What to bring to college?

<p>So, I've started my shopping to prepare for the move to the college dorm and I was wondering if anyone had come across any good lists of college must haves. Please reply.</p>

<p>do a search on the forum...there are threads pages long about what to bring and what not to bring</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-z-what-bring-college.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/379488-what-not-bring-college.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/379488-what-not-bring-college.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/375790-what-some-useful-helpful-things-bring-up-dorms.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/375790-what-some-useful-helpful-things-bring-up-dorms.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/371763-list-things-my-roommate-i-should-bring.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/371763-list-things-my-roommate-i-should-bring.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/357724-what-bring-college-chairs-fridges.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/357724-what-bring-college-chairs-fridges.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/351886-fun-things-bring-dorm.html?highlight=what+to+bring%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/351886-fun-things-bring-dorm.html?highlight=what+to+bring&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/53990-last-year-s-shopping-checklists-bedding-threads.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/53990-last-year-s-shopping-checklists-bedding-threads.html&lt;/a>
Here you go - start here.</p>

<p>There's a really good list in the College Forum...just remember that it's a VERY comprehensive list, you probably don't need 1/4 of that stuff. I copy and pasted it into MS Word, then took off everything I don't use/need.</p>

<p>Don't forget to coordinate with your roommate ahead of time so that you can minimize duplication of things you can share.</p>

<p>All you need are clothes, a toothbrush and a sense of humor.</p>

<p>if it's not on the list(s), condoms</p>

<p>This list of 25 must haves is a great list written by a student. I think I might just buy the whole list:</p>

<p>Packing</a> For College (Part 1 of 2): 25 Must-Haves | myUsearch blog</p>

<p>^^My son didn't need student advantage card, decor, ear plugs, quarters (laundry used student card), lamp (room came with at least one), non-stick frying pan (and he was in an apartment with a full kitchen), ramen noodles (he won't eat noodles of any sort). He didn't use the duct tape till we were packing to come home.</p>

<p>Skip the umbrella and other items you would never use, also (snow boots in winter climates are another item that one would think should be on a list, but don't appear to be owned by any college students on some northern campuses). The big deal with lists is to make you think of things you may forget, some because you are changing living situations, some because they are so mundane you forget you have and use them daily (eg toothbrushes) and others that come with your parents' house that are only used when they are really needed or someone else always does the job (Tylenol, any cleaning supplies). Look at the comprehensive lists and cross off all but what you can't get along without. The stuff going to college sophomore year is less than that taken freshman year... it's a learning curve for both parents and the students. There is the "can you live without it" minimalism fighting with the "it's cheaper/easier to buy it at home and send it with" comprehensive packing that will hopefully reach a good compromise.</p>

<p>Oh, I definitely use an umbrella and so do many/most students at Wellesley. I don't think it is equatable to snow boots; one can easily walk around in snowy weather in normal shoes without being seriously impeded but you will get wet if you have to walk across campus without an umbrella. Of course, if one is going to Phoenix, different story!</p>

<p>Know thy campus and thyself. Son has never wanted/used an umbrella, maybe he uses a hooded jacket for the rainy times or doesn't care...</p>