There’s something about this time of year that’s just a little bittersweet. Although my youngsters aren’t quite there yet, I have several friends who are about to send off kiddos to college and who are using this summer to get in as much family time as possible. It of course seems like there’s plenty of time to pack, but trust me, August will be here in the blink of an eye and knowing what grads will need in the fall now will help everything go more smoothly then.
The first step to a stress free summer is to make that packing list. You can use ours for a head start! Then, start stocking up! Target is introducing a College Registry! (you can create one here). It works just like a Wedding or Baby registry, but is 100% designed to help your grad prep for the big move! Imagine how much fun they will have running up and down the aisles, scanning all their “must-haves” onto their registries. And now take a big sigh of relief knowing that (like all Target registries) you can go online and nix all the, ahem, not-so-essential “must-haves.”
My mom’s #1 piece of advice when moving into any new place is always to set up and make your bed first thing. That way, no matter how far along you get or don’t get in the unpacking process, you at least have a place to rest your head at the end of the day. Target knows that mother knows best and has all your bedding needs covered. Most importantly, they carry that tough-to-find size “Twin Extra Long,” and have it in super cute patterns like Xhilaration Tribal Stripe Comforter Set!
- Mattress Cover
- Duvet and duvet cover or comforter set
- Twin XL sheet set
- Pillowcases
- Pillows
- Throw blanket
College eating habits are always a tricky subject. And even though most new grads have a dining hall at their disposal, ensuring they can whip up some healthy after-hours study snacks is a great idea. Knowing that they’ll constantly be on the go, it’s important to set them up with snacks that can travel. We love this Magic Bullet Blender for making healthy fruit smoothies, and a minifridge to keep those frozen fruits frosty! Also, coffee is crucial for late night study sessions. Keep it quick and easy with a Keurig K10 Mini.
- Blender
- Can opener
- Coffee maker
- Mugs
- Dish towels
- One set of dishes (bowls, plates, cups)
- Silverware
- Dishwashing soap
- Disinfecting wipes
- Microwave
- Mini fridge
- Trash bags
- Water filter pitcher
Technology can make or break a study session. Everyone knows the importance of a good “focusing” playlist and let’s face it, the “quiet” section library is not always very quiet. That’s why a good pair of headphones are the best study buddies you can have. We love these from Panasonic! And with as much as your undergrad will be using that iPhone (to call home of course!), having a Mophie Powerstation Mini iPhone Battery Charger tucked away for emergencies is a brilliant idea.
- Laptop
- Headphones like these little guys: Panasonic ErgoFit Plus
- iPod/MP3 player
- Batteries
- Camera
- Chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
- Portable phone charger like this one: Mophie Powerstation Mini iPhone Battery Charger
- Ethernet cable
- Extension cords
- External hard drive
- Flash drives
- Surge protectors
Yes, the big move can be difficult. But Target’s new College Registry makes it quicker, easier, and a whole lot more fun for everyone. Bring it on, brave new world!
Get their dorm room ready. Create a registry at Target for your college-bound grad.
