Planning for college

[ELLE-TN]

Ok guys this college thing is really on my mind

I'm spending lots of time with DS right now applying for scholarships.

Anyway, I decided it would be smart to start a list of things he's going to need for the dorm. He will be 3 hrs away from home (2 states away) so I need him to be well supplied. Being on a TIGHT budget, I need to start buying things a little at a time. We don't have family so we can count out graduation gifts. Sad thing is, I'll have to do it all over next year for DD who will be going away to college too.

GPS **
Fridge
Microwave **I've been told no GF grills, toasters, etc...
Emergency kit for the car (jumper cables, flashlight, etc...)
Matress Cover
sheets, blankets
towels, washcloths,
clothes hamper, laundry basket, laundry bag
Golf Umbrella
Snow Boots
Robe
Flip Flops
Shower caddy
Paper products (cups, bowls, plates, etc...)
trash can
power strip
Rug
Alarm Clock
Hangers
vacuum
printer
sick kit
cleaning kit
Over the door type hanger (towels, coats, etc...)
Shoe organizer (or two for miscellaneous storage)
desk essentials - stapler, tape, tacks, etc....
Broom & dustpan
**EMERGENCY fund

Please help me add to this list!

[abond0017]

maybe a robe, some flip flops for shower shoes, and a caddy or toiletries bag to carry to and from showers...and maybe he'll also need a small trash can, a couple cheap plates, cups, bowls, and utensils

[ELLE-TN]

maybe a robe, some flip flops for shower shoes, and a caddy or toiletries bag to carry to and from showers...and maybe he'll also need a small trash can, a couple cheap plates, cups, bowls, and utensils

Good ideas adding them to the OP

[blossomed]

be careful on the sheets - most dorm beds are single extra long!

Maybe you could hit a local college the day after graduation and buy all the necessities from a graduating senior??

I survivied 4 years with using the microwave that was on my dorm floor...

Instead of a hamper and basket - consider a bag (it gets carried home easier!)

have him take as many AP courses and transferable community college credits as possible (those are way cheaper than a 4 year school) and it makes each semester a little easier.

[ELLE-TN]

be careful on the sheets - most dorm beds are single extra long!
Ah you are right now that I think about it I will double check on that with our school
Maybe you could hit a local college the day after graduation and buy all the necessities from a graduating senior?? not a bad idea

I survivied 4 years with using the microwave that was on my dorm floor...I really want him to have his own just because that way it's there whenever he needs it

Instead of a hamper and basket - consider a bag (it gets carried home easier!) I might do both. I'm thinking hamper to keep things tidier in room Of course, it will need to be LIDless

have him take as many AP courses and transferable community college credits as possible (those are way cheaper than a 4 year school) and it makes each semester a little easier. Yes ma'am already done all that!

[OneHotMomma]

Quarters for the laundry
A rug for just inside the door to keep winter slush out winter slush and maybe one for beside his bed - we had concrete floors without carpet, it gets really cold
Clothes hangers
alarm clock

I'll keep thinking

[ELLE-TN]

Quarters for the laundry FREE laundry
A rug for just inside the door to keep winter slush out winter slush and maybe one for beside his bed - we had concrete floors without carpet, it gets really cold YES! That's a must!
Clothes hangers why didn't I think of that
alarm clock LOL definitely a MUST

I'll keep thinking

[3timesoccermom]

The school where he's going may have a list of "bring" and "don't bring to college" things on the "housing" section of their website. There may even be a size limit on appliances - where my daughter goes does.

Also, you may want to wait on the fridge and microwave to make sure his roomie doesn't already have those things. We ended up with duplicates the first year.

On the power strips daughter's school has certain stipulations on those too so that's another thing to look into on the website.

If the school doesn't have housekeeping for the dorms he might need a vacuum. For Mom to use when you go visit him.

The website may also have specs - room dimensions, bed sizes, etc., for each dorm.

Also, don't know if you're an Ebay user but this is a great time to buy discounted restaurant gift cards to send with him.

If he eats soup or anything canned maybe a can opener. Although most things are getting to where they have pop top lids.

[Green is Gold]

Ok guys this college thing is really on my mind

I'm spending lots of time with DS right now applying for scholarships.

Anyway, I decided it would be smart to start a list of things he's going to need for the dorm. He will be 3 hrs away from home (2 states away) so I need him to be well supplied. Being on a TIGHT budget, I need to start buying things a little at a time. We don't have family so we can count out graduation gifts. Sad thing is, I'll have to do it all over next year for DD who will be going away to college too.

Fridge
Microwave **I've been told no GF grills, toasters, etc...
Emergency kit for the car (jumper cables, flashlight, etc...)
sheets, blankets
towels, washcloths,
clothes hamper, laundry basket
Golf Umbrella
Snow Boots
Robe
Flip Flops
Shower caddy
Paper products (cups, bowls, plates, etc...)
trash can
power strip
Rug
Alarm Clock
Hangers
Please help me add to this list!

It's so cute that you think a college BOY is going to use a hamper
Seriously though...Besides AP classes you can also see about testing out of classes. Ex. My DD tested into Spanish103 and didn't have to take 101 or 102. Cheap plastic cups, plates, silverware ect. will be cheaper than paper and every floor should have a little sink area to wash them out. Also food items like microwave popcorn,easy mac, ramen noodle cups, soup, those little marie callendar and healthy choice meals, cereals, granola bars ect... Don't get overwhelmed. It's going to be fine...I promise!

[ELLE-TN]

The school where he's going may have a list of "bring" and "don't bring to college" things on the "housing" section of their website. There may even be a size limit on appliances - where my daughter goes does.

Also, you may want to wait on the fridge and microwave to make sure his roomie doesn't already have those things. We ended up with duplicates the first year.

On the power strips daughter's school has certain stipulations on those too so that's another thing to look into on the website.

If the school doesn't have housekeeping for the dorms he might need a vacuum. For Mom to use when you go visit him.

The website may also have specs - room dimensions, bed sizes, etc., for each dorm.

Also, don't know if you're an Ebay user but this is a great time to buy discounted restaurant gift cards to send with him.

If he eats soup or anything canned maybe a can opener. Although most things are getting to where they have pop top lids.

Unfortunately, the website doesn't have any particulars listed except that the only appliances allowed are fridge and micro. I will inquire with housing before purchasing anything as I didn't realize there were regulations. Thanks for the info.

Vacuum YES I thought of that the other day but didn't write it down.

It's so cute that you think a college BOY is going to use a hamper
Seriously though...Besides AP classes you can also see about testing out of classes. Ex. My DD tested into Spanish103 and didn't have to take 101 or 102. Cheap plastic cups, plates, silverware ect. will be cheaper than paper and every floor should have a little sink area to wash them out. Also food items like microwave popcorn,easy mac, ramen noodle cups, soup, those little marie callendar and healthy choice meals, cereals, granola bars ect... Don't get overwhelmed. It's going to be fine...I promise!

My DS is a neat FREAK so yeah I think - no I know - he'll use the hamper. He LOVES clothes and takes very good care of them.

Will check on clepping out of classes. Hadn't thought of that either.

Picky eater here.... No soups, Mac bowls, ramen noodles, etc. He is a healthy eater. Prefers raw fruit and veggies. His dorm room stash will include those plus Milk, Peanut butter, bread, crackers, popcorn, cereal, frozen pancakes, and granola bars. The kid has never ever ate pizza or hot dogs or drank a soda or chewed chewing gum that's how picky he is. I can't say that about the rest of the fam

I want the microwave for him so that I can send him "home cooked" frozen dinners. The school is located in the middle of nowhere and the closet town is 30 minutes away. They do have a Dairy Queen, Subway, Family Dollar, and IGA mkt. That's it!! Food choices will be limited to the campus cafe which is only open for what I consider short time frames during meal hours. Mon-Fri they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner. Saturday - brunch and evening and Sunday only a noon meal. Weird huh!