I was thinking about all the packing-for-college lists that are in my mailbox, the ads about getting everything you need for college, and flashbacks of my own shopping and packing for school. That lead me to today’s topic: What to really pack for college.

This isn’t a list of everything your child should take. (You can find a great list at www.collegeanswer.com/packing.) It is a list that came from an actual college student, who completed her freshman year. I was sure that so many freshmen take everything they see on these lists, and then only use about half of the stuff or wish they had something different. So what better way to find out than ask a student?

Remember that your child will be sharing a room and usually not a very big one. The beauty of social media sites (like Facebook) is that kids can communicate with their assigned roommate way before arriving. They’ll quickly be able to sort through color choices, personality, and probably have a good feel for what they will see once you get the room set up. Use the summer to decide how to handle large items, like a fridge, microwave, lounge chairs, etc. And use the time to inform the soon-to-be roommate of sleep-talking or -walking issues, a love for music while sleeping, the alarm that sounds the latest Black Eyed Peas songs, etc. These are great things to communicate before the first night sharing a room.

I talked to the daughter of one of my friends and neighbors, who is heading back to school as a sophomore this fall. Ariel is extremely organized, so you may find these notes are a little more than you need. That’s okay. All lists or advice that you use must be adjusted to your child. If he hates to swim, don’t pack a swimsuit; it can be as simple as that.

One of the first things Ariel mentioned (I found it a bit surprising but a very valid point) is to be careful if your student plans to take expensive things. She said it was really in reference to the fact that so many of her friends’ valuables were lost or stolen. So if your child wants to pack expensive personal items, you may want to pack a small lockbox to keep them in. She also mentioned that she and her roommate rarely, if ever, watched TV. She said, “TV was a waste of time because you can’t get any good channels and there is so much to do at college, you won’t need it.” Not sure everyone will listen to that, but it’s a very valid point.

Here are a few of the great points she mentioned that you rarely see on what-to-pack lists:

1. Shower bucket: Most every list has this on it, and most everyone is glad they brought one. But what they are often missing are the drain holes. Whatever type of container you get, simply drill several holes in the bottom so all that water and shampoo doesn’t end up as mold.
2. Clothes: Obviously everyone takes them, but are you packing things that will really be worn? Best quote from my interview was this: “Unlike high school, no one cares what you wear in college.” Bring comfortable clothes and, if the college is going to have cold weather, take warm clothes.
3. Nothing with an open coil: For example, hot plates or toasters. You can’t have it so don’t even risk it.
4. People will sit on your bed: One of the best suggestions was about the comforter that kids probably plan to pack. Most people who come to the room will look for a seat, and this is mostly likely the bed. Think about sticking the comforter in the washing machine — not easy. A better option might be two microfleece blankets that can easily be cleaned.  

And here's a great list of some of the Must Haves and Don’t Needs.

Must haves

• A fan (This was the number one thing that was mentioned. The dorms are hot all year long.)
• An iPod or MP3 player
• Laptop
• Two sets of extra long and extra narrow bed sheets (each school will advise what their mattresses are like — their beds are not that wide)
• First aid kit (If everyone knows they have it, they need to be ready to share.)
• Any medical items that are used regularly 
• Alarm clock (Don’t depend on the cell phone; they won't leave their alarm clock at a party.)
• Earplugs (dorms get noisy)
• Software documentation (it doesn’t help if the instructions and guide books are hundreds of miles from your computer)
• Paper calendar (helps to have a visual of events and show the roommate what’s on your schedule)
• Hooks with an adhesive backing
• Duct tape (use it for everything)  
• Lounge chairs (butterfly, papasan, etc.) (If they plan to have a game system in their room, they may need several.)
• Two whiteboards — one for inside the room and one for friends on the outside of the door
• Lots of whiteboard markers and duct tape to keep them from being taken.
• Throw-away plastic food containers
• Disinfectant wipes
• Deep conditioner and lotion — school water is REALLY hard.

Don't needs

• DVDs (download and watch movies on the laptop)
• Under-bed storage containers (Wait until getting to school to see if they are needed. Kids found that they didn’t need the extra boxes and sent them home with their parents.)
• Computer printer (many schools have wireless printers in their common areas; it may save you the money and space of having one in the room)
• Bottled water (very bulky for a dorm room; buy a container with a filter and refill when it's empty)
• Light bulbs and repair kits (school will supply)

A great place to shop for all your college shopping needs is through Upromise.com. By purchasing all your school items from the website at great back-to-school online stores like Bed Bath & Beyond (2% savings), Borders (3% savings), Gap (2% savings), Lands’ End (3% savings), Office Depot (2% savings), Target (2% savings), and hundreds of others, you get a percentage of your purchase placed in your account. 

Have fun at the stores!