In the old days, a roll of quarters for the washer and dryer was considered essential. Today, a number of schools offer free laundry. Davidson College has a service that washes and folds students' clothes, and some, like High Point University, even text students when it's time to transfer the wash to the dryer - all, according to their admissions staff, in the name of stronger time management skills for their students.
Beyond the obvious bed and bath basics, what are the real necessities that 2011 freshmen can't live without?
Electronics - Take power strips, surge protectors, extension cords, headphones, flash drives, laptop sleeves and docking stations. There are now portable Bluetooth speakers and cooling pads for Mac and PC notebooks. All this fluff is nice, but having your own computer - laptops are preferred by students - is probably the only critical item. Most students either share printers with their roommates or have printing accounts that provide them with more than enough copies for the year.
Organizers - Now you can buy bed lifts that attach to the legs of the bed raising it just 5 inches, enough for the under-bed storage boxes. Storage carts on wheels are easier to move into the dorm and offer flexibility to redecorate the room as needed. Hanging shelf organizers in the closet for shoes and sweaters minimizes clutter. Over-the-door hooks and decorative wall hooks are a great way to clean up a room really fast. A bedside caddy can keep a drink, headphones and tissues nearby.
Security - For the first time, I've seen miniature safes designed for dormitory use. Because so many students wander around their floors and frequently don't lock or close their doors, having a safe to store valuables such as a passport, extra spending money, etc., is a smart idea. A night-light will come in handy, too.
Health and cleanliness - Don't forget medications and make arrangements to transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near the dorm. Keeping the room intact and smelling nice can be a challenge. Having a hand vacuum, air fresheners, wipes, hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, etc., makes sense.
Move-in tips
Take a dolly - Buy or borrow a semiprofessional moving dolly, and you will sweat less, earn kudos from strangers and quickly become the dorm hero when you lend it.
Don't forget the tools - A screwdriver kit, duct tape and sticky tape that won't ruin the walls for posters, etc. are essentials.
What's really important is for freshmen to take an open mind, an adventuresome spirit and a willingness to put aside old stereotypes and take on new experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
