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OK, so you've done all the apps, you're finished stressing over the SAT, and you're finally getting ready to head to college. Now that the hard part is over, it's time to focus on the fun stuff -- like packing.

Exciting indeed, you'll need the quintessentials of life -- we're not talkin' toothpaste here. If you don't want people thinking you've been living under a rock, be sure to check out this compilation before you head off.

DVDs

• "Old School"


• "Animal House"


• "Napoleon Dynamite"


• "24" (Seasons 1 - 7)


• "The O.C." (Seasons 1 and 2)


• "Legally Blonde"

"'Legally Blonde,' starring REESE WITHERSPOON, should definitely be in your dorm DVD library. Whether you're planning to attend law school or major in fashion design, join a sorority or have a college sweetheart, this movie will give you a little taste of what may be in store for you on campus. Just don't enroll in law school to get your ex's attention." -- Ysolt Usigan, frequent contributor to the CollegeBound Network and Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) alum

Music

• Bob Marley


• Jimmy Buffett


• Black Eyed Peas


• The Beatles


• U2

"U2 is a staple in any dorm room CD collection. The band's tunes provide the perfect soundtrack to many of the activities that will no doubt pepper your days at school, including, but not limited to, cramming, relaxing, and making out." -- Paul D. Rosevear, frequent contributor to the CollegeBound Network, Rutgers University alum, and musician

Books

• "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger


• "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee


• "Moby Dick" by HermanMelville


• "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding


• "1984" by George Orwell

"Every female should also have a copy of 'He's Just Not That Into You.' Believe me, it has saved me and my sorority sisters a lot of grief." -- Melissa Limberg (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis)

Just for Fun

li>Slinky Halloween costumes (you think we're kidding?)

• Deck of cards


• Photos of your IM buddies

"Bring a Nerf gun. They're cheap, they're fun, and they're not likely to cause any real damage to whatever you shoot. While working as an RA my senior year, two of my residents knocked on my door in the middle of the night. When I opened the door they proceeded to pull handheld Nerf guns and let me have a dart in the forehead. In response, I pulled out my own from behind the door. Mine was battery-powered, fully automatic, and had them running for the stairwell in no time. That sort of thing would happen periodically after that, and the floor was more fun for it." -- Gary Phillips, graduate student and residence hall assistant, West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)

Techie A-Go-Go

• Laptop


• iPod


• Cell phone


• DVD player


• TV


• Stereo and speakers for monster sound

"The Internet is the main source of entertainment at my college. There aren't a lot of places to go in such a small town." -- Aimee Stubbs, Westminster College (Fulton, MO)

Pack These Words of Advice
"Students' Guide to Colleges" (Penguin, 2005), edited by Jordan Goldman and Colleen Buyers, is the first all-student-written/edited guide to the nation's top schools, offering a list of each school with vital statistics, requirements, and contact info. Nothing new there, but it's supplemented with smart, funny, and honest reviews, which explain what it's really like to be a student on campus.

Take for instance, these packing pointers:

• "Bring a gaming system. People will gladly come play Playstation 2 - a huge aid in making friends and getting to meet people."-- Laura, Boston College (Boston, MA)


• "I thought I would do laundry more than I did in college. I wish I had packed more socks and underwear." -- Jessica, Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH)


• "Bring earplugs -- they'll definitely come in handy." -- Alissa, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

No-Brainer Must-Haves
Don't dare leave home without 'em!

• Extra-long twin sheets (for those extra-long twin dormroom mattresses, of course)


• Comforter


• Pillow


• Towels


• Flip-flops (school showers bring new meaning to the words "soap scum")


• Shower caddy


• Toiletries


• Mini-fridge


• Microwave


• Alarm clock


• Closet shelves/organizational stuff


• Quarters (for laundry)


• Posters (unless you want empty walls)


• Extra lamps


• A microwaveable bowl, plate and mug


• Cereal/Ramen noodles/snacks


• Curtains


• Area rug

And most importantly:

"Bring your stuffed animal that you've slept with since you were a baby. Don't be afraid that your roommate will make fun of you for bringing comfort items like that from home. They'll probably have a few of their own, too!" -- Emily Barker, resident advisor at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)

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