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Checklist: Packing for College

Whether this is your college kid's first or last year of school, preparing to live away from home can be quite a production. Here's an A-to-Z list of everything your child will need.

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Gear for class and coursework:

Backpack
Computer
Printer
Paper for the printer
Computer disks
Surge protector for the computer, and extension cords
Notebooks
Folders
Pens, pencils, and highlighters. Find Back to School supplies and earn ClubMom points at the ClubMom Online Mall.
Pencil sharpener
Stapler and paperclips
Sticky notes
Calculator
Scissors
Tape
Ruler
Personal organizer
Subscription to a major newspaper
A cultural literacy book.
Dictionary and thesaurus
A writing style guide
Lapboard or clipboard
Bookends

Clothing and accessories:

Jeans, casual shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters
Enough summer clothes to last through August and September, or until colder weather sets in
Good walking/biking shoes
A month's worth of socks and underwear
Presentable pajamas
Slippers
Three dress-up outfits
Exercise clothes
Bathing suit
A light jacket and a heavy jacket
A portable umbrella
Seriously weather-proof boots
Hat and gloves, if the college is in a cold-weather zone
Baseball hat
Credit card holder with keychain
Watch

Items to outfit a room:

Two sets of fitted sheets, flat sheets, and standard pillowcases, and a pillow. Earn up to 10 points per dollar when you shop for dorm room necessities at the ClubMom Online Mall.
Mattress pad
Bedspread
Blanket or comforter
Pillow with arms, sometimes called a "husband" pillow
Space-saving, portable chair
Plastic stacking crates, such as milk crates
Under-the-bed storage containers
Drawer liners
Shoe tree or hanging shoe rack
Hangers
Sticky-backed hooks
Alarm clock
Reading light
Nightlight
Eye mask and earplugs
Wastepaper basket with lid, and liners.
A portable fan
Humidifier
Power strip for plugging in multiple items
Three-prong cord adapter
Portable CD Player
CD rack or tower
Thumbtacks and poster-hanging materials
Calendar
Letter opener
Stamps, envelopes, and stationary, to encourage letters home
Piggybank or change jar
A picture of the family
Doormat
Very big laundry bag
Zippered or drawstring mesh bag
Roll of quarters for laundry machines
Laundry detergent
Stain remover
Fabric softener
Iron
Box of tissues
Paper towels and a few dust cloths
Cleaning supplies

Bathroom essentials:

The basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, conditioner, soap, soap dish, deodorant, shaving supplies, and contact lens supplies (if needed)
Shower caddy to hold all bathroom gear
Several towels and washcloths
Robe
Plastic or rubber flip-flops ("shower shoes")
For women, a supply of sanitary napkins and/or tampons.
Hair dryer
Skin moisturizer

Gear for in-room food-prep, meals, and snacks:

Hot pot or electric kettle, if allowed
A coffee maker, if allowed
One saucepan and one frying pan, if there's a kitchen
Ceramic coffee mug.
Portable, insulated coffee mug or Thermos
Plastic tumbler
Water bottle
An inexpensive, hard-to-break plate
One place setting of flatware
Plastic containers or self-sealing bags, to store food
Can opener
Popcorn bowl
Small bottle of dishwashing liquid
Sponge for cleaning dishes and cups
Nutritional items

For Minor Emergencies:

Flashlight
First-aid kit
Over-the-counter headache, stomachache, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory medicine
Sewing kit, including safety pins and spare buttons
Small tool kit with screwdrivers, a hammer, and pliers
Information about your child's health insurance

Things to coordinate with the roommate(s) on:

Throw rugs
A small refrigerator
A microwave, if allowed, or a combination microwave/refrigerator/freezer
A toaster or toaster oven, if allowed
Television
VCR and videotapes
A stereo
A telephone (if it's not provided by the dorm)
Answering machine
Small vacuum
Dry-erase board for the door
Curtains
*  Instead of splitting the cost of each shared item with a roommate, divvy up what needs to be bought.

Little luxuries:

A cell phone
A bike, helmet, and bike lock
In-line skates and protective padding
A book on personal finance
A checkbook and a checking account
A Frisbee
Camera and film
Birth control
Indoor plants
A fishbowl or tank
A sleeping bag or inflatable air mattress
A journal or diary
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ClubMom member Gayla from Baird, TX wrote on Feb 17, 2006 at 11:01 AM:
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This is a great help.But , birth control should not be on the "little luxeries " list.Instead it should be listed as a" must have, essential, dont leave home without it"

1 out of 1 moms found this comment helpful.

ClubMom member Susie from Festus, MO wrote on Apr 10, 2008 at 01:47 AM:
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There are a few "outdated" items such as VCR & tapes, but the list was ok otherwise. I would add; i-pod and i-home (compact with great sound & charges your i-pod),extra headphones, chargers for all of your electronic devices, a foam topper or featherbed (dorm beds are as hard as a rock), snacks with a long shelf life, air-borne, vitamins, Puffs Plus, a stash of cash, gift cards for restaurants, phone/calling card, self-defense class or lessons, and last but not least, "care packages" from Mom for any occasion with FOOD.

1 out of 1 moms found this comment helpful.

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