When it comes to packing up for college, less is more. Since space and time are both in short supply, students should be very selective about which "essentials" they take. This means they're better off taking less so they'll be able to find what they do carry with them.
"Like time management, you have to have a certain degree of space management as well," says Ronald Johnson, director of financial aid at the University of California, Los Angeles.
It's a tough line to walk. Most students are going to be spending 75 percent of their time over the next four years at school, but their focus is supposed to be on studying. So which items enhance the environment, and which detract from schoolwork?
"There's not necessarily a cut-and-dried list of things that are good or bad to have," says David Stuebing, a graduate student in education and staff resident supervisor at Purdue University.
Some guys show up with the latest in gaming equipment, "and that can be a great stress reliever," he says.
"Typically, it's more of a distraction," he says. "There are so many other opportunities on campus that you'll miss out on because you're staring at a screen all day."
A good rule of thumb: "Set up the room so that, when they return to the residence hall, it feels like they're going home," says Susan Boyd, an assistant dean for student services at Rutgers College. "That might be different for every student."
The computer conundrum
One big question: Do they take a computer and, if so, a desktop or laptop?
Many campuses provide computers, complete with the latest software and color printers, in labs and residence halls. Some schools are also going wireless, which means students with laptops can use them easily in class and around campus. While laptop portability helps students, it also invites theft.
It pays to know what the college already provides. Then look at study habits. Students who prefer to study alone might be OK with a desktop; those who take notes on a computer and use it for group-study sessions might favor a laptop.
"I think a lot of it depends on what somebody's able to afford," says Mark Oleson, assistant professor of personal financial planning and director of the Office for Financial Success at the University of Missouri-Columbia. What they don't want: an option that requires them to rack up debt.
And they don't necessarily even have to make the choice during the first few weeks of school. It can be a smart strategy to start school, scope out the campus and computer facilities, take some classes and then decide what kind of machine best fills the bill, says Barb Frazee, executive director of university residences at Purdue University.
"You don't have to feel that pressure that you have to buy now," she says.
Students should make use of the resources available to them, says Michelle Geban, a senior psychology major and resident assistant at Rutgers University. "Take advantage of the stuff that's already paid for," she says.
During her school years, she realized that school fees got her access to labs with color printers and the latest software -- saving her tons of money for supplies and printer cartridges. Now the only time she uses her own printer is when she's crunched for time.
Cruising around campus
Do students need a car at college? Not really, according to several administrators. It really does depend. Some schools prohibit or limit cars for freshmen. While for many it can be a space issue, school officials have also learned that cars can be a distraction and expense, something most students don't need.
"A lot of students feel they have to have a car on campus," says Johnson, the financial aid director. "But because everything is in close proximity, they don't need it.
"The only thing it does is encourage them to spend money making unnecessary trips."
Often, students end up in his office because of the expenses associated with driving, he adds.
It's also liable to sink a student academically, as is the off-campus job a student often needs to pay for it, says Boyd.
The more a student stays connected to campus and finds ways to be involved on campus, Boyd says, "the better chance they have of making it through."
What doesn't (usually) help
It might actually pay to leave the big-screen TV and all the stereo equipment at home.
Geban remembers helping one student set up a dorm room that looked like it had been ripped from the pages of a magazine. While it was nice, it wasn't practical, she says. "Don't just jump in and spend, spend, spend," she says.
"You're there for a specific purpose," says Johnson. "You're there to study; you're there to learn. Bring all of those things that will help you flourish as a student and enhance the living environment."
Realistically, students don't need a TV. Most dorm lounges and many public areas already have them. "Most college students I know don't spend a lot of time watching TV," says Boyd.
But a lot of students bring televisions, says Frazee. Her tip: Avoid bringing DVD players. "If you sit down and watch a half-hour comedy, that can be a good diversion," she says. Watching a two-hour movie instead of studying can lead to trouble.
It's also good to know if any items are banned. Purdue, for instance, doesn't allow halogen lamps, which can be a fire hazard, says Frazee. And while students can bring small refrigerators and microwaves, there are size limits. Each dorm room is allowed only one of each at Purdue -- so roommates need to sort out who's bringing what.
The comforts of home
Students might also need a few low-tech things they hadn't considered, such as fans. Not all college dorms are air-conditioned.
Those not used to communal bathrooms might not know to pick up a pair of shower shoes, towels and a bag to carry sundries to the bathroom.
An alarm clock is really important.
Ask about the phone situation. Some schools might not have them in every room; others provide them.
Roommates should communicate before moving in together, if possible. They don't want to end up with two TVs when the room has one cable outlet, says Geban.
It also pays to think about those things that will make life easier in a communal environment. Students who like to listen to music while studying should pack the iPod or some earphones.
Rollerblade aficionados or tennis players should bring along whatever they need to enjoy their sports, says Boyd. "You'll find avenues for that here."
What can really make a difference when it comes to academic success? A system for organizing notes, research and papers. According to both students and teachers, it doesn't seem to matter if it involves the latest in high-tech gear or a pen and paper, as long as it works.
Students should choose what worked in high school, says Stuebing. It's a proven method, plus those thrusted into a new environment "don't want everything to be new," he says.
