I am actually feeling pretty good about it. Six months ago I was panicking over the prospect, but right now I am just so proud and excited that I think those emotions are overshadowing the sadness. We are keeping busy planning and preparing and I am trying not to think about that moment we hug him and actually drive away. But every once in a while it does creep into my mind and I momentarily lose my composure. It usually seems to happen when I'm alone, such as while taking a shower or driving in the car.
Anyway, in getting the college guy ready I have consulted several sources, including the school he is going to, a number of friends, and the Bed, Bath & Beyond store (they actually have lists tailored for most schools and they are happy to give you one when you stop in to shop). Below is the exhaustive list I have come up with based on all of those recommendations. My son will not have need of everything on the list--it would be too much!--but I thought I would include it here for anyone else who has a son or daughter going off to college in the near future. This list, of course, is intended for young people who will live in a dorm. Someone who is going to live in an apartment will need even more (and someone who is living at home won't need nearly so much).
I would be interested to hear any items you can think of that are not on this list!
Hangers
Dishes/Utensils, dish soap, dish towel
Snacks/drinks
Cleaning supplies: Clorox wipes, Swiffer, air freshener (also supplies for bathroom if the room has its own), hand broom/vac
Fridge
Microwave
Laundry supplies – hamper/basket/bag, soap, spot treatment, dryer sheets, quarters, iron, ironing board
Shower caddy, shower shoes/slippers, robe
Towels – bath & swim
Over-the-door towel rack/hooks
Bedding (check with college for bed size) – mattress pad, sheets, blanket, bedspread, pillows, pillow protectors
Laptop
Small printer
Flash drive
Cell phone
TV
Alarm clock
Music player
Rug
Chair
Photos/posters/room decorations
Desk supplies – stapler, pencil sharpener, paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, paper, pens/pencils, ruler, calculator, scissors, highlighter, tape, glue, white-out, desk-top caddy, drawer organizer, bookends, desk lamp, white board and/or bulletin board, trash can
Tissue/Paper towels
Stationery/envelopes/stamps
Stacking crates/cubes/chest for storage
Fan
Earplugs/Sleep mask
Extension cords
Nail clippers, tweezers
First aid kit – bandages, antibiotic cream, anti-itch cream, painkiller, cough/throat drops, Pepto-Bismol/antacid/ Immodium, antihistamine (Benadryl)/decongestant, vitamins, melatonin, hand sanitizer, thermometer
Small appliances: Hot pot/coffee-maker/crock pot/popcorn maker/hot plate
Humidifier
Can opener
Local honey from the area you are moving to—start taking months before
Water bottle
Backpack
Umbrella
Sewing kit
Mirror
Netflix streaming subscription
Under bed storage
Shoe storage
Tool kit or Multi-tool (like this)
Oodles of socks and underwear!
Telephone/Address Book/List of important dates
Local bank account
Credit card
Phone to plug in if there’s a land line
Light bulbs
Batteries
Smart pen
Book light
Flash light
Lock box for cash/important papers
Money management software for computer
Planner
And of course—clothing, toiletries, personal belongings
Dishes/Utensils, dish soap, dish towel
Snacks/drinks
Cleaning supplies: Clorox wipes, Swiffer, air freshener (also supplies for bathroom if the room has its own), hand broom/vac
Fridge
Microwave
Laundry supplies – hamper/basket/bag, soap, spot treatment, dryer sheets, quarters, iron, ironing board
Shower caddy, shower shoes/slippers, robe
Towels – bath & swim
Over-the-door towel rack/hooks
Bedding (check with college for bed size) – mattress pad, sheets, blanket, bedspread, pillows, pillow protectors
Laptop
Small printer
Flash drive
Cell phone
TV
Alarm clock
Music player
Rug
Chair
Photos/posters/room decorations
Desk supplies – stapler, pencil sharpener, paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, paper, pens/pencils, ruler, calculator, scissors, highlighter, tape, glue, white-out, desk-top caddy, drawer organizer, bookends, desk lamp, white board and/or bulletin board, trash can
Tissue/Paper towels
Stationery/envelopes/stamps
Stacking crates/cubes/chest for storage
Fan
Earplugs/Sleep mask
Extension cords
Nail clippers, tweezers
First aid kit – bandages, antibiotic cream, anti-itch cream, painkiller, cough/throat drops, Pepto-Bismol/antacid/ Immodium, antihistamine (Benadryl)/decongestant, vitamins, melatonin, hand sanitizer, thermometer
Small appliances: Hot pot/coffee-maker/crock pot/popcorn maker/hot plate
Humidifier
Can opener
Local honey from the area you are moving to—start taking months before
Water bottle
Backpack
Umbrella
Sewing kit
Mirror
Netflix streaming subscription
Under bed storage
Shoe storage
Tool kit or Multi-tool (like this)
Oodles of socks and underwear!
Telephone/Address Book/List of important dates
Local bank account
Credit card
Phone to plug in if there’s a land line
Light bulbs
Batteries
Smart pen
Book light
Flash light
Lock box for cash/important papers
Money management software for computer
Planner
And of course—clothing, toiletries, personal belongings
5 comments:
Wow, Cheryl, that's quite a list! Do the dorm rooms not come with a landline phone anymore? My dorm had a phone AND each student had voicemail, too! I don't even know what a "smart pen" is. I'm glad you're enjoying the process of getting him ready to go!
Anne
Car crying is the worst. :(
Instead of a bank, check out the local credit unions. I would bet that the University has an excellent credit union that offers great deals for students.
Anne, I had never heard of a smart pen either. I do not see us investing in one. But apparently it is not merely a pen but a recording device. Here's a link: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/
Re: the landline, I'm not sure about this. Need to find out.
Rebekah, YES. You can't see where you're going, and your nose starts running, and you can't find a tissue to wipe it, and you figure the other drivers must think you're a total sap. :;sigh::
Dave, there is a Wells Fargo branch on campus that caters to students and he has already opened an account there. The benefit for Trevor is that he does not have a car so will need something he can walk to. He also has an account here at home and I think for the time being he will probably keep both of them.
I got one more excellent suggestion to add to the list. Something I had thought of along the way but then forgot: HEALTH INFO (insurance, allergies, history, etc.). The school Trevor is going to offers excellent health services. A clinic and pharmacy and even basic diagnostic testing right on campus. And basic doctor visits are free--included in student fees. Makes me feel better. One of the things that will drive home the point that he is really on his own is when he gets sick for the first time. And I know it will happen, and I won't be there to take care of him. :-(
I wanted to suggest a book, Thriving at College by: Alex Chediak - a Christian's guide to college especially geared to help college freshmen.
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