General college dorm room questions

[klfrech]

My DD was recently accepted to her first and only college choice. We would like to begin shopping for dorm room supplies for Xmas. Generally speaking, what size tv should we consider? Do dorm rooms have basic cable? What type of printer should we consider? Can she use a wireless printer and if so, how do you secure the printer?

Love to hear any other dorm room suggestions too!

 

[Kirby]

You should wait until she is assigned a dorm room before you begin to shop for most things. Once she is assigned a room, then you'll know what size bed (regular twin, XL or full size) to buy for, if there will even be room for a tv. She could catch most tv programs online now anyway.

My daughter's first dorm room had two XL twin beds in one room and a sitting room for studying so there was room for a tv. Jump to the second semester when she joined a sorority and there is no room for a tv and hardly room for a small fridge and a microwave. She brought a lot of stuff home.

As far as a computer, my daughter wanted a desktop to begin with but by the end of her second semester, she bought herself a laptop.

Once you find out what dorm she will be in, it will be easier to get answers for most of your questions.

 

[golfgal]

I wouldn't get too much yet until she knows her roommate and they can coordinate what each one is bringing. DS18's roommate has a 20" TV, some of the kids have 50+" TVs . Personally my preference was for no tv in the room but it has worked out ok.

DS's dorm has a printer for everyone to use but DS said it is always busy. We bought a Dell all in one for him along with his laptop knowing he wouldn't want to truck down to the first floor to collect his paper. We did not get a wireless one because I had heard with all the laptops, etc. that they don't work wirelessly very well in dorms.

Most dorms have basic cable, but you can probably check online to see if her dorms will have that for sure. They took out the phone lines in DS's dorms this year because they figured all the kids had cell phones anyway and why spend the extra money for them.

Check with the college before buying a laptop. Some schools have very specific requirements for computers (DS's did not, we got him a Dell Studio).

 

[Chelley00]

I agree. I'd wait until she gets her dorm assignment and her roommate. Then you'll know what she'll need, what the roommate will have etc. We are getting DS Best Buy gift cards for Christmas with the notice that he has to use it for his dorm room (mini fridge, TV, printer, microwave etc) For actual gifts we've bought him college licensed clothes, folding chair, underbed storage containers, collapsible hamper and over the door shoe holder etc. He's also got on his list a desk lamp, Ipod dock, bicycle and lock.

 

[msmayor]

I'm also of the opinion that you may want to wait on some things for a dorm room.

As far as whether cable is available, that's really up to the individual school; no one here can answer whether your son's dorm will have hookups. I suspect that most schools have it available, but you will need to look into the housing documents the school provides for that information.

As far as a wireless printer, if you want it to be "secure" do you mean so that only your son can use it and not any roommates? If its possible to 'lock' others out, that's probably something that only your printer documentation can answer.

At my daughter's school, all internet service in the dorms is via ethernet cable; there are no "hot spots" in the dorms. Students have the option to set up routers but they absolutely MUST be password protected and secure, with service available only to those inside the room. Again, this type of rule may be school-specific and you should check with the housing office for those details.

 

[golfgal]

I agree. I'd wait until she gets her dorm assignment and her roommate. Then you'll know what she'll need, what the roommate will have etc. We are getting DS Best Buy gift cards for Christmas with the notice that he has to use it for his dorm room (mini fridge, TV, printer, microwave etc) For actual gifts we've bought him college licensed clothes, folding chair, underbed storage containers, collapsible hamper and over the door shoe holder etc. He's also got on his list a desk lamp, Ipod dock, bicycle and lock.

When we went up for parent's weekend we commented on all the bikes outside of the freshman dorms. DS18 said that the bikes hadn't moved since the first day of school. There were almost no bikes outside of the dorms for upperclassmen

 

[RAV]

We bought our son a 20 inch flat screen tv. He has been in both large and small rooms and it usually just sits on top of the chest of drawers that comes standard in most rooms.
Most people have lap top locks so that might be a good stocking stuffer. We also bought our son a trunk with a lock that he puts his valuables in and keeps under his bed. It is also good for storing extra bed linens and an extra blanket. The trunks with wheels are really handy when you are moving in and out of the dorm. You might also consider 2 bowls,2 plates, some silverware and a couple of glasses. When my son was a freshman he only had access to a community kitchen but he ate things like soup, cereal and other things that could be made in a microwave and eaten in the room.
Most schools have lists of what you can bring and what is not allowed so you might get some ideas from the list.
Good Luck!

 

[Chelley00]

When we went up for parent's weekend we commented on all the bikes outside of the freshman dorms. DS18 said that the bikes hadn't moved since the first day of school. There were almost no bikes outside of the dorms for upperclassmen

We had friends who said their kids never rode their bikes at school. However, for our DS, it's a good idea because he likes the exercise and will frequently ride his mountain bike to high school now and he will not have a car at college.

 

[DVCLiz]

My DD was recently accepted to her first and only college choice. We would like to begin shopping for dorm room supplies for Xmas. Generally speaking, what size tv should we consider? Do dorm rooms have basic cable? What type of printer should we consider? Can she use a wireless printer and if so, how do you secure the printer?

Love to hear any other dorm room suggestions too!

Your daughter can easily call the college (don't you do it, Mom!) and ask these basic questions. Have her find out about sheet size and TV and computer options. No reason to skip getting these things as Christmas gifts when she can find them all out with a simple phone call. Also, if you want to go ahead and get her the fridge, etc. do it. Although it's nice to have the roomie provide some of those things, DD switched roommates over the course of her four years and we ended up with all of it anyway. Might as well go ahead and get what she wants.

For Christmas the year before DD22 went to college I bought her a 27" flat screen TV. It was a great size and fit easily in her dorm room all four years and now in her apartment bedroom. Much larger than that and I think it would have gotten in the way. Her school did provide basic cable, but she needed a cable that wasn't provided in order to move the TV across the room - that probably WILL have to wait until she's on campus.

She had a laptop and it came with a printer in a bundle. Again, the school will be able to tell you about printing options.

I bought my daughter luggage and towels as well. She took several cardboard boxes and bigger suitcases at first and then sent them home after she unpacked, but she needed a smaller suitcase and a travel bag style (think Vera Bradly) for travel during the school year, coming home on weekends, etc.

You'll need a maximum of four bath towels - DD had two and two of the wrap style (I had them monogrammed for her.) Four hand towels and four washcloths. Something to use to take bath products back and forth to the bathroom - get this at Target or someplace similar and go over to the shampoo aisle and put her favorite brand in to make sure it fits!!

Other nice gifts are a laundry container, some under bed storage containers (DD used several of the threee drawer style plastic containers to hold extra clothes in her closet and under her bed), a small microwave, a mini fridge, a mini freezer, a dehumidifier, an iPod and a dock for it, a Kindle, Nook or other electronic ereader (DD was an English major and many of her literature books were free on Kindle), and various personal items like a basic first aid kit, small tool set, scissors, small set of microwave safe bowls, small set of basic plates, cups, bowls, etc.

One of the best things was a small memo board - everyone on the hall had one so it was nice to have that ready to go - also a set of dry erase markers. The RA went around and wrote on everyone's board the first day or two - it was a nice touch.

Congrats - it is an exciting time!! I'll be going through it again in a couple of years - DD16 is a junior!!

 

[golfgal]

Keep in mind you will find better deals on most dorm stuff in July/August when stores stock up for these things-and a better selection. I would not get sheets, etc. Girls tend to want to coordinate these things and "dress up" their rooms.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My DD was recently accepted to her first and only college choice. We would like to begin shopping for dorm room supplies for Xmas. Generally speaking, what size tv should we consider? Do dorm rooms have basic cable? What type of printer should we consider? Can she use a wireless printer and if so, how do you secure the printer?

Love to hear any other dorm room suggestions too!

You can shop for bedding, linens, etc. however I would wait on the TV's, printer's, fridges, etc., until you have all the dorm rules.

My dd last yr as a freshman, could only have 1 TV, 1 microwave, 1 fridge and she never brought a printer. She just uses the campus stuff.
Her roommate brought the fridge/microwave and she brought the TV.

This yr she transferred to another college and they are not even allowed to bring in their own fridge/microwave. The dorm supplies it.

Honestly the best thing you can do is not to overbuy. Just bring the basics. DD left most of the stuff we got her as a freshman at home this yr. Her dorm room this time around is so small.

 

[aprilgail2]

You can shop for bedding, linens, etc. however I would wait on the TV's, printer's, fridges, etc., until you have all the dorm rules.

My dd last yr as a freshman, could only have 1 TV, 1 microwave, 1 fridge and she never brought a printer. She just uses the campus stuff.
Her roommate brought the fridge/microwave and she brought the TV.

This yr she transferred to another college and they are not even allowed to bring in their own fridge/microwave. The dorm supplies it.

Honestly the best thing you can do is not to overbuy. Just bring the basics. DD left most of the stuff we got her as a freshman at home this yr. Her dorm room this time around is so small.

My god daughters school had the one fridge per room thing and her room mate brought the mini fridge-- unfortunately my god daughter never got to use it because her roommate kept it well stocked with beer the whole time! Eventually she was able to move into the alcohol free dorm and was much happier there! There was no room or TV's in their rooms there though- there was one in the common room but that was shared by the entire floor so she found it easier to just watch "tv" on her computer!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My god daughters school had the one fridge per room thing and her room mate brought the mini fridge-- unfortunately my god daughter never got to use it because her roommate kept it well stocked with beer the whole time! Eventually she was able to move into the alcohol free dorm and was much happier there! There was no room or TV's in their rooms there though- there was one in the common room but that was shared by the entire floor so she found it easier to just watch "tv" on her computer!

That is terrible. My dd has been lucky with both her roommates. She has become good friends with both of them.

Her old floormmates & roommate at her first school keep begging her to come up and visit them.

 

[Callie]

I live in a "dorm" on my campus, but ours all have kitchens in each suite, and then either two or four bedrooms. So we each get our own room.Plus we each get our own bathroom. But stock up on posers, pictures, frames etc for sure!

 

[MrsPete]

Coming in late here . . . I agree with much of what's been said:

I agree that SHE should call (or just go online -- so much is available just for the looking) about what's allowed /not allowed. Stress that this is HER college experience, and you're not going to do it for her. While she's asking about twins vs. XL twin beds, have her find out whether her dorm will include bunks -- and, if not, ask if she's allowed to bring a bed riser.

We've been asking about wifi on our college visits, and wifi "everywhere" seems to be pretty standard. Only one school has told us that the oldest dorms don't have wireless (and in those, they provide cables). Cable TV is pretty standard in the dorms too.

For Christmas THIS YEAR, I'd get her things that you KNOW she'll need: Bed linens, stacking "milk crates", a laptop & computer lock, a printer, an alarm clock/ipod docking station, Command hooks for the wall -- those are all things that you know she'll need, and things that won't be shared with the roommate.

I'd hold off on things that may be shared with the (yet unknown) roommate: TV, refrigerator, cooking appliances. It'd be disappointing to learn in August that BOTH roommates own a TV, while neither has a refrigerator. Yeah, the roommate situation may change next year, but think about that later. You can't possibly prepare for multiple years at once, or even know if she'll stay in a dorm for four years.

I also agree that you shouldn't over-buy. 4 towels sounds good. One set of sheets is enough. Remember that dorms don't have much storage space.

 

[golfgal]

Coming in late here . . . I agree with much of what's been said:

I agree that SHE should call (or just go online -- so much is available just for the looking) about what's allowed /not allowed. Stress that this is HER college experience, and you're not going to do it for her. While she's asking about twins vs. XL twin beds, have her find out whether her dorm will include bunks -- and, if not, ask if she's allowed to bring a bed riser.

We've been asking about wifi on our college visits, and wifi "everywhere" seems to be pretty standard. Only one school has told us that the oldest dorms don't have wireless (and in those, they provide cables). Cable TV is pretty standard in the dorms too.

For Christmas THIS YEAR, I'd get her things that you KNOW she'll need: Bed linens, stacking "milk crates", a laptop & computer lock, a printer, an alarm clock/ipod docking station, Command hooks for the wall -- those are all things that you know she'll need, and things that won't be shared with the roommate.

I'd hold off on things that may be shared with the (yet unknown) roommate: TV, refrigerator, cooking appliances. It'd be disappointing to learn in August that BOTH roommates own a TV, while neither has a refrigerator. Yeah, the roommate situation may change next year, but think about that later. You can't possibly prepare for multiple years at once, or even know if she'll stay in a dorm for four years.

I also agree that you shouldn't over-buy. 4 towels sounds good. One set of sheets is enough. Remember that dorms don't have much storage space.

Even the milk crates may not be necessary. DS's dorm has built in shelves over their desks that hold a lot of stuff. There would be no place in his room to put the milk crates. He has cement walls and the command hooks do not stay on those, unfortunately.

 

[vicb]

My DD is a freshman this year so last year for Christmas we focused on just a few key items as xmas gifts like:

an i-home with dual ports (one for her and one for roomie... they love this now)

a hoodie sweatshirt from her new university

desk lamp

bean bag chair

 

[MrsPete]

Even the milk crates may not be necessary. DS's dorm has built in shelves over their desks that hold a lot of stuff. There would be no place in his room to put the milk crates. He has cement walls and the command hooks do not stay on those, unfortunately.

Milk crates are the best thing EVER for a dorm room. They can be stacked like bookshelves (or hold food stuffs). They can become a nightstand (few dorms offer those). They can go on closet shelves/floors as organizers, or they can fit under beds. And at the end of the year, they're great for moving things out of the dorm.

 

[erincon23]

I really suggest you wait until your DD knows what dorm she'll be in, as PPs have said. My DS's dorm room has one small closet, two desk drawers, one small shelf and no other storage. Other dorms at the same college have larger closets and dressers. His room comes with (supplied by the university) a combo microwave/fridge/freezer. Had I started buying things ahead of time, I would have had too much of some and not enough of others -- we ended up getting him one of those plastic drawer sets, which holds his snacks, school supplies, printer paper, and a lot more. The school will let you know (if you don't get a tour of that dorm) what's included, what you'll need, etc.

And sheets -- get two sets. They don't take up much space, and you can always count on an accident of some kind -- something spilling or whatever. And kids don't necessarily have time to wash at a moment's notice.

If you're looking for stocking stuffers, get the 3M poster fasteners (make sure it's the non-permanent kind). These are better than tape (DS's school won't let you tape anything to the walls). We got a printer from a local Freecycler -- brand new, works great.

 

[golfgal]

Milk crates are the best thing EVER for a dorm room. They can be stacked like bookshelves (or hold food stuffs). They can become a nightstand (few dorms offer those). They can go on closet shelves/floors as organizers, or they can fit under beds. And at the end of the year, they're great for moving things out of the dorm.

Again, maybe yes, maybe no, there is no room in DS's dorm for milk crates and no need for them. I had them all through college and they were handy but we didn't have any shelves or any place to store books, etc.