Lesson 7: Family Independence
Packing for College - Dorm Life & Personal Upkeep
DORM LIFE NECESSITIES
Air freshener
Alarm clock
Batteries
Blanket/comforter
Bottle/can opener
Extension cords
Flashlight
Fun tack
Hangers
Headphones
Lock box
Magnets
Mattress pad/egg crate
Outlet extenders
Photos
Pillows/pillowcases
Posters w/poster tape
Power strip
Sheets (extra long 80x34)
Shower caddy
Shower slippers
Storage cubes
Suction cups
Telephone
Towels
Washcloths
Wastebasket
DORM LIFE OPTIONAL
Bed lamp (clip-on)
Bicycle & lock
Bookends
Bulletin board
Broom/dustpan
Fan
Floor pillows
Lap desk
Nightlight
Robe/slippers
Wipe-off board
PERSONAL CARE NECESSITIES Brush/comb
Chapstick
Cologne/perfume
Cosmetics
Cotton swabs/balls
Dental floss
Deodorant
Eyeglasses/contacts/repair kit/cleaning supplies
Hair dryer
Manicure set
Mirror
Moisturizer
Mouthwash
Nail clippers
Nail polish/remover
Prescription medications
Razor/blades
Shaving gel/aftershave
Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap/holder/liquid soap
Tissues
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Vitamins
Peronsal Note
It was impossible in the packing section to truly differentiate between "necessity" and "optional". Some things my daughter deemed vital, my sons never touched. A few items took me by surprise - my youngest son got the top bunk freshman year and a lapdesk became a necessity - he had never touched one before freshman year! So do not take this as a list of "must haves" - I am just trying to present as many items as possible that might be needed. You can always shop at the local stores the first weekend there, or send care pacakages from home.
Laundry & Cleaning Supplies
CLEANING
Glass cleaner
Iron/small ironing board
Light bulbs
Multipurpose spray-on cleaner
Paper towels
Sponge
Trash bags
LAUNDRY
Bleach/colorfast bleach substitute
Color safe sheets
Dryer sheets/fabric softener
Laundry bag
Laundry detergent
Rolls of quarters
Stain stick
Food, First Aid & (gulp!) Sewing
Necessities
Coffee maker
Dish detergent
Drinks/drink mixes
Glasses/mugs
Hot pot
Knives, forks, spoons
Plates, bowls
Optional Grill
Microwave
Popcorn maker
Refrigerator
Toaster
Toaster/oven
NOTE:
Most schools now offer rental programs for a combo microwave/refrig for the dorm room. The roomies can share the cost and you then don't have to worry about maintaining it, packing it and storing it all summer. Although most schools tell you that you can not have electrical cooking appliances in the dorm rooms, every college student I have known for the past 10+ years (including my own kids) all survived and were happier with the following bare basics: a hot pot and a toaster. My youngest took it to a new level with a small George Foreman grill and a grilled sandwich maker). The R.A.s (Resident Assistants) tend to look the other way, as long as you don't appear to be burning down the dorm! It IS against the rules, but it does go on.
Cutlery/dinnerware - your child doesn't need china and silver flatware, but even college students appreciate "real" forks and plates (K-Mart, Target, Walmart - all have servicable sets for around $20 for service for 4).
First Aid Kit
ACE (elastic-type bandage)
Adhesive tape
Alcohol
Aloe
Antibiotic cream
Band-Aids
Cold/allergy medicine
Cough drops/syrup
Dental gel
Headache remedy
Nasal spray
Pain reliever
Peroxide
Petroleum jelly
Thermometer
Throat spray
Tweezers
NOTE: This all takes a small amount of room and nothing is more comforting than having medicines when you feel ill. First time my son got a sore throat at school, he called me to tell me how awful he felt (he IS a male!) and he was too sick to walk 2 blocks to the drugstore for a remedy. (PS - every one got medicinal care packages after that mom-guilt trip!)
Sewing Kit
Buttons
Lint brush/roller
Needles
Pins
Seam ripper
Thread
Velcro
NOTE:
Even if your child has never sewed a button, they will find ingenuous uses for sewing supplies in college! (Some you won't want to know about...)
Tool Kit
Duct tape
Hammer
Nails
Pliers
Screwdrivers: Flathead and Phillips/Screws
NOTE:
You will be AMAZED at what they can do with duct tape alone...
