To Buy or Not To Buy? What to get before you leave for College

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are only a few weeks left before freshmen head off to college to start the next chapter of their lives.

When it comes to packing clothes, computers, and everything in between, there are some things you should take and some things to leave at home. We've come up with a check list to help your college-bound teen make the grade out of dorm room living without breaking the bank.

Dack Justiz is heading to Austin to study at The University of Texas. The thing he is looking forward to the most?

"Finally being on my own, making my own decisions. Making my own mistakes," Justiz said.

One mistake he won't be making is how he packs for college, thanks to his mom - author and entrepreneur Dayna Steele.

"Let's face it, a college education is not cheap. You're spending a lot of money. So, don't spend a fortune on things for the dorm room," Steele said.

Steele just finished her latest book "Welcome to College: 101 Way to Rock Your World" with co-author Page Grossman. The book provides a gamut of tips for any college student.

When it comes to packing for the big move, Steele says there are things no student should do without.

"You cannot succeed in this world today without technology. A laptop, they can take it with them. The can use it in the dorm room. They can use it in the library," Steele said.

Steele says to get the right laptop for the student. If the student is an English major, a simple laptop will do. But if they're taking classes for architecture or graphic editing, they'll need something more powerful.

Also on the list is a cheap alarm clock.

"I know they have an alarm clock on their phone, and they're going to tell you that's just fine. But the first time they miss an important test or important lecture, it doesn't hurt to have that secondary alarm clock. A really loud one," Steele said.

When it comes to bedding, don't break the bank.

"You don't need anything fancy. You're going to have a bunch of people on it eating Cheetos doing homework," Steele said.

Steele says there are numerous online sites that sell dorm room bedding at discounted prices.

"Get something that's comfortable for your student, but this is not the Taj Mahal. It's a college bedroom," Steele said.

For another space and money saver, Steele says leave the TV back home.

"Students don't watch television. They watch their computers. They watch their smartphones. They don't need one," she said.

To combat those cuts, bruises, and illnesses, Steele is sending her son off with a first aid kit.

"TheraFlu, Emergen-C, Tylenol, and the first time somebody starts to get the flu or you feel a cold coming on, start slamming that stuff," Steele said.

If something breaks, or needs assembling, Steele recommends a small tool kit.

"Your son or daughter will be absolutely amazed at how many times they need a screw driver once they move into their room," she said.

Dealnews.com also suggests items not to buy for college bound students.

They suggest skipping a printer when back to school shopping because professors increasingly accept, or even prefer, papers and assignments delivered via email.

Another couple of things to leave at home are an iron and ironing board. They take up too much room and someone else is bound to have one.

Dealnews.com says your student won't need an external hard drive because cloud storage is free and plentiful.

Also, don't buy the latest iPhone now for the students, the iPhone 6 is expected to be released in September and the iPhone 5s will drop in price.