In a few weeks, my oldest child (dear daughter, a.k.a., DD) leaves the nest to embark on her new adventure: college life. As moving day nears, a certain area of my home is getting more and more crowded. It's our loft, and it is currently the staging area for the many, many items that we think are required to make her dorm room her home. Of course, function is the main goal here, but who am I kidding? I'm a decorating enthusiast who wants her kid to have a stylish room.

Since I have dorm room on the brain, an article in my local newspaper grabbed my attention this weekend. This article provided several lists of items recommended for dorm living. There were five items on the Must Have List--yes, only five. Were they joking? They actually named a water bottle as a must have? And a weight scale as a Good To Have? No offense, but these items just wouldn't do it for my teen and her friends.

Since many of my friends and I have teenagers going off to college for their first or second year, the college-list making in my circle has evolved into a bit of an art form. So here, I will share my very own list, but remember, it was created for a teenage girl, so changes will be necessary for boys:

• Bedding: Many colleges furnish their dorm rooms with extra-long twin beds. Although this won't matter so much with quilts or comforters, be sure to get twin XL sheets and mattress pads or they might not fit. Don't forget pillows and pillow cases.
• Rugs: A large bathroom rug is great for small, shared rooms. Get something shaggy that feels good on bare feet and your kid will love you even more.
• Appliances & Dining: Depending on the rules of the school and what is already provided, your student will probably want a refrigerator and a microwave. And if your student is not on an unlimited meal plan and plans to eat some meals in their room, pick up some plates, bowls, utensils and cups. (I got three sturdy Corelle plates and bowls and some plastic tumblers.) DD didn't think she needed them, then I asked how she'd be eating her cereal and milk every morning. (I love it when I'm right.)
• Storage: You'll need hangers for the closet and under-the-bed storage for stuff that won't fit elsewhere (like this wheeled trunk). Also, since I lived in a dorm room for two years and know bugs can be a problem, I bought DD food storage as well. (They go right on top of the small refrigerator.) We also picked up some small, canvas storage bins for holding makeup and hair products.
• Bathroom Needs: DD is lucky enough to share a bathroom with only three other girls. She and her roomies are heading to Wal-mart the week they move in to purchase a shower curtain, rugs, and a shower organizer. I am sending her off with shower cleaner, a shower liner, and toilet paper, just in case they can't get to the store right away.
• Organization: We picked up a combination bulletin board/magnetic board for over the desk area, and a wall calendar. We also killed two birds with one stone by purchasing a desk lamp with a base that holds items like pens and paper clips. I also picked up a multi-pocket, accordion file for DD, so she can file away important papers. Since she needed a jewelry organizer, we got one that can hang on the outside of her closet door. Some people also might like a shoe organizer to hang on the inside of the closet door.
• Decor: It's just not a home-away-from-home without some personal decorating touches. We picked up a few posters, and DD also printed out some of her favorite digital photos and put them in a multi-photo frame. She also found a cute, polka-dotted throw pillow for her bed that matches her bedding perfectly.
• Handy Tools & Other Items: 3M now offers every hanging aid imaginable through their Command line. They are easy to use, sturdy, and won't leave you with holes in the walls (and a bill from the college at the end of the year). A flashlight with extra batteries is a necessity, since a storm could knock out power to the dorm building. And a hand vacuum is just right for keeping a small room's floor dustfree. And don't forget about all that laundry! We opted for this pop-up laundry bag with a side pocket that holds detergent.
• Electronics: DD's list included an alarm clock, iPod, iPod base/charger, computer and a printer/scanner.
• Comfort Items: Try to think about items that might bring some comfort to your student when they are away from their home, family and old friends. DD loves her religious medal necklace, bracelet-making threads, her big purple teddy bear, her initialed Tervis Tumbler, and photos of her dear friend who passed away in May. Don't overlook these types of comfort items when packing, and make plans to send care packages throughout the year. The ones I send to DD will contain her favorite snacks, photos of her dogs back home, and maybe something unexpected, like an iTunes gift card.

Of course, your list may vary according to your child's needs and wants. But be sure to sit down with your college student and make a list together, and don't forget to check your newspaper and online sites for coupons and special deals before you shop. But most of all, remember that your child is embarking on a fabulous new experience, and being well-prepared can make that journey even better.