Budget buster -- COLLEGE! What items can we pick up NOW to make it easier?

[BrerRabbit66]

Our ds17 will be going to college in the fall also. We already bought many of these things last summer when he attended a week-long, overnight computer camp at Princeton. So he already has a large wheeled lockable trunk, shower tote, large laundry bag, twin XL sheets, shower shoes. Would a TV really get stolen from their room? Do kids keep their laptops always locked up? Even if he wanted a TV there, he has a 32" TV in his room now that's a few years old so I can't see buying another one. Is that too large?

We have narrowed down to 3 schools and I forget which one supplies a fridge & microwave but I don't feel like we have a whole lot more to buy. I think maybe I'll get him a nice memory foam mattress pad, new towels and a few storage bins. He's not that into having a ton of clothes but pretty much enough to get him through the week.

His current desk lamp doesn't have a dimmer on it. Is that a good thing to have?

He'll only be an hour away so I don't mind keeping a small stockpile of toiletries at home and depending on how often he comes back home (probably more often in the beginning) then I can send some stuff back with him.

Thanks for the tip about having too much supply there to encourage borrowers. Reminds me of when my grandmother first got out of the hospital and spent a few weeks in a rehab facility. She needed diapers for a short time and my dad brought in a whole package which were almost gone in a few days & they knew she didn't use that many.
They learned the hard way to just keep 2 in her drawer.

Sounds like you are a step ahead with early purchases. Tip about the stockpile....we live just over an hour away, this stockpile encouraged DD to visit more often without me having to request the visit. It was subliminal...she needed something, we had it, she didn't have to spend her cash to get it AND she could get a home cooked meal! Win-win!!

We made an agreement she could have a tv, but not until she had been there two months. This was to give her time to adjust to class schedule, and get involved with other campus activities to meet new people. She's a social butterfly, but most kids she knew from HS were in other dorms. She decided a tv wasn't necessary as she had the laptop available for down time and a large tv in the community room.

Thefts and "borrowing" do occur. Thankfully, DD got to pick her roommate sophomore year and they are the best of friends now...both had crazy mates the first year.

 

[PlutoPony]

So he already has a large wheeled lockable trunk, shower tote, large laundry bag, twin XL sheets, shower shoes. Would a TV really get stolen from their room? Do kids keep their laptops always locked up? Even if he wanted a TV there, he has a 32" TV in his room now that's a few years old so I can't see buying another one. Is that too large?

In my son's frosh dorm room he would not have had room for a large trunk unless he could get it under the bed. His room was SMALL. But it's definitely a YMMV situation.

Most of the tv's in guy rooms are 32". The one they ordered from amazon 16+ months ago was <$200, don't know what they cost now. The cable signal supplied by the school isn't very high quality so they didn't need a great tv - 720 was fine for their use.

In general they have not had to keep things like computers locked up. This is at a big state school. Another YMMV situation. His laptop rarely leaves his room, has a high powered tablet that he takes everywhere (he needs both for his major).

Printers are much used where he is. Others schools have different set ups and aren't needed.

Extension cords often aren't allowed but power strips with surge protectors are (again at his school, ymmv). You can get power strips with long cords - think we got a 15' - that essentially act like extension cords but are ok to use.

Mattress topper was worth every $$ we paid for it, campus mattresses aren't always comfortable. Used a twin on an XL twin bed and it was fine. Costco runs a sale on them every summer before college starts for a good one.

Usually college orientations are a big help in determining what is needed. They often give a lot of good info about what to take and what isn't, etc.

Edited to add: If dorm room doesn't have a/c a couple fans are a necessity! Box fan for window and another fan of some kind to circulate air in the room. And they kept the door open when they were just there hanging out to keep air moving around.

 

[scrapquitler]

Assemble a good first aid kit. Bandages, bacitracin, tweezers, tylenol, NyQuil, cough medicine, cough drops, tums, pepto, etc. My daughter said this was one of the most useful things she has.

Buy a good memory foam topper for the XL Twin bed. I used a coupon combined with a sale at BBB and spent about $100 for a really good one. DD says her bed is very comfortable with it on there, and having that is important.

Also, a good small fan. My DD has one that clamps onto her bookshelf. She is very lucky in that she is in one of the few airconditioned dorms, but she uses the fan for white noise.

Pay very close attention to what is and is NOT permittted. At her school, each room is equipped with a fridge/microwave unit and you are not allowed a different one. Coffee pots are also not allowed on her campus. One of the big things that the RAs are always looking for are lamps. You can't have any kind of a desk lamp, floor lamp or wall lamp that has a paper or plastic shade. Christmas lights are also prohibited, but LED lights are ok.

I also suggest a good power strip. At my DD school, power strips are allowed, but 'extention cords' are not. Power strips have to have an on/off switch on them or they are a violation. The one I bought cost me about $30, but it has a 5 or 6 foot cord and like 8 plugs (and 2 USB ports) on it, which are spaced enough that the big blocks for some devices don't block other plugs. This turned out to be smart because there are only two outlets in her dorm room, one on each side...which is really not enough for two girls.

My daughter didn't take very much with her at first, but has decided what else to bring as she went along. She keeps the bare minimum amount of snacks, toiletries, etc. there, and restocks from our closet here at home each time she is here (we are only about 20 minutes away, so she's here one day a week most of the time to participate in a dance class with her friends)>

Oh, and one last suggestion: once she has her .edu mailing address, be sure to sign up for Amazon Prime for students. It's free for the first 6 months and half price for the next four years.

ETA: A door stopper. The doors in my DD dorm are heavy and designed to swing closed rather than stay open. Not much fun for socializing or moving in. Bring a door stopper to keep the door open. The desk chair wasn't heavy enough to hold it open, and even if it had been it would have been in the way.

 

[Southernmiss]

Minimal is best. We bought from all the 'must have for college lists' and ds didn't use half of it.
I did hoard and save my bed bath and beyond coupons and am doing the same for ds#2. But we won't buy much until right before school.

 

[scrapquitler]

Anyone with a gaming DS? My DS is only a sophomore, but he can't imagine not bringing a tv and PS4...

I have a gaming DD, does that count?

Her dorm has a different game system and TV in the lobby of each floor. A lot of the guys have a system in their room. She went off with her PSP and her 3DS and says a lot of the kids have those as well. She does plan to bring the XBox360 back with her after break, but we had her leave it at home first semester.

She did take a 36" tv with her and says it's a better tv than most everyone else has (it was one of those $199 black friday specials a year ago, so definitely not a high end tv) but they hardly ever watch it, even though the school provides digital cable hookups in every room. She tells me they mostly stream Netflix on the laptop to watch movies. At least they did until the University blocked Netflix because everyone was using so much bandwith to watch it. Of course that didn't work for long because they all figured out how to circumvent that block pretty quickly.

 

[Oodalally13]

It's been 10 years since I started college, but here's some random stuff we had:
LOTS of power strips
Command hooks and lots of extra strips. We would use the strips to stick pictures/mirrors on the wall. We even stuck a power strip on the wall for our flat irons and hair dryers.
If they have any carpet or a rug make sure they have a small vacuum or carpet sweeper. And a swiffer if they need to sweep or mop.
We used a coffee pot to make Mac n cheese, ramen noodles, cocoa and Thera flu.
We also had several tension rods/shower curtain rods and shower curtains or small curtains here and there for privacy. Our rooms were one open room no separate bedrooms. There were 2 rooms with a bathroom in the middle. 4 girls shared 1 toilet, 1 shower stall and 2 sinks.
We also kept a small radio in the bathroom and would turn it on when we were in there so others knew it was occupied (you couldn't lock people out from comin in)

 

[kid-at-heart]

It appears most folks are suggesting items needed for daily living. Another budget buster are required textbooks. As a professor, I really do not mind students emailing me prior to the beginning of the semester and asking what book(s) we are using in class and asking if it is ok to use an earlier edition. For my subjects, an earlier edition works as well as the current "required" edition. Most professors have no problem (at least at my school) using an older edition of a text, however, the book stores will not stock the older editions, nor do the publishers want us to assign them (wonder why... $$$ ). Frankly, I advise students to order used texts online for a fraction of the bookstore cost.

Kate

 

[3boymthr]

A ROBE!

Believe it or not it's esssential to buy one NOW. We tried to find one for DS in August and there were NONE to be had. The online places were sold out or couldn't get them to us in time and none of the stores in our area carry them except a Christmas time.

I would not buy ANY electrical appliances/accessories until you have the list for your child's dorm. DS' dorm is extremely strict. No extension cords that aren't off the approved list. No refrigerators, no microwaves, no coffee pots, no hot plates, no electric kettles. And they inspect everything you bring with you at dorm move in and they confiscate all these items and send them home with your parents on move in day. They also do periodic room inspections and they keep them if they are found after move in day.

DS loves having his own TV but not for watching TV but for gaming. He brought his Xbox with him.

DS already had a trunk that we got him for summer camp and he definitely uses it. It stores under his bed which is elevated about 3 ft off the ground.

YMMV on command strips. We bought some for DS but they were useless as they wouldn't stick to the walls or any of the other surfaces in his room. (The walls are made of cinder block).

ETA - and I would avoid those inexpensive all in one towel wraps that substitute for a robe. DS said one of the girls on his floor had one and it gave way as she was walking back from the bathroom to her room. Most were courteous but apparently the screech of embarrassment could be heard throughout the dorm.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Both of my boys said we bought way too much before they went off. With the OP's daughter only an hour away, the paper products will only be needed a bit over time. Don't overload the room!!

DS20 had the television. He and his roommate both used it. The biggest thing I am being told as I type "Get Netflix!" Either on phone, computer. Some classes were required to watch certain programs and movies. We also had set up for Amazon Instant Video.

I bought multiple sets of sheets, but each has only used one set. They wash them pretty regularly (impressive), but again, it came down to storage.

Even if your student does not usually wear a bathrobe, get one!! Yes, there is a story that can be imagined..."my room mate nicely took my clean and dirty laundry to the laundry room...while I was in the shower."

We also bought storage containers. We should have waited to completely measure the room and all items that would be USED.

And, somehow both sons have acquired furniture--not the items that were assigned to their rooms. Items other students had brought from home..I have brought back gaming chairs, coffee tables, shelves, full sets of cookware (the dorm; not the apartment dweller)...

 

[mandyyyrose]

Hey there! As an apartment-dwelling sophomore who was a dorm-dwelling freshman last year...my experiences were:
My life saver was an ethernet cord. The dorms all had wifi but sometimes it becomes very unreliable when so many people are doing things at once and I needed to take a quiz online. My printer was my second life saver. Third, my roommates car and walmart. I never used all the snacks that my parents brought me, ever. I ended up donating them to the food bank at the end of the semester with the boxes that the RA set up. I used my tv mostly at night before bed, thats really the only time. I had a shower/bathroom in my suite, so I can't say much about communal bathroom needs. I had to bring my own tp and cleaning supplies, but one bottle of each cleaning supply lasted the whole semester. A 12 pack of tp also lasted me and my roommate a whole semester as well (2 girls). My roommate had a kuerig, which we never really used. We barely ate in our dorm. I came home about once a month (2.5 hrs away). I was a really minimalist packer but I never felt I was missing anything. I put my money in the bank from graduation and would run to walmart for anything little I needed. I really would recommend a rug, regardless of if there is one or not. We had a plain carpet with a plush rug that made it so much better. I really would recommend two sets of sheets. Sometimes the washers are full and something gets spilled on your sheets and you're sol (happened to my friend)...

 

[ErinC]

If you get on Pinterest there are some great college dorm checklists. Maybe you don't need all that stuff, but it made me think of stuff I wouldn't have thought of. I saw some great prices on command hooks/Velcro with the Christmas items. I know I paid a lot more for that stuff last August. We used command products to hang everything so I don't think you can have near enough of that stuff! We purchased the no slip hangars for her clothes. Dresser space is limited so she hangs more at school than she did at home. I bought a clothes rod for the Car at bed, bath, and beyond for $19.99. We took most of her clothes hanging (9 hours away). DH and I carried that rod into the dorm and unloaded it into the closet. Took like 5 minutes and we didn't have to unpack anything. She uses that rod every time she travels home. Dd knew her roommate and suite mates so they were able to assign cleaning items and bathroom supplies so they didn't have duplicates. We did get the refrigerator, but I ordered it from Walmart.com and we picked it up in her college town so we didn't have to drive 9 hours with it. Pinterest was so helpful to us for what she wanted for her dorm room. Oh and ikea has great cheap stuff for kitchen and cooking supplies and closet storage if you have a store near you. We don't but there is one near wdw and we visited it last April when we were in Orlando. Other than storage stuff we bought a duvet cover and insert. I made all her other bedding. But having a duvet cover allows her to launder it at school if the need arises. Most twin comforters won't fit in a regular washer at school.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

DD is a current freshman but has a new dorm room. She shares the room with one other girl but has her own locking bedroom with a full size bed. They share the bathroom and common area which consists of 2 bathroom sinks, a high top table with 2 chairs, ref and micro, and a small "kitchen" sink area with storage. Her dorm is awesome and it is not like some of the old dorms on campus. Be sure you find out what dorm your child will be in before buying bedding. Other than that my DD daughter recommends command hooks, a robe, MacBook Air, a ream of paper, TP, 2 or 3 containers of cleaning wipes, 1 dishwashing liquid, 3 or 4 towels/wash clothes, personal bathroom items, and a few microwave containers. She uses throw away plates/forks/spoons/cups because she has the counter space. She really likes her rolling hamper with expanding handle. She keeps her laundry stuff it it and then puts her dirty clothes on top. When it is time to do laundry she just rolls the hamper to the laundry room. She brought her printer back at break because she says it doesn't work all the time??? She just uses the printer in her lobby, no cost, just bring your own paper. She does have a TV but we had an extra one, she watches TV sometimes. She also has a car that she doesn't drive often but it is nice in case she needs to go to the store on the weekends.

 

[sksjasams]

DD is a current freshman but has a new dorm room. She shares the room with one other girl but has her own locking bedroom with a full size bed. They share the bathroom and common area which consists of 2 bathroom sinks, a high top table with 2 chairs, ref and micro, and a small "kitchen" sink area with storage. Her dorm is awesome and it is not like some of the old dorms on campus. Be sure you find out what dorm your child will be in before buying bedding. Other than that my DD daughter recommends command hooks, a robe, MacBook Air, a ream of paper, TP, 2 or 3 containers of cleaning wipes, 1 dishwashing liquid, 3 or 4 towels/wash clothes, personal bathroom items, and a few microwave containers. She uses throw away plates/forks/spoons/cups because she has the counter space. She really likes her rolling hamper with expanding handle. She keeps her laundry stuff it it and then puts her dirty clothes on top. When it is time to do laundry she just rolls the hamper to the laundry room. She brought her printer back at break because she says it doesn't work all the time??? She just uses the printer in her lobby, no cost, just bring your own paper. She does have a TV but we had yan extra one, she watches TV sometimes. She also has a car that she doesn't drive often but it is nice in case she needs to go to the store on the weekends.

Wow! That dorm sounds amazing!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Anyone with a gaming DS? My DS is only a sophomore, but he can't imagine not bringing a tv and PS4...

My ds dorm was set up with a common LR. There was a HUGE tv, 2 gaming systems, music instruments, sofa n 2 chairs, table n plenty of decorations they all brought in. Yea, dorm life lol
OP, I think knowing the dorm set up is the factor here. It's better not to duplicate items, and get a list of what is Not permitted,. My ds now has an apartment style style on campus, full kitchen small lr, separate br, 2 other roomies with their own br's.
Congrats to ur graduate and best of luck.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thank you all! This is a great thread. For sure I will save this to my favorites!
Hmm... I'm thinking the "Cars" pop up hamper that my mom bought us years ago for traveling would be a bit embarrassing.
Better put a more masculine-looking one on my list.

I'm also guessing an electric blanket would be a big fat no? He will miss that for sure.

 

[my3princes]

We sent our first off to college last August. He is in a quad so he has 3 roommates and they barely speak. They all have their own things and no one is into sharing. That being said Nick needed everything. We got Twin XL mattress topper, sheets, blanket and comforter. A back pillow, 2 bed pillows, towels, wash cloths and hand towels. Extra sheets. Made sure he had plenty pairs of jeans, sock, boxers, etc. He does laundry once a week. Laundry detergent (check with the school as to what the machines us (no pods at his school)) We purchased a corner fit wire rack which holds his tv, paper towels, Kleenex, paper goods and plastic ware, alarm clock. He had a laptop and 2 gaming systems (He is a gaming major), TV. Don't forget cables and surge protectors, hangers, school supplies. Foot Locker, laundry hamper, milk crates, toiletries. Nick's school did provide a packing list, but we didn't get it until a month or so before school started. I have a junior this year so I'll start picking up things for him when I find things on clearance.

 

[my3princes]

Thank you all! This is a great thread. For sure I will save this to my favorites!
Hmm... I'm thinking the "Cars" pop up hamper that my mom bought us years ago for traveling would be a bit embarrassing.
Better put a more masculine-looking one on my list.

I'm also guessing an electric blanket would be a big fat no? He will miss that for sure.

Electric Blankets are allowed at son's school.

 

[my3princes]

Command Strips!!! Very important. Tell you children that duct tape should not be used on dorm walls, it pulls the paint off. Command Strips save the day. Get all sorts to choose from. The ones to hang outdoor rope lights work great for cable cords.

 

[dpswift]

When DS was at college I used to buy his razors and personal care items on sale and stockpile them. He lived in an apartment on campus so we also had to buy household items and food.

He transfered from the community college in January. We did a lot of our back to college shopping on Black Friday because we missed the back to college sales.

Outside of stockpiling the personal items I would start putting money aside for the other items that are going to be needed and then buy them on clearance or at back to college sales.

Do not forget batteries and light bulbs.

 

[danygirl]

One thing on gaming and DS.
My DS had a roommate who did not study much and gamed a lot - other guys would come to his room and play. Not great for studying.

He said it is better to not have a system in your room because you don't want to be the game room