Dorm Room 101: Here's what you need to pack for college

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Fireworks, candles and most pets probably aren't a good idea. Leave the waterbeds and grills at home, too.

But what to pack? For freshmen -- and their parents -- not used to the cramped, shared living quarters where students sleep, play, study and eat, outfitting that first dorm room can be daunting.

College may seem like a whole new world, but Dorm Room 101 boils down to fundamentals -- food, clothing and shelter.

Get started by making a list -- it can save you time and money. Many schools have online guides. Keep in mind that some colleges ban items you might think of as must-haves. Hot plates and halogen lamps are among the ones Winston-Salem State University prohibits, and Wake Forest University doesn't allow a wide range of things from extension cords and plug-in air fresheners, to toaster ovens and microwaves. WFU lends microwaves to students living on campus in a fridge/microwave combination appliance.

At Salem College, students can't bring microwaves, either, but they're welcome to have coffee makers and electric kettles. Most dorms there aren't air-conditioned, so students are encouraged to bring fans, said Leslie Thomas, the director of residence life.

"Bring what will make your room feel like it will be home," said Donna McGalliard, the dean of residence life and housing at WFU. "Do talk to your roommate. You don't want to bring two, 20-inch flat-screen TVs -- that would be overkill."

You don't have to haul everything to school, Galliard added. You can always get things later, from home or from a store. Give yourself time to get settled and figure out what works best.

Washing

-- Whether you will be toting your dirty socks home or down to a laundry room, your clothes will be on the move. You need something light to carry them in (Aluminum Frame Hamper, $19.99, Spacesavers.com or 205 S. Stratford Road). Consider a drying rack for delicates, and an iron and small, tabletop ironing board. Baskets can double as handy containers to haul things on move-in day. Don't forget hangers and laundry detergent, and maybe throw in a full-length mirror.

-- Come shower time, you will probably need to haul your lotions and potions with you to a communal bathroom. That's where shower caddies are essential. Make sure to get one that drains well. Other items: slippers, flip-flops, and large, absorbent towels and robes (Hooded Wrap Bath Robe, $16.99, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Bedbathandbeyond.com or 414 S. Stratford Road).

Sleeping

-- Colorful comforters, fluffy duvets, throw pillows and crisp sheets are an easy way to jazz up a sterile dorm room (twin/XL twin yellow floral comforter, $19.99; brown-sheet set, $19.99; yellow floral pillow sham, $9.99, Target stores or Target.com). You may need to get long twin sheets to fit your college's beds, so check.

-- One way to make a bad early impression on your new roommate is to have an obnoxious alarm clock. Get something that will get you out of bed but won't wake up your whole dorm.

Studying

-- Oh, that. Isn't that what college is for? You'll need desk accessories and organizers, headphones, pens, pencils, a trash can (wood-grain laminate Treela can made of biodegradable plastic, $12.99, Containerstore.com), a lamp and approved power strips (as with most electronics or appliances, check with your school) to power all your gizmos.

-- A weekly or monthly dry-erase planner can help you see what projects and papers are coming up (magnetic dry-erase weekly planner, $8.99, Bed, Bath and Beyond). Magnetic surfaces can be places to hang pictures and notes (mini-magnetic strips, $4.99, Containerstore.com).

Storage

-- A lot will depend on how your room is set up. If you can bunk or loft your beds, you will have a lot more room underneath. If not, still look under the bed for space. Stow heavier or lighter clothes there, if you can't make it home between semesters. "I always recommend that they bring the clear storage containers or the ones you can stack. You always need extra storage space," Thomas said. (Deep Closet Drawers, pack of three that can be snapped together or used on their own, $74.97, or $24.99 individually, Space Savers).

-- Use the doors. Over-the-door racks and hooks (Monkey Doorhangers and Master Grip Overdoor Hook, $7.99 to $9.99, Containerstore.com) can add storage space. Communicate with a dry-erase message board or magnetic board placed on the outside of your front door.

-- Go up, using all the space in a closet with vertical shoe racks, collapsible cloth shelves and the like. McGalliard has even seen students who have made more floor space by pushing their dresser into their closet, using the closet room above and around it.

Eating

-- The cafeteria may be your kitchen away from home, but even if you have a sizable meal plan you will want snacks, fast breakfasts and lunches out of your room. Mini-fridges and microwaves are indispensible. Bring containers to store food so it doesn't get stale, a refillable water bottle and a travel coffee mug for carrying around campus. This will save you money since you won't have to shell out for bottled water and lattes.

-- Plastic dishes aren't likely to break. Bring some utensils, cups and a can opener, too. And bowls for all those Ramen noodles you're going to be eating. If you have access to a kitchen, consider a pot, a nonstick pan and a spatula to make simple, cheap dishes, such as quesadillas, scrambled eggs, omelets or pasta.

Relaxation

-- Your credit card is smoking now, but you are almost done. Throw and area rugs can warm and soften a dorm's hard floor. Futons, small love seats and soft folding chairs will give you a seating area to socialize with your friends (Folding University Chair, $29.99, Bed, Bath and Beyond).

-- TVs and a stereo, iPod docks, speakers, cameras, DVDs and games.... You probably shouldn't bring your whole electronic life to college, but choose those things that are important to you to make your new life more comfortable.