When the time comes to pack for college, it’s probably safe to assume that you’ll get a checklist of necessities from the university, Mom, Dad, and every well-meaning stranger who’s afraid you’ll forget to pack towels. Good intentions aside, what you really want is the inside scoop, the list of things that the in-the-know students have to make their lives – and dorm rooms – well … COOL.
Here’s a list of some of the hottest gear to get you started:
Low-cost Gourmet Cooking
You’ve got the hot pot, but what now? Check out “The Book of Ramen: Lowcost. Gourmet Meals Using Instant Ramen Noodles” by Ron Konzak. Available for $11.95 through Amazon.
Blackberry 7250
Can’t stand to be out of the loop? The Blackberry 7250 handheld computer phone includes Web browsing always on email and Bluetooth hands-free technology. Includes a portable keyboard.
Available for $299.99 through Verizon.
Retractable Ethernet Cable
Keep your laptop cord neat with a retractable ethernet cable. Available for $19.99 through HP.
Netflix
Don’t expect the library on campus to be stocked with all the latest movies. Instead sign up for Netflix a DVD-delivered service that lets you keep three DVDs at a time and exchange them as often as you like with no late fees due dates or shipping costs. Available for $17.95 a month through Netflix.com.
Talk iPod Voice Recorder
Why get a separate tape recorder to capture your seminars and lectures? Just plug the Griffin iTalk into your iPod. There’s even a built-in speaker for music and voice memos. Available for $39.99 through GriffinTechnology.com.
Coffee-of-the-Month
Love coffee? Have two freshly roasted 12 oz. packages (one varietal one seasonal) of whole bean specialty-grade Arabica coffee delivered right to your dorm room for about $.15 a cup with a coffee-of-the-month package. Available through AmazingClubs.com for $57 for three months $114 for six months or $228 for a year.
Foam Topper
With 8 a.m. classes and late-night term paper attempts you probably won’t spend a lot of time sleeping. Since the key is to focus on quality not quantity of shuteye you may want to start with a 2-inch latex foam topper. Guaranteed to make even the most uncomfortable dorm bed feel like the lap of luxury. Available for $41.22 plus $12.85 shipping (twin) from FoamAndUpholstery.com.
Underbed Spacers
Count on your college dorm room being smaller than your bedroom at home. Then factor in that you’re sharing it with at least one – and sometimes TWO – other people. Storage space will be at a premium so consider a set of underbed spacers. Made from a durable high-impact plastic spacers ad 5” to 6” of extra distance between the floor and the bed frame so you can stow additional bins and boxes. Available for $9.99 for a set of four through the ContainerStore.com.
