What should you take to boarding school?

Answer 1

Dress-code compliant clothes, or school uniform. At least 6 sets

• T-shirts (4-6)
• Long sleeved shirts (4-6)
• Undershorts/boxers/panties (10)
• Socks (20)
• Shorts (3)
• Sweatpants (3)

Accessories

• Collar stays
• Belts
• Ties (charity ones or those from your old school, as well as plain ones)

Shoes

• Sneakers
• Dress shoes (at least one formal pair and one more casual pair e.g Sperry's)
• sandals/shower thongs/slippers

Valuables (for the safe)

At most schools, you can own safes. But the school can open them if they think you keep banned stuff like drugs in them. Get a small safe or a lockable container.

• Passport (there will be times when you have to travel to other countries, especially Ice Hockey to Canada)
• ID such as drivers license
• money
• credit card/debit card

Sports equipment

The minimum needed

• Swim suit
• athletic clothing and shoes

Other sports equipment will depend on what sport you decide to play

Useful books

• Who's who/Social register

For the closet

• Tie rack, to keep your collection of ties.
• Hangers
• Shoe rack (Make sure it will fit though)

Keeping cool

If your room has a air conditioner, this does not apply. Some students do not use these, but it is recommended if you will be going to school in a temperate environment

• Fan
• Filter for fan (such as Filtrete)

Toiletries

Enough for at least several months. Bring more than you think you will need. Some boarding schools are secluded and it may be difficult to get into town for more supplies.

• shampoo,
• conditioner
• soap
• toothpaste
• Gold-Bond (or equivalent)
• deodorant
• cologne spray
• shaving cream
• razors
• facial cleaner
• Blow-dryer
• Shower Caddy
• Towels
• Tissues
• Listerine or equivalent

Feminine products

• styling products
• make-up
• Tampon/pads

School supplies

• pens and pencils
• binders
• pencil case
• Paper
• Lined paper
• Graphed paper
• hole puncher
• School bag
• Sharpies
• Scotch tape (with refills)
• Stapler (with refills)
• Highlighter
• Tipp-Ex (some schools ban this)/correction tape
• calculator, with plenty of spare batteries (if there is the choice for a solar one, get it). Both scientific and graphical.

For the bed

• Bed risers
• Get bedding made of "sleeping bag material" (synthetic fibers). They last longer without a clean. You do not need those that are ultralight, but those that are warm and comfortable. Get at least two.
• Wool blankets, for over the microfiber/synthetic blanket
• Ear plugs (disposable)
• Comforters
• Bedside lamp that can clip to the frame
• Bed sheet (to cover the mattress, choose a flat one for that distinctive and comfortable hospital corner) and pillow covers
• Under-the-bed storage boxes

First Aid

(note: excludes medications that you might need such as medicine for diabetes)

• Alcohol swabs
• whitehead remover
• Cotton balls
• Itch Eraser (or equivalent)
• Tums (or equivalent)
• Band-Aids (or equivalent)
• Blister patches
• ibuprofen
• Advil

Cleaning supplies

• Broom
• Pan
• Swiffer (or equivalent)
• Clorox wipes (or equivalent). These will be heavily used, as they are very versatile
• Paper towels
• Shoe spray
• Shoe polish

Electronics

• Computer (laptop, no desktops. They are too bulky)
• iPod
• Headphones (get cheap ones for lending to friends, and a good pair for your own personal use)
• Chargers for all devices
• Surge protectors
• Printer and spare ink. Choose a simple one that you can plug in and print, and learn how to change the ink. At some schools, you may not need this

General Repairs

• Screwdriver set
• Duct Tape

Room decorations

• Something appropriate. Remember the teachers will judge you by your room decorations.
• The national flag is always a good choice.
• Never choose something sexually suggestive or that has pornography on it.

Snacks, beverages and other consumables

• 100-packs of plastic cutlery.
• Value packs of crisps
• Microwaveable food such as Chunky soup, pot noodles, etc
• Vitamin supplements. Life in a boarding school is full of irregular and skipped meals, and bad food.

Drinks

In general, think 12 packs or larger.

• Powerade/Gatorade/Pocari Sweat (or equivalent)
• Sodas
• Water cooler and refills.
• Brita-filter (or equivalent)
• Water in disposable water bottles (even if you have a brita-filter or water cooler, it is very useful when going out of campus, etc)
• Get a tumbler if there are discounts available at the campus store or canteen for using one.

Laundry supplies

Some schools have a laundry service. It may cost up to $500, but it is well worth it

• Laundry detergent packs are very convenient
• Detergent powder/liquid in case you run out of packs
• Fabric Softener
• Fabric softener sheets
• Downy ball, or equivalent.
• Tide pens, or equivalent
• Home dry cleaning kit such as Woolite or Dryel
• Laundry bag with a shoulder strap, for clean clothes
• Wrinkle remover spray
• Laundry basket with handles, for dirty clothes

In general, buy in bulk. You will rarely have time to go to the supermarket for supplies at boarding school.

DO NOT BRING

• Guns (unless you are on the school shooting team, then they will not be stored in the dormitory but rather in a secure area)
• Lighters (unless you are in a military school and would like to fire-shine your shoes, in that case keep it well hidden)
• Drugs (especially the highly illegal kind like cocaine)
• Pets
• fireworks and other explosives
• Excessively smelly foods such as kimchi/kimuchi, durians, etc
• knives, especially if they are excessively long/have no functional purpose