stuff to bring to college

In My Humble Opinion
21

I would also recommend some alcohol, if you can get it.

And a fake ID, if you can get it.

But you can get both of the above once you arrive, as well.

Seriously: QUARTERS. I cannot say that enough, and even though it’s been mentioned I’d like to say it again, because invariably you will use your laundry quarters for snacks and run out. Get like $20 in quarters. If you have a shot glass, bring that. If you have a car, bring that. Don’t let anyone tell you you won’t need it or whatever, because it will be worth it to have transportation – whether it’s for a road trip, or getting around town, or heading away for good food when the dorm serves noodles al glop.

Shower shoes are great if you go to college in a warm-weather clime, because they can be used for showering AND walking to class (at least they can at UCLA where I am taking, er sleeping through classes).

Also, take a pocketknife and a flashlight.

Feel free to disregard my alcohol-related suggestions if you are underage (which we all know you aren’t, ha ha), or don’t want to drink, BTW.

22

How about vaccines? Or at least get your shots before you go.

Everyone I know who spent a significant amount of time in dorms was nailed by several illnesses a year. Being under 30 also means you’re in the highest risk age group for meningitis-- one of the the only diseases where you can go from feeling great to being dead in under 48 hours.

23

YES on quarters. My parents never understood why a twenty dollar bill was near-useless to me but a ten dollar roll of quarters was a fistful of power.

24

Barbarian, some universities already require vaccines(including meningitis). In UFL, if you don’t have them, you can’t register. (Well, they have a medical center, where I suppose students who don’t have the medical page go there to get the shots.)

Fire, in some brochures the Housing Department prints the dimensions of their dorms. That should be helpful if you are responsible and check how big those measures are. Something I didn’t do, and now realize I am paying for a jail cell. (At least it’s a single.)

Ditto on the bathrobe suggestion. I went to visit the campus during the orientation(required), and slept over in one of the dorms. Had the experience of public baths. Decided I needed a bathrobe, and now I have one.

In some places, pets are banned. Don’t even think of bringing them. Alcohol is also banned, specially if you live in a “wellness” area. For those and others items that are prohibited, check the rules of the dorms which many university publish(and are part of your contract).

Consider moving out after the first year. I will be a freshman, but I’ve already decided next summer it will be off-campus for me. You can get more privacy, and sometimes it is cheaper.

Plan what are you going to do during vacation time. Some dorms close and you are kicked out in the middle of winter.

My small suggestion? Get a phone card.

25

Condoms, alligator clips, and cash.

That’ll get you through the first couple nights anyway.

26

Hot glue’s a whole different story, though…

-ellis

27

an extra liver

28

A basket or some sort of container to carry your shower stuff in. If you can, get your name or initials embroidered on your towels. Or buy 'em all one color that really stands out. Makes them harder to steal/misplace/what have you.

FOOD. Ramen and macaroni and cheese got me through at least two years of school. And don’t forget coffee, even if its instant.

I second the hot pot. Third and fourth it, for that matter. And the refrigerator is indispensable, although a lot of colleges will let you rent one fairly cheaply, so you don’t have to bother buying it. Most the dorms at my undergrad college had a kitchen on every wing with a microwave, so I couldn’t really justify the expense of buying one to just avoid walking down the hall. And if you’re a coffee addict, get a coffeemaker. Dining hall coffee SUCKS.

Nix on the TV set (most dorms have a good one somewhere and you get to socialize, plus it’s not tempting you not to study at the most inopportune times. Nor do you have to shoo folks out of your room when you need to study.)

If your school does not already have computers in the room, make SURE you bring your PC. If you have a CD burner, burn copies of your favorite CD’s and bring the copies to school – that way, if they get swiped (and most likely, they’ll wander, either accidentally or on purpose) you’ll still have the good ones at home.

Coupons for pizza or whatever fast food restaurants are in the area, QUARTERS, and a laundry bag to haul the stuff down to the laundry room with. Don’t forget an iron, if you’re into pressed clothes. And plasti-tac (the sticky goopy stuff that sticks posters and light stuff to the walls – it used to be 3x more in town than it was at home.)

Oh, yeah, and if you have prescription drugs of any sort (Claritin, what have you) stock up with a couple of bottles so you don’t have to worry about running out and buying it yourself. You’re about to enter the world of the Permanently Broke.

But college is great! Enjoy it all you can.

29

I forgot one important thing. If your college is in California, bring a flashlight and/or lantern.