Back to School for Budding Engineers

I recently spent theweekend on a scavenger hunt for the "must haves" on my children's back-to-schoollists. Parents, see if this list sounds familiar: Backpack, rubber cement,safety scissors, saddle oxfords (I am not making this up), spiral notebooks andthe perfect new pair of jeans. This is one of those fall rites that we all getto enjoy with our children.

As I write this, thousandsof budding engineers are gathering theirback to school wares - laptops, dorm refrigerators and the like. The items thatultimately make it into the family car for the drive to college provide aunique window into the world of our children. Getting a front row seat to boththe emotion and practicality of the dorm move-in, I thought I would provide my listof "must haves" for the college-bound engineer:

1. Extension Cords -Most dorm rooms were built at a time when people only plugged in a lamp, aclock radio and maybe a small TV. How times have changed: nearly everythingstudents treasure requires electricity. So it's a good idea to throw in somepower strips to keep the juice flowing. And do check the amperage at yourschool of choice before firing up all your toys: It is quite embarrassing for anew engineer to trip a switch on opening weekend.

2. iPad - First of all,sporting an iPad sends the message that you are living on the cutting edge andyou like to travel light. It also helps project a "socially conscious" attitudeto the hipster upper-class students. And you can burn downtime on Words withFriends, while updating your Facebook page and listening to Pandora.

3. Slingbox - You havelogged endless hours on the sofa watching TV, so going cold turkey is not anoption in the middle of this big life change. But be mindful, if you want tolook like a person on a serous life mission, you are going to want to get yourTV fix in private.

4. Tie or Skirt - Yes,you will need to get dressed up every now and then. It could be the obligatory dinnerover parent's weekend or a gathering with corporate visitors that could lead toa plumb summer job. It happens. Guys, make sure you can tie a double Windsor.

5. Duct Tape/SwissArmy Knife - I know this sounds old school, or maybe better yet like you are planningto break into the Dean's office, but believe me, both tools will get you out ofmany scrapes throughout the year.

6. Prepaid Credit Card- If you have paid any attention to the ethical meltdown on Wall Street, youhave learned what happens to adults when they have unfettered access to debt.Cap your own liability now before it bites you. Plus, you can get others tospring for dinner when you hit your limit.

7. Smart Car, Vespa or Bike - Gasoline is currently uncool on the college campus. You gotta getaround, so go green. You will generate more bald-faced envy than the kids whoarrive in their guzzling hot rods and monster trucks.

Finalwords: Don't fret if you find you have left something at home. You always have Craigslistand eBay. Now go to class and study your tail off. You have important things todo.

Geoffrey C. Orsak is Deanof the SMU Lyle School of Engineering. He can be reached at [email protected]