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The Definitive Freshman Checklist
Computers,
once used solely for the purposes of The Oregon Trail and porn have now become
the essential item for every college student. Laptops are
a good investment for their mobility, but desktops often
have more power and are cheaper. Another disadvantage of a laptop is its
difficulty to be upgraded. A desktop PC is much more modifiable and can be
customized to your needs without a big investment. And for those of you who
prefer to stay in more often than not, desktop PCs are great for games that
can fill a lot of your time.
• Apple
MacBook Pro - You'll look great on campus with this baby.
• Search
PC Notebook Options - Because not everyone's into Apple.
It's
possible to do without a printer thanks to college print services, computer
labs, and generous roommates. However, if you have a paper due, you may not
want to be so dependent on the print service being open and roommates being
charitable. Instead of spending valuable working time dealing with printing
and being a mooch, it might be worthwhile to fork out some cash for a small
printer and some ink
cartridges.
• Canon
Pixima All-In-One - Great for scanning and printing - under $200!
• Browse
All Printers - Choice is beautiful
You
will need an Ethernet
(RJ-45) cable to connect to the Internet. Be sure to get a long one in
case you arrange your room so that your desk is far from the plug. You may
also want to make sure you have a wireless
card, if not for your University's Wireless Network, for local cafés.
You will also want some CD-Rs for
saving big projects, making mix CDs, and other projects. USB
Flash drives can also be helpful. Get the largest capacity you can afford.
And remember headphones.
TV?
You are in college now and way too mature for that. Uhhhh right. You'll
need this sucker as a primary source of procrastination and entertainment.
Check the phone book because there are a variety of different services and
packages. The DVD player is nice for watching your favorite movies over
and over and annoying your roommate, and if you happen to get a VHS player
built-in to your DVD player or TV, it can't hurt. You'll be able to tape "The
OC" when you can't watch (shhh you know you watch it). This is a big
ticket item, so make sure you talk with your roommate(s) before packing to
see if you can split the total cost or each bring one component (ie. one
brings TV, one brings DVD player). We warn against renting a TV – it’s a
big waste of time and money.
• Phillips
Progressive Scan DVD Player - Quality DVD Player that won't skip!
• Sony
27" Trinitron WEGA Digital TV - Sweet picture at a great price
If
you didn’t have one in high school, it’s time to join the ranks. They will
become your address book, your connection to home, your party hook up, and
your ear’s best friend/cancer source. Plus, you'll want to be able to call
all the people you meet in the first few months of school. Pick one with
features that suit your needs and have enough distractions to keep you occupied
in class.
• Verizon
RAZR - If you don't have a phone or are thinking of swithcing, the
Verizon RAZR is the one to get! Plus Verizon has the best service nationwide.
• eForcity
Cell Phone Accessories - Great selection of cell phone accessories.
Bring
a camera to Boston College. If for one to make your parents stop bugging
you for photos, but also because you should have fun here and once you have
Alzheimer’s you’ll need them for documentation. Avoid the very expensive
ones because there is a decent chance of you losing it or having it stolen.
Digital cameras have come way down in price lately, and a perfectly good
2 megapixel is dirt cheap. Become a tourist in your own life and take pictures
of everything and everyone, but be careful. Don’t put pictures of you doing
illegal activities on the facebook. The university can use them as evidence
against you.
• Canon
Powershot A520 4MP - Great bang for your buck here so start capturing
those memories. These are the golden years!
• Kodak
EasyShare 4MP - For a compact digital at $85 you can't beat this one!
Stereos
are not totally necessary because you’ll have a computer, and probably an
MP3 player. It’s a good idea to invest in some adequate speakers or good
headphones for your computer, not only for music, but also to drown out the
terrible sounds of your RA on his acoustic guitar attempting to impress nearby
girls with a serenade of the Third Eye Blind song he learned 6 years ago.
Stereos just take up space. The same goes for CDs. If you can download music,
you don't have to pack or store CDs, or worry about them getting stolen.
There is still is that indescribable charm for those with record players.
• iPod
Store - Plenty of great options to dock your iPod.
• Altec
Lansing iPod Docking Station - PA nice, affordable option for docking
your iPod.
• Phillips
Hi-Fi Thin CD Player - In case you're a CD person, this is a great
option.
Early
classes are practically mandatory if you are a first year student. You are
nothing! So your classes will reflect that. If you don't, consider yourself
lucky. You're going to need this sucker to wake your lazy ass up. Sure, you
got up at the crack of dawn for four years in high school, but trust us kids,
this is not high school. You might even consider a clock that hangs from
the ceiling to further increase the difficulty of turning it off. Make sure
your clock is LOUD (loud enough that you'll hear it when you place it across
the room) and difficult to turn off -- a large, easy to hit SNOOZE button
will be your worst enemy. Be wary of clocks that are super bright though,
or you (or worse your roommate) will be kept up all night by its eerie LED
glow.
• Timex Nature Sounds Auto Set CD Clock - Wake up to the radio or your favorite CD!
The
overhead light of your dorm room will not just produce bland, ugly light,
but also migraines and depression. Invest in a cheap $15 standing lamp from
Target to help counter the fluorescent and attract bugs. If you're really
feeling crazy, spend a couple dollars on some colored light bulbs. A desk
lamp is also a good idea for the times when you're pulling an all-nighter
and your roommate wants to go to bed. Clamp lights are also nice to provide
personal light anywhere you want it. Halogen lights are not recommended and
have a rumor of being dangerous.
• Floor
Lamp - The classic 3 bulb floor lamp
• Lamps
Plus - A Great Selection of lamps at College Budgets
Some
say these lights are an absolute necessity to dorm and that is up to you.
If you string them underneath a loft or bunk, watch your head! Also make
sure you have plenty of paper clips or staples for hanging them from the
ceiling. A couple packages will do the trick -- unless you and your roommate
go completely overboard and want to cover your entire ceiling in lights...in
which case seek professional help.
• LED
Christmas Multi-Colored 36 Light String Set - Christmas just got cooler!
• White
Bulb Christmas Lights - The classic Christmas choice.
Sometimes
the genius room layouts will leave your appliances far from the electrical
outlets, so get at least two nice long extension cords. The surge protector
adds a little security for that fool who decides to cook popcorn at 2AM.
If you have a lot of things to plug in, bring two.
• Belkin
SurgeMaster Surge Prptector - Don't loose that paper!
• 12
Foot Extension Chord - You never know when you'll need one!
The
odd timing and extremes of AC and heat in the dorms can only be explained
by how they prepare you for a life in your crappy cubicle offices with similar
issues. A fan is your best friend for controlling your own cooling.
• Honeywell
High Performance Fan - Blows harder than - well, ya know...
• Honeywell
Window Fan - A great substitute for an AC Unit
Now
that you’ll be doing your own laundry, you’ll be surprised to find out how
much your clothes wrinkle. Sorry, it’s true. If you have the patience,
an iron and small ironing board will make you more impressive
to your peers (Oh such a sad, sad joke).
• Black & Decker AS150 Steam Advantage Iron - For the occasional wrinkle in your life.
If
you’re a coffee snob, how can we argue that it's not worthwhile to pack a
coffee maker (one with auto off). However, coffee abounds in college towns,
so why spend your time cleaning up grounds?
• Black & Decker Brew 'n Go with Travel Mug - Wake up for early classes with a hot cup of joe.
Beds
in the dorms are all twins and you might want to buy extra-long sheets to
ensure they fit. Make sure to bring a few sets, because if you’re like most
students you'll err on the side of laziness/business when it comes to laundry.
• Cotton
Twin XL Sheets - We recommend you stick to the lighter colors.
• Flannel
Twin XL Sheets - If your school is up North, make sure you have a pair!
The
need for towels is not to be underestimated. What you lack in clean laundry,
you will want to make up for with good hygiene. Two to five towels should
do it.
• Collegiate Towels - Truthfully that's the name - need we say more?
Bringing
your childhood “Binky” is your call, but a warm blanket for sleep is essential.
You'll want a comforter for cold winter nights, but it's also a good idea
to bring a fleece blanket or throw for warmer evenings or to use while sitting
out on the quad.
• Twin Microfiber Blanket - Microfiber is the new suede - and it resists spills.
Bring
your regular pillows and a couple extra to prop yourself up on while watching
TV or movies, because it’s unlikely you’ll have a couch in your room. One
of those "husband/wife" pillows might not be a bad idea, but they
take up space and it's annoying to continually move them on and off your
bed every night.
• Wamsutta Magic Gel Pillow - Here's wishing you some magic.
If
you get stuck with a mattress that’s been around since your school first
opened, an egg crate or mattress pad may be the only thing separating you,
an aching back, and ancient mystery stains.
• Sleep Innovations Eggcrate Foam Topper - For $10, get a good nights sleep!
Either
plastic or metal, these will give you some extra storage space underneath
your bed or in the closet. They are mostly handy for storing stuff that you
don't use too often, like books.
• Bubble Crates - For $5, you can't go wrong.
Even
if you aren't planning to bring a lot of clothes that require hanging, hangers
come in handy and have a way of disappearing. Take it from Joan Crawford:
no wire hangers! Bring plastic. You can hang drying items on them, heavier
items on them, and they cause less wrinkles.
• Pack of 72 Tube Hangers - A basic neccessity.
A
very tiny bit of the world will be "yours" while at school. Consider
what you want to look at while there: old movie posters, band fliers, pictures
of your friends ... or the stark, cell-like cinder blocks of your wall.
Be wary of following the cliché college poster route with such gems like
John Belushi in Animal House, Bob Marley smoking weed, and girls in thong
bikinis drinking beer (word to the wise, this will not get you more girls).
• AllPosters.com - Widest selection of posters we found on the web.
Go
with a short long one (to go under your bed) or a thin medium height one
(to go in your closet). Expandable hampers are ideal for dorm rooms because
they can hold a lot of clothes and fold neatly to fit anywhere. Some have
removable bags. A standard laundry or long duffle bag will do too, but remember
that the larger it is the less often you will feel compelled to do laundry,
which depending on your disposition can be a curse, a blessing, or both.
• Mesh Laundry Hamper - On the off chance that your clothes actually make it into the hamper, this is the one to use!
A
big jug or tub keeps most first years relatively presentable for much of
the school year. Dryer sheets are good for combating the dusty smell your
drawers might create in your clothes.
• Tide
High Efficiency Laundry Detergent - More bang for your buck with this
powerful stuff.
• Bounce
Dryer Sheets - At least your clothes will be soft when classes start getting
hard.
It's
better to get a cheap garbage can that you can replace after one year of
filling it with gross leftovers, questionable liquids and the off-chance
bodily fluids. Don’t get some perforated one, because it will leak stuff.
And save up plastic bags from the store – it makes disposal a much neater
activity. The flip tops are nice for hiding overflowing garbage can situations.
• Simple Human Garbage Can - Simple, stylish but still affordable.
There’s
some kitchen supplies you never knew you needed until they’re gone. The time
will come when your food collection resembles that of a depleted bomb shelter;
comprising only of second rate canned goods. A can opener may just be your
best friend until you can work up the nerve to go grocery shopping by yourself.
Some other items to go in the miscellaneous drawer: bottle opener, corkscrew,
measuring spoons, and Tupperware for leftovers.
• Measuring
Tools - Great assortment of choices here - who knows, you may even
end up keeping some of these for a while.
• Bar
& Wine Tools - For the occasional dorm room party - hey, we're realistic.
We've been there!
• Tupperware -
In case you have a cooking area in your dorm, these are essential.
A
water filtering pitcher may be a helpful way to enhance the taste, if not
health, of your tap water. Be sure to change the filters as often as required.
If your family has a bulk buying superstore membership, pick some filters
up to take with you; they tend to be expensive.
• Brita Slim Pitcher with Filter - A nice space saving option for your dorm room fridge.
• Replacement Filter 3-Pack - Great to stock up on. Filters should really be changed every 2-3 months.
Bring
some double-stick product to put up your posters, message board, band fliers,
etc. Walls are usually concrete, so nails and tacks are out of the question. Just
make sure you get a product that has removal instructions, or you could wind
up paying a fee when you move out.
• Grizzly Double Sided Tape - Powerful stuff. Recommended more for concrete walls.
• Poster Putty - Another alternative for mounting posters - comes right off those lovely cinder block walls.
If
you haven't touched it in over a year, don't bring it. Bring the clothes
you like and will wear regularly. Err on the side of being minimal. You'll
likely find out what you want to be wearing better after you're there no
matter what.
• KarmaLoop -
Great clothes with that urban atittude.
• Gap
Online - A staple amongst most college crowds.
• Old
Navy - Gap's less expensive cousin.
• Shoes -
Zappos has some great deals online.
You want enough so that you don't have to do laundry very often. So it is suggested you bring about 21 pairs of underwear and socks… unless you don’t mind wearing them more than one day each. Ewwwwwwwww.
• Gap
Online - They have some great patterns on boxers here!
• Old
Navy - A cheap way to stock up on your unmentionables.
Make sure they're not only comfortable to sleep in, but also in decent shape (no major holes) and not too embarrassing, because chances are that you will wear them to classes more than once or twice.
You
never know when you’re going to need one. While we do admire your confidence,
for most people, it should be forbidden to wear a speedo in public. You might
decide to go swimming during open times at the campus pool.
• Swimsuits for All - Everyone can find something here.
It's good to have some nice formal outfits (suit, ties, dress, whatever floats your boat) in case you get invited to some cool event, lecture, dance or party that requires formal wear. A tuxedo t-shirt will do just fine for most things, but you might want to look more spiff to land that sweet internship.
• Jos A Bank - Classy, but it won't break your bank.
Because
of the dire effects of global warming and constant temperature changes, you
never what kind of weather to expect! So when packing, remember that there
is rain in Hartford. So pack an umbrella that will not fold inside out and
fly into nearby students.
• London Fog Automatic Open Umbrella.
You
should always bring a variety of common medicines (head, stomach, sinuses,
throat, etc.). You'll need them at some point and you'll be able to come
to the rescue of your hot neighbor. Also be prepared for cuts and bruises.
• First Aid - A nice compact package with all the basic necessities.
Shampoo,
conditioner, soap/body wash, razors,
shaving cream, deodorant, tissues, toothpaste and toothbrushes, a comb/brush,
Q-tips, dental floss, nail clippers, spare contacts, glasses and contact
solution if you need them, and a hair
dryer if you use one. Also, whatever "product" (read: gunk)
you use to make your hair purdy.
If
you have a shared bathroom, you'll need to contain your toiletries in manageable
and portable containers. Shower caddies have holes in the bottom to let the
water drain out. They just need to be big enough to carry your shower and
bathroom essentials. Keep it small. And do not forget the flip flops. The
shower might be clean, but your hall mate might have some gross fungus.
• Bathroom Caddy - An easy way to take all your goodies to and from the shower.
• Flip Flops - These will keep that nasty fungus off your feet.
Be
sure to talk with your parents about how to keep your prescriptions up to
date in your new locale well ahead of leaving.
• Pain Killers - Chances are you'll have a few migranes before Freshman year is through.
You’ll
need more than your first aid supplies to play doctor. If you want to have
sex, you want to have some protection. Go to your Campus Health Center on
campus to buy condoms and other safe-sex materials as well as information
on the subject.
• Trojan Condom - Variety 36 Pack - Variety is a good thing.
So
they've become a college cliché, but they're still super useful for sports,
outdoors activity, class, and studying. You can also express your campus
pride and get one at the bookstore with the logo on it. The Nalgene type
are nearly indestructible and won't give you that cheap plastic taste that
regular water bottles will. Just don't put milk in them. Trust us.
• CamelBak .75 Liter Water Bottle - Pretty sleek design.
Pledge
or Clorox are an absolute Godsend, and the benefit will be two-fold: disguising
the nasty dorm-room smell (either the one that was there when you arrived
or the one you made in the process of living there) and combating the inevitable
dust build-up. Get the lemon-scented kind.
• Clorox Cleaning Wipes - Who knows - maybe you can avoid a few colds by using these in common areas you share with your roommate.
Whether
it’s a PDA, personal secretary, or desk calendar, you will want something
to keep track of due dates, upcoming days off of school and important B-days. The
Daily Jolt also offers an easy to use online scheduler.
• Palm Z22 Handheld PDA - At about $90, this is the one to get if you're on a budget.
• Dell Axim X51v PDA - If you need all the bells and whistles, this is your best bet.
Stinky
roommate? Too much old laundry? Dried, moldy milk in your cereal bowl? Febreeze
it away! Some also go for plug-in air fresheners, but those take up valuable
socket space. Aerosol can fresheners only help with the smell for a few seconds.
The spritzy oil kind really stink up the room, and that can be nauseating
(especially if they leak). Double check if you've got an asthmatic roommate.
• 27.4 oz Febreeze Spray - You never know when you'll need this in the room! A real problem solver.
The
dry erase boards are a throw back to the college days of yore before IM and
Away messages removed their functionality. It can still be a fun thing, but
beware that your markers will be stolen within the first few weeks of school.
Get a five-pack at the dollar store.
• Dry Erase Board - Great for friends to leave messages and funny cartoons on.
This
is not elementary school, so do not go overboard on school supplies. Most
of your money will go towards book, so use sparingly here: One box of pens,
one notebook for each class, one or two highlighters, a stapler, some pencils
and a graphing calculator ought to do it. Scissors, 3-hole puncher and a
small package of post-its are a good touch too.
• Staples Back To School Specials - A complete collection of cheap Back to School supplies.
You
will want to stock up on snacks and junk food for late night cravings when
the dining hall seems just too far away. You want food items that won't spoil
and require little effort to prepare. Think microwavable mac'n'cheese, ramen,
granola bars, dry cereal, fruit cups, peanut butter, energy bars. Take advantage
of your parents moving you in, and get them to buy you loads of stuff. As
optimistic as you are, you won’t make it to the grocery store as often as
you plan.
• Snack Food - You won't have to sneak these out of the dining hall.
If
the gods created a tape, it would be Duct Tape. This stuff is essential for
repairs, but is a bad idea for using on the walls or furniture (goodbye paint,
goodbye wood finish), so be careful what you fix. Don’t be fooled by its
name; duct tape is useless when it comes to actually repairing ducts. Another
great use for this product is trapping your roommate in his/her bed as well
as blocking doorways.
• Heavy Duty 3M Duct Tape - This should have its own element on the periodic table named after it.
Bring
your favorite CDs and DVDs, but remember that everything has to go someplace.
If you have an awesome VHS collection (why do you have an awesome VHS collection?),
bring some of it, because you will probably be able to find someone with
a VHS player. As for books, bring a few of your favorites, but not your whole
library. No one will be impressed by your collection of books. And you’re
in college, why the hell do you need books? And burnable DVDs and CDs are
great if you want to “borrow” your neighbor’s DVD collection while he/she
is out.
• DVDs
from Amazon - Amazon is pretty much the king of selling DVDs - plus
you can bought previously viewed DVDs from other Amazon users for less
dough.
• Music
from Amazon - Great selection. To save at least 1/3 of the price, buy
from other users who are trying to sell their CDs - most are unscratched.
• Books
from Amazon - Pretty much the major category from Amazon's humble beginnings
in the 90's - remember that decade?
These
become essential if you have a rude roommate or a loud floor. If worse comes
to worse, you might have to resort to the hand in warm water technique to
teach that roommate a lesson.
• Disposable Ear Plugs - You never know when your roommate might start singing Phil Collins in their sleep.
Use
sticky hooks because the more floor space the better. Try to find ones that
won’t leave a residue to avoid nasty cleanup.
• 3M Hooks - Go ahead and mount something!
You
will be surprised how useful some tools can be in a dorm room. Specifically
screwdrivers! Get one with different heads (flat and Phillips) of different
sizes. Other tools may come in handy as well.
• Apollo 39 piece compact tool kit - Ladies love a handyman.
A
small package with a few needles, a few different colored threads and a button
or two is all you need. You will only need it for emergencies and if you're
lucky you’ll be able to bring the items home on breaks to allow another family
member to mend them for you.
• Lewis & Clark Sewing Kit - Be prepared if you lose a button on your favorite outfit.
Bring
them or buy them there, whatever is most convenient. Standard 60 watt bulbs
will usually do the trick, but check your desk lamp and overhead light for
their specifications. Energy saver bulbs will last your whole year and, yup,
save energy.
• GE Soft White 60 Watt Long Life Bulbs - These bulbs may end up staying in your dorm room longer than you.
You
might not want the responsibility, but plants will brighten a dull room.
Take a look at department stores or supermarkets for something cheap that
can survive without much maintenance or direct sun.
• Money Tree - Cause these days, college is so expensive!
Batteries
are expensive, so you will want some that will recharge themselves with no
cost. They may not have as long of a lifespan but they will save you money!
Just don’t lose them.
• Sony Rechargeable Batteries - Much easier and less expensive to go with 1 or 2 sets of these batteries - especially with the markup at most campus stores.
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