A Freshman’s Guide to a Smooth Start in College

It may be the middle of summer, but it’s time to start thinking about school. Retailers are girding their loins for what they hope will be a rush on new school clothing and gear for all ages.

Back-to-school purchases are the retail industry’s second-largest selling period after Christmas, according a recent article in The Wall Street Journal. The competition will be most intense between middle-market stores, such as Kohl’s, J.C. Penney and Macy’s, the story said. The three big retailers are planning all-out marketing blitzes to attract students (and their parents), launching new product lines and using all manner of media to get your attention.

Beginning this week, and for the next three consecutive weeks, Shopperati will guide you through the maze of back-to-school buying for every age group. We’ll start with college, that exciting, frightening, first foray into independence for young men and women.

Before you start shopping, start reading. We might save you some time or money, or just provide fun ideas or food for thought:

How to Ace College Wardrobe Basics 101

The last thing you need to be worrying about is whether you’ve got the right clothes for college. Our guide will help you narrow your choices, get the fundamentals and make the most of a tight budget (and an even tighter closet).  The Story

The 15 Essential Items for Your Dorm Room

We’ve taken some of the worry out of your packing plans with our list. These are the things that you really can’t get by without when your home becomes a dormitory room. The Story

Nine Nice, Non-Essential Things for Your Dorm Room

We’ve given you the list of mandatory purchases. But there are plenty of other items that will make your new college life a little easier. See if you can convince a parent to splurge on a few extras. The Story

Five Special Touches to Make a Dorm Room Your Own

A few suggestions for some special items that will give your new home a personal touch. The Story

Great Gizmos for the Studious New Kid on Campus

From notebook computers to calculators, electronic dictionaries to e-books, here’s a checklist to ensure you’ve got the necesssary tech and gadgets to help you learn (and relax sometimes, too). The Story

Freshman Fashion Tips from Upperclassmen

Why should you listen to us? Take some wardrobe tips from those who’ve been there and know how to keep you from looking like, well, a freshman. The Story

Three Things Parents and Freshmen Will Fight About

Forewarned is forearmed. Every big change in life between parents and kids brings new pressures, worries and, usually, arguments. We’ve got some suggestions on how to keep the peace on three important topics. The Story

Next Week: Shopping guides and advice for high schoolers