Budgeting for College Dorm and what's needed?

[QueenIsabella]

They sell laptop locks--basically, a cable that you lock around the leg of a table (at the library, for instance).I got my DD one, but I don't know that she uses it--her campus has several libraries, and she favors the small, "secret" one in the basement of her college's building. She's an education major, so this library has children's books and books on teaching--most students don't even know it exists. And she feels she knows and trusts the people in her (fairly small) school within the university.

As for getting around campus, especially at night--my DD (also small) has never had an issue. She's in a big city, so she takes the subway quite a bit. I also just got a credit card bill with a lot of Lyft charges on it. I asked her about it--I usually don't see those--and she said she had put in her credit card, rather than her debit, as her default. So, normally she would be paying those charges, rather than me, if that makes sense. But I figure--I don't want her to ever think she shouldn't call for a ride if she needs one, that Mom will be mad. I'd rather she be safe. She has never felt unsafe on her campus or in her city, but she does know not to go in certain areas late/alone.

Every campus I've been on (a small sample, to be sure) had those blue lights where you can call security if you feel unsafe. My DD has never said she's used them, but they're around and easy to find. Usually, DD would just have a friend or three walk her home.

 

[kymom99]

Along the lines of security, my nephew, about 5 years ago, went away to college after attending a small catholic school. He learned the hard way that he wasn't in Kansas anymore. He was playing basketball in the rec center and someone walked off with his phone.

The university rec center near me was recently remodeled and they now have a bunch of those small lockers for day use. You choose your own combination each time. As nice as that is, when they reopened my son and I went up to work out (we have a membership) and all our stuff got stuck in one. The workers had some magic key card that wouldn't work. Luckily I had my key fob on me to drive my car. I got half way home and they called to say they got it open. (my phone was in my car.) I guess the moral if that story is to have a backup system for keys, etc.

 

[aprilgail]

I bought my daughter this rolling safe that is secured to the bed frame and rolls under the bed. She stores her laptop, ipad, ins. cards etc in there. Every college we toured said you could bring a fridge but not a microwave, those had to be rented through the college and could be rented separately or as a "microfridge". I know my daughter wants a privacy tent thing that goes over the bed and zips up- her roommate last summer didn't have a class until 3pm so she was up every night until 4am with her light on so my daughter wants something she can zip herself into in case that happens again. She is taking one set of sheets, she doesn't sleep inside the sheets, she sleeps on top of a blanket with another wrapped around her. She is bringing a lamp, a fan, a mattress memory foam topper, and her white noise machine.

 

[WDWNY]

Wait to buy a mini fridge, brita filter, microwave etc until she knows her roommates. my freshman year I only knew 1 of my 3 roommates, once we found out we were living each other about a month before class started 3 of us already bought a mini fridge when only 2 were allowed in the room. Unless you find a good deal- I would wait in case the others buy it.

 

[a742246]

Measure the height of the bottom of the bed to the floor and get those plastic storage containers that can slide under the bed. Sometimes kids put 4 cinder blocks down to raise the bed so that they can fit bigger storage boxes. This ideal will give you much needed extra space in the room!

 

[a742246]

Anything of value I would engrave your name on it, cell phones, IPAD, Computers, etc....

 

[mjkacmom]

Remember, there is always Amazon. Bed bath and beyond has a great return policy. Wait until you make contact with the roommate/roommates. Ds18's roommate brought the fridge, ds brought the microwave and keurig.

 

[a742246]

Have her password protect all her electronic devices. Computers, cell phones, anything that can be protected by passwords.

 

[Arkansan]

I second a small safe. We bought DD a small, fireproof safe at Target and a long cable to attach it to her closet. It will fit a large iPad, but not a laptop.

She is also one that had to show a SS card for student employment. Her previous passport was a child's one and had expired.

She has medication that needs to be refrigerated so we needed to provide a fridge for her. I'm glad we didnt depend on her roommate, because she moved out the second week of school! DD has another roommate this semester. She didn't even know her name until she returned to campus after Christmas Break, opened her door, and saw her new roommate!

 

[QueenIsabella]

While I understand the desire to pre-plan as much as possible, here's why I'm suggesting you wait to find out what your DD really needs:

I mentioned up-thread that my DD got put in specialty housing as a freshman--she didn't request this, she filled a spot in a triple, so we had no idea until practically move-in day. There were many nice perks with this housing assignment, but it was very different from a typical dorm room. They needed to rent a micro-fridge through the school (no outside fridges OR microwaves allowed). They couldn't have bunk beds. And her room was in an old brownstone so it had hardwood floors, 10-foot ceilings...and a large walk-in closet that the three girls shared. One college we visited, the closets were ~2 feet wide with curtains for the door. So, DD's experience was pretty unique--different from what your DD will have.

On the good side, places like Bed, Bath & Beyond typically have lists for specific colleges near them. So, even if you're in Georgia, you could look up "UNC-Chapel Hill" of whatever, and get their recommended list. You don't have to buy everything, and certainly not from BB&B. But, it's a great place to start. (They might not have these lists out yet.) Also, you can order local and have the stuff ready for pick-up at the BB&B near the school--much less to pack.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I bought my daughter this rolling safe that is secured to the bed frame and rolls under the bed. She stores her laptop, ipad, ins. cards etc in there. Every college we toured said you could bring a fridge but not a microwave, those had to be rented through the college and could be rented separately or as a "microfridge". I know my daughter wants a privacy tent thing that goes over the bed and zips up- her roommate last summer didn't have a class until 3pm so she was up every night until 4am with her light on so my daughter wants something she can zip herself into in case that happens again. She is taking one set of sheets, she doesn't sleep inside the sheets, she sleeps on top of a blanket with another wrapped around her. She is bringing a lamp, a fan, a mattress memory foam topper, and her white noise machine.

I keep reading about small safes and my thought it cant someone just walk off with it-lol! I like the idea of the rolling safe attached the the bed. I'll have to look into that. Where did you find it?

Measure the height of the bottom of the bed to the floor and get those plastic storage containers that can slide under the bed. Sometimes kids put 4 cinder blocks down to raise the bed so that they can fit bigger storage boxes. This ideal will give you much needed extra space in the room!

One of DD's tops choices the dorms are 2 per room for the freshman dorms. The apartments are 2 bedroom and 2 per room. The freshman dorms have the beds that can be adjusted:regular level with the 3 drawers under the bed or med way or height of a bunk bed so you can stack the 3 drawers it comes with and you can put the desk under it or other storage stuff

 

[dreamin_disney]

OP here. A lot of awesome ideas! I really appreciate it. I'm thinking of just putting money in an account for her college dorm stuff . When it gets closer than we can start shopping. Plus I'm having a graduation party for her. The family just loves her and I'm sure she will get cards with money and if anyone asked what together her I can let them know(this is close family). Once she decides on which college then I will call and ask about the fridge and microwave and sizes especially for the fridge

 

[aprilgail]

I keep reading about small safes and my thought it cant someone just walk off with it-lol! I like the idea of the rolling safe attached the the bed. I'll have to look into that. Where did you find it?

One of DD's tops choices the dorms are 2 per room for the freshman dorms. The apartments are 2 bedroom and 2 per room. The freshman dorms have the beds that can be adjusted:regular level with the 3 drawers under the bed or med way or height of a bunk bed so you can stack the 3 drawers it comes with and you can put the desk under it or other storage stuff

this is the one I got her-fit her laptop, ipad, medication, camera and wallet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JCZI5...t=&hvlocphy=9004519&hvtargid=pla-272857442866

 

[WDWNY]

Also, save the receipts until move in. You might buy stuff she might end up not needing or having space for. Or, if she's like me she might decide she doesn't want to go away for school the day before move in. Yes, I did that. I managed to enroll to a local school for the same semester so it just caused stress, but I didn't lose a semester or any money.

 

[LovesTimone]

My Friends youngest son just headed for college last August, They went with a loft bed, her husband built it as the ones you could rent were awful and small their son is 6'5" so needed some leg room, he is a contractor so its solid and made to be assemble, and taking down with basic tools. Where he is going they do not share rooms, so basically a walk-in closet size room, standard closet and private bath. He built in drawers on the end of the bed, underneath the bed, the re-used a pullout couch that one of the other kids used in their apartment. They bought him a bigger desk, he could not get his legs underneath the one provided. Bought a TV stand/book shelf off another student who could not fit it in the room, it was used, and some type of gamers chairs that stack on top of each other, that he brought from home. And a microwave, and dorm size frig. In the bathroom they bought a shelf thing that goes over the toilet for storage

She bought him, 2 sets of sheets, 2 comforters, and 2 blankets and a heavy blanket for the winter time which he asked for another one.

 

[dreamin_disney]

this is the one I got her-fit her laptop, ipad, medication, camera and wallet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JCZI5...t=&hvlocphy=9004519&hvtargid=pla-272857442866

Thank you for the visual . It helps

 

[Maistre Gracey]

A kegerator

MG

 

[LovesTimone]

I thought of something else, a foot locker that really lock, to put personal items it, such as lap top, wallet, watch and food anything you don't want stolen. A lot of friends and their friends in and out of all the rooms, even while your in class, sleeping, showering, washing clothes. Our friends DD was in the shower in her room, when she got out, her purse was gone, but thankfully she had not yet taken out her wallet or lap top for the day. She thought she had locked the door... they put a chain lock for added protection. and made the school change the locks.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

A kegerator

MG

DS's fraternity house was built in 2007. It has a special freezer built into the basement for beer kegs and tap lines were installed during construction. Since he's living there next year, I didn't buy him his own personal kegerator; he'll have to share. Haha!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Something else to keep in mind - my son's first dorm room came with a mini fridge and a microwave as well as a desk, chair, closet and small dresser for the 2 students in the room. And the extra long twin bed for each student. The bathroom even had a supplied shower curtain which surprised me.

And you couldn't change the beds to loft beds without permission and the school maintenance folks had to do it. You also weren't supposed to use extension cords or bed lifters of any type. There were even certain types of lamps/light bulbs that weren't allowed - I can't remember the type.

So I wouldn't buy much until you know what the room already has and what you can't have at the college.

I remember forgetting bath mats and running to the Walmart in town to get 2 - one for in front of the sink and one in front of the bathtub since the boy in the other room forgot to bring one too. We also made sure he had a plunger and broom/dustpan (floors didn't have carpet).

Our son brought with him the small safe that attached to the bed post, his desktop computer, his laptop, clothes, towels, broom/dustpan, plunger, garbage can, lamp, bedding, personal hygiene stuff and some posters and poster putty that was like command strips. When we took him to college, we went to Walmart (the only place in the small town to get most things at once) and he bought anything else he needed like toilet paper, paper towel, garbage bags, bathroom cleaner, the bathmats, and some snacks.