Budgeting for College Dorm and what's needed?

[Eighty8Keys]

My nephew had a safe on his Christmas list before he left for college. I think it was on the schools list of recommended items.

 

[tvguy]

My nephew had a safe on his Christmas list before he left for college. I think it was on the schools list of recommended items.

That's a new one on me. Other than their computers, my kids took nothing of any value to college.

 

[kymom99]

If my son wasn't rooming with someone we know and trust, I would have considered something to secure his money and few valuables he might have. I know people room with strangers all the time but that's something that would be out of my comfort zone.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Our only daughter will be leaving for college in August and living in the Dorms. Has anyone started buying stuff?
What are some things that my daughter will be needing? Mini fridge and microwave are allowed in the dorms. Any tips or advice? TIA!

I would bring some basic tools with you like a screwdriver, pliers, hammer, etc. just in case.

Back in the day when my kids were in dorms they had to take apart furniture that was in the dorm room. They also had shelving and such that they put together.

Laundry detergent that comes in pods are handy along with dryer sheets and pop up hampers that you easily carry.

 

[LadyD]

An external hard drive, ear plugs (if she is going to have a roommate), a good desk lamp.

 

[powellrj]

A plunger! My DD was embarrassed and didn't want to bring one, but she was the only one on her floor that had one and lots of girls used it!

A good bath mat for when she got out of the shower.

The first year she had an egg crate bed topper. The 2nd year she wanted a really nice one. One set f the girls who had a nice one said to go to big lots. She was right. They had the same ones as the nicer stores for cheaper.

She took a small tv, but bought a big flat screen on Black Friday and took that and her box of DVD's back with her and loved having movie nights with the girls on her floor.

A few nice dresses. There were several times she needed to dress nice.

Warm clothes and rain clothes plus an umbrella.

 

[QueenIsabella]

My DD has a small safe. It's basically a lock box with a cable that can go under the bed leg. It's maybe 6"x6"? She uses it to hold her passport, medical insurance card, and her driver's license (she doesn't typically drive at school). Then she has a lanyard thingie that holds her school ID and her debit card.

Keep in mind, school ID's these days are smart cards--not only are they photo ID, but they typically open your locked dorm (some can be used as room keys, but DD's school has old-school interior doors, with secured entry via the card keys). They also carry "points" that a lot of schools use--you swipe to pay at the dining hall, and can use the points for things like snacks, books, laundry, and so forth. DD's school is urban, so even fast food places like Subway or Starbucks will take her school points for purchases. So, it's really important for students to guard that ID!

My DD also used bed risers (allow more storage under the beds), many of the flatter bins (to fit under the bed), extension cords with multiple outlets, and one of those pillow/backrests with the arms. For graduation, the immediate family (siblings) gave her different "specialty" bins--one had craft/school supplies (she's an elementary education major and has many projects), she got a small tool set, and she got "Mom's Bin of Useful Items". This contained all sorts of stupid stuff that you might need--duct tape, a sewing kit, Tylenol, string, a lint roller, a first aid kit, cough drops, nail clippers--you know, little things we take for granted at home.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

That's a new one on me. Other than their computers, my kids took nothing of any value to college.

I had a small safe as well to keep any important documents like my social security card, some medical papers and the spare key to my moped, etc. I still have the safe and use it to some items to this day.

 

[tvguy]

I had a small safe as well to keep any important documents like my social security card, some medical papers and the spare key to my moped, etc. I still have the safe and use it to some items to this day.

Well, my Social Security card IS in the safe deposit box at the bank, where it has been for over 50 years. Never had a reason to have it out, and it does say right across it "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION". I've have the number memoried for years, and it was my student ID number in college (1975 to 1979). In those days the college suggested having your Social Security number imprinted on your checks! My how times have changed.

 

[melanielll]

pepper spray - and I am not joking. My daughter has tests that end at 11pm. She then has to walk back to her apartment. A girl was killed on campus a year or so ago. She does not walk at night without it in her hand and her thumb on the trigger.

I am going to repeat what Mrs Ciz said about a printer. It is vital that there is one in a room. Schools say that they have printing available and media centers available in buildings. But - when something is due and there is no toner or paper, you can be screwed. Also - most professors still want a hard copy. My daughter prints more now than she ever did in high school (and that was a lot).

A juice box for her phone would also probably be helpful.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Well, my Social Security card IS in the safe deposit box at the bank, where it has been for over 50 years. Never had a reason to have it out, and it does say right across it "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION". I've have the number memoried for years, and it was my student ID number in college (1975 to 1979). In those days the college suggested having your Social Security number imprinted on your checks! My how times have changed.

When I got jobs and internships in college they all required me to present my SS card during intake, so I had to have it with me. I had the number memorized, but they wanted to see the physical card.

 

[luvsJack]

Once you know what comes in the rooms it will be easier to make a list. Dd is a second semester freshman. She comes home every weekend so her list may be a bit different:

Laptop
Desk lamp and desk supplies
Two or three sets of sheets, comforter, pillows, etc
Clothes hamper that is easy to bring home or carry to the washer
Locking trunk-used for storage and to lock up money and laptop
Storage bins-3
Hangers
Shoe organizer
Fridge

Some decor things were wall quotes, white Christmas lights, frames and some ways to hang pictures with little decorative clothes pins.

She has a new roommate this term and over the holidays they bought a coffee maker, microwave, bath rugs and shower curtain and the roommate's mom gave them a vacuum.

Food and paper products they go together every couple of weeks and buy but to start off we bought a good supply.

 

[DaretoDis]

Protection...

 

[tvguy]

When I got jobs and internships in college they all required me to present my SS card during intake, so I had to have it with me. I had the number memorized, but they wanted to see the physical card.

Never been asked for it. I did have to prove citizenship when I switched jobs 11 years ago, I used my passport but they would accept a birth certificate. Like I said, a social security guard is not ID, which is clearly states on the card.

 

[brooke789]

I can tell you that at the college where I work all students must present a SS card and Driver's license OR passport to be hired. All must be the physical cards. No scans, copies, etc are accepted!

I don't remember bringing that much other than standard needs to college. We definitely had to bring our own desk chairs (not sure if that is still the case). Also, lots bought lofts for their beds or either boosted the bed on cinder blocks. A lot of schools do have restrictions on the fridge/microwave. You may have to rent from the school to be allowed to have one!

 

[melanielll]

My daughter has had to show her actual SS card three times since she started college. Yes - it is not legally allowed, but it would take thousands of dollars and years for that objection to make its way through the courts. So - bring it. And get a safety deposit box off campus if you need one to keep it in. Or - be ready to FedEx it back and forth.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I can tell you that at the college where I work all students must present a SS card and Driver's license OR passport to be hired. All must be the physical cards. No scans, copies, etc are accepted!

I don't remember bringing that much other than standard needs to college. We definitely had to bring our own desk chairs (not sure if that is still the case). Also, lots bought lofts for their beds or either boosted the bed on cinder blocks. A lot of schools do have restrictions on the fridge/microwave. You may have to rent from the school to be allowed to have one!

A little OT, but I can go you one better--when we moved to NC, I went to enroll DD13 in middle school. They needed to see a copy of her birth certificate with the raised seal--the woman had to physically touch it, to confirm that the seal was raised, and she had to answer to a notary that it was.

I believe my kids needed Social Security cards to get their licenses in NC--oldest had her passport and NH license, so she might have been good there, but DS19 didn't have a valid passport at the time, and just a non-driver ID. And I know I had to show DD13's Social Security card to order her passport last month. I might not have, but mine was a renewal. I don't remember--I'm sure I brought it, just in case--one thing we learned in NC, you have to be loaded for bear when you're applying for government-type stuff. DH took 5 tries before he succeeded in getting his new license, it took 3 separate visits to DS19's school to prove in-state residency, etc. After those experiences, I would most definitely be sure my college kid had their Social Security card available to them. It's like having the medical/dental/prescription information--you hope they never need it, but you want them to have it, jsut in case.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

A little OT, but I can go you one better--when we moved to NC, I went to enroll DD13 in middle school. They needed to see a copy of her birth certificate with the raised seal--the woman had to physically touch it, to confirm that the seal was raised, and she had to answer to a notary that it was.

I believe my kids needed Social Security cards to get their licenses in NC--oldest had her passport and NH license, so she might have been good there, but DS19 didn't have a valid passport at the time, and just a non-driver ID. And I know I had to show DD13's Social Security card to order her passport last month. I might not have, but mine was a renewal. I don't remember--I'm sure I brought it, just in case--one thing we learned in NC, you have to be loaded for bear when you're applying for government-type stuff. DH took 5 tries before he succeeded in getting his new license, it took 3 separate visits to DS19's school to prove in-state residency, etc. After those experiences, I would most definitely be sure my college kid had their Social Security card available to them. It's like having the medical/dental/prescription information--you hope they never need it, but you want them to have it, jsut in case.

Yes...order an extra health insurance card for your college student!

 

[dreamin_disney]

My nephew had a safe on his Christmas list before he left for college. I think it was on the schools list of recommended items.

College tour guide said to put stuff away because sometimes there have been issues and just want to be safe.

If my son wasn't rooming with someone we know and trust, I would have considered something to secure his money and few valuables he might have. I know people room with strangers all the time but that's something that would be out of my comfort zone.

Any ideas on how to store or lock up valuables: What should she do with her laptop when she leaves her room..lock it up? What about money or debit card especially when she leaves the room to shower or bathroom? I'm praying she get a good room mate.

pepper spray - and I am not joking. My daughter has tests that end at 11pm. She then has to walk back to her apartment. A girl was killed on campus a year or so ago. She does not walk at night without it in her hand and her thumb on the trigger.

I am going to repeat what Mrs Ciz said about a printer. It is vital that there is one in a room. Schools say that they have printing available and media centers available in buildings. But - when something is due and there is no toner or paper, you can be screwed. Also - most professors still want a hard copy. My daughter prints more now than she ever did in high school (and that was a lot).

A juice box for her phone would also probably be helpful.

My biggest worry her walking alone. We were told school security can be called and they will take her to housing or wherever she needs to go on campus but it still worries me. pepper spray training would be good. She is only 5' and 110-115lbs. What school did this happen at? I told hubby she will need a printer. Knowing how kids are I'm sure at 10pm she will need to print something. Whats a juice box for her phone..is that a charger?

 

[melanielll]

The murder was on campus at the University of Texas at Austin. A tragedy.

The juice box is a portable phone charger.