Buying College Supplies early

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is all the stuff to buy? Some bedding, towels and blu-tak. Maybe a shampoo caddy?

Twin XLong sheets, blanket, mattress topper/egg crate, pillow(s).
Towels
Clothing (kids like to reinvent themselves when they go away to college)
Shoes
Under-the-bed-boxes
Posters for the walls
Alarm clock as backup for iPhone running out of juice
Laptop
School supplies (pens, pencils, calculator, stapler, staples, scotch tape, fun-tak, whatever else)
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Razor
Bowl
Fork & Spoon

I could go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea.

But most of that stuff you don't buy junior year of high school. In fact most of it would be silly to buy 1.5-2 years in advance since tastes and needs may change or be dependent on the school. Or you don't want to pay to ship conditioner to California. I've sent 2 kids to college and both really wanted to do most of this themselves. It's part of THEIR process. The only thing that had any real lead time was monogrammed sheets and towels (that's only a girl thing obviously) and even that was only a couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. I decided to take a look at this thread since my DD is class of 2015. She's the one who wanted to start looking at stuff this winter, even though she hasn't decided which school to go to yet.

We have bought nothing yet. But if anyone has advice on really useful stuff you might not think of or stupid stuff you buy and never use, that would be helpful. I'm kind of looking at this as buying for the nursery 18 years later.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad we waited until my kid's registration day to actually get most of the stuff she needed. We waited until we got the official list from the school in the summer, and then we had things shipped out about a week before she was due to check in. We kept an ongoing shopping cart going on Target and Amazon, and went to Ikea the week before and got a few color coordinated towels and things.

My daughter's dorm used twin beds, so it was good that we didn't buy the standard XLong bedding that is in most of college dorms.

Small fridge and small appliances (if applicable) are things that you really want to get in the same town as the college. Also, you will want to stock them up on laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and things like that.

You DEFINITELY don't want to be thinking about this kind of stuff in junior year, so get a grip OP! (I say this kindly.) Senior year is going to be a busy whirlwind, and you should just concentrate on that for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad we waited until my kid's registration day to actually get most of the stuff she needed. We waited until we got the official list from the school in the summer, and then we had things shipped out about a week before she was due to check in. We kept an ongoing shopping cart going on Target and Amazon, and went to Ikea the week before and got a few color coordinated towels and things.

My daughter's dorm used twin beds, so it was good that we didn't buy the standard XLong bedding that is in most of college dorms.

Small fridge and small appliances (if applicable) are things that you really want to get in the same town as the college. Also, you will want to stock them up on laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and things like that.

You DEFINITELY don't want to be thinking about this kind of stuff in junior year, so get a grip OP! (I say this kindly.) Senior year is going to be a busy whirlwind, and you should just concentrate on that for now.

Op here. I just can't! I'm so sad just thinking about all of this. I cry myself to sleep practically every night just thinking about her leaving. My heart is so heavy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is all the stuff to buy? Some bedding, towels and blu-tak. Maybe a shampoo caddy?

for boys, yes. for girls, no.

This is true. When I was buying for my son, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how he just wanted the basics, nothing fancy. I was so tempted by all the fun patterns and (unnecessary) gadgets, but he wanted none of it. I guess I'll get to indulge when it's my daughter's turn!

[Anonymous]

I am both a planner and some who loves getting a great deal, but I waited until the summer before my DS started college to do any shopping. Even then, it didn't take much time, and DS and his roommate coordinated who would buy the big items (tv, printer, fridge, carpet).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is crazy. Your child is a junior and you worry about college supplies??? Don't you have other things to worry about re. DC's college app process?

OP here. I know, right! CRAZINESS! Actually, thinking about the entire process stresses me out! This one just happened to be the one I thought about today. LOL

Seriously you should be applying to internships, college-level courses, jobs, classes, volunteer summer work for your rising senior - stuff that will look good on his resume even if it is working the night-shift at the waffle house - instead of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. I decided to take a look at this thread since my DD is class of 2015. She's the one who wanted to start looking at stuff this winter, even though she hasn't decided which school to go to yet.

We have bought nothing yet. But if anyone has advice on really useful stuff you might not think of or stupid stuff you buy and never use, that would be helpful. I'm kind of looking at this as buying for the nursery 18 years later.

My DD wound up using her plug in tea kettle thingie daily. She made mac & cheese with it, tea, cup o soups, hot chocolate, etc. She couldn't have a microwave oven in her dorm room, so having this was great. She told me had she charged people for coming by to use it she could have made a fortune. She never used her bathrobe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every year in the Summer, swarms of college students and parents are buying up Target, BBB, etc. Frankly, that gives me a bit of anxiety. Has anyone starting buying bits and pieces early and just store them in plastic bins? I saw some good deals on bedding a few weeks ago and it made me think about it. It does seem like an exciting time doing the buying spree, but the idea of dropping in excess of $500 on supplies freaks me out a bit. If you have bought early, what types of things are best and does DC feel like they "missed out" on the buying frenzy?

TIA
-mom of DD Class of 2016

You really, really need to stop. You are more than a year out and should not be thinking about supplies. Buying too early increases the chances that you will buy something that is wrong or not needed. There is no missing out on buying frenzy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad we waited until my kid's registration day to actually get most of the stuff she needed. We waited until we got the official list from the school in the summer, and then we had things shipped out about a week before she was due to check in. We kept an ongoing shopping cart going on Target and Amazon, and went to Ikea the week before and got a few color coordinated towels and things.

My daughter's dorm used twin beds, so it was good that we didn't buy the standard XLong bedding that is in most of college dorms.

Small fridge and small appliances (if applicable) are things that you really want to get in the same town as the college. Also, you will want to stock them up on laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and things like that.

You DEFINITELY don't want to be thinking about this kind of stuff in junior year, so get a grip OP! (I say this kindly.) Senior year is going to be a busy whirlwind, and you should just concentrate on that for now.

Op here. I just can't! I'm so sad just thinking about all of this. I cry myself to sleep practically every night just thinking about her leaving. My heart is so heavy

This is the issue. It isn't about shopping. If you are crying yourself to sleep this far in advance, this is not a typical response. It sounds like you are dealing with depression or some sort of separation issue and could use some professional support. I mean this gently but emphatically. Your issues could affect your DC in very unhealthy ways as she goes through this process and then has to leave. I strongly suggest you see a therapist about this to help with your own suffering and also to help your DD.

[Anonymous]

Buy lots of condoms!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad we waited until my kid's registration day to actually get most of the stuff she needed. We waited until we got the official list from the school in the summer, and then we had things shipped out about a week before she was due to check in. We kept an ongoing shopping cart going on Target and Amazon, and went to Ikea the week before and got a few color coordinated towels and things.

My daughter's dorm used twin beds, so it was good that we didn't buy the standard XLong bedding that is in most of college dorms.

Small fridge and small appliances (if applicable) are things that you really want to get in the same town as the college. Also, you will want to stock them up on laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and things like that.

You DEFINITELY don't want to be thinking about this kind of stuff in junior year, so get a grip OP! (I say this kindly.) Senior year is going to be a busy whirlwind, and you should just concentrate on that for now.

Op here. I just can't! I'm so sad just thinking about all of this. I cry myself to sleep practically every night just thinking about her leaving. My heart is so heavy

This is the issue. It isn't about shopping. If you are crying yourself to sleep this far in advance, this is not a typical response. It sounds like you are dealing with depression or some sort of separation issue and could use some professional support. I mean this gently but emphatically. Your issues could affect your DC in very unhealthy ways as she goes through this process and then has to leave. I strongly suggest you see a therapist about this to help with your own suffering and also to help your DD.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. I decided to take a look at this thread since my DD is class of 2015. She's the one who wanted to start looking at stuff this winter, even though she hasn't decided which school to go to yet.

We have bought nothing yet. But if anyone has advice on really useful stuff you might not think of or stupid stuff you buy and never use, that would be helpful. I'm kind of looking at this as buying for the nursery 18 years later.

Basic meds and first aid stuff (pain killers, band aids, bactine, etc)
Some basic tools or a leatherman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is crazy. Your child is a junior and you worry about college supplies??? Don't you have other things to worry about re. DC's college app process?

OP here. I know, right! CRAZINESS! Actually, thinking about the entire process stresses me out! This one just happened to be the one I thought about today. LOL

I think you can probably get a great deal on the economy size Valum from drugstore.com.

Sheesh, lady, you need to chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy lots of condoms!!!!

Definitely don't buy these early. Plus they're often free from the student health clinic.