Finally on your own? Heading off to college or university this fall? If you're moving into residence, here are some must-haves (and some nice-to-haves) for your home-away-from-home. These may also be helpful if you're moving into your own place or sharing a house with others.

• Alarm clock: I don't care how good your sense of time is - get an alarm clock. Just make sure you turn it off when you go away for the weekend - you don't want to annoy your neighbours who have to listen to it beep until they break down the door and rip the plug out of the wall. Battery back-up is a good feature to look for, and will save your butt in case of power outages.
  
  
• Day planner: Even if you do nothing except go to classes, meals and the library, you will need a day planner. When in doubt, write it down. Write down when and where classes are, when assignments are due, what your readings are and when you're expected to finish them, special events, meal times, library hours, bus schedules, etc. You never know when you might draw a blank or schedule dinner with a friend the night before that all-important assignment is due.
  
  
• Wall calendar: Even if you use your day planner meticulously, a wall calendar can help you see things in the long-term. Even if you know that a certain paper is due on a certain day, seeing it on the long-range forecast can get you working on it in advance. A dry-erase calendar can be helpful because it's easy to move things around if deadlines change.
  
  
• Clipboard: Some lecture halls don't have those handy desk things for hard surfaces - bring a clipboard or binder so you have something to write on. There's nothing worse than trying to take notes on your lap for two hours.
  
  
• Rug: Some dorm rooms are carpeted, others have linoleum. A rug or carpet might be a good idea for keeping down the dust (just make sure you can shake it out outside or vacuum it from time to time) and for keeping your feet off the cold floor.
  
  
• Slippers: Unless you like to wear shoes all the time, slippers are good to have when living in a dorm.
  
  
• Small appliances: Not all of these will be allowed in all residence rooms, so make sure you know the rules before you buy anything.
  - If you're able to rent a small fridge for your dorm room where you can keep things like bagels, bread, vegetables and cheese, it might be nice to use a sandwich maker or a toaster oven to make toasted sandwiches at your leisure. (Just make sure you don't set off the smoke alarm or blow a fuse.)
  - I highly recommend an electric kettle. Besides its use in making instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate, you can use it to make wonderfully cheap meals such as instant soup or Mr. Noodles. A good feature to look for is the automatic shut-off option, so you don't burn the kettle dry or start a fire if you get distracted halfway through boiling the water.
  
  
• Phone: For me, the phone was a must-have, but I knew people who went through university without one. I know I couldn't have done it, but they must have saved a lot of money every month. If you get a phone, I would advise you NOT to share with anyone else. I know it sounds crazy, but people have been known to make hundreds of dollars of phone calls on someone else's phone, and then not pay for them. And do you really want your neighbour-down-the-hall's friends calling you at 2 in the morning because the phone lives in your room? I don't think so.
  - If you're afraid of missing messages, you might want to get an answering machine or a similar service from the phone company.
  - If you're like me, you could rack up hundreds of dollars in long distance bills in your first month away from home. Try using a timer to set a limit on your long distance calls to save yourself some money.
  
  
• Snacks: Some schools have 24-hour snack bars, restaurants, etc. This was unheard of only a few short years ago - at least, it was unheard of where I went to school. You might want to keep some snacks (dried fruit, granola, etc.) in your room. Just make sure you keep them in air-tight containers to avoid attracting bugs.)
  
  
• Contact information: Make sure you have the e-mail addresses, phone numbers and snail-mail addresses of friends and family, and make sure they have your information too.
  
  
• Laundry stuff: This includes detergent, fabric softener (if you use it) and a laundry basket. Maybe an iron and a small ironing board if you are into that kind of thing.
  This also includes quarters. Whether living in residence or on your own, chances are you'll have to pay to do laundry. This means saving and scrounging quarters, or doing laundry at home on weekends. (If you choose the second option, you might want to pay for your own detergent and fabric softener. Your parents are already paying for the water and the hydro - it's the least you could do.)
  
  
• Shower shoes: Chances are that if you live on residence you will have a communal shower stall. This may be co-ed or same-sex, but one thing remains the same: you'll want some flip-flops, shower shoes, or something to keep your feet off the ground while showering and walking to and from the shower.
  
  
• Bathrobe: Even if you're not used to wearing one, I recommend getting (and wearing) a bathrobe. You might be comfortable walking around with not much on, but your dorm-mates might not want to see all you have to offer.
  
  
• Shower caddy: These very useful inventions will help you truck your shower stuff (shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, body wash, face cloth, etc.) back and forth from your room. Just be sure it has drainage holes, and keep an eye on it to make sure that you don't get nasty green mould growing in the bottom. You could also use a bucket or similar contraption.
  
  
• Towel: Think about bringing an extra towel. I hate trying to dry myself with a damp towel, which is what will happen if yours doesn't dry overnight.
  
  
• Computer: To me, a computer is a nice-to-have. Most schools have computer labs with the software you'll need, but it's nice to be able to stay up all night in your own room typing that paper.
  - If you're going to have a computer in your room, get a printer. Try to make sure it prints quietly, so that you don't disturb your neighbours by printing out that 30-page paper at 7 in the morning.
  - If you're going to be using the computer lab, make sure you have 3.5" disks (with labels) so you know what's yours and where it is.
  - If you're going to be moving files from the school's system to your own machine, make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus software - you never know what you might pick up on someone else's machine.
  - A modem might be nice, as some schools let you dial into the school's e-mail or library services during the day or over night.
  
  
• Lamp: Dorm rooms (in my experience) rarely have enough light. Find out what you'll have, and if you need more light, go buy a lamp or two. Don't hurt your eyes studying in inadequate light. -You'll need task lighting for your desk, bed and/or chair.
  
  
• Bedding: Some schools might provide bedding, but in most cases, people would rather have their own. Many residences have beds in strange sizes (like extra-long twin), so find out before buying sheets - or make sure you can return them if they're the wrong size.
  - You might want to get two sets, in case you're washing one set and it doesn't dry or you don't have time to wash it in the first place. Don't forget about pillows, and be sure to pack an extra blanket if you tend to get cold in the winter. You might want to get some throw pillows to make your bed more comfortable for lounging.
  
  
• Music: Whether you bring a Walkman, Discman, a radio, a stereo or a CD-player in your computer, if you like music, bring it. Just make sure you also bring a set of headphones as well so that you can listen to your music without bothering your neighbours. You may love listening to loud music (be it rock, opera, dance, etc.) at 3 a.m., but your neighbours might not. And you probably wouldn't appreciate them forcing their musical tastes on you, either.
  
  
• Leisure stuff: Be sure to take some non-school-related reading material, so you can take your mind off school when you need to. You might also want to take a deck of cards, craft materials, sports equipment or board games like Trivial Pursuit.
  
  
• Sports stuff: If you're a person who's into casual sports, you might want to pack a Frisbee, a lightweight football, a hacky sack, etc. Chances are you'll find others in your dorm or residence who are open to a pick-up game from time to time. If you plan to play varsity or intramural sports and have your own equipment (like cleats, hockey sticks, pads, skates, helmets, etc.) you will probably want to bring them. Just make sure you keep them clean, or soon your whole room, floor and dorm might smell like sweaty socks - and that's just gross.
  
  
• Multi-plug extension cords or power bars: These are a must-have for plugging in lamps, alarm clocks, stereos, computers, etc. Most dorm rooms don't have many plugs and you'll need to figure out a configuration that works for you and your appliances.
  
  
• Whiteboard: Hang a whiteboard, a notepad, or some Post-Its on your door so people can leave you messages when you're not there. Make sure to attach a marker.
  
  
• Art: Bring or buy posters, pictures and other art to make the space feel like home. Some schools will charge if you wreck your walls, so make sure that if you use tape to stick things up, it won't take the paint off when you take the stuff down again.
  
  
• Desk supplies: Yes, even if you have a computer you will still need pens, pencils, highlighters, a stapler, a staple-remover, White-Out, paper clips, push pins, a ruler, graph paper, calculator, scissors, Post Its, etc.
  
  
• Hangers: Most dorm room closets don't come with hangers, so bring your own.
  
  
• Over-the-door hooks: These are handy for storing and drying things like towels, bathrobes, umbrellas, raincoats, etc.
  
  
• Small broom/dustpan: Even if someone comes in to sweep once a week, a broom and dustpan are useful for tidying and cleaning up from day to day. This is especially important if you have allergies.
  
  
• Earplugs/sleeping mask: You might not know you need these until you get there. You might end up living next to some inconsiderate person who didn't bring headphones or who likes to play Metallica really loudly when you're trying to sleep. Unless you find that kind of thing soothing. I know I don't. Another good time to use earplugs is when your roommate talks to their significant other on the phone and say things like 'ookie-snookie puddin' head'. You don't really want to hear that, do you? A sleeping mask might come in handy if you have a roommate who stays up later or gets up earlier than you and will need to turn the lights on to study, get dressed, etc.