35 Items College Students Need

May 11, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on items college students need. I don’t believe there’s one item on the list that I didn’t purchase or send money to purchase at some point. Do you have a child or relative who is college bound? They’re going to need your help getting prepared for college, trust me. Mom and dad aren’t going to be around for a wakeup call, to fix breakfast or to get them from point A to B. They will need to grow up quickly, and it’s not going to be easy. Our jobs as parents are to love them from afar and help them out where we can. As a result,

Items College Students Need:

Gift/Gas Cards – The top item on the list of items college students need is a gift card. All college students can use gas or a special gift. Also, gift cards can be used to purchase a book or other items on campus.
Snack Items/Cookies/Drinks – Next, chips, cookies, energy drinks and bars are always welcome for those late night study groups.
Instant Soup/Cans of Tuna/Chicken – Cans of tuna and chicken are great ways for protein. Instant soups and noodles are perfect for a quick meal on a cold day too.
Plates/Forks/Spoons/Bowls/Microwavable Dishes – These items will come in handy when ordering pizza, making sandwiches or eating salads in the dorm room.
Paper Towels/Napkins – At home or college, there will be spills, and a need to wipe those greasy pizza hands and mouths.
Keurig/Coffee/Coffee Mug/Tea/Honey – My daughter wasn’t a coffee drinker, but she loves tea and honey. The Keurig was perfect for making individual cups.

Highlighters/Mechanical Pens/Notebooks/Folders – These items come in handy. Eventually, highlighters dry up or get lost. Also, folders bend and notebooks get used. Each semester brings a new need.
Wrinkle Releaser/Febreze – Wrinkle releaser is perfect for those mornings when you don’t have time to iron. Your college student will appreciate both. Especially, Febreze on those days when they want to wear those jeans one more day before washing them.
Tooth Paste/Floss/Waterpik/Mouth Wash – Taking care of your teeth is important at home and school.
Shampoo/Conditioner/Flat Iron/Curling Iron/Detangle Comb – Students still like to look good.
Body Lotion/Razors/Shaving Cream – Keeping the skin hydrated and smooth is still important.
Loofah/Spa Items/Body Wash – To a college student, these are luxury items. So, be generous.
Bath Tissue/Air Fresher/Disinfectant – Next, having individual items can be heaven sent. There’s no arguments about who used the last roll or emptied the last can of spray.

Wireless Printer – Every college student has term papers to write and rewrite. It’s easier at times to print papers, schedules etc.
Printer Cartridges/Compressed Air to Clean Keyboard – Products for computer cleaning and maintenance will come in handy.
First Aid Kit – Unfortunately, accidents happen. It could be a cut, scrape, or burn. Being prepared is important.
Rolls of Quarters/Detergent/Dryer Sheets/Laundry Basket – Doing laundry doesn’t end because you’re in college. Unfortunately, washer and dryers take quarters and clothes can’t be cleaned with detergent. Dryer sheets will remind the student of home.
Bed Sheets/Comforter/Pillows – Additional items that college students need is bedding. Having a nice, clean bed is essential to getting a good night’s sleep. This applies to dorms or apartments. So, fresh sheets, a plum comforter, and heathy pillows are essential.
Towels/Washcloths – Oversized towels and washcloths are essential items for a college student.
Picture Frames and Photo Albums – Making memories in college is important. I remember my daughter wanting special frames to house her dance team photos. Additionally, specials nights out with friends, and with the love of life who is now her husband.
Subscription to Netflix, Hulu etc. – Being able to watch your favorite shows in college is a luxury. Being able to watch them in the privacy of your room rather than a common room is even better. Give them a subscription to Netflix or Hulu. It’s a perfect gift.
Footbath/Nail Polish/File/Clippers/Manicure Items – I remember my daughter and her roommates giving each other manicures and pedicures. They enjoyed painting each other nails and experimenting with makeup.
Shower Caddy/Shower Cap – Next, don’t forget the shower storage items. A means to store shampoo, conditioner and body wash is essential. Essentially, if they will be sharing a bathroom in a common area.
Diffuser/Oils – So, I replaced burning candles with diffusing essential oils. And, I love them. They’re great for relaxing, keeping calm and staying centered.

Duct Tape/Screw Driver/Pliers/Wrench – Although we may not want to think about things coming apart, they do. Throw in some nails, picture hangers and screws too. These are great gift ideas for college students that they won’t think of.
Charging Station – Additionally, charging stations are great for charging a phone, tablet, Kindle or other items in one place.
Fire Stick/Smart TV/Printing/Media Streaming Device –
Bed Support Pillow – Great for watching TV or studying on their bed.
Storage Crates – Great for storing movies, papers or using as a table.
Ironing Board/Iron – Table top ironing boards are perfect.
DSR Camera – Capturing memories throughout college years is important. It only happens once, so encourage your son or daughter to capture as many memories as possible.
Alarm Clock – There won’t be any knocks on the door to get up. As a result, give them an alarm clock to get them up and out.
Robe/Slippers – There’s nothing better than being able to wrap up in a nice warm robe and slippers after a shower in a cold dorm room.
Shelves – Remember, dorm rooms are small. So, shelves are practical for housing books, pictures or other mementos.
Refrigerator – Last, cold beverages, storing meals and left overs is a college student’s dream. Make sure it has a small freezer section for healthy dinners.

Finally, we hope that you found our list of items college student need useful. I guarantee as the mother of a college graduate, every item will be beneficial. You’ll actually purchase most of them more than once! You may also like: 6 Ways to Save on College Tuition and Cool Things for College Students.

Filed Under: College Tagged With: college preparation, college students, gift ideas

6 Ways to Save on College Tuition

October 31, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Sending a kid off to college is a bittersweet experience for most parents. While you’re excited that your child is getting a higher education and growing up, college tuition comes with a hefty price tag. In addition to tuition, there are other expenses such as decorating a dorm room, paying for food, etc. However, what most people don’t realize is that there are plenty of ways to save on college tuition. Some of these you may know about, while others you may not. We have a few parenting tips on ways to save on college tuition.

Apply for scholarships

First, there are plenty of scholarships out there. So, be sure you and your child do your homework and look for what’s available. Talk with your child’s school, local government, your employer, and any other places that could potentially offer scholarships. In addition, check out websites like scholarships.com that provide you with a list of all available scholarships on the market today. Even if your child only gets one of the scholarships he or she applies for, it’s better than having to pay full price to go to school.

Apply for financial aid

Along with scholarships, financial aid is available to certain students who qualify. Applying is easy and you’ll find out just how much you qualify for during the application process. Furthermore, it may be a good idea for parents and the student to both apply and see what works best in your favor. Just keep in mind that some financial aid programs may be required to be paid back at a later date. Additionally, be sure you’re always reading the fine print before you accept any money from the government, lenders, etc.

Find money around the house

Unfortunately, not everyone has a savings account set up to send their kid to college. However, there are still ways you can cut down on the cost. For example, can you sell a damaged car in order to earn some extra cash? Can you rent out a room in your home to earn extra money? Can you put a hobby to work and earn extra dough? Think about all the different ways you can turn old items or new hobbies into extra income that can go toward the school tuition.

Think outside the school

Schools are good at packaging everything together and making it seem like a great deal. But, what they don’t tell you is that most of these things can be itemized and broken down to reduce costs. For instance, instead of including room and board in your tuition expenses, determine if there are other options. Can your child either commute to school while living at home or by renting an apartment nearby the campus. Unpacking some of these university perks could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Enroll in work study

Most schools offer a work study program. It allows student to work and the “money” earned during their shifts is applied to their tuition. At most schools, this is a very minimal working requirement (like 5 hours a week, if that). But, the impact it can make on your tuition costs could be impressive. If your school offers a work study program, be sure to have your child enroll in it so you can save money.

Take pre-requisite classes somewhere else

Most colleges require you to have a certain set of classes completed before you can graduate. However, most of these pre-requisite classes can be taken anywhere and credits can be transferred. So, consider taking the pre-requisite classes at a local community college where the tuition is much cheaper. Doing this can save you a great deal on tuition. Most importantly, be sure the credits will transfer to your school of choice when the time is right.

College tuition is getting more expensive by the day, and it’s hard for parents and students to afford going. However, if you use these tips you’ll find that there are a variety of ways you can cut down on the expenses.

Filed Under: College Tagged With: college debt, college preparation, college tuition

How to Decorate a Dorm Room On a Budget

December 8, 2017 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Student life is anything but easy. Making new friends, checking things off your bucket list and living like there’s no tomorrow. College life brings all this and much more. However, it also brings financial difficulties. You are expected to survive on the allowance that you get from home. As a result, you cannot afford everything that you desire.

We have several solutions when it comes to creating a comfortable living space. So, it is not essential for you to ask for more money than you already get. What matters is how you manage the resources that you currently have. You can adopt several money-saving techniques to ensure that your funds do not run dry.

One of the easiest ways to save money is to look for cheap student accommodations. Instead of living in an apartments, you could choose to live in homestays or shared dorms. You would be able to split the rent and if lucky, even cover your meals in the rent amount.

Another important tip is to look for DIYs instead of purchasing everything retail. For instance, instead of purchasing retail explore DIY options. Check out our tips on how to decorate a dorm room on a budget:

1. Thrift shopping

Scan through thrift shops or flea markets for out of the box household items like antique candle holders, scented dried flowers, hand carved bowls and even rugs. These items will not only be unique but will also come at a very reasonable price as compared to regular showrooms.

Source

2. Use Old Records

Get hold of some junky, old records from the flea markets and hang them on the wall. You could hang them all in a single line or create patterns. You could also add an extra edge to them by adding color or painting them. If you are a music lover looking to add a vintage touch to your room, this could be an excellent idea.

3. Use Photo Collages

The idea of decorating your dorm room with photo collages can never go wrong. It adds a personal touch to your room, and helps you feel connected with your loved ones. Get a few pictures printed and simply tape them to your walls to create a collage. Also, if you want to be more creative, use lights to create your own little space of happy memories. You could even get personalized messages from friends and stick them adjacent to their respective photographs. Just looking at these pictures could help you de-stress after a long day at school.

4. Hang a Tapestry

A tapestry prevents your room from looking dull as it occupies a lot of space. It often becomes the center of attraction. You could look for cheap options in a thrift shop or even create your own tapestry. So, what are you waiting for? Get your creative hat on and create a beautiful piece to hang in your room.

5. Use Wrapping Paper

How to decorate a dorm room with wrapping paper you wonder? First, know that wrapping paper is multipurpose. Choose to cover one of the walls of your room with wrapping paper to spice it up a little. You could even create decorative items using wrapping paper. Use wrapping sheets to create photo-frames, DIY wall décor and lots more.

6. Hang Maps

Maps can be bought from any stationery shop at extremely affordable prices. When you’re thinking about how to decorate a dorm room, think about using maps. They can help in decorating your room with minimum effort. Especially if you are a traveler or a geography-enthusiast, this idea should work wonderfully well for you. Just choose one wall in your dorm room to paste maps of different parts of the world on. You may use dart pins to point out places to visit on your bucket list. You may even hang pictures from trips made to places previously to show how much you have already travelled. Check out these cool DIY Map décor ideas.

7. Canopy Bed

If you wish to add a majestic feel to your dorm room, a canopy bed can really up the game for you. Do not worry; we do not expect you to do away with your old bed for this. You could make a canopy for your old bed. We’ll tell you how. Go to a place that sells sheer fabric, you could choose the pattern as per your liking. Make sure it is wide enough to wrap around the perimeter of the bed. Stick the fabric to the ceiling such that it hangs down beautifully into a half canopy. You could even use 4 hooks and tie a string to connect them all. Then add the fabric to all four corners and Voila! You’re set. If you are in the mood to experiment even more, add fairy lights to create a magical appeal.

8. Use Bright Bedding

One thing that can truly add color and flavor to your dorm room is a bright piece of bedding. Get your hands on unique yet affordable pillow cases. Use bed sheets that are vibrant and go well with the walls of your room. If you have a roommate, you could coordinate the beddings so as to help the dorm look bright and cheerful.

Finally, we hope that you find our tips on how to decorate a dorm room helpful. Have searching for thrift ideas and be creative.

Author Bio: Bella Williams

As an academic researcher & private tutor, Bella guides the new age professionals and students with their career. A graduate from Monash University, Bella organizes free coaching workshops and promotes free sharing of knowledge. You can also find her on LinkedIn. https://iambaker.net/sugar-cookie-christmas-wreath/

Filed Under: College, Parenting Tips Tagged With: budget decorating, college preparation, college students

5 Tips To Make Living With Your College Graduate Easier

May 22, 2017 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, college graduates are facing several factors that make coming back to the nest an ideal option. Some factors include, student loan debt, job unavailability and sky-high rents. And for the first time in modern history, living with parents is the most common living arrangement for 18-34-year-olds. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on how to live with a college graduate.

However, before you freak out when your college graduate decides they want to move back home, read these tips on how to make it work:

1. Treat your child like an adult

That means, not doing their laundry for them or giving them money for a movie. Don’t fall back into the same parental role you played when they were little. A college graduate should not expect the babying treatment.

Also, let them grow their independence. If you let them, they will be more prepared for life. And word to the wise; stay out of their personal relationships.

2. Insist that your child get a job

After four or more years of basically job-preparation, your college graduate may be expecting their dream job to land in front of them like it’s complementary of a degree.

But you know the real world doesn’t work like that. So should your child. It isn’t healthy for your child to be dependent on you financially while they search for their “dream job.” They’ll be more prepared and confident for life if they can pay for their own expenses.

If your college graduate is binge-watching Netflix and swiping on Tinder all day, that’s a red flag that the living arrangement is not working.

3. Consider charging rent

Next, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. So, this is something your college graduate needs to know. Most importantly, this strategy works best if you have a plan for why you’re charging rent.

One idea is to collect the money and build a nest egg for your child. They can access the money when they’re ready to move out. Or, you can use the rent money toward your graduate’s student loans.

4. Have your child plan to pay off student debt

So, one of the biggest reasons college graduates fly back to the nest is money. They can save money by living with you. Expect them to live within their means. Encourage them to save their money and pay off their student debt.

5. Set a reasonable goal for when it’s time for your child to move out

Most importantly, don’t allow your college graduate to get stuck in the comforts of home. That’s why they need to set goals. Therefore, helping them set goals will help them spread their wings and fly.

Talk with your child about what will work for both of you. For example, when will the time to leave be? Will it be when loans are paid off, or in one year after they’ve saved x amount of money? Make sure your college graduation understands the plan.

Also, ask yourself how much support you can afford. Therefore, you can’t take care of your child if you aren’t taking care of yourself first.

Finally, it does not have to be a problem when your child wants to live at home after graduation. As a matter of fact, help them get better prepared for their future. Just follow these tips to make living with your college graduate easier.

Bio
Justin Lavelle is Communications Director at BeenVerified (https://www.beenverified.com). BeenVerified is the fast, affordable, and easy way to access public records and search for people. Find out ages, marital status, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, criminal records, and more