Packing for college can be tricky.  On one hand, you want to make sure you bring everything you’ll need, but on the other hand, you don’t want to end up with too much stuff.  As a high school student preparing to one day encounter this dilemma, I decided to ask the recent college grads here at the College Prowler office and to do some research in order to find the twenty-five necessities that people wish they had thought to bring to college.   

1.       STORAGE BINS!-  I really cannot stress enough how essential these are.   You will arrive in your freshman dorm, it will be small, and you’ll have a lot of stuff.  While some have found cardboard boxes easily shoved in the closet to be the best solution, the advice given to me has been to purchase a couple of good quality, clear plastic storage bins (best found at Target).  These are simply hidden, readily accessible, and see-through, so you’ll know exactly where something is before you’ve even opened the lid!  Plus, if you get the kind with wheels at the bottom, they can be easily transported and can serve as no-unpacking-needed suitcases– pack your stuff in them at home, bring them to college, and slide them under your dorm bed or stick them in your closet– Viola!  It is better to avoid taller bins, however, and purchase several low-lying ones as to avoid rummaging through layers of clothing.

2.       Duffle bag- sometimes it can be easy to get so wrapped up in packing large suitcases full of stuff we’ll need for the whole year, that we forget to bring along a small duffle bag for quick trips, whether to the gym or for spring break!      

3.       Shower Caddy- ladies, we all know how many bottles and sprays and loofahs we might need to drag into the shower with us.  Why not make it all easier to carry with a shower caddy?  This bin may become a god-send as getting ready for a quick shower can become just a matter of grabbing your caddy and going!

4.       Flip-flops/ bathroom shoes- ok, so this concept may be foreign to you if you’ve lived your life up to this point with clean bathrooms and spotless showers.  Allow me to inform you that in college (or any other place for that matter) if you have to use a communal bathroom, you can kiss anti-bacterial washing environments goodbye.  Welcome to shower shoes!  So that I am not forced to go into gross details, just trust me and all of the college grads here at College Prowler on this.

5.       Febreze/ Air Fresheners- combine you, your roommate, a potential crowd of friends, dirty clothes, and lots of food, and what do you get?  A whole lot of stink.  But never fear, this potentially noxious smell can easily be eliminated by the use of spray febreze or a couple of air fresheners.  If you don’t bring them with you, you’re going to want to buy them, fast.

6.       Tool kit- I have been told that there will be times where you will be scouring the halls in pursuit of a hammer or certain type of screw-driver to fix this or to hang that, unless, of course, you already have these tools!  In order to save space, you could even purchase a screwdriver with interchangeable heads.  Not only does having these tools on hand make your life easier, but it might just make you one of the most popular kids in the building!

7.       Duct Tape- if at this stage in your life, you cannot name at least 10 different times when duct tape has been invaluable, then you haven’t lived - enough said.

8.       Microwave/ Toaster/ George Forman grill/ Hot pot- one or more of these kitchen utility items will make the food selection in your room leagues better.  Many colleges, however, will not allow a microwave, toaster, or grill.  If you’re in that boat, go for a hot pot water heater!

9.       Mini Fridge- I think it is widely agreed upon that this is a no-brainer when it comes to college.  Though I am only in high school, I had an experience once during a summer camp in which we stayed in college dorms where neither my roommate nor I had brought a fridge along.  Our solution?  Place all refrigerated items on the air conditioning vent and blast the AC as cold as it would go.  Allow me to say that this solution did not work and many a Starbucks frappachino suffered as a result.

10.   Small, laser printer- though this is admittedly not an essential item, many people have said over and over how much more convenient having one made their lives.  Not only that, but how much more cost efficient it was for them overall.  By not having to pay per-page at the school printer, you may wind up saving money.  In addition, I have been informed that ink-jet printers, while they are initially cheaper, are NOT the way to go, as buying the necessary ink cartridges to keep them functioning all year is less cost effective than just purchasing a laser printer.

11.   Power Strips- in the days of technology, our use of plug-in electronics can easily out do the number of outlets available in our dorms.  Save yourself the trouble of arguing with your roommate about who gets to charge their cell phone first, and bring a power strip or two.

12.   Cinder blocks- a lot of the time, dorm room beds are so low to the ground, you wonder why they didn’t just throw a mattress on the floor and call it a day.  By raising the bed on cinder blocks, you can place your bed at a more comfortable height, and create storage space underneath.  Many colleges don’t allow cinder blocks though, and when this happens, I have been advised to go for bed risers (also called bed elevators) which can commonly be found at Wal-Mart, Bed Bath and Beyond, or Target.

13.   Cleaning Supplies- no matter how much of a slob you are, your dorm room will get filthy to a point where you find yourself holding your breath as you quickly dash in and out of the door.  Here’s where cleaning supplies come in.  The biggest suggestion made to me would be to invest in a hand-held vacuum which makes for a quick clean-up of those pizza crumbs found all over your bed.  Another great purchase would be wet Swiffer cloths or Clorox wipes, as they clean the mess up faster than damp paper towel or toilet paper.

14.   3M Command Strips- as most schools will not allow you to nail holes in the walls for hanging things, a simple solution lies in 3M Command strips (found in most drugstores).  You can find them as “hooks, hangars, organizers, clips, and strips.”  By making use of these handy items, you can save yourself the worry of whether or not the “toothpaste covering the nail hole” tactic will fool anybody.

15.   Earplugs- for those crunch times when you need to get work done, but people are too loud in the halls; for those restless nights when you lie awake wondering how such a loud and guttural snore could ever be produced by a human being; for those moments when you have a horrible hangover and every sound makes your head want to explode, these are key.

16.   USB Drives- not only for transporting files from place to place, but also for backing up those term papers that, if lost, could sign your death warrant.

17.   Tide To Go- this item has saved me countless times (and I’m not even in college yet)!  It can not only rescue you if some of that spaghetti sauce from lunch ends up on your shirt, but also if you are out of clothes and need a quick-clean, it will do the job.

18.   Umbrella- it is easily taken for granted, but it can be easily miserable without one.

19.   Sewing Kit- even if you’re not a homebody, it is always nice to be able to salvage a shirt (or a pair of pants…eek!) by having some thread and a needle on hand to sew a couple buttons back in place.

20.   Fan- if your dorm doesn’t have air conditioning, you’re going to want a fan.  If your dorm does have air conditioning, you might still want a fan. 

21.   Bottle Opener/ Can Opener- people get so psyched about college and drinking, but when you have a bottle in hand, are you going to be able to open it?  As for the can opener, what use is a water heater or a microwave, if you can’t get the can open to make soup?

22.   Mini Stapler- I have been told to save yourself the effort of asking everyone you pass as you make your way to class, if they have a stapler for that paper you’re expected to turn in.  Just carry a little one in your bag.

23.   Quarters- needed for laundry, needed for parking meters, and steal-able from parents before you leave for college.

24.   Medicine- Tylenol, Advil cold and sinus, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil- bring it all.  If you don’t need it someone else will, and it can save you time and energy going to the nurse.  Also, you might really want to consider a daily vitamin just to keep you healthy while everyone else starts to get sick.

25.   Collapsible Laundry Hamper with Carrying Strap- by keeping your clothes in a hamper, you reduce mess and save time searching for that one shirt that you think may have snuck under your bed that you really want to wash.  If you get one that is collapsible, it can be easily stored away, and a carrying strap makes it easy to sling over one shoulder as you are moving.  Laundry bags work well too.

You might be thinking to yourself, “This seems like a ton of stuff,” (ok, maybe it’s just me), but you can limit the stuff you need to bring by getting in touch with your roommate before hand to figure out who’s bringing what.  That way you won’t have two microwaves or two vacuums.  Another thing to do would be to locate the Target, Wal-mart, Costco, or Sam’s Club closest to your dorm, making it easier to run a few quick errands for items you may have forgotten.      

Obviously my list couldn’t cover everything ever wished for by college students, so what are some items that you wish you had thought to bring with you when you went to college?  What items did you have that were priceless, and you don’t think you could have survived without?

Sincerely,

Kris P. Bacon

According to nrccua.org ( National Research Center for College and University Admissions)

I am sure it’s a familiar feeling wake up in the morning to find a stack of college mail in the mailbox. When the time comes to search of the “perfect” college there is a lot of things to consider. There is definitely a lot of valuable information found in books, magazines, internet searches, etc. - it’s all a little overwhelming at times! Often we hear things about college that has been heard echoing through the halls of high schools for generations. In the search for truth I found this site “http://www.nrccua.org/student/myth.asp/”>nrccua.org There is a lot of beneficial information found on this website including a really helpful article called “25 Common Myths About College” by George Dehne, developer of the Personal Inventory of College Styles. I want to share a few of my favorite “myths” from this article, but you should really check out all of them! You can find the entire article here.

The standardized tests (ACT, PSAT, & SAT) are more important than your high school grades.
“Colleges know that your performance in high school is a better predictor of college success than the standardized tests. That does not mean that most colleges will ignore your SAT or ACT scores. Some state institutions with far more applicants than they can assess fairly may use scores to determine if you are eligible.”

If I haven’t heard of a college or university, it can’t be very good.
“You may not hear about many of the nation’s finest colleges until you are well into your adult life. Athletics on television is how most colleges get to be known, but many great colleges do not get that kind of exposure. Some of the nation’s finest colleges don’t play big-time athletics. Judge a college on its own merits. Don’t let name recognition determine a good or bad college.”

Only the very best students receive financial aid from colleges.
“If you are admitted and have financial need, colleges generally want to make it possible for you to attend. In fact, the greatest proportion of financial assistance at private colleges tends to go to students in the middle of the class. High-ability students or students with special talents may receive ‘merit-based scholarships.’”

I have definitely heard all of these things from time to time. I thought this article was very interesting, you should check it out! Feel free to give us some feedback. Have a good day!

If you’re up on what is going on in the news (”pregnant man,” the Obama/Clinton race, 1980’s movie Valley Girl turning 25-years-old), then you’ve probably read about American Idol winner Carrie Underwood breaking up with her boyfriend actor Chace Crawford via text message.  Personally, I feel betrayed and a little letdown. Like Dorothy, I feel like I’ve seen the Wizard behind the curtain. I thought someone like Carrie Underwood wouldn’t resort to ending a relationship in a few short, broken sentences with “U” and “2″ instead of actual words.

But this brings to light a lot about people, not just celebrities. The “text message break-up” is commonplace in today’s society, especially with college students and people in their 20’s.  I know two people who’ve been broken up with in this manner. The one person’s engagement was broken off this way. It’s depressing to think that this is what the world has come to: relationships broken with the sound of a Sara Bareilles “Love Song” ringtone.

With technology making people less and less dependent on interpersonal skills and communication, is human interaction just going to get worse? Maybe this just means the process of elimination with the dating scene has just gotten a little harder. Or maybe it’s easier (depending upon the way you look at it). Before entering into a relationship, maybe people should consider how dependent the other person is on technology and their cell phone. If they are texting someone else while on a date, the person in question is probably not going to blink an eye when texting someone to say, “Peace out” (Carrie Underwood’s words, not mine).  If the person in question would rather email you to set up something rather than use the phone, maybe he or she would do the same with a break-up.

But what can young singletons really do? Personally, I think we should just do away with the cell phone altogether and prevent such a thing from occurring. Get to the root of the problem. You want to send me a break-up text? I don’t have a phone. Step off.

PITTSBURGH, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — College Prowler announced today that Bowdoin College has been named the recipient of its first ever “School of the Year” award. This award seeks to identify a college or university that goes above and beyond the ordinary level of commitment to provide a first class undergraduate experience for its students.After publishing honest student-written guidebooks to more than 250 colleges over the last five years, it became clear that Bowdoin College was a phenomenal school that deserved recognition. College Prowler co-founder and CEO, Luke Skurman, on Bowdoin College:

    "We rank Bowdoin as one of the best schools in the country
    in Academics,Campus Dining,Campus Housing, and Safety & Security-
    all core areas to a great college experience. I visited the campus
    recently to ensure our guidebook was portraying Bowdoin accurately.
    I've been to many colleges and I can say from experience that my
    visit to the Bowdoin campus was truly impressive and reconfirmed
    everything we have in our book; I met professors who truly care about
    teaching undergrads, I tasted amazing campus food, I saw a campus
    full of brand-new dorms in a peaceful, safe,harmonious setting. Every
    student I met was happy, modest, smart and had a great sense of purpose.
    Bowdoin is without question an awesome place to go to school."

A quote from the College Prowler guide to Bowdoin College reaffirms the attitude on campus:

    "Students realize that attending college is not about just attending
    classes, participating in sports, and partying on weekends but doing
    everything with passion, determination, and the ability to give back."

Bowdoin College alumnus and current president, Barry Mills, on receiving this award:

    "We were pleasantly surprised when College Prowler notified us that
    Bowdoin would be featured as 'School of the Year.' We believe strongly
    that there is no "best" or "#1" college in America, but we also believe
    that prospective students and their families benefit from having as
    complete information as possible in making their college choices.
    In this case, the opinions expressed about Bowdoin come directly from
    our own students,and it is gratifying to know how strongly positive they
    feel about the College."

The College Prowler guidebooks are based on the idea that students need better information on schools to help them pick the one that best matches their individual needs. We feel this award will further that goal by allowing students to distinguish those institutions that put the students first in all aspects of campus life.

College Prowler is the leader in student-written guidebooks on campus life.

Bowdoin College is a nationally renowned liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine.

Further information on College Prowler, and its line of products can be obtained at, http://www.collegeprowler.com or by calling (412) 697-1390. Samples and subscription access available upon request.

Further information on Bowdoin College can be found at http://www.bowdoin.edu or by calling 207-725-3256 or emailing Scott Hood, vice president for communication & public affairs, shood@bowdoin.edu.

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For many college students, April marks the month of academic crunch time, with coeds rounding third base on their way to home plate (i.e. the end of the semester).  Whether they are freshmen or seniors, college students often become overpowered by the stress of it all and might fall ill to the effects of mounting pressures.

Some of the effects include fatigue, changes in eating/sleeping patterns, headaches, having a shorter temper than usual, recurring cold or minor illness, and muscle tension.  In order to prevent major breakdowns or even whiny tantrums in front of friends and family, here are a few suggestions on how to beat the heat of Finals and other end-of-the-year tasks.

1. Find time for yourself everyday, whether it’s 10 minutes or an hour. During this time, do something where you can express yourself physically or emotionally. When students get wrapped up in academic stress, they tend to forget about who’s at the center of the stress: themselves.  Take a walk or start a book you haven’t been able to read because of school.  Exercise can be especially beneficial because it often relieves stress.

2. Manage your time effectively. Create a schedule where you can balance academic and social time. Don’t necessarily blow off dinner with friends in order to get that extra study time in. That break might make you able to absorb more information later!

3. Create a mix CD or IPod playlist of music that motivates you. Personally, Fatboy Slim’s remix of “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire gets me going. If you have trouble getting up in the morning, start that favorite get-up-and-go song as soon as your alarm goes off. Or better yet, make that song your alarm.

4.  Have a good sense of humor. If you need a laugh, take a break and call a friend who cheers you up. If he or she’s not available, watch a favorite television show (like Arrested Development DVDs).

5.  Make a list and check off what you need to do when you complete it. It makes you feel accomplished and satisfied with your progress.

Finally, remember that there’s good stress and bad stress. The good stress in life motivates you and keeps you going. The bad takes its toll on your body and mind.  Over the next month, repeat to yourself that most of your stress will subside and resolve itself in time.

College is like dating.

What do most people look for in a good relationship? Trust, communication, and good looks are pretty common traits. These qualities in people are the same things you may be searching for in a college.

Trust - You want a college you can trust that has a good reputation. Maybe you want a party school, an Ivy League school, a business school, or an artsy school. You want to trust that you will get a good education, meet great people, and make lasting memories at a school where you fit in. Can you rely on your school for what you want?

Communication - Good teachers and administrators are important. At some point in your college career, whether you like it or not, you will have to find your way to the faculty office. You will have to sit in one of your professors’ offices or your advisor’s office maybe even more than once. This can be fast and easy if your professors are easily attainable to their students. You will also want to communicate with the Career Services office towards the end of your college adventure.

Good Looks - No one wants to go to an eyesore of a college. Not every setting is right for every person. If you’re an outdoorsy person, choose a green, rural campus with lots of trees and rolling hills. Maybe the busy city is more your scene, and a city school with tall buildings will light your fire. Old-fashioned type? Choose an old school with a history and plenty of landmarks

If you know what you like in a significant other, then you’re in good shape. As cheesy as it sounds, follow your heart when choosing a college.

I know this is a video from a couple of weeks ago, but since XM radio is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller all month long on XM channel 63 (no plug intended), we may as well celebrate this little gem all month long: Stephen Colbert and John Legend’s rendition of “The Girl is Mine.”

I really think they should release this as a single. I’d go as far as to say it’s better than the original. Any other takers?

Every professional has them, so why not students??

It might sound like a tool of only the super motivated business major, but that’s just not so. As a student, you are constantly meeting new people and making new contacts: friends, classmates, team members, professors, prospective employers… You need an effective way to leave your contact information and your mark!

A business card is the ideal way to connect with other students, network at job fairs, and promote your campus clubs and associations. Just think, you’re more likely to score a date with the cute girl in chemistry if you present her with a business card instead of creepily sending her a Facebook message . . . she’s bound to think of you as organized, savvy, and possibly rich in the future. A recruiter will be equally as impressed if you present a professional business card along with your glowing resume. And passing out business cards with your organization logo and event information is way more effective than shouting “bake sale this Friday” at the top of your lungs in the dining hall.

On a student budget? No worries! Ooprint.com is offering 100 student business cards for FREE! (shipping not included)

Ooprint has designed business card models exclusively for certain universities, with school colors and cool graphic designs. You can choose from a variety of cards, from classic designs to more trendy models.

Are you that creepy alum who keeps hanging around campus? Don’t worry, you can still sport your school spirit and get your university business cards too.

Ooprint student business cards are currently available to students of
Carnegie Mellon University: www.ooprint.com/carnegiemellon
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill: www.ooprint.com/unc
University of Pittsburgh: www.ooprint.com/pitt
Elon University: www.ooprint.com/elon
Harvard University: www.ooprint.com/harvard
Yale University: www.ooprint.com/yale

Is your university not yet in the loop? You can contact ooprint here to request business cards for your own school!

There is no set-up fee or obligation. So go ahead and order your business cards - you won’t be disappointed.

At any given Wednesday at 3:32 in the afternoon, here’s what I carry along with me. My purse contains: my cell phone, wallet, planner, keys, Chap Stick and my USB jump drive. All pretty normal things for a college girl to be toting around. However, those are just a few of the basics. I also usually carry around this giant hot pink beach-bag-type sack filled with everything I don’t need - but just in case.

I got this bag at the beginning of this year for two reasons: 1. Because it was on sale and 2. Because it is BIG. My roommate said to me the other day, “Wow, Anne, I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to actually fill that bag, but it seems you’ve done it.” She then proceeded to check the bag for small children, animals, rocks, and the pair of shoes she lost last summer.

It seems that over the years, I’ve become quite the pack rat. I keep everything just in case I need it again, or maybe I’ll want to look at it again, or just because I don’t want to throw it away. I think I’m becoming a pack rat because of my need to feel organized. I’m afraid to throw things away in case I’ll need them in the future. I’ve realized how completely ridiculous this is and have made it my personal mission to throw useless things away that I know I will not need.

DISCLAIMER: I’m actually a pretty neat and put-together person, so don’t let what’s coming fool you.

So just for fun, here’s a (condensed) list of what is currently stuffed into the fore-mentioned bag: a wrapper from the granola bar I ate for breakfast, a receipt and coupon from grocery shopping last night, my college ID, a pack of gum, empty gum wrappers, a highlighter, an extra hair tie, a mini bottle of perfume, one pencil, two pens (just in case I lose one or someone needs to borrow one), my digital camera, two cough drops from when I had a cold in January, my books for my next class, a fun-sized Hershey’s chocolate bar (not that old, I promise), more lip gloss (three different kinds to be exact), a necklace, a newspaper where I have an article published, a safety pin, a mirror (to check all the lip gloss), candy wrappers, an empty zip-loc bag, three bobby pins, stamps, spare change, an extra jacket, a mint (not sure how old that is), and tissues. Whew!

Ten years ago, President Bill Clinton was in office, NBC’s Seinfeld was still on the air, and Third Eye Blind was touring college campuses. Today, President George W. Bush is in office, Seinfeld episodes air in syndication, and Third Eye Blind is still touring college campuses.

In an article from 1998, MTV’s Campus Invasion tour featured the then-popular Third Eye Blind and Eve 6. Strangely enough, TEB just announced a new campus tour (not sponsored by MTV, incidentally) where they will hit such schools as Bucknell University and Amherst College.

It seems that today’s college students still carry with them the sage advice to “step back from that ledge, my friend.”

On February 19 at Loyola College’s Reitz Arena, TEB saw a sold-out show, where they sang such hits as “Semi-Charmed Life” and “How’s It Gonna Be” to students who were anywhere from 8-years-old to pre-teens at the time the songs were hits on the charts. This poses the question of whether students will go to see any act that comes to their school or whether TEB has had a lasting, youth-oriented appeal that followed these students from pre-teenhood into adulthood?

The answer seems to be in favor of the latter. Not only are these “lesser-known” acts from yesteryear easier to book because of less demand, but they also appeal to the generation they are intended to perform for. This phenomenon is similar to when kids growing up in the 1980’s snatched up Fraggle Rock t-shirts when they first surfaced on the market. Students like to support the things/shows/bands they grew up on.

Third Eye Blind isn’t alone. Ben Folds is another act who has cashed in on the college tour market. Most recently in 2007, Folds toured North American colleges; he, too, performing hits from the late 1990’s. He has another college tour set for this year.

Even if these college students wouldn’t necessarily want to go back to the trials, tribulations, and acne of junior high school, TEB and Ben Folds make it at least worth reminiscing over.