College Checklist: What Every Kid Needs For College
Posted: Monday, May 19, 2008
by Asher Ricard
Those parents new to the college world might be feeling overwhelmed with information overload. Look no farther for an ultimate resource on what every kid needs to start college. Get out your pocketbooks because you just thought the spending was over with tuition.
This article will provide you with a checklist of what every kids needs to function on the college campus. I have included the bonus items that every kid wants besides the needs so you might need to monitor access.
The Basics
___Extension cords (these are a must have in the dorm for the perfect room design)
___Surge protectors or power strips (protect those appliances and your laptop)
___Flashlight
___Sewing kit (teach your kid how to replace buttons-essential skill for being on their own)
___Tabletop fan (you never know how hot the dorm room can get)
___Batteries (again for all the gadgets)
Bathroom
If personal or community, your child will still need some bath essential items.
___Towels (the more you provide the less you will see your child in between laundry runs)
___Washcloths
___Flip flops or water shoes (essential in community bathrooms)
___Toiletries such as deodorant, shampoo, soap, conditioner , toothpaste, shaving products, brush, etc.(the more you provide the better chance your child will continue to perform these basic tasks)
___Hair dryer, flat iron, curling iron (more thought of as girl items)
___Shower caddy or waterproof bag (more than likely if it is a community shower than your child will have to transport these items every time they shower. Most times in a private shelf storage is still needed.)
Dorm Room or Bedroom
___XL Twin Bed Sheets (not sure why colleges can't have normal beds, but they don't. Good news is everybody sells these now days.)
___2 Pillows and 2 pillow cases
___Covers and comforter (be sure and talk to roommate to coordinate colors)
___Alarm clock
___Laundry hamper, detergent and lots of quarters.
___Hangars
___Storage devices such as a shoe rack and over the door hat rack
___Door mirror
___Broom and dust pan (I used the swifter jet on my dorm floors)
___Vacuum (if you have carpet-these can also be rented from most dorm front desks)
___Lysol wipes and purell (essentials to keeping healthy)
___Medicine kit (include basic items like thermometer, Tylenol and any other allergy medicines or cold medicines)
___Night light or book light for late night studying
___Trash can with trash bags
___Frames with pics of loved ones on the nightstand
___Speakers for IPod or personal radio of some kind.
___Gaming system(these of course are where the wants come in to play)
___DVD player
___TV set
___Wall art
___Chair or sofa couch (these can be bought cheap at the salvation army and sometimes add a cool retro feel to a room.)
___Digital camera or camcorder
___Digital frame
___Office supplies such as pencils, pens, etc.
___Voice recorder
Best of luck shopping for your college child! If your child is living off campus, remember to stock the kitchen as well with pans and dishes along with the necessary utensils. Nice parents would also stock the pantry. Enjoy these last few days and keep in mind you can always send care packages as the year progresses if you can't afford everything now!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)This will help me not to forget anything! Thanks
You know, you left out a lot of very important things like appliances (both on and off campus) clothing, emergency supplies, and it would be nice to have a "what not to bring" checklist as well.
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