College Survival kit

I'm heading to college on the 26th, so what do you guys think I will need that maybe I didn't think of? Keep in mind I will have my vehicle with me, but I will be 3 hours from home. Also, the college is in a rural setting, not a city.

PS. No booze allowed. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

151 for your alcohol stove <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In all seriousness how about you let us know some things you have brought?

Well, here is the list they give me (so think of that as exactly what I am bringing):

what to pack
• Address book, stamps, stationery
• Alarm clock
• Backpack
• Baskets for toiletries and storage
• Bed Linen: sheets (extra-long twin size), bedspread/blanket, and pillow
• Bike
• Cleaning supplies (cleaner, paper towels)
• Clothing (bathrobe)
• Computer, printer, and cables
• Desk items (lamp, pens/pencils/highlighters, paper, calendar, calculator, tape, scissors, stapler, paperclips)
• Fan (portable)
• Financial items (checking/savings account, credit/debit card, health insurance card, Social Security card, driver's license or photo ID)
• First-Aid kit (band aids, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cold/cough medicine, aspirin)
• Food items (can opener, bottled beverages, coffee maker with automatic shutoff, one set of silverware/plates/bowls/glasses, condiments, snacks, dish detergent/towel)
• Games (cards, board games)
• Hangers
• Laundry basket/bag, detergent, iron
• Padlocks (desk, laptop, and bike)
• Room decorations*
• Sewing kit/safety pins
• Stereo system (CD player, radio, mini disc player, headphones, CDs, etc.)
• Telephone, cord, and calling card (or cell phone)
• Television
• Toiletry Items
• Towels
• Umbrella
• VCR or DVD player (with cables)
* Posters and photos must be hung with plastic tack.

what you’ll find in your residence hall room

• Bed with extra-long mattress (80 x 36)
• Cable TV connection (one per room)
• Chests of drawers
• Closet or Wardrobe
• Desk and chair
• Ethernet connection
• Refrigerator/Freezer/Microwave unit (one per room)
• Smoke detector
• Telephone connection with voice mail service (one per room)
• Trash can

what to leave behind
• Answering Machine
• Appliances (hot plates, toaster ovens, rice cookers, microwave, etc.)
• Ashtrays*
• Candles and incense
• Ceiling fans
• Draperies
• Firearms
• Furniture (waterbed, futon, chairs, etc.)
• Grills (indoor/outdoor)
• Halogen lamps
• Heaters
• Lofts/bed lifters
• Pets (small aquarium tanks with fish only are permitted)

250 bags of Top Ramen, 50 lbs of animal crackers, a big plastic bowl and a fork. That was all my daughter seemed to need to get by.

Lots of money.

My kids both told me that the handiest things I gave them to take along were the SwissTool X's and flashlights (Photons on their keyrings and converted MiniMags for the room)...

M

That first aid kit looks like it could use some beefing up.

Gee, things haven't changed much.

I would add shower sandals, a plastic desk drawer organizer, handi-wipes, earplugs, a phone card or cell phone (those college room phone rates are RIDICULOUS), and maybe something from home to help keep you from getting homesick.

Don't bring anything you wouldn't want your roommates getting into and destroying in a beer-induced haze. So definitely leave any Surefires and fancy expensive stuff at home or locked up.

Good luck at college! ("D" is for "diploma" <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

You might also want

<>broom & dust pan
<>hammer & screwdriver

Did anyone mention a hot pot - great for instant oatmeal and hot chocolate.

If I remember correctly, the handiest items I had were a Swiss Army Knife (pre-Leatherman days) and a plentiful supply of Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Vince

I wonder if vegetarians can eat animal crackers?

You might have the “normal” ETS type of things in your car but if you don’t or have not looked at them in a while now would be the time to go over the tools, gear, sleeping bag, blankets, food etc. you should have in your car.
Some campuses are spread out and you do lots of walking be prepared for that. Also some times it’s nice to have a way to lock things up in your room. I used a small footlocker to keep my roommate out of things he should not be into and to keep him from eating all my food that I could not afford to replace. Kept me from going hungry many times.
A good EDC kit and FAK will help alot no matte where you are.

I noticed they told you not to bring firearms. I assume an inexpensive shotgun stored in the trunk of your car for hunting season wouldn't be noticed. I also didn't see fishing gear listed so I assume that it is acceptable, just don't bring good stuff for your roomate to fall on and borrow.

Being in the north country one of my roomates and I spent a lot of time "studying" in a fish house. I don't know if you are in an area that has cold winters so that may not be an option. The guys on the dorm floor loved the game feeds and fish frys that we provided. The game was provided because we didn't have a large enough fridge. So a medium or even a full sized fridge is a great idea. Stocking it with your favorite beverage, Coke or Pepsi of course is much cheaper than hitting the pop machine at midnight.

Oh, don't advertise the fact that you have a car with you or guess who will drive? Your car can only conveiniently break down so many times. Also the holes that you didn't make hanging clocks etc. can be filled with tooth paste and it blends in with the paint.

You are going to college and there is no booze allowed.

RIGHT !

Back in my college days I found a small tool box with hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench a few assorted nails and screws and, of course, duct tape to be handy. There is always something you need to fix or tear apart. Make sure you know the dorm rules about what you can and cannot use to attach things to the walls.

A SAK and a multitool are always handy. A flash light is very high on the list.

And dorm managers everywhere cringe. You know that a half pint tub of spackle costs less than toothpaste, about 79 cents?

Domitory? Think extrication. Gloves, gogglse, dust mask, and pry bar.

Every day? Money and commuication.

Practical living? SAK and a good blade of your choice [what? they gonna search your room?], more money [stashed safe], and a light source, wherever you are.

Everything else will take care of itself, with good judgment.

GOOD relationship with whatever office your proclivities may predispose you to needing [Medical, legal, provost, dean? who you gonna call? Keep a list. Get names of receptions/secretaries. Become a collector of INTEL. Write down EVERYTHING.]

[censored], I'm getting old.

Only use pencils for exams or things to be turned in. Use pens to take notes. By the end of the term, the notes in the front of your notebook will have begun to smudge if they are written in pencil.

For locking up small items, I have seen a metal lock box about the size of two paperbacks that has a steel wire like the laptop locks that locks with a key.

If you can use a calculator in a class, seriously consider getting one specifically for the subject. While a scientific calculator can perform the calculations for financial classes, it can't keep up on speed <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. A relatively inexpensive financial calculator can do by hitting a few buttons what the scientific does only by entering the values in the proper places as you enter the formula. This can mean the difference between a C & a B or better.

Some professors will allow open book or open notes on tests. Others will restrict you to 1 page, an index card, or no extra notes. If you have one that allows only limited notes, print them in the smallest font you can comfortably read. I would recommend a font such as arial or tahoma for this.

If your alarm clock will allow you to, always set two alarms. One 15 or 30 minutes before the other. Keep the alarms set for the same time seven days a week, even if you don't have to get up. This will get you used to waking up at the same time. If the power is out, you have a better chance of waking up in time for class anyway.

I don't know if you shoot, but if not, pick up a set of ear muffs. Nothing better than studying to the sound of silence -- especially with loud roommates.

You got the cringing part right...

The resident assistants at my dorm were forced by the university housing office to count EVERY single hole in the wall, damage to bathrooms, wrecked university dorm chairs, etc.

This "damage fee" was then translated into an end-of-the-semester bill that each student had to pay if they wanted to get back into the dorm the next semester.

Pretty sneaky!

Good suggestion on the spackle... that $0.79 might save you $7.90.

Spackle = Pepsodent

An Odd on, and related to "keeper of Intel" (a VERY good idea btw) - a Good habit to get into is keeping a log (Journal). Probably easier to start at school than later.

I'm NOT talking about feelings (although you can put them in if you want) - go to the book store, and get a Lab Notebook type journal - numbered pages, BOUND. Then keep notes "If it's not written down, it didn't happen" - Keep it in INK, and fill the pages - NEVER erase, (single strike through so folks can read it is OK) - Date every page, etc

You'll be surprised how it helps. 6 months later (or even years) you can get a piece of info that you are looking for. PLUS, if you ever end up in court, if you do it religiously, the logs can actually become legal evidence

None of the gear that I brought with me to school could've prepared me for the hell that I experienced living with my college roommate. (Imagine some of that nice gear getting stolen by other students because roommate was negligent with it, for example.) The key to my college survival? My senior year, I got super-lucky on the housing lottery and begged my parents to let me get a room of my own. If I were you, I'd set aside a little money now, and start saving, because single rooms usually cost a bit more.

Okay, I'll bite and I'll go first. I'm 44. I graduated high school in 1979, college in 1983, and graduate school in 1989. Most of the time I can get away with thinking I'm still 24 -- until I try to read something! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I am so old I went to school with Yoda.

Hi, Paul. I'm "upgrading" my degree right now, and I work for the school, so I've been living in the dorm for a year tommorrow. Here's what I recommend, leaving out the snivvel gear (like a television) or stuff for class:

(ok, I edited this after the outage was over and had some time to think)

A couple of packs. Easier to preload them, and switch as the day goes along. Get something like a SOBrand Pack-rat to keep things like your calculator and your date book and the like in, swap it between packs as needed. This will save you a lot of time, and lets you switch between several smaller packs rather than humping one big monster all day. This is survival gear- it helps your back and knees survive. You might not think of it now, but...

Flashlights, get a couple. At least one BRIGHT one. Spare batteries.

Earplugs, good ones.

Keep six days or more of shelf stable food on hand, and at least two days of water. Being a good ETSer, you'll have three days of food and two of water anyway, but you will give into the urge and raid the pantry when you've eaten pizza or burgers every meal accept breakfast for a week.

Wash your issued garbage can with a bleach mix, then double line it. If you need to use it to hold water, you can trust it now.

Make sure you map out at least four routes home, including one on foot, and keep those maps on hand.

Bring your boots and field clothes. Have them on hand in your closet or trunk.

Duct tape, don't use it unless you need to. The yellow tacky stuff if for the walls, this is for emergencies. Grab zip ties to.


Things for class that are can't live withouts for me:
One or more thumbdrives (I have one around my neck, one more in my Pack-Rat.), good calculator, clipboards, tums, pepto, immodium, water bottles, hot pot. Use pencil- it doesn't fade, stick or run like ink will. Get good paper, the super-cheap stuff sucks when you need to go looking for something three years down the road. Plenty of socks, change them at lunch and you will feel better. At least one spare set of sheets- clean ones are good for your morale. A pocket ref, and a pocket pc ref if you are computer oriented in your major, or the pocket handyman if you are mechanical or civil enginnering oriented. A dictionary, a GOOD one. Milk crates.

Headphones for your computer. A battery back up that you've tested on your computer- do a dry run, KNOW exactly how long you have if you loose power with a full load of applications and goodies. Anti-virus, and firewall (zone alarm is free, and good enough for this computer geek). Plenty of blank CDs. Keep a spare mouse and keyboard at home- if you can afford it, a cheap CRT as well, so you just have to schlep your box. Back up everything to at least two places, and to hardcopy.

And a good roomate. If you don't have one of those, a foot locker and good locks.

For your car, tune up this week- oil, radiator fluid, oil and air filters, etc. Keep a decent tool kit in you car if you know how to use it. Have the Hayes book for your car in that tool kit. If it is going to be super cold where you are, a piece of two-ply currogated big enough to put under your battery, so you can pull it when it get's below -20.

Get yourself an ammo can, two bricks, a roll of aluminum foil and some fine chicken wire. Add some charcoal, and you've got a grill. Keep it in your trunk, don't flash it about. It lets you cook some real food when the dining hall really, really sucks (it will just suck most of the time).

Hobby. You need a hobby, it is the ONLY thing that will keep you sane. Make time for yourself every day. Eat right, exercise. Make sure you brush your teeth- it will go a long way to keeping you in good mental shape. Vitimin supplements will be useful. Caffeine is not your friend, it is a tool in the same class as fire. Sleep is your friend. Spend a lot of time with it.

Great advice, one that I don't always think about. Network like mad.

I might have missed it but....What's your major?

I went to Hocking College School of Natural Resouces in Nelsonville, Ohio. Every Spring, and sometimes fall, it flooded. 1 way in and 1 way out. Most of my classes (Ranger Services) were outside rain, shine, or snow. Knowing how to get around (map) at flood time and having appropriate gear for the weather was priority.

Having a car is nice. My car was heavily used. charging for gas to transport someone is not out of the question, expecially with todays gas prices <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Have something to lock up valuables. Laptop being one, if you have one. The roommate, & his/her freinds will use your funiture, ie. chairs & desks, when over. Stuff being picked up without notice is easy. And if you don't want it messed with it won't be.

My roommate was never around. He had 2 D-cell Mag lights on his desk of different colors. I always switched the parts around. When he showed up he changed them back. I always knew when he was there then.

Psyc major, CJ minor. I'm probibly in way over my head. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Beware that many schools have rediculously anal policies about pocketknives. I've gottten in trouble for having a leatherman, which was confiscated(but thankfully I recovered) from the campus gestapo. Often people get busted for other things, like alcohol, and then get busted for something unrelated like having a pocketknife, especially if their rooms are searched. I'm not saying don't bring a knife, I'm saying be very discreet with it. By the way never keep a fake ID in your wallet, I know many, many people have been busted when they tried to get their real ID and the cops glimpsed the other one. Also FYI, you usually don't have to consent to a search.

Speaking of alcohol, don't be an idiot and drink too much, I've taken more students to the hospital for alcohol poisoning than anything else(I volunteered as an EMT on my campus). When you do drink, drink even more water. Don't join a frat if you have any dignity. And if beer is really hard to get(it won't be), and you have time for a hobby, and access to good stove, consider homebrewing. It's more expensive initially, but you'll make great beer, although you probably won't appreciate good beer until your a senior, if ever.

On to things to bring....
A bike, especially if you live off campus, but get a very good lock if not 2. Many people don't realize how easy it is to bike to campus, even if there are highways or traffic heavy roads in between. I can bike to campus faster than I can drive, and it's a great way to make up for a lack of excercise I sometimes have.

If you want to eat healthy and not the equivalent of fast food for 4 years straight, a fridge, some cooking equipment, and a simple cookbook. Don't rent a fridge if the school offers it, it's much cheaper in the long run to buy one, and it will be much better anyway. Just make sure it can fit in your car with the rest of your stuff, or you'll end up selling it at the end of the year. Make sure it has a descent freezer.

If you don't have access to a good kitchen, you can make do with a toaster oven, microwave, rice cooker, hot plate, etc. Most colleges ban devices with open heating elements, which includes hot plates and possibly toaster ovens. You can still bring them, if you don't draw too much attention your RA probably won't care. Either way, be very careful and never leave the device unatttended.

Try not to eat only highly processed food like mac&cheese, ramen noodles, and canned soups. You will destroy your health. Dining hall food is almost as bad. Try some fresh fruit, sandwiches, cereal, rice, or some real pasta. Canned beans and vegetables are less nutritious, but still a good option. Clif bars are great to have, for eating in class if you skip breakfast or as an energy boost between meals. Unlike most food in bar form, Clif bars are actually healthy, good tasting, and well balanced. I buy them by the box. Preparing healthy food in your dorm can be a challenge, especially if you don't have access to a kitchen, but it's not impossible.

A water filter pitcher, the bigger the better. You should always have plenty of water available, and there's not sink in your room. You don't have to keep it in your fridge. If the tap is fine, you could just use a large plastic container.

A good first aid kit is must, as are medicines for colds and such. Campus healh services usually has long waits and limited hours.

A computer is increadibly useful, for research, communication, and of course typing papers. But beware that you can waste a huge amount of your time in front of your computer.

shower shoes, definitely.

Lots of boxers and socks. But don't bring too many clothes, you won't wear half them.
Lots of patience for your roomate. It usually takes effort, on both sides, to get along. Good communication is essential. iIf they're doing something that really bothers you, let them know(in a respectful way), and make it clear that if you're doing something to bother him, he should do the same. Otherwise deep resentments will build up and you'll hate each other. But don't just complain, offer comporomises or alternatives. Also don't complain about minor things, you have to let the small stuff go. But don't let yourself be pushed around, or you'll be miserable. In any case, if you have roomate problems, you may be spending too much time in your room. Don't count on your RA for anything, in my experience their useless.

Speaking of your roomate, be sure to contact him before arriving on campus, if possible. It will help you coordinate which appliances to bring, so you don't have 2 of everything and no room. It wouldn't hurt to get to know him a bit, so it's less of a shock when you meet. Simple things like where he's from, what kind of music he likes, and his sleep habits will help you know what to expect.


FYI, you can get all the furniture, carpeting, notebooks, lamps, and almost any other dorm 'essentials' by dumpster diving or checking the halls and garbage rooms at the end of the year, from all the students who didn't plan ahead and have no room for the crap they bought. At least this is the case at my school, which is full of spoiled, wasteful, Long Island kids, and there is not good system to donate or recycle the stuff.

I guess this was more advice than a list, but I hope it helps.

Definitely agree on both the hobby & sleep. A good night's sleep before exams will beat cramming. If you dont know the material already, there is only so much you can cram in a night or two. I'd make the hobby something that has absolutely nothing to do with school topics unless it's something you already do for fun.

Get a GOOD set of running shoes if you don't already have some (I'd recommend Brooks or New Balance). If your feet hurt everything hurts. You will be able to feel the difference after several trips across campus in one day.

I think this is the worst advice (Shot Gun in Car) I have seen on this forum. I just graduated from college, and know for a fact that at my school (small liberal arts in New England) a shotgun on campus would have resulted in expulsion. No dean's meetings, no suspensions,—flat out summary dismissal. If they say No Guns, chances are they mean NO GUNS. After Columbine this is a very sensitive topic, and people take it seriously at schools: high schools and colleges. No Guns, means no guns.'Nuff said.

You're definitely running a risk. It's up to each person to decide if the risk is worth it. And it's not like the advice was to carry concealed, or keep a pistol under your pillow.

Admittedly, keepin a shotgun in the trunk is unusual. But based on my 8 years in the system, it's also (a) not the most unusual weapon I've seen on campus and (b) unlikely to be discovered. My car was simply never searched. Never. Granted, post 9/11, this could change, but really... how often do the campus cops stop you and demand to see in the trunk?

Whether or not it's legal in the community is also a different subject. If you're going to do this, make sure the gun is at least stored and transported according to all applicable laws.

Knowledge is a good thing....look into when the college is holding events. Mine use to have Fine Arts night...it was when a guest performer would show his work or perform. These events usually had a 'reception' that was open to the public (students too). They usually had free food and drink.

Also get to know the people who run the campus 'snack shack'. When they close at night, they have to throw out all the food that didn't get sold...Just before they did that they would usually ask anyone within earshot if they would like...some slices of pizza, fries...etc.

Someone on the forum said that you should get to know the people in whatever department you would be studying in...get to know the secretaries too.....they can be the most valuable people to know...I had many times when the "boss" said no but somehow it 'magically' happened. All because I was known by the secretary and didn't treat them like garbage (like some students did). Remember to treat the maintenence staff with respect too....I managed a few things only because I knew the staff and wasn't disrespectful.

This is probably the best long term advice in this entire thread.

It's easy to dismiss these people, especially when you're young. But they run the place. And they can make a huge difference in your academic career. (I owe my M.S. to a certain dept. secretary through an odd set of circumstances that were entirely my fault and involved a couple of arbitrary but completely inflexible deadlines. She saved me.)

Don't suck up. They can smell it. Just be nice, treat 'em like people. Because, you know, they are. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

RE Getting to know the secretaries and the maintenance people.

Folks, that's not a college hint - that is a HINT FOR LIFE. They can either make your day more pleasant, or make your life a horror. Treat them well, get to know them by name, talk to them when you DON'T need somethink - aka treat them like PEOPLE. You'll be thankful you did

When I used to go into the field for business - I always made sure I stopped for a box of doughnuts or a dozen bagels (hey, this IS NYC) and put them out on the table for the "crew". To this day, I can walk into most of the field sites I used to go to, and be welcome with open arms (10+ years later)

BTW if you want the REAL dirt on what's going on, ask those same secretaries and maintenance people - remember, the maintenance folks go everywhere, and see everything

I would add:
multi-tool
flashlight/lantern w/extra batteries
battery/hand-cranked/solar radio
bike tire tubes/repair kit
matches
duct tape
wire
5 min. epoxy
paracord
snacks
1 cs. bottled water


Pete

I'm at college now started yesterday. Make sure to preview your room. I have 3 room mates and not much room.( kind of like my maxpedition fat boy). I did not fallow the list provided by the school. I figuired if I did not think of it or am not willing to go get while 'm hear it is not that important. Btw the shelves at target are almost bare.

"Make sure to preview your room."

Definitely!! Whether or not it is your first time at the school, ask other students about the housing, specifically for any environmental problems they are aware of. My second year at tech school I was assigned a ground floor room in a dorm that was known to flood up to 6" in the rooms on the ground floor. All the other dorms were completely full, so I immediately went and got on the standby list for the better dorms in case anything came available. It turned out they had assigned a handicapped student to the third floor in a dorm without elevators. On the third day we swapped. Problem solved!

Oh! And file everything official they give you or have you sign. Later, when you have a problem and they have 'lost' your records, you'll be able to prove things and cover your butt! Enjoy!!

That's a GREAT point -- as one professor at my college used to say, "If you don't get it in triplicate, it'll just get lost."

Boy, was he right.