What Not to Buy for Incoming College Students

It's August, which means thousands of new college students are leaving home, many for the first time. To help parents and students transition to college life, the folks at Consumer Reports compiled a list of things not to buy for the dorm room.

The key thing for parents and students to remember is to think small. Living in a dorm room is like living on a boat — space is at a premium, Consumer Reports says.

Before buying big items such as desks, tables and lamps, check with the school first to see if they are provided. Most do. The same with mini-fridge (and they maybe available for rent, saving you from hauling it to and from the dorm).

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One of the things Consumer Reports warns against buying is an iron. No one in college will have time to iron, nor will they care (especially guys). Wrinkle releaser spray or wrinkle-free clothes are a better investment, according to the product-reviews magazine.

And forget about buying extra sheets, fancy bedding or pillows. Consumer Reports says college students don't often change the sheets. And as for fancy bedding and pillows, they're easily ruined in the wash, or in, um, "other ways."

For the complete list of suggestions, visit Consumer Reports.

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