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Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Pottery Barn has stuff for your dorm...

Pottery Barn has the stuff you will need in Dorm Central. Check out this site to get all your living space needs.

It seems to be a very organized site with sale items and other more expensive items as well.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Coming soon on Deals for your dorm....

Deals to outfit your dorm will be publishing its top 5 best in class sites to outfit your dorm room!

These upcoming posts will give you approved CollegeAnalyers ratings on all of the reccommended sites. So stay tuned for our upcoming posts!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Looking for a completely outfitted dorm room?

This site is on a must see list for those of you needing ideas for what to put in your dorm room! And of course, once you know what you want you can buy it @ dormbuys.com.

They have everything but the kitchen sink for your dorm room, maybe they even have the sink too! Check it out!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Communication From College Made Easy

For those of you without a cell phone I'd like to present an alternative when you go away to college. How about video conferencing! You can actually set up a webcam on top of your computer, one on top of your parents' computer, and you can talk like you are in the same room. Its really easy to set up and can definitely save you money in the long run. I found one and after reading the reviews, I think that Logitech has the best product. Check it out and see for yourself.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Dorm room details...

Aside from being prepared academically, many of you will find one of the biggest challenges of getting through college will be the living accommodations.

Yeah...I'm talking about roommates, bill paying (or lack there of), free loaders/unwanted people in your dorm room or apartment, parties/damaged goods, cleaning duties, transportation, and food and food preparation.

College Board's got some educational information for you first time dorm goers....

College Dorm Rooms: The True Hollywood Story
Your Housing Options

Most likely, you'll live in a dorm your first year(s) of college. Many colleges require it. Even if your school allows the option of living off-campus, it's a good idea to live in the dorms for at least a year.

The dorms can help jump start your social life, ease the transition to life on your own, and introduce you to a diverse group of people. Sure, living in a dorm can have its drawbacks—no privacy, crowded bathrooms, weird roommates. But most people find that the rewards outweigh the frustrations.
Types of College Dorms

In the summer before your first year at college, you may be asked if you want to live in a special dorm or on a special floor. Every school has different housing options, but here are some of the most common:
Single-Sex Dorms

Some colleges require all first-year students to live in a single-sex dorm. These types of dorms may have restrictions concerning guests of the opposite sex.
Chemical- or Substance-Free Dorms

These dorms prohibit smoking, drinking, and drugs. If this jibes with your lifestyle choices, you should consider living in one. The upside to substance-free dorms is that you don't have to worry about your roommate throwing a "kegger." However, be aware that the penalties for getting caught with alcohol or drugs in these dorms may be harsh.
Special-Interest or Theme Housing

At these dorms, you'll meet students who share your interests. For example, there may be a dorm for international students or music majors. One risk is that you may miss out on meeting a more diverse group of people.
Types of Rooms

Most dorm housing consists of either a room off of a hallway, or a suite with one or more bedrooms and a living room. In most cases, you'll be sharing a bathroom with many other people on your floor or hallway. The bathrooms may be single-sex or coed.
Singles

It's pretty rare to get a single as a first-year student. Having a single has its obvious perks, but there are some negatives as well. A roommate can be a welcome companion, especially those first few weeks. Plus, in a single you'll have to foot all the expenses.
Doubles

A double—sharing a bedroom with one other person—is by far the most common setup at most schools. You and your roommate can decide how to set up the room. Bunk beds may give you some extra space.
Suites

This is a nice option if you can get it. Suites usually consist of a couple of bedrooms and some kind of shared living space. For instance, a quad (four people) might be made up of two double bedrooms and one common room. You get the best of both worlds with this option; you can go into your bedroom to sleep, while your roommate studies or talks on the phone in the common room.

This is a big part of adjusting to life at College so we will spend more time blogging about this area in future posts...But give us your comments as to what you learn about the dorm....

Monday, June 23, 2008

Digital Cameras...

Looking for a digital camera before you go off to school...

Here's a short list of some of the bestsellers:
TOP SELLERS:

1. Canon PowerShot® S5 IS Digital Camera
2. Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Digital Camera
3. Panasonic Lumix® DMC-FZ18K Digital Camera


Lots of good stuff out there. Pick what's right for you.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Vacation Before School?

So here you are, high school is over and you are getting ready to go to college. To celebrate this occasion properly might I suggest a cruise. Cruising gives you all the benefits of an all inclusive resort that floats! I found a link to some relativley inexpensive cruises on all of the major lines. It gets updated quite often so check back.



Here's the link:



http://www.onlydiscountcruises.com/

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Make sure you have the right cell phone before you go to school!

According to Cnet reviews here are a few things to look at when selecting the right cell phone...

10 key features to consider

1. Organizer applications: Even the most basic handsets offer organizer applications. Typically, you'll find a calendar, an alarm clock, a stopwatch, and a calculator. Higher-end handsets will have many more options, while other models will offer offbeat applications such as a compass or a thermometer.

#2 Phone book and voice dialing: Consider how many contacts you can store. Voice dialing lets you make calls without using the keypad, which is particularly handy when you're on a headset or if you're using the speakerphone.

#3 Web browser: This lets you surf the wireless Web and get information such as news and sports recaps, weather reports, and stock quotes. It also lets you download files including games and ring tones. WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) browsers are optimized to view sites configured to display on small, mobile devices but keep in mind that not all sites are made for WAP browsing. On the other hand, some newer, high-end phones are including full HTML browsers so find out which you'd prefer. You can use some Internet-ready phones as a modem for your PC, but you'll need to purchase the proper data cables to take advantage of this feature.

#4 Messaging and e-mail: Text messages send text only, and multimedia messages send pictures and videos as well as text. Some handsets support instant messaging from services such as AOL and Yahoo. If you'd like to receive personal or work e-mail on your handset, make sure it supports this feature. Messaging and e-mail does cost extra, however, so consider purchasing a data plan if you'll be using the features frequently. You might also consider a phone with an alphabetic keyboard for faster typing.

#5 Camera and video recorder: Use them for taking pictures and shooting brief video clips. Some have a low-grade VGA resolution, but many camera phones now have resolutions of a few megapixels or more, which offer much better photo quality. Similarly, while some camera phones offer just a few extra features, other models offer a flash and editing options that resemble those on a regular camera.

#6 Speakerphone/conference calling: A speakerphone is useful for hands-free calling when you're driving or multitasking. Consider getting a unit with a full-duplex speakerphone, which allows both parties to speak at the same time. Business travelers who need to set up impromptu meetings will want to look at a phone that supports conference calling.

#7 Push to talk: A walkie-talkie-like service that lets you immediately connect with individuals or call groups, which is especially useful for business users who need instant contact with their colleagues. Best of all, you don't need a cell signal to use them and you won't use standard calling minutes. Not all carriers offer this feature, however, and it's not available on all phones.

#8 Bluetooth: This feature lets you wirelessly connect via low-frequency radio waves with external devices, such as a headset for making calls. Many phones also allow you to use Bluetooth to exchange or sync data with other Bluetooth devices or to connect to stereo headphones to listen to music. For more information see CNET's Quick guide to Bluetooth.

#9 Multimedia options and memory: Some features to look for include a digital music player, support for MP3 files, and an FM radio. Also, many phones now support streaming video through 3G wireless broadband networks, live TV, and wireless music downloads. Check out the carrier reviews for AT&T, Sprint Nextel, and Verizon Wireless for a complete list. There will be an extra fee, of course, and you'll need 3G service in your area.

For the best experience with a multimedia phone, make sure your phone has plenty of storage space (an external memory card slot is best), and consider whether you want dedicated music controls on the exterior of the phone

#10 Accessories, applications, and personalization options: Some phones come in multiple colors or allow for changeable faceplates. Accessories such as Bluetooth headsets, speakers, or SIM card readers also are available, but make sure it's specifically designed for your phone of choice. Most models offer a variety of customization options as well. These can include a choice of display wallpaper, screen savers, and ring tones. If personalizing your phone is important to you, make sure you have a lot of options before buying a particular model.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Free Ipod When You Buy A Computer

For those of you about to buy a computer for school this coming year, I just found out that Apple has sweetended the deal. I found it on the Apple Store's web site with a deadline to make your purchase by September 15th of this year.

If you find yourself torn between Apple or PC when making your computer decision I found a message board that gives opinions on both. Its never a bad idea to get a second opinion. Check it out!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Looking for textbooks?

Here's an option to your school's local bookstore. If you're looking to save some money try this site out...half.com. It's owned by e-bay and it's a pretty good site. Be careful to make sure you're getting the right edition and not one that's 5 years old. They offer both new and used textbooks and often if you're looking for used it's a great place to go...you know, after your school bookstore runs out of the 3 used textbooks they were offering for every class you take! If you can put up with the buyer beware mentality you can save some money!

Monday, June 2, 2008

From Books to Furniture...we've got the deals for you!

It's time to start putting the list of items you need for college. If you want to save some hard earned cash make sure you check out the deals on overstock.com. It's one of my favorites...and they are reputable too.

Let us know what you are thinking...we'd love to hear from you!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Computer Dilemma

Lets face it, if you are like 95% of college students you will own a computer before you come to school. The question is, do you want a laptop or desktop? Although there are many advantages to either choice, it is an individual decision. I personally prefer to work on a desktop simply from a comfort standpoint. I am a fairly tall individual and I find myself hunching over a laptop so that I can see the screen and punch on the smaller keyboard. Many people I know prefer their laptops for the portability and wide range of capabilities. I found an article that may help you in your decision. Please let me know if this helps.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Get the best online deals!!!

Shopping online? This is a site that will give you access to any discount coupon code available for online shopping. Gotta check this out. One of my favorites....just have to remember that almost anything can be discounted online.

RetailMeNot.com is an easy way to find online coupon codes. Enter codes at the checkout page of participating merchants for instant discounts.

Looking for something specific? Post a comment about what you are looking for and collegeanalyzers.com will find the best deal for you.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

What Goes In A Dorm Room?

Just as no two individuals are exactly the same, no two dorm rooms are created alike. Your room at college will reflect your styles, tastes, and interests from the bedding that you choose down to the reading lamp where you study.

There's a lot to consider! Luckily, the people at Dormbuys have gathered the essentials, plus a couple things you didn't think about. Check them out and tell us what you think.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Start thinking about outfitting your college living space.

Ready for the summer session? It might be time to start planning your living needs and locate some enticing deals.

Give me some feedback on these deals!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Be smart when buying that college computer...

Here we go...lots of "stuff" to look for when getting that important college time saving device. But, does it have enough ram?...the right video card?...the proper accessories?

Check out the link for help.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Everyone Needs Gear

One of the best things about getting to college is having your own space away from home that you can decorate and outfit as you see fit. Items on a college shopping list used to include calculators and plenty of spiral notebooks. These days Ipods, laptops, and flat screen tv's top the list. I have found a place that not only carries everything electronic that you could ever need, but gets you the best deal as well! Check out the savings at Slickdeals and tell me what you think.