<p>Hi , my son is a freshman moving into Elkton. I know the basic list to bring, we even have divided things with the roomie. What little things are there that we tend to forget about that are helpful? I have a daughter thats going to be a senior at another school, but she has been in an apt for 3 years. So i am back to 1st year dorms. Thanks for any ideas!</p>
<p>check out the been there/done that thread for some good tips (including dorm stuff)…</p>
<p>tell him to bring his vape.</p>
<p>Hi there. The following llst was on a thread awhile ago and, unfortunately, I do not know who to give credit to, but it is a great list and I thank again whomever compiled it.
It seemed as if everything a student needed on a college campus was included, although some items may be irrelevant to your situation. Pick and choose as you wish.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Acne/cleansing wash and acne cream
Address book
Air Freshener
Alarm clock: very important! J
Alcoholic drinks if youre over 21
Allergy medicine: Claritin or Benadryl or other anti-histamine
Anti-Itch cream: for bug bites (also good if youre going to do road-trips off campus to mountains/lakes on weekends etc)
Atlas-- any cartographers out there? A world or nation atlas is informative</p>
<p>Backpack/messenger bag
Balls: Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, baseballs, tennis balls
Bandages and band-aids: for sprains and cuts
Batteries, especially AA
Bicycle, helmet, LOCK
Binders
Bins or boxes for storing papers/folders
Blanket: fleece or thermal
Bleach
Blender
Board games (Monopoly, a chess or checkers set etc)
Body lotion
Bookcase: find a slim, tall bookcase if youre pressed for space. Its good for organizing text and literary books; of course you can store anything on it-- from food to board games to boxes of cleaning supplies. Great storage. If its a shorter bookcase, you can put decorations atop it-- pictures, a vase etc.
Bottle opener
Broom or short-handled brush with dustpan (if you dont care for vacuums or Swiffers)
Brush: get a good scrubbing one for cleaning grout/tough stains
Bucket: get a sturdy one for use in cleaning/mopping
Bug spray (to keep your skin from those awful mosquitoes etc)
Bulletin board with pins</p>
<p>Cable/wiring organizer: for your computer wires
Calendar: to keep track of the date and days; dry-erase calendars are awesome for scrawling in important events and then erasing for the next month
Calculator or graphing calculator
Camera-- at least a disposable one
Can opener
Cds
CD cases, or soft-cover CD folders which are more space efficient and easier to carry
Cereals, cereals, cereals
Chair: a comfortable one, not a desk chair, but more of a reading/relaxing seat. Try the:
a) butterfly chair <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...5&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...5&BTSMode=true</a>
b) Egg chair <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...5&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...5&BTSMode=true</a> or
c) the classic beanbag
Chair cushion: if you dont want to bring or buy a desk chair, buy an attractive seat cushion for the chair that the college provides
Chips/Chip Clips
Clothes:
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are amazing, easy to use and leave a good scent [Clorox.com</a> - Clorox Disinfecting Wipes](<a href=“http://www.clorox.com/solutions_disinfecting_wipe.html]Clorox.com”>http://www.clorox.com/solutions_disinfecting_wipe.html)
Coffee
Coffee machine
Cold and cough medicine: Robitussin/Dimetap
College-rule line paper
Cologne
Colored markers and colored pencils
Comb or hairbrush
Comforter
Computer-- Laptop or Desktop or Notebook.
Conditioner (hair)
Condoms/birth control pills/contraceptives etc.
Contacts
Contact lens case
Contact lens solution
Containers: small plastic or mesh containers for small accessories (paperclips/tape/white-out/jewelry/makeup)
Cooking pans and pots
Cordless Phone and/or Cell Phone: very important!
Correspondence: Various cards or letter paper, for birthdays or congratulations etc
Cough drops/lozegnes
Cotton balls: many uses, including for applying/wiping off make-up, applying antiseptics to cuts and wounds
Cotton facial pads: for applying or removing foundation and other make-up, also for applying facial lotions, toners and astringents
Curling iron (hair)
Curtains: if your dorm room doesnt provide curtains, an attractive set of curtains can help bring color and life to your room<br>
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<p>07-23-2005, 01:59 AM #3<br>
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<p>Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 120 What to Bring to College: D Through H </p>
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<p>Day planner, dayrunrer, agenda etc
DayQuil/NyQuil
Decorators Lamps: these are pretty, inexpensive ways to light up your room and add color <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true</a> and <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true</a> and the ubiquitous <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true</a>
Deodorant (cant forget that!)
Desk chair-- colleges provide a desk chair, but it often isnt as nice as the one you probably have at home. A good desk chair that swivels and is on wheels is great
Desk lamp: many stores sell extremely inexpensive and colorful desk lamps (<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod…-1&SKU=106573%5B/url%5D”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod…-1&SKU=106573</a>), but the more expensive ones are worth it too (<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=11809880[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=11809880</a>)
Desk organizers: <a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/browse...1&itemIndex=19[/url]”>http://www.containerstore.com/browse...1&itemIndex=19</a>
Dish bin to carry any plates/flatware etc to dorm sink
Dish detergent
Diskettes
Dry-erase markers
Drying rack (for wet laundry-- dryers are often all occupied by the time your clothes are clean from the washing machine, so a drying rack might be helpful)
DVD player or VHS
DVDs or Videos</p>
<p>Eating Utensils: inexpensive utensils OR disposable plastic utensils will do: packs of disposable OR two to four inexpensive sets of knives, spoons, forks, cups, mugs, plates, bowls
Eggshell pad or mattress pad or mattress foam
Electric lights: like Christmas lights you put on your tree or around your house-- small strings of white-light bulbs can be lovely strung around the edges of your ceiling
Envelopes (white, letter type)
Erasers (Staedtler erasers are amazing [Office</a> Supplies, Furniture, Technology at Office Depot](<a href=“http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...rasers&An=text]Office”>http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...rasers&An=text))
Extension Cords
Eye drops</p>
<p>Fabric softener for the dryer
Facial lotion (especially if youre in a colder climate and your skin will tend to dry out more easily)
Fan
Favorites books
Febreze: excellent to temporarily rid clothes (and blankets, pillows, etc) from odors [Home</a> Made Simple](<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/febrez...original.shtml]Home”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/febrez...original.shtml)
Feminine Hygiene Products (if female)
Files and expandable filing folders
Flashlight
Floss
Folders-- with pockets and three-prongs
Folding chairs/tail-gaiting chairs/folding lawn chairs-- any easy, folding chair that you can quickly prop open for guests or haul down to the game for tail-gaiting is a plus
Footstool (if youre vertically challenged)
Foreign Language Dictionary: for whatever language youll be taking in college
Foreman Grill
Fragrance: perfume or cologne, or body sprays
Frisbees!
Fruit: apples, bananas
Fruit juices-- orange, apple, grape, tomato
Futon: a bed at night, great for seating two or three visitors or for watching TV</p>
<p>Garbage Bags
Gatorade and other sports/electrolyte drinks
Glasses
Glue (Regular and Krazy)
Granola bars, Nutri-Grain bars
Graphing paper</p>
<p>Hair dryer
Hairbands/hair pins for ladies
Hairspray/sculpting cream
Hammer
Hand-held electronic games (Gameboy etc)
Hand and feet cream (Neutrogena makes the effective and inexpensive Norwegian formula [women’s</a> Neutrogena® Hand Cream - Neutrogena](<a href=“Skin Care Products for Healthier Skin | Neutrogena®”>Skin Care Products for Healthier Skin | Neutrogena®))
Hangers
Headphones-- very important-- both to block out annoying sounds from your roommate or keep music your roommate doesnt like to yourself
Health Insurance Card
Heating Pad
Highlighters
Hot Pot: I love this thing. Quick and easy and hot, no need for an electric kettle or coffee machine or microwave with it <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=11904270[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=11904270</a>
Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol<br>
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<p>07-23-2005, 02:00 AM #4<br>
kateapollo
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<p>Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 120 What to Bring to College: I to O </p>
<hr>
<p>Ice Pack
I-Pod or other music player (MP3, CD player)
Internet access software/wiring
Iron
Ironing board</p>
<p>Key Chain
Kleenex or other facial tissue</p>
<p>Laptops and desktops: for work/studying, but plays your music and DVDs as well
Laptop case
Laundry basket: a lot of people prefer the sturdy plastic baskets to laundry bags. Can hold folded clothes better as well
Laundry detergent
Laundry Hamper or Bin: hampers are always useful; some of us use canvas bins with handles to toss wet towels and dirty clothes in; others have large mesh or canvas laundry bags (folding hampers are great if you need space)
License
Light Bulbs
Lip balm
Lint-roller
Loofah/sponge or wash towel
Lysol, especially the sprays and the all-purpose cleaners (though the scent is sometimes too strong)
<a href=“http://www.lysol.com/solutionsfinder.shtml[/url]”>http://www.lysol.com/solutionsfinder.shtml</a></p>
<p>Make-up (a lot of more low-maintenance girls I know often just go with the basics-- foundation or tinted moisturizer for covering up flaws, mascara and lip gloss or a lipstick)
Manila envelopes (for papers or reports that you dont want folded)
Map-- of your country, your state, the world, your college campus
Masking tape
Microwave
Milk
Minifridge or Microfridge
Mints or minty gum
Mirror-- a good mirror, from full length <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&BTSMode=true</a> to vanity mirrors to overhang mirrors
Mop
Mouse
Mouse pad
Mouthwash
Multi-vitamins (especially vitamin C, when youre trying to keep your immune system up around cold season)
Muscle Relief: Salonpas <a href=“http://www.salonpas-usa.com/salonpas.html[/url]”>http://www.salonpas-usa.com/salonpas.html</a> or Icy Hot Patches or Thermal Patches for aches
Musical instrument/music books</p>
<p>Nail clippers
Nail file
Nail polish remover
Neosporin
Nightstand: if youve got room, nightstands are nice-- put a small lamp and your reading books atop it. Looks pretty and if it has drawers, it offers more storage space for whatever youd like.
Notepads</p>
<p>Oxi-Clean gets rid of stains <a href=“http://www.oxiclean.com/laundrysub.a...SubNav=Laundry[/url]”>http://www.oxiclean.com/laundrysub.a...SubNav=Laundry</a><br>
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<p>07-23-2005, 02:02 AM #5<br>
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Posts: 120 What to Bring to College: P to S </p>
<hr>
<p>Pack of playing cards
Pain and fever relief-- Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen
Paperclips
Paper towels
Pencils
Pencil case/container
Pencil Sharpener
Pens: regular blue, black and red; have at least one, nicer ball-point pen as well
Photos and picture frames
Pillows
Pine-Sol: the original scent is great, its good for floors
[Pine-Sol</a> | The Powerful Scent of Real Clean](<a href=“http://www.pinesol.com/original.shtml]Pine-Sol”>http://www.pinesol.com/original.shtml)
Plants: IF you can take care of them. Theyre lovely and its nice to have some green in your small dorm room
Plasti-tak <a href=“http://www.teachersparadise.com/c/pr...ducts_id/25260[/url]”>http://www.teachersparadise.com/c/pr...ducts_id/25260</a> or other mounting material that wont leave stains or holes on the
walls
Poncho
Popcorn
Pop-Tarts
Posters, of course ([AllPosters.com</a> - The World’s Largest Poster and Print Store!](<a href=“http://www.allposters.com%5DAllPosters.com”>http://www.allposters.com))
Post-its
Powder drink mixes: They are cheaper to buy than sodas, and all you need is a large pitcher of water and a spoon. Powdered lemonade and Kool-Aid are cheap and easy to make.
Power strips (because youll only have so many electrical outlets)
Printer Paper (white)/Printer Ink </p>
<p>Q-Tips: tons of uses-- for cleaning the insides of your ears, for applying or removing make-up, etc</p>
<p>Radio/stereo
Ramen/Cup Noodles (of course)
Razor, shaving cream and aftershave for males
Religious texts: if youre religious, bring your Bible or Koran or Torah etc.
Reusable water bottles, like Nalgene bottles
Robe
Roller-skates or ice-skates
Rolls of coins or your laundry card
Rubber bands
Rug!: to add attractiveness to the bare tile or wood floor of your room-- and keep your feet warm when you slip out of bed winter mornings
Ruler</p>
<p>Safe or lockbox for valuables: jewelry, watches, etc-- actually, any box with a lid will do to store your valuables in, just as long as you dont leave your bracelets, watches, rings etc lying around
Safety Pins
Scissors
Screwdriver
Sewing Kit
Shampoo (if preferred, you can pour your shampoo or conditioner in small plastic bottles with flip tops-- see Container Store-- to save space in your shower tote)
Sharpies or any other permanent marker (thick and thin)
Shaving lotion, gel or body wash for shaving
Shaving razor
Sheets: at least two and preferably three different sets of sheets for your bed, often college beds are extra-long twin size
Shot glasses
Shower caddy/tote: should have a hole or holes in the bottom, for drainage
<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sear...wer+tote&go=1&[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sear...wer+tote&go=1&</a>
Shower shoes (flip-flops)
Slippers
Small pair of nose hair scissors (gross, I know, but for any overgrown hairs from your nose)
Snapple/other tea brands
Soap or body wash
Soap container: itd be best to have a container for it, so the other items in your tote wont get soppy and sticky. Bed Bath and Beyond has some handy plastic soap cases with latches
Sofa or armchair: if you can fit at least a small one into your room, go for it!
Soup: Campbells makes microwavable soups <a href=“Quality Soups, Sauces, Food & Recipes | Campbells.com”>Quality Soups, Sauces, Food & Recipes | Campbells.com;
Spiral notebooks
Sponge: get one for cleaning dishes, another for cleaning your dorm/bathroom
Spray bottles, clear: for various uses-- holding cleaning fluid for example <a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/browse...76&itemIndex=1[/url]”>http://www.containerstore.com/browse...76&itemIndex=1</a>
Stamps
Stapler and staples
Steamer or Footlocker: these are more expensive, but theyre usually attractive and add character to the room. You can store extra blankets or out of season clothes in them. If you have room, they look good at the base of a bed. You could also sit on it or store books or knickknacks atop it.
<a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/browse...35&itemIndex=2[/url]”>http://www.containerstore.com/browse...35&itemIndex=2</a>
Stomach Relief: Ah, Pepto Bismol.
Storage Carts
Straightening iron (hair)
String
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Swiffer Dry: extremely easy to use, quick and easy to clean (just dispose of the cloth after use; hard to pick up more than lint and hair, however
Swiffer Duster: excellent and easy to hold and maintain [Home</a> Made Simple](<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ers_hand.shtml]Home”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ers_hand.shtml)
[Home</a> Made Simple](<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/dry.shtml]Home”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/dry.shtml)
Swiffer Wet: use like a mop, very easy to use and leaves a great fresh scent
[Home</a> Made Simple](<a href=“http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/wet.shtml]Home”>http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/wet.shtml)
Swim goggles<br>
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<p>07-23-2005, 02:03 AM #6<br>
kateapollo
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<p>Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 120 What to Bring To College: T to W </p>
<hr>
<p>Tape measurer
Tape dispenser and clear tape refills
Tapestries: hang them up on the wall, above your bed, etc <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sear...pestries&go=1&[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sear...pestries&go=1&</a>
Teabags
Thermometer
Three-hole punch adapter
Toaster oven
Toilet Paper
Tool Kit
Toothbrush
Toothbrush case: Bed Bath and Beyond has a great little plastic toothbrush container with a latch, so the bristles of your toothbrush dont get all gross jumbled next to everything else in your shower tote or caddy
Toothpaste
Towels (at least two sets each of bath towel, hand towel, face towel etc)
Trash Can
Tree Floor Lamp: these are good because you can use one lighting source to illuminate different parts of your room-- in a tiny room, one light can be aimed at your desk, the other at your bed while you read, the other at the ceiling. They range from inexpensive and colorful <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...2&BTSMode=true</a> to more polished
[Office</a> Supplies, Furniture, Technology at Office Depot](<a href=“http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...e+lamp&An=text]Office”>http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do;...e+lamp&An=text)
Tupperware
TV
Tweezers</p>
<p>Umbrella- a good, sturdy one</p>
<p>Vacuum: any slim, lightweight one will do. It doesnt need to be an expensive, bulky vacuum to get the job done.
Vacuum: hand-sized, to clean up dust in corners, on desks etc
Example: <a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=13645957[/url]”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=13645957</a>
Vaseline: or petroleum jelly. Its oily and sticky, but if you dont have lotion or lip balm handy, a spot of Vaseline will do it.
Video game console
Video games
Multi-vitamin
Vicks Vapo Rub: I always put this on my chest and throat when Im sick
Vitamin C: to keep up your immune system during cold season
Vitamin E: this comes in two forms-- one is in a gel-like pill, the other is in a small glass jar. The ingestion of vitamin E is supposed to soften your skin, strengthen your hair. The vitamin E in a jar-- vitamin E oil-- is often put on scars or stretch marks to advance healing and lighten the scar</p>
<p>The list is great, but it is filled with crap that you shouldn’t bring…i.e. george foreman grill.</p>
<p>Look at your bedroom, now put 2 twin beds, 2 desks, 2 dressers, 2 closets and a mini fridge. That should give you a feel of how cramped it will be.</p>
<p>Don’t bring the JUST IN CASE things. You are not moving to outer siberia, if you need it you can get it, or mom and dad can send it. I will tell you that when DS moved in ly, I was going to the post office every other day sending him things he realized he needed.</p>
<p>For meds, just take aspirin, cold/flu med, and band aid. If it something worse than go to the medical center.</p>
<p>For personal hygiene, just take one of each that you use daily. There just isn’t enough room to bring 2 of everything, plus you will probably go home before you need more.</p>
<p>Take a small pop up hamper (cube style that is mesh with handles) the larger ones means you need to bring something else to haul it downstairs to the laundry room. Also they take up too much room on the floor of the closet.</p>
<p>Take a plastic bowl for microwave popcorn. Utensils, are stupid to bring since the kids can get them at the dining hall.</p>
<p>Roll of paper towels for spills…running to the bathroom is a pain!</p>
<p>Flip flops for the shower</p>
<p>Rain boats for the girls, umbrellas for both (if your like our DS you’ll never use it, instead you will just use the hoodie)</p>
<p>A jar of coins for laundry</p>
<p>Reem of Paper for the printer</p>
<p>Refill ink for the printer</p>
<p>Mechanical pencils, pens, highlighters, spirals (all cheaper at home)</p>
<p>Don’t take all of your winter clothes, you’ll be home for Thanksgiving and that is when you can transfer out your closet. Also girls don’t take every pr of shoes you own, esp. the ones that you only wear with one outfit…the closets aren’t big enough.</p>
<p>Take lots of under bed storage units.</p>
<p>Take your favorite snack foods. Take at least 2-3 12 packs of soda. One thing make sure your roommate is not kosher/mormon, because they drink specific brands.</p>
<p>Take a fan for the room…both of you</p>
<p>Don’t worry about taking a reg phone…again you are not living in outer siberia, your cell phone breaks or gets lost then you can get a replacement.</p>
<p>If you are like our son, don’t take an alarm clock b/c you use your phone as an alarm clock.</p>
<p>Take a surge protector and extension cord…work that out with your roomie.</p>
<p>Take a garbage can…work it out with the roomie.</p>
<p>Take a dry erase board for outside the room to post messages.</p>
<p>Open a checking account with Chevy Chase so you won’t be hit with ATM charges.</p>
<p>Leave a couple of your checks at home so the folks can deposit money into your account</p>
<p>Thank you so much! you mention an extension cord, on UMDS website, it says no extension cords allowed. Not sure if they reinforce that or not.</p>
<p>The type of extension cord I am talking about is the surge protector type. You can plug in everything on the bar.</p>
<p>ALSO ONE OTHER THING…GET YOUR CELL PHONE INSURED. It usually costs about $5 a month, but it does cover you if it is lost or stolen above breaking…one bad football game where it falls out your pocket and somebody steps on it or a coke glass spills over it and it is gone! Also going to a dorm party and you lose it you will be SOL!</p>
<p>Also NEVER lose your dorm key it is very expensive to replace! If you are in a twin, you must buy their new key on top of the fine, triple, you’re buying 2 keys, new leonardtown with 6 other roommates that is 7 keys total!</p>
<p>well, i think we are good to go! We have the surge protector, and his phone is insured! To tell the truth, we live about 45-60 minutes away. if there is something we forget or he needs that we dont already have, its only a hop skip and a jump to get it there. With having 1 out of state in North Caroloina (a girl) this is going to be a breeze! Thanks so much for all of your advice. Have an easy move in day to all and good luck!!</p>
<p>Candy. Can’t forget candy. Very good social lubricant freshman year. It’s definitely one reason people kept coming into my room the first couple of weeks. </p>
<p>Cereal. It’s WAY more cost effective to bring a few boxes of cereal with you the first day because it’ll cost a lot more at the diner and incon. Then you can use your diner points and terp buck much more important things like ice cream and Starbucks Fraps.</p>