CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

5 Things You Shouldn’t Buy For Your College-Bound Kid

Consumerist: So your kid is finally set to leave home and head off to college. You might be tempted to splurge on all manner of purchases to ensure that he or she will be able to study, eat, sleep, and dress properly. But some of those commonly bought items are just money down the drain.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Being in this Pre-college and thinking about college and where we want to go and if it is far or close to home, if it isn’t you have to think what to bring so I think it is interesting some of the items that are on the list with people that go so far away. I see where they are getting at with the printer now a days with everything being transfer over email or being posted somewhere on the internet you don’t need a printer. But in my case sometimes if it a long paper or notes or something that maybe didn’t show up on your computer you want it there in front of you to have and hold. I love to print things because then I have it and don’t have to search through all my files to find it. I understand that the printers are free at school but so is the printer that you brought and bought. You can’t everything on a tablet that you can on a laptop and it might be easier to carry a tablet around but with a computer it is easier to figure out and at least with mine I can do double screen easily. I don’t like hot drinks a mini fridge I think is very essential because of what you can keep in it and make sure it last. Even though you may not need a new phone deal with the old phone for now and then get a new one when that breaks take your time and figure out college don’t stress and worry about a phone.

Lyla Bartman

Unknown said...

I stand by all of these except the iron and the fridge. Perhaps it’s because I’m trying to make an impression, but there truly are clothes I’ve avoided wearing because they were wrinkled. I know no one cares, but I still avoid the clothes. Maybe that’s just how I was brought up. And the mini-fridge is great! Admittedly there is no stored left over’s, that’s like asking for cockroaches, but we do keep drinks cold and fruit and yogurt in there. Let’s be honest no student is walking to the dining hall every morning. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So the fridge lets you have a little takeout place for when you’re in a hurry. As for the technology items on this list I’m with you one hundred and twenty percent. If you’re worried about your generation of phone in college then you aren’t being challenged enough.

Unknown said...

This is my third week at Carnegie Mellon University and I must say that things like a having a mini fridge and the latest technology available has been helpful to have in the dorm. The one thing for me that would also be helpful which is on the "do not send with your student" list is an iron and ironing board. It is such a bummer when I have to wear a wrinkled shirt! Finding a printer on campus isn't very hard at CMU, but it can get expensive when you are charged per print. Investing in a printer could be a good idea if you plan to print a lot, but if you are just looking to print occasionally using the available printers should be sufficient. In fact, printing from a personal computer couldn't be easier at CMU, just a quick download will get you on to the campus printer network. Technology is very important to have on campus these days. Professors love the idea of the web and most assignments require using the internet, so it's is very important for students to have access to technology. College is much more enjoyable when you are well-equipped to learn.