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July 24, 2006

Parents, get out your credit cards...

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While I was vegging out in front of the television last night, I saw one of the first back-to-school ads directed at college students and their parents. Sponsored by Target, the ad featured several types of college students, all with cutesy, scientific-sounding monikers: Perpetuous Tardius, Laundrius Rookius, Hyperus Organizationus, Electronici Addicti, Creaturus Comfortus and Noodleus Rex. Target says it has just the products each of the "species" needs.

When I went to the Target Web site to see what the new products are this year, I found much more than just the things the company wants to sell. The marketing wizards at Target came up with a fun quiz for students to take to figure out what species they are and a list of tips for parents sending their children off to school. Of course, these time-wasting (but possibly useful) extras include suggestions to buy this thingamabob or that doohickey, especially in the parents' tip section. But generally, the information is pretty helpful.

Which leads me to a random listing of things all students should have to survive the first year (and beyond) of college. This list is by no means complete (or in any particular order) and only represents the things I can remember from my college days, oh so long ago.

  • Shower shoes (you never know what's at the bottom of the dorm shower)
  • Extra-long sheets (every college tells its incoming students to buy them, and every year someone forgets)
  • Earplugs and eye masks (if you're a light sleeper, these will come in handy)
  • Headphones (chances are, your roommate won't like all of your music, no matter how much you do)
  • Camera (you'll want to take plenty of pictures your first year)
  • Photographs of home, family and friends (these will come in handy, especially when you're homesick)
  • Stackable plastic crates (desk drawers, dressers and closets might not be big enough for all your stuff)
  • Mini-fridge (you might want to wait until you get to school to go in with your roommate for one of these)
  • Shower caddy (you'd be surprised by how many people get their toothbrushes stolen; this keeps all your stuff in one portable place so you can take it back to your room if there is a dorm thief)
  • Dry erase board (to write notes on your door to your friends)
  • Microwave (good, especially for popcorn lovers)
  • Hot pot (great if you have a need for hot ramen when the dining hall is closed)
  • Corkboard (to put up your pictures or calendar)
  • Wall hangings (to make your room more homey; bare walls are depressing)
  • First-aid kit (just in case you get hurt -- for any reason)
  • External hard drive (to store all your music and to back up your system)
  • Laundry bag or basket (ask mom or dad now how to do laundry)
  • Under the bed storage containers (use all the space you have to store away seasonal clothing if you're in a place with all four seasons)
  • Closet space-savers (dorm closets rarely are as large as you were used to at home)

Please write in and add to the list.

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About this blog

Mug of Greg Esposito

Rhode Island native and Virginia Tech reporter Greg Esposito posts on everyday college life, trends and issues affecting the 35,000-plus students in the New River Valley and beyond.

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Mug of Tim Thornton

Tim Thornton, who is old enough to have children attending college, is still taking classes and is still fascinated by colleges, the students who populate them and the bureaucrats who operate them. His reporting beat is Radford University.

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Mug of Anna Mallory

West Virginia native Anna Mallory blogs on student life topics at Virginia Tech, Radford University, New River Valley Community College -- and beyond.

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