun.</p>
<p>Toilet Paper-If you live in a dorm toilet paper is like gold. Don’t count on the dorm to supply any.</p>
<p>Flashlight-Always good to have your own personal one in case the power goes out in the dorm.</p>
<p>Ditto on the flashlight and ethernet cable. Don’t think that screwdrivers are that important, since you probably won’t need one that often and there’s a chance that maintenance/front desk/janitors will let you borrow one. That said: I have these two Swiss-Army-Knife styled mini-tools (scissors, pliers, multiple screwdrivers, knife, other awesome stuff) that I pretty much carry everywhere with me.</p>
<p>For small things like toiletries, batteries, etc. it really depends on how far you’re going and how many convenient stores are near your school. If you’re going to fly, then just buy the batteries/shampoo/toilet paper when you get there. </p>
<p>Re: Power outages. Some dorms do actually have back-up generators, so this may not be all that serious a problem.</p>
<p>Your social security card if you plan to work.</p>
<p>rain gear… it’s not like i hadn’t been in the rain before, but suddenly having to walk across campus without rain boots and an umbrella made my life a lot tougher. bonus if they double as snow boots depending on your climate.</p>
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Yeah your social security card is crucial. I just kept an envelope with all my important documents (SS card, passport, voter registration card).</p>
<p>Actually my advice on what to leave at home–A copy of your Driver’s License, SS Card, Insurance card and credit/debit cards. </p>
<p>This advice is from a Mom who got a phone call from a son who lost his wallet when he was at school on the opposite coast!!</p>
<p>i will probably forget to bring some checks (dno if ill really need) but so if my job does direct deposit or if i need a check for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely bring at least one check or a copy of your account and routing number so that you can set up direct deposit. Especially if you don’t have a branch of your bank on campus, cashing/depositing your check can be really inconvenient. </p>
<p>I disagree on the toilet paper issue, depending on the housing situation. Some schools do not provide toilet paper to suites, and I think you’re generally on your own with on campus apartment-type living situations. However, I have never heard of a corridor-style residence hall not providing toilet paper in the communal bathrooms, and at the two schools that I have lived on campus, I never experienced TP being completely gone in a bathroom. </p>
<p>Depending on your preference, I might advise bringing a fan. Residence halls can get stuffy even in the middle of winter, and the white noise can help drown out your roommate working on a paper in the middle of the night. Finally, power strips are an absolute MUST. For me, one has always sufficed but if you have a lot of electronics you may want/need two. </p>
<p>Don’t bring the following without checking your school’s housing policies first:
-Bed risers
-Toasters
-Microwaves
-Any cooking appliance that uses heat
-More than one mini-fridge between two roommates
-Desk lamps with plastic shades, or octopus lamps
-Candles
-Extension cords
-Tapestries
-Anything that must be nailed, screwed, or tacked into the wall (These will cause damages that you will have to pay for)</p>
<p>Any or all of these are banned in a lot of residence halls, and you don’t want to get stuck sending something you paid for home with your parents or getting it confiscated. Also be sure to check that your mini-fridge (if you get one) meets your school’s size and energy usage criteria (if they have them). </p>
<p>Another thing NOT to bring in most cases is extra furniture, though collapsible things like dish or butterfly chairs can be good if you have company. For the most part, though, residence hall rooms don’t have a lot of extra space for a ton of stuff. If you start unpacking and find that you just can’t make everything fit, then you might be able to justify a quick Walmart run to pick up something. Other than that, the furniture they provide to you is usually adequate.</p>
<p>retainers.</p>
<p>I think I’ve seen like 3 of these threads in the past week? lol.</p>
<p>Umbrella/raincoat/rainboots. It’s not fun having to run across campus in the rain.</p>
<p>Also, a copy of your health insurance in case you need to go somewhere other than the school clinic.</p>
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<p>There’s not a lot of room for even one mini-fridge in a lot of dorms. Just get one that has enough space for two people. If you have an expensive meal plan then you shouldn’t be buying that much food at the store anyway.</p>
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<p>We didn’t. That said, I was pretty impressed at how little our power went off considering the many powerful storms we had. I don’t think I ever used my flashlight, but it was nice having it there just in case. Always have one in your car, too.</p>