The Definitive Freshman Checklist

Electronics

Computer

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.

Jolt Picks

• Apple MacBook Pro - You'll look great on campus with this baby.
• Search PC Notebook Options - Because not everyone's into Apple.

Printer

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.

Jolt Picks

• Canon Pixima All-In-One - Great for scanning and printing - under $200!
• Browse All Printers - Choice is beautiful

Computer Accessories

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.

A TV, and optional DVD/VHS player

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.

Jolt Picks

• Phillips Progressive Scan DVD Player - Quality DVD Player that won't skip!
• Sony 27" Trinitron WEGA Digital TV - Sweet picture at a great price

Cell Phone

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Digital Camera

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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 or MP3 Players

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Alarm Clock

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.

Jolt Picks

• Timex Nature Sounds Auto Set CD Clock - Wake up to the radio or your favorite CD!

Lamps

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.

Jolt Picks

• Floor Lamp - The classic 3 bulb floor lamp
• Lamps Plus - A Great Selection of lamps at College Budgets

Christmas Lights

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.

Jolt Picks

• LED Christmas Multi-Colored 36 Light String Set - Christmas just got cooler!
• White Bulb Christmas Lights - The classic Christmas choice.

Extension Cords & Surge Protectors

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.

Jolt Picks

• Belkin SurgeMaster Surge Prptector - Don't loose that paper!
• 12 Foot Extension Chord - You never know when you'll need one!

Small Fan

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.

Jolt Picks

• Honeywell High Performance Fan - Blows harder than - well, ya know...
• Honeywell Window Fan - A great substitute for an AC Unit

Iron

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).

Jolt Picks

• Black & Decker AS150 Steam Advantage Iron - For the occasional wrinkle in your life.

Coffee Maker

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?

Jolt Picks

• Black & Decker Brew 'n Go with Travel Mug - Wake up for early classes with a hot cup of joe.

Dorm Amenities

Bed Sheets

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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!

Towels

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.

Jolt Picks

• Collegiate Towels - Truthfully that's the name - need we say more?

Blankets

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.

Jolt Picks

• Twin Microfiber Blanket - Microfiber is the new suede - and it resists spills.

Pillows (& Extras)

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.

Jolt Picks

• Wamsutta Magic Gel Pillow - Here's wishing you some magic.

Mattress Pads and Egg Crates

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.

Jolt Picks

• Sleep Innovations Eggcrate Foam Topper - For $10, get a good nights sleep!

Storage Crates

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.

Jolt Picks

• Bubble Crates - For $5, you can't go wrong.

Clothes Hangers

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.

Jolt Picks

• Pack of 72 Tube Hangers - A basic neccessity.

Wall Decorations

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).

Jolt Picks

• AllPosters.com - Widest selection of posters we found on the web.

Laundry Hamper

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.

Jolt Picks

• Mesh Laundry Hamper - On the off chance that your clothes actually make it into the hamper, this is the one to use!

Laundry Detergent & Dryer Sheets

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Garbage Can

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.

Jolt Picks

• Simple Human Garbage Can - Simple, stylish but still affordable.

Random 'Kitcheny' Stuff

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Brita Pitcher

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Double Sided Tape or Sticky Putty

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Clothing

Clothing

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Undergarments

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.

Jolt Picks

• Gap Online - They have some great patterns on boxers here!
• Old Navy - A cheap way to stock up on your unmentionables.

Comfy PJ's

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.

Bathing Suit

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.

Jolt Picks

• Swimsuits for All - Everyone can find something here.

Formal Clothing

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.

Jolt Picks

• Jos A Bank - Classy, but it won't break your bank.

Umbrella

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.

Jolt Picks

• London Fog Automatic Open Umbrella.

Bathroom Stuff

First Aid

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.

Jolt Picks

• First Aid - A nice compact package with all the basic necessities.

Toiletries

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.

Shower Caddy & Flip Flops

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Medications

Be sure to talk with your parents about how to keep your prescriptions up to date in your new locale well ahead of leaving.

Jolt Picks

• Pain Killers - Chances are you'll have a few migranes before Freshman year is through.

Contraceptives

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.

Jolt Picks

• Trojan Condom - Variety 36 Pack - Variety is a good thing.

College Necessities

Water Bottle

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.

Jolt Picks

• CamelBak .75 Liter Water Bottle - Pretty sleek design.

Cleaning Wipes

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.

Jolt Picks

• Clorox Cleaning Wipes - Who knows - maybe you can avoid a few colds by using these in common areas you share with your roommate.

Organizer

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Febreeze

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.

Jolt Picks

• 27.4 oz Febreeze Spray - You never know when you'll need this in the room! A real problem solver.

Message Board

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.

Jolt Picks

• Dry Erase Board - Great for friends to leave messages and funny cartoons on.

School Supplies

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.

Jolt Picks

• Staples Back To School Specials - A complete collection of cheap Back to School supplies.

Food!

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.

Jolt Picks

• Snack Food - You won't have to sneak these out of the dining hall.

Duct Tape

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.

Jolt Picks

• Heavy Duty 3M Duct Tape - This should have its own element on the periodic table named after it.

Optional

CDs, DVDs & Books

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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?

Earplugs

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.

Jolt Picks

• Disposable Ear Plugs - You never know when your roommate might start singing Phil Collins in their sleep.

Hooks

Use sticky hooks because the more floor space the better. Try to find ones that won’t leave a residue to avoid nasty cleanup.

Jolt Picks

• 3M Hooks - Go ahead and mount something!

Tools

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.

Jolt Picks

• Apollo 39 piece compact tool kit - Ladies love a handyman.

Sewing Kit

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.

Jolt Picks

• Lewis & Clark Sewing Kit - Be prepared if you lose a button on your favorite outfit.

Light Bulbs

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.

Jolt Picks

• GE Soft White 60 Watt Long Life Bulbs - These bulbs may end up staying in your dorm room longer than you.

Plants

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.

Jolt Picks

• Money Tree - Cause these days, college is so expensive!

Rechargeable Batteries

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.

Jolt Picks

• 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.

Manage Your Back to School List
Recommend a Product