Coach’s Corner: Summer and Fall – 2025

2025 High School Graduates

Below is a comprehensive list of items to bring to college:

Dorm Room Organization and Storage

• Alarm clock – serves as a great backup if you forget to charge your cell phone!
• Bedside lamp
• Bulletin board and pushpins
• Desk lamp
• Door stopper – valuable for move-in day!
• Dry-erase wall calendar/board
• Drying rack for laundry
• Fan
• Mini toolkit – including screwdriver, hammer, wrench
• Picture hangers – double-sided tape or Command Strips, which can be found at Walmart or Costco
• Small wastebasket
• Storage bins

College Linens and Laundry Supplies

• Blankets – 2
• Comforter
• Hangers
• Laundry bag/basket
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover
• Lint brush
• Mattress pad
• Mattress protector – zippered
• Mini sewing kit
• Pillows – 2
• Sheets/pillowcases – 2 sets. Verify what size is needed; many dorms have twin-long
• Towels – 3 each of bath, hand and face

Desk Supplies

• Electronic storage media such as memory cards and USB flash drives
• Folders with pockets
• Highlighters – multiple colors
• Notebooks
• Index cards – 3×5
• Paper clips and binder clips
• Pens and pencils
• Print cartridges – if you bring a printer
• Printer paper – if you bring a printer
• Rubber bands
• Scissors
• Stackable desk trays – minimum 4
• Stamps and envelopes
• Stapler and staples
• Sticky notes
• Tape

Electronics and Technology for First-Year Student

• Cell phone
• Charging pads and cords
• Cords – HDMI, Ethernet cord for computer – determine if the room has wireless
• Extension cords – multiple
• Headphones/Air pods
• iPad
• Laptop
• Printer – optional; there are usually computer labs where you can print
• Portable speaker
• Surge protector
• Prong adapters 3-2

Shared-with-Roommate Items

• Area rug
• Audio equipment
• Coffeemaker/hot pot
• Microwave – if one is not provided
• Small refrigerator – if one is not provided
• TV
• Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment
• Antacid
• Aspirin or other pain relievers
• Bodywash
• Comb/brush
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Cotton swabs
• Cough drops
• Dental floss
• Eyeglasses and a spare pair
• Facial soap
• Hair dryer/straightener/curling iron
• Hairstyling products
• Lotion and/or facial moisturizer
• Nail clippers
• Razor and shaving cream
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Shower caddy
• Shower shoes (flip-flops)
• Sunscreen
• Tissues
• Toilet paper – some dorms provide this, some do not
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Travel-sized container(s)
• Tweezers
• Vitamins

Clothing

• Bathrobe
• Boots
• Business casual attire including nice shoes
• Flip-flops
• Gloves
• Hat
• Jackets
• Pajamas
• Pants/jeans/leggings
• Shirts
• Slippers
• Sneakers/shoes
• Snowpants
• Socks
• Sweaters
• Swimsuit
• Undergarments

Household and Kitchen Items

• All-purpose cleaner
• Bowl, plate and cup
• Can/bottle opener
• Dish detergent
• Dish towel
• Disinfectant wipes
• Mugs
• Paper towels
• Plastic storage bags
• Silverware
• Tissues
• Trash bags
• Wastebasket

Miscellaneous Items

• Backpack
• Carabiner – to hold your dorm and mailbox keys
• Sports equipment
• Umbrella
• Wall decor
• Water bottle

Rising Seniors:

Ranking colleges in categories of safety, target and reach is an important step in the development of a solid college list and can give the student options in college choices.  A typical college list includes the following: safety schools which will offer higher acceptance rates and potential merit aid awards, a few target schools that offer a 50/50 chance of acceptance, and 1 or 2 reach schools that are highly selective and more difficult to get into. The total college list should be roughly between 7 – 10 colleges.  Students can begin to add colleges to the Common App and see the requirements a college may have in the Admissions process.  Knowing what a college is expecting on the application is helpful in the decision of which schools remain on the potential list, and which are ultimately applied to.

Rising Juniors:

When students enter junior year of high school, college visits become important in identifying what is desired in a collegiate environment.  Visit colleges that are closer to home and where hotels or plane tickets do not need to be purchased.  This will help in the decision of what is most important in a college environment.  Closer visits, early on, help to determine size, type, layout of the campus, dorm life, school spirit, and other factors that assist in building criteria to refine the potential college list. Walking around and stepping into dorms, cafeterias, and classrooms will allow the student to experience the campus.  There is no need to know yet which colleges will be applied to, since there is plenty of time for that decision to develop.  Have fun, walk around, take the tour, and talk with other students or faculty you see on campus.  Even in the summer, there are students and professors to engage with that will give you a feel and idea of what a school is like.

Rising Freshmen and Sophomores:

Study habits are very important to consider as students set themselves up for success in these early years of high school.  Students should allow ample time to review material learned from their classes and reinforce the learning from the day. This time, about 30 minutes, is in addition to the assigned homework. This will enable a better basis for studying for exams and being able to answer questions in class.  Prioritizing study techniques is a paramount goal that will enable a smooth and successful progression through freshman and sophomore years.  This will create a plan for success as harder coursework ensues into junior year. Colleges will expect to see an increase in abilities and in coursework.  Additionally, be sure to ask for assistance from teachers, when needed, so falling behind does not occur. Teachers appreciate when students push themselves to grow, attend extra-help sessions after school, and work hard to absorb the material and understand it. Teachers will be able to see a student’s drive, motivation, and a commitment to academics.