Essentials

Dustin received among other things a list in the mail from his college with the title "WHAT TO BRING".

 "Here is a recommended checklist for incoming students.  Of course every student may have different needs, but this gives you a good start.  Items we consider essential are starred (*)."

on the list are things like laundry supplies, Hygiene supplies, specific bedding, etc.

I found it interesting that these items were starred (*), therefore considered ESSENTIAL:
   Music player (CD, MP3, iPOD)*
   DVD player* (w/remote and user manual)

While these items were not starred thus not essential to a college education:
  Pens
  Pencils
  Spiral Notebooks
  Backpack
  Alarm clock (of course if you have your iPOD it can be used as your alarm clock I suppose)