Bring what you really need to your dorm room

As soon as the residence assignments are sent out, some college students are eager to feather their new dorm nest. But don't go overboard.

Leave the blender, grill or popcorn maker at home, advises Laura Jeanne Hammond, publisher and editor-in-chief of Next Step magazine, which is aimed at high school students planning life after graduation.

"How many fresh-fruit smoothies will you really be making in your dorm room?” she asks.

She also nixes the coffee maker. "Going out for coffee is a great way to make friends; drinking it alone in your dorm room is not.”

Next Step's suggested gift list for new freshmen includes fun items like a cheat sheet on clothes washing, stick-up touch lights, and even a small plant or aquarium.

Some experts suggest holding off on purchases until you've spent a few days at school. In that case, friends and family might consider giving gift cards to stores in the college area.

Many colleges also have checklists of recommended items on their residence websites. Make sure you know what the school won't let you bring; it varies widely. And get in touch with upperclassmen to glean insider tips.

An informal survey of some recent freshmen offers these tips on what's truly worth taking:

Many students say some version of a tool kit is essential: a couple of screwdrivers, a small hammer, duct tape, hex wrenches, rechargeable batteries, flashlight, pliers, picture hanging items. There's often something that needs fixing after the parents leave.

Unless a loft-style bed awaits, bed-frame raisers get a nod; attached to each leg, they provide added storage space.

With the likelihood that roommates will bring a lot of the same stuff, a permanent marker helps identify personal items.

A large magnetized dry erase board is necessary for keeping track of schedules and leaving messages.

Some like collapsible clothes hampers. Many suggested packing a big duffel bag with stuff, then using it to store dirty laundry.

DVDs and something to play them on appeared on most lists, as a great way to break the social ice. Noise-canceling headphones keep welcome sound in, unwelcome sound out.

Fans, for both cool comfort and sleep-inducing white noise.

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