ATTENTION FRESHMEN: The Definitive List of What to Bring to College

Alright so if any of y'all are as excited (think eager) as I was last year about starting college and moving into the dorms, or you just like shopping as much as I do, or maybe you really like lists (my friends tease me about that ALL THE TIME), you'll really like this post! There is a really helpful website called College Confidential that has a great list of stuff you'll most likely need to buy to bring with you to school, so I'm going to borrow some of that list, post it here, and share some of my input with you guys. I started my dorm shopping mid-summer, in order to beat the mad rush at stores like Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things, etc. It honestly can be pretty stressful fighting a crowd of nervous mom-and-teenager duos for that last shower caddy, so my best piece of advice on this subject is to start a little early. That doesn't mean buy EVERYTHING right now, while it's still June -- just pick up or order a few things you think might sell out later and aren't too big... you don't want all your new stuff crowding your room!

You might not NEED all of this, but here's almost everything that you might want to bring. Just to be helpful, the list is grouped in categories for you!

GROOMING
acne wash/cream
comb/hairbrush
contacts, case, solution, and glasses
cotton balls, cotton face pads, and q-tips
curling iron, flat iron, hair dryer
deodorant
face lotion/moisturizer/cleanser
fragrance: perfume/cologne/body spray
hand and foot cream
headbands/hair pins
lip balm
loofah/sponge/wash towels
makeup and remover
nail clippers and file
nail polish and remover
shampoo, conditioner
shower caddy, shower shoes
soap/body wash, soap container
toothbrush, case, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss
towels
tweezers

FOR YOUR HEALTH
allergy medicine
bug spray, anti-itch cream
bandages, band-aids, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, neosporin
cold and cough medicine, cough drops/lozenges
contraceptives
dayquil/nyquil
eye drops
kleenex
pain and fever relief: tylenol, advil, ibuprofen
razor, shaving cream, aftershave
sunscreen
vitamins

DECORATING AND ROOM BASICS
bins, boxes, containers, drawers
blanket
bulletin board and pins
bedding: comforter/quilt, sheets, mattress pad, pillows
desk lamp
desk organizer
dry-erase board and markers
futon (if you have space)
lamp
mirror - full length is best
photos and picture frames
plasti-tak
posters
rug
trash can

TECHIE STUFF
alarm clock
batteries
cables: you'll need an ethernet cable and a coaxial cable for your tv
camera
cds and cases
cell phone and charger
computer
cordless phone
dvd player and dvds
extension cords, power strips
headphones
ipod and dock
laptop case
mouse
printer and paper
radio/stereo
tv
video games

LAUNDRY ESSENTIALS
coat hangers
clothes (duh)
drying rack
fabric softener
iron and ironing board
laundry basket/bag/hamper
laundry detergent and stain remover
lint roller
**quarters

CLEANING SUPPLIES/TOOLS
basic cleaning supplies - clorox disinfecting wipes, febreze, lysol, windex
duct tape, masking tape
hammer
paper towels
screwdriver
sponge (if you have a sink in your room)
tape measurer
vacuum

EATING
blender
cereal
chips
disposable utensils
fruit, fruit juice
gatorade
granola bars
microfridge
microwavable meals (easy mac, lean cuisine, popcorn, ramen noodles, soup)
mints/gum
plastic plates, cups, and bowls
pop tarts
powder drink mixes (lemonade, kool-aid, crystal light)
reusable water bottle
teabags
water

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
backpack/messenger bag
binders/notebooks
calendar
calculator
college-rule lined paper
day planner
folders
foreign language dictionary
highlighters
manila envelopes
paper clips
pencils and sharpener or lead
pens - different colors
post-its
rubber bands
sharpies or other permanent marker
stapler, staples
tape and dispenser
three hole punch
white-out

ETC.
address book and correspondence supplies (cards, stationery, envelopes, stamps)
bike (optional), helmet, lock
board games
flashlight
frisbee
pack of playing cards
**rain gear -- you will definitely need this!!! at least an umbrella, but I'd suggest rain boots too
religious stuff - bible, prayer books, etc.
robe
sunglasses

Missing NOLA

Hi readers, and Happy Summer! I know it's been awhile since I've written... sorry! Here's a little update for y'all:

I'm back in Lafayette right now, at home with my parents. I have a summer job and have been having fun catching up with my friends from high school and hanging out my family. (There's a picture of a group of us at one of our favorite sushi restaurants in Lafayette. ) However... I can't deny that I'm missing Tulane, New Orleans, and all my friends there like CRAZY! I've already been back to visit twice since school let out... I am definitely one of the lucky ones that lives within driving distance! Here are some highlights from my visits:

VISIT 1:
I celebrated my birthday (May 30) in New Orleans, since most of my Lafayette friends were out of town that weekend. My sorority sister and future roommate, Amber, let me stay with her in her summer apartment on St. Charles for a few days and we had LOTS of fun! (There's a picture of us in her apartment on the left. ) Celebrating 19 in New Orleans was a cool experience; at midnight, we went to Bruno's, where you have to be 19 to get in. The next afternoon, my ΣΔΤ Big Sister treated me to birthday lunch at Felipe's, a popular restaurant for Tulane students, and then a big group of us went to Happy Hour at The Boot for a little birthday party/reunion. It was so good to see everyone again, especially some of my sorority sisters. (There's a picture of me, obviously very excited to see Amanda, on the right.) The next day we ate some "birthday cake," which came from one of my FAVORITE places to eat -- Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro. Yeah, that's right, we had Killed By Chocolate cheesecake! Saturday some friends and I had a pretty late night at F and M's, so we relaxed Sunday by seeing some movies - The Strangers and Sex and the City. They were both AWESOME, but I'm not gonna lie - we were pretty creeped out that night in the apartment! I came back on the Monday, in time to go back to work. Of course, I started to miss NOLA again as soon as I come home... something about that city makes you never want to leave!

VISIT 2:
This time I stayed with Erin, my ΣΔΤ Big Sister, and her roommates Amna and Amanda in their apartment right off campus. I was there to help with some of the summer orientation sessions; I participated in some parent/student Q&A panels. This was a totally different visit, but it was really fun too! Some of our friends came over Monday night to hang out, and we picked up some dinner from Felipe's.. yum! Amna cooked for us Tuesday night, and then Amanda and I went to The Boot, where we ran into LOTS of our Tulane friends! (There's my friend Becky and I on the left.) I helped Erin and Amna set up and decorate their apartment, which was really fun for me (I love doing that stuff!), and then Erin and I went to dinner at The Melting Pot with our friend Lindsey. Amber and our other friend Grant both work there, so they helped us figure out the whole process of a fondue dinner. By the way, it was AMAZING and so fun, and I definitely recommend eating there! Being back on campus itself was really cool too, especially since there are multiple film projects going on and lots of new freshmen around! Here are some cool New Wave articles to read:
Campus Heats Up for Orientation
Filmmakers Arrive on Campus

So that's what I've been up to... make sure to tell your dads Happy Father's Day, and enjoy your summer! I know I will - in a week from now, I'll be relaxing on the beach in Florida... ahh... But I'll be back on campus for summer classes at the beginning of July, and I can't wait to get back!

As always, email me if you have any questions or comments: ahollier@tulane.edu

Bye friends!