What to Bring to Boarding School

The comments on AdmissionsQuest.com are a part of a civil discussion. We expect contributors to behave.

Be nice. No degradation on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Keep it clean -- no epithets, abusive language, or obscenity.
We appreciate well reasoned argument. Stay on topic and stay honest.
Break our rules, we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances.

If you feel a comment on this story violates our rules, please email support@AdmissionsQuest.com and we will review the comment.

Heading off to boarding school for the first time? You're likely scouring your school's "What to Bring" list and trying to make sure that you've got everything covered. Rather than compete with each school's list, (needs vary from school to school; dorm to dorm and dress code to dress code), here are 10 approaches to get you set for the fall.

Pay attention to your school's list. It's tailored for your school's dress code, dormitories, even the laundry schedule. Know the laundry schedule.

Don't start off the school year in violation of school rules. If the school states that something is banned or in violation of the rules, don't bring it.

Operate from a needs versus wants position. It's certainly nice to have all your stuff, but at school you may not need every last item. Also, don't forget that if it's a nice item, it may be subject to rough use and wear.

Call your roommate and coordinate on common items of which you only need one (think stereo). I remember doing this as a 10th grader; my roommate lived close to school; he brought the stereo and his mom made the curtains.

Don't bring too much. We suggest the only things on which to go overboard are underwear and t-shirts. I know from experience students sometimes miss laundry day.

Think small. Dorm rooms aren't big. You won't have much storage space.

Small goes for the sound system too. Your neighbors usually don't want to share your musical taste with you. And, in every school I know, you have to keep the volume down. Bring a dorm sized sound system.

Used furniture. If you want a chair or small couch, visit used furniture stores when you move-in. Nothing new or particularly nice belongs in a dorm room.

Dorm rooms are primarily for sleeping & studying. You want a comfortable room, but you don't need a posh living room.

Leave the fancy watches and jewelry at home. Things get lost and disappear- even in great places.

Comments

Thanks for your info; it really helped! I feel much more prepared. What I'm worried about is that I love my new special edition ipod nano, and I listen to it all the time. I'm afraid that if I bring it with me, what happens if it gets lost or stolen? That would ruin my life...seriously!!! Also, my dorm at boarding school is more of a small cubicle which you don't share with anybody. That means that I can change the curtains, put my-type posters up e.t.c e.t.c, but what happens if I get homesick? Thank you for listening! Regards, Ally ;) xx Alice, January 13, 2010 6:45 AM
Alice, I am currently in a high school boarding school which is unusual in many ways but at the same time, similar to most others. As far as the ipod goes, I personally would bring it. You WILL need your music and theft is not a tremendous problem where I am anyways. I was really really worried about being homesick when I first went because my mom and I are really close but honestly after the first 2 or 3 weeks (which for most people are really hard), it stops being a problem. I can't even have cellphones at my school but you will still be able to call your parents anytime you need to, videochats are really really helpful, and they really can come visit whenever you need them too. I would suggest scheduling a visit before you get there so you have a concrete time when you KNOW you will see them. That helped me a lot as well. I hope this helped a little... -Anna Anna, February 14, 2010 2:41 PM
thanks Anonymous, January 3, 2011 2:52 PM