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Elizabeth
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NOw that the conference is over, I can focus on getting Michael to school. Does anybody have list that itemizes what the typical freshman needs? We're fewer than two days away; I'm so sure I'm overlooking things. I need all the help I can get. 
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Philothea
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I don't have an official list, but I remember those days well (they were just shy of ten years ago for me).
-Books (for class and pleasure)
-Computer with wireless connection
-Favorite objects (Rosary, Bible, Crucifix, favorite blanket, etc.)
-Money -- as much as you can spare. The first weeks settling in are expensive with all the socializing and exploring new surroundings and stuff.
-As much clothing as he'll need to wear between laundry loads (whether that's a week's worth or a month's worth).
-A couple of sets of those twin XL sheets if he'll be on-campus, with a lightweight comforter and pillow.
-One "business casual" outfit and one dressy outfit just in case something comes up.
-Toiletries and caddy
-A dorm-sized microwave or toaster is helpful for the mornings he oversleeps and misses breakfast in the cafeteria.
-Ditto for a dorm-size fridge.
-$100 or less gift card to Staples for school supplies (better to buy when you know for sure what you'll need, and a gift card to Staples ensures the money is spent on legitimate school stuff -- well, I guess they sell video games there, too, but I'm sure Michael is a responsible kid)
-Gift card to the grocery store. Same idea with limiting how the money is spent, and reminding him that there IS a store that sells healthy food instead of the junk his friends will doubtless be eating (we'd have dinner in the caf. at 6 or 7 and then go out for burgers or tacos at 11PM. Oh, to have that metabolism back!).
-Back in my day, our parents gave us phone cards, but I'm sure today's equivalent is a cell phone with unlimited minutes to Mom and Dad.
Just some ideas off the top of my head.
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Paula in MN
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Don't forget an alarm clock and laundry soap.
Also earplugs - studying can be hard when roommates are noisy!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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MaryM
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Elizabeth wrote:
| Does anybody have list that itemizes what the typical freshman needs? |
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Yes, I do. Let me see if I can find a copy of it. Haven't looked at it since last year.
And I'll be praying for you over the next few days. 
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Tami
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Didn't GM provide you with a list?
Here are some ideas:
Hangers!!
All-purpose meds kit: include OTC stuff you ordinarily have at home and would just tell him to go take; in other words, duplicate your medicine cabinet
Sharpies (and label anything that's his: laundry basket, first aid kit, etc)
Laundry deterg
Zip-loc bags (storing items in these some times works better than small containers, as they use less space, but allow him to group like items)
This is off the top of my head. I'll post other ideas as they come!
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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MaryM
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OK, Elizabeth. I found it in the first place I looked (and let me tell you that is literally a miracle in this house!). I've sent it as an attachment to your email.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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hylabrook1
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A laundry soap comment: I remember sneezing forever when I kept a box of powdered laundry soap in my closet. Think about choosing something liquid.
Elizabeth - I know you want Michael to be as comfortable as possible and for things to be convenient for him. Still, dorm rooms are small and get crowded quickly. Also, he'll be near enough that if he realizes after he's there that he needs something, you can pay him a visit to deliver the item. That might be a good idea. 
Praying for you especially as you move through the next few days.
Peace,
Nancy
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lilac hill
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Any prescriptions that he takes to be dropped off at the "walking distance" pharmacy so they are on record and can be filled if needed.
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Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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guitarnan
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A drawstring laundry bag is easier to store in that tiny dorm closet than a laundry basket.
A decent desk lamp (small) if the dorm doesn't have one, for late-night studying.
That tacky stuff for hanging posters on the walls; many dorms don't allow tape, pushpins, nails, etc.
One of those Rubbermaid under-bed storage things...I had my guitars under my bed, but most students use that space to store extra clothes, books, sports gear, etc.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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KellyJ
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If the laundry machines are quarter-fed still, lots of quarters!
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KellyJ
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Cathmomof8
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This is on our mind too as our eldest heads to Walsh in 13 days. yikes.
I'll be starting a novena for all incoming freshman. Anyone want to join me??
Theresia
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julia s.
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Some kind of shower shoes -- community living and boys need I say more .
Also, your basic first aid stuff for aches and upset stomach.
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julia
married to love of her life
with ds12 ds8 ds3 and ds1
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KackyK
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In line with the shower shoes (flip flops work great!) and the caddy (which was one of my two most important items)...the other that I don't know what I would have done without...was a nice terry robe!
Oh...and some dorms don't have their own trashcans in each room...but you could wait till you get there to see about that one!
Saying payers for you this week! I have some young cousins heading off to VCU and Christendom this week too!
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KackyK
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Beginning With the Assumption
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Cay Gibson
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My best friend's son is leaving this coming Friday for St. Ben's.
I fixed him a bag of his favorite candy (M&M's and 3 Muskateers), a roll of quarters for laundry, and---I kid you not---a pack of tiolet paper. The tiolet paper was partly meant as a joke...and partly not.  He was very grateful for it. 
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Cay Gibson
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mom to 5
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SusanJ
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Elizabeth,
College wasn't all that long ago for me, either! I don't know what the dorms are like at GM, but my first three years were spent in nice, but small rooms with absolutely no space for a piece of comfortable furniture. I got one of those armchair-like pillows (some people call them "husbands") for my bed. It was great. I'd wonder if that's just a girl thing except that one of my guy friends "borrowed" it and I never got it back.
But I second the idea to not stress too much. You can always take him on a big shopping trip some weekend after he's settled. Target is really no fun this time of year when you're competing with all the other moms trying to get their kids off to school!
Susan
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ALmom
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Ok, we just did this last year. The college usually sends out a list (but there is stuff on the list you really don't need depending on the size of the dorm - like ironing board - use the desk top with a towel down). Get the stuff at home and don't fight the crowds at the local stores near the college - it is a zoo!
Most dorms now have microwave and fridge so you don't generally need those. You need lots of extension cords and outlet grounds so they can arrange things where they want them. They generally have rules about cords having to be plugged into those ground strips and I think we ended up using at least 2, if not 3 in dd room.
Less stuff is generally best. Hangers, bed linens, towels, soap and laundry soap, a bath caddy and collapsible hamper plus under bin storage and some utensils/dishes for in room snacks. Some sort of computer (laptops are more popular cause they take less space but also popular to steal. The computer requirement also depends somewhat on the major - my dd basically just needed a word processor), a desk lamp (there are ones that conveniently have pencil holders, etc. in the base) and clothing (but if he comes home for fall break or Christmas, no point in having a plethora of all seasons - just enough to get him through the early cold weather and then he can bring home summer stuff on breaks and trade it off for his winter stuff. It makes move out day at the end of the year tons easier.
You also need some sort of shower shoes and your toiletries. Now the laundries often let you swipe your student card so you may not need the quarters. Don't forget his bike and helmet with a good bike lock as this is probably the easiest way to get from one end of the campus to the other when your classes are 10 minutes apart and across the way from each other.
You also need a back pack but get one that is unique - not with the college logo - that way he can spot it a mile away! Otherwise they all look alike. You probably want him to have some sort of cleaning item depending on the flooring - small broom, etc. You definitely need a trash can and we built some extra shelving above the desk (cannot nail anything in but you can size and cut wood to wedge in)and a narrow table to go between bed and wall to hold clock radio/alarm clock. The shelving is easier to have in advance if you have premeasured a room (something to do on those precollege visits and orientation before move in) - we used one of those cheap plastic stackable shelving units cause my aunt had one left over from her dd college. Dd brought her devotional reading (esp Bible and rosary and a crucifix and picture of Our Lady). She also brought tape/CD player with headphones. If you already know the roommate it helps to coordinate - you only need one broom in the room and one iron.
Also put some sort of hidden identifying mark on all valuable items before you leave for school (something that could be used by police to identify the owner like driver's license number) so it can be returned if it is stolen and recovered. By the way, textbooks are extremely valuable and common theft items so be sure to identify these as well and keep your belongings in sight.
I think those are the things she really uses. There was a towel rack in the room so she sent me back home with the drying rack and mops (the room was so small it was easier to just have small broom and container of wipes). She does have an iron but I don't think she has used it yet. Ironing boards take up too much room.
A big bin with wheels (or two) for underbed storage was great!!! A lot of dorms have extra long beds so make sure your sheets will fit and don't forget the mattress pad.
I think that is all - other than peculiarities to the individual like musical instruments, recreational type things (ie your son is bound to want a soccer ball whereas my dd could not leave without her violin and tons of music and jewelry and make-up).
And if siblings need entertaining on move in or move out day - my 2nd dd entertained the younger boys in the lobby by having a snoring competition. We will never be forgotten as I think we were the only parents with our own move in crew.
Oh, one other essential. Be sure to have a cooler of water for move in day - and a dolly. The college usually has a few for everyone to use, but I guarantee it is never enough and you'll wait all day if you have to wait for what the college provides!!!
Janet
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8kids4me
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My kids all took "Boone Boards" the small dry erase boards to hang on their doors, for friends to leave messages on. Also: a fan, it will be HOT when he first gets there and a small tower fan will be necessary to keep from suffocating in those small rooms!
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msclavel
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No advice, I think everyone's got you covered....just lots of prayers for all of you...lots and lots of prayers.
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Chari
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A roll of stamps.....
I also brought my own stereo, and a hot pot to heat water for tea/coffee (might save money on Starbucks  )
dry snacks, like granola bars, that he can throw in his back pack on the run, or for between classes
Have fun!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Elizabeth
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So, nobody thinks he should take his mom?
We're making progress. The van is getting loaded...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: What to bring to college?
