Gone are the days when students headed off to college can pack their belongings in a single trunk and ride to school in the family station wagon. Now, Bowdoin students spend thousands of dollars on brand-new goods.
First year Hae-Min Gil's dorm room features his PlayStation 2, a television, 30 DVDs, a refrigerator, a microwave, a bass amplifier, speakers, and junk food.
Many first years?even the upperclassmen?recall the times they visited Wal-Mart and flocked through every aisle, snatching up supplies for their rooms during first-year move-in day. From Winnie-the-Pooh theme sets to artsy photos and paintings, a dorm room is a haven for style.
But creating a palace away from home brings a big pricetag.
The average first year outfitting his or her dorm room will spend $1,205.97 this year according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Of this, $759.97 will be spent on electronics.
This spending pours $25.7 billion into the U.S. economy?nearly twice the contribution from primary and secondary education.
"By recognizing a historically-neglected market, retailers have found themselves in the middle of a gold mine," said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin.
Shawn Stewart '08 said he spent about $3,000, most of which went toward buying a computer and books. Bobbi Dennison '08 said she spent at least $2,500.
"First years seem to buy more dorm supplies and items to set up and personalize their rooms, such as lamps, blankets, surge protectors and computer supplies," said Assistant Director of Bowdoin Bookstore Operations Cindy Breton. "They also buy more Bowdoin clothing and accessories like hats, especially when they first arrive for orientation and the beginning of the semester."
Students who buy computers drive their personal spending higher than the national average. Stewart thinks Bowdoin students spend more than the average student because of the prominence of the personal computer. "Computers seem to be an essential part of campus here," he said.
Dennison noted the importance of personal computers. "Without a computer, [homework] would be a pain. Though it is expensive, it is necessary," she said.
Some first years budgeted their money only for buying the necessities.
"I didn't buy anything I didn't need," said Gil.
First years are not the only students who lay down the cash. Juniors who are moving off-campus for the first time are estimated to spend about $811.83, in which $278.47 will go to furnishings, according to the NRF's press release. Sophomores and seniors spend less on average.
Breton noticed that sophomores seem to purchase more necessary items from the bookstore, such as school supplies. Seniors tend to buy graduation-oriented products such as banners and class rings.
In all, back-to-school and college shopping this year accounted for 4 percent of the GAFS (general merchandise, electronic, book, and other related items) sales, making this buy-fest second only to the holiday shopping season.