This is such an exciting time for many kids - leaving childhood behind and venturing into adulthood. . . and a chance to get all new stuff.

Of course merchants take advantage of this, and any supply lists you get from the stores will have a million extra things you won't need and a million more you would never want your kid to have in the first place, so here is the list we are using.

(Note: this is based specifically on first year dormers in the US colleges, as I am sure schools in other countries have different requirements. Please comment on them below! I'm sure it would be a great help and enlightening for all of us.)

For the room:

• sheet set of extra long sheets (1 0r 2 sets depending on how good your kid is about changing them regularly - be honest with yourself, it can save you a lot of money.) Ignore the fliers you may get in the mail from the college. Not only are they outrageously high, but they will include a lot of unecessary items. Extra long sheets are available seasonally at most home stores. Also, your child will not want to match every other student in his or her freshman dorm. Tip: wash them a home first, so your child's first night away will smell familiar.
  
• pillow
• quilt, blanket or comforter
• mattress protector, twin XL
• alarm clock
• telephone - most schools don't supply this - answering machine and/or cel phone and charger. Discuss with your child how to work out with their roommate how they are gong to handle the phone situation: land line, cel phone (investigate plans), long distance. You may opt for only a cel phone and use skype or another internet equivalent for long distance to avoid the hassles of splitting the bill.
• desk lamp (you may want to send them off with some spare lightbulbs as well)
• trash bin
• hangers
• laundry bag, quarters for the machiine, detergent and dryer sheets (if this is new territory fo your child you may want to write laundry instructions and put them in the laundry bag - start small with detergent and other supplies until you get an idea of your child's new habits. Remeber kids always act differently when you aren't there. Send enough quarters for the firt visit, and check with the school since some colleges are now going to a refillable card system for the laundry machines.)
• small ironing board and travel iron (if your child is so inclined. Remember, they will be living with a ton of other kids and they can always borrow until you figure out if it is worth sending them to school with one. You can also iron on a towel laid out on the desk.)
• dust buster or other hand held vacuum. Usually there are full sized vaccuums available at the front desk of the dorm, but these are a painto check out and lug to the room, so for small jobs this works well. I have known many kids who end up going over the whole floor with the dustbuster to avoid carrying a full sized vacuum up the stairs.)
• bed tray and/back rest for studying in bed. There isn't much space in the rooms.
• message board
• CD player

For the bathroom (private bathrooms):

• 2 towels (make these recognizable in case of laundry mix-ups), washcloths
  
• hair dryer, curling iron, straightener (as applicable) hair supplies, face supplies
  
• robe
• shower curtain and liner
• soap
• shampoo and conditioner
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• brush and/or comb
• sanitary effects (for girls)
• showerhead caddy
• cleaning supplies if needed

For the bathroom (community bath):

• 2 towels (make these recognizable in case of laundry mix-ups), washcloths
  
• hair dryer, curling iron, straightener (as applicable) hair supplies, face supplies
  
• robe
• shower shoes (to prevent fungus)
  
• soap
• shampoo and conditioner
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• brush and/or comb
• sanitary effects (for girls)
• shower caddy
• soap caddy, toothbrush cover

Study supplies:

• Computer - check with the school and even the department your child is entering to find the preferred operating system. You don't want to spend the money for a computer and find out none of the departmental software is compatible. Wait until you get to the school to buy the software as well. Many required programs have student versions available at the computer centers for a tenth of the price. Decide whether or not a laptop is practical. Laptops are convenient, but easier to steal, lose, or damage. Think about your child's computing style. Most Universities have very good computer facilities on campus and some even have classroom computers for taking notes. Maybe waiting until winter break to get a computer when your child has a better idea of what he or she will really need is the most practical solution for you. If so, it is still a good idea to get them a jump drive to make transferring data easier.
• Printer - if you decide on a computer. When buying a printer ask how much replacement cartridges are. Most desktop printers are pretty cheap but when the ink runs out, the refills cost as much as the machine. Check on this when making your decision. If you buy a color printer, ask if the inks are all on one refill or if they are separate - if only the black runs out do you need to replace all the colors?
• surge protector or ABS
• computer lock (for laptops)
• computer fan (for laptops)
  
• printer paper
• blank CD's
• calculator - again, depending on the department the kind may differ. A scientific calculator or a graphic may or may not be required.
• pens, #2 pencils, highlighters, erasers, pencil sharpener, stapler (it's amazing how many people don't think of this) tape dispenser
• notebooks - certain classes may require specific ones, but have a few for note-taking anyway
• binder and report covers - professionalism always makes an impression
• MLA writing handbook - most college classes go by this writing guide for footnoting and annotating as well as paper writing forms
• stationery, envelopes and stamps - for paying bills and writing you. Even if you handle most of the bills, there will probably be a few the kids will have to take care of themselves.
• lockable, portable file box - the first rule of college life is SAVE ALL PAPERWORK including book receipts, bills from the school, notifications, EVERYTHING. College administration has a lot to handle and it is more a question of when, not if, there will be a registration or record discrepancy. Also, even the cost of books can often be tax deductable. As for lockable, there will be a lot of access to the dorm room. So to have a safe place for small valuables is a must (ipod, passport, etc)
• recording device - some students are more aural than visual (even if it seems they don't listen to you :) ) this may also help students whose first language is not english
• back pack and/or laptop bag - many backpacks have a laptop section now.

Clothes (about 2 weeks worth):

• lots of lounge clothes, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, shorts. I've even seen kids go to class in PJs during finals week
• PJs
• at least 1 set of casual dress clothes and shoes to match for club dinners, interviews and the like.
  
• at least 1 set of formal/semi formal dress clothes and shoes to match. There are occasional formal dances and parties around campus. Moreso if your child is ROTC or belongs to a fraternity or sorority.
• swim suit
• workout clothes - there is usually a health club on campus for student use
• slippers for around the dorm
• sneakers
• socks and undies

Sundries:

• Umbrella
• Flashlight
• extra batteries
• thumbtacks
• beach towel
• sunscreen
• basic medicines
• bicycle, lock and pump (maybe a cover too, most bikes are stored outside)
  

Papers (as applicable):

• passport
• drivers license
• social security card
• health insurance card
• bank information
• important phone numbers
• phone card
  

Remember, kids will be moving in and out a minimum of once every school year, so keep things light and easy to handle. Things will accumulate as the year progresses, so start your child out with a minimum now and let them add on. Also don't forget to change any billing or mailing addresses you may need to after you find out what address your child will be at, but you may not want to change statements that come to a permanent address, (or remember to change them back 1-2 months before school is out to avoid losing statements) since they will have to vacate the dorm before the year is out.