Becoming a grandparent did not make me feel too old – at least not at first. Now my youngest grandson enters school this coming fall. It seems everyone is growing up faster than they should, as time moves quickly.

The last time I felt this way was when our first daughter graduated from high school. Then she was ready to enter college in the fall. That was in 1989. Now it seems long ago. Then again, however, it also seems almost like yesterday.

It was strange to remember the back-to-school advertisements of various stores. Every year stores sold folders, pens, binders and backpacks — and everything else under the sun. 

It is no wonder that kids expect to have new supplies at the beginning of every school year. After all, they cannot be seen with last year’s slightly used backpacks, crayons or other items – or can they?

It is even more amusing to look at the supplies needed at college time. Each year the retailers come up with more, and more “necessities” for students headed to college. 

When I attended college at Butler University in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, I did not have to worry about furnishing a dorm room, since I lived at home nearby – not in a college dorm.  
My needs were much like those of any school student. They included paper, folders, pens, notebooks, and the like. 

My daughter Michelle’s needs were different, of course, since she went away to college at the West Virginia Wesleyan College.  She needed all of the gear for her dorm room and that did not include the books plus other supplies that are needed.

However, thinking back to the items bought for her freshman year, they were touted as “necessities”. The retailers compared them to “apples and oranges” in many cases.

Back in the early 1990s no one had laptop computers in their dorm rooms, even desktop computers, for that matter. 

The only computers were at the library or computer labs around campus. So, no computer gear was necessary (thank goodness!). 

Electronic items we needed to make certain she had were an alarm clock so she could get to class on time, and a refrigerator for cold drinks and snacks. She already had a stereo. 

Her dorm-room mate brought a small television set. That was it for electronic gear. Other than that, she basically only needed bedding, towels, laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, and “what-ever.”

These days, though, if you look at any sales circular that purports to be advertising college gear, you will find much more than those types of merchandise. 

You will likely find futons, lamps, storage trunks, luggage, video games, MP3 players, cellular phones, PDA’s, GPS devices, and kitchenware such as microwaves, coffeemakers, blenders, crock-pots, and more. 

You may find certain computer-related items that are marketed as being specifically for college students. Some beauty products are sold as promotional offers for those headed to college. 

Pretty much, anything and everything you can think of seems related to college, and probably has been advertised as being a “necessity” for college students. 

As for me, I think common sense should rule when it comes to packing for college.  There are true necessities, to be sure. Then there are extras.  Extras are not always regular necessities.

It is good to be through those days at least money wise, but it does make you feel old. I do feel that kids are smarter and have more advantages now than when I went to school.

Reach Paul R. Harbaugh at prharbaugh@hotmail.com