Shopping for College Dorm Room, College Freshman necessities

[RitaE]

Interesting! One more thing from this thread to add to my notes. I wonder why schools would care what risers you used??

Safety or Money - take your pick.

I know that there must be schools that allow the students to use their own risers, otherwise the stores wouldn't be selling them. But we haven't run across one yet.

Microwaves/Refrigerators are another one. I'm heading into our 5th year of kids in college. We started out with being able to bring your own microwave/mini-fridge. Then we went to having the option to rent or buy the school approved ones. Now I'm down to there being one automatically supplied in the dorm room and the cost of it is included in those skyrocketing dorm fees.

So don't buy your kid a mini-fridge or microwave either until you know the situation there. I did gain a really nice mini-fridge to keep beer and coke in out in my garage though.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Where have you found the most comprehensive list of things to take? I'm afraid we'll forget something important!

Also, how do you raise a bed? My daughter wants to raise hers but I don't think they have that kind of bed. They're not opposed to it apparently but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I found this list online and copied and pasted into a document for my friends.. hope it copies over well here...


College Packing List


Laundry
• Fabric softener
• Bleach (colorsafe is always good!)
• Laundry detergent
• Something to put your dirty clothes in. Make sure you’re also able to carry it easily to the laundry room. I got a nice nylon bag that won’t take up too much space nor be too hard to carry.
• An iron, if necessary
• Marking pen
• Stain remover
Bathroom/personal
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Razors and shaving cream
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
• Soap
• Floss
• Hair Dryer
• Tweezers
• Band aids and other first aid essentials
• Tampons, pads (for the ladies)
• Makeup (also for the ladies)
• Anything needed for contact lenses or glasses
• Anything needed for a retainer you might have
• Deodorant
• Chap stick
• Q-tips
• Brush/comb
• Fingernail/toenail clippers
• Gel/mouse/hair spray
• Perfume/cologne
• Mouthwash
• Aspirin and other must-have over-the-counter medications for conditions you may have, like allergies, stomachache, etc. It’s better to have these on hand now than have to get them when you feel awful. Things like vitamins and cough drops are good to have.
• Lotions, moisturizers, whatever such things you use
• Towels, hand towels, and washcloths. I recommend having at least 3 towels, 3 hand towels, and 7 washcloths, that way you can go a week without doing laundry if you double up slightly.
• Flip flops are a great way to prevent athelete’s foot in the showers.
• Something to carry all this in when you go to the bathroom

Electronic
• Computer. Laptops are preferable (how to pick a good computer & quality free software)
• Printer
• Ethernet cord
• Some way to secure your laptop, like a lock
• A carrying case for your laptop
• Alarm clock
• Speakers for your computer and/or a stereo
• USB drive. Most sizes are fine, but I recommend at least one gigabyte.
• Blank media, like CD-Rs or DVD-Rs.
• MP3/CD(/tape?) player and headphones
• Desk lamp
• Power strip with many outlets. Find one with a surge protector!
• Extension cord.
• Camera
• Phone for using on the land line. You never know when your cell phone might be on the fritz.
• Small fan and/or heater depending on what the climate is like
• Chargers for anything that uses one: cell phones, iPods, electric razors, cameras, etc.
• Batteries for anything that needs them: remote controls, alarm clocks, MP3 players, etc. It’s always better to have too many than not have any when you need them most.
• 2/3 prong adapters.
Bedroom

• Bed sheets. Colleges always seem to use extra long sheets, so when you go shopping, look for “Extra Long Twin” if that’s how your school goes. I recommend buying two sets.
• Blankets. Make sure you have enough to keep you warm, and it’s good to have an extra, for whatever reason.
• Mattress pad
• Posters & pictures to decorate your dorm
• Storage containers, as needed
• Hangers to put all of your clothes on
• Bulletin/white board
• Flashlight
• Febreeze or some other odor remover
• Curtains, if not already provided
• Night light
• Post-It notes
• Rug if you have hardwood floors
• Calendar
• Maybe a broom and a dustpan?
• Waste basket IF your school doesn’t supply one.

Clothing
• Pants/shorts
• Shirts, t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Pajamas or other night-wear
• Robe
• Sportswear, as needed (basketball shorts, tank tops, etc)
• Underwear!
• Plenty of socks
• Belt(s)
• A couple good pairs of shoes
• Flip flops (a college essential!)
• Rain gear suitable for big downpours/umbrella
• Snow gear, if it snows where you’re going to school
• Quality hat
• Gloves
• Watch
• Plenty of purses (ladies)
• One formal outfit


Double up on.. (check with roommate before bringing these)
• TV
• DVD player, VCR
• An ironing board, if needed
• Chair(s), bean bag(s)
• Microwave
• Mini-Fridge
• Video game systems



Also I learned at student orientation this week that there's a difference between "bed risers" and "bed lofting" The risers the previous poster mentioned are good for almost all schools but if you want to "loft" your bed you often have to use a pre approved company with the school. the loft concept is a bit too high for my DD so we'll just use the risers.

 

[Tistal]

Funny on the printer paper/ink comment. I sent my first child off with a printer but next time I don't think I will. With free printers all over campus, it doesn't seem like something to give up space for.

Depends on the campus. Some have tons of free printers. Where I work, the printers charge you, and you have to go to IT to put money on your account. You can't just slide a few dimes into the machine.

 

[Hannathy]

Depends on the campus. Some have tons of free printers. Where I work, the printers charge you, and you have to go to IT to put money on your account. You can't just slide a few dimes into the machine.

No free printers at my DD's school either. They "give" you $10 on your card for printing but after that you have to pay per page. They do make the instructors accept double sided assignments but it isn't free.

 

[luv2mickey]

Yes get a good memory foam, we get our kids the 2inch memory foam with cover at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's $100 but well worth it, my dd's roommates are getting the same one this summer because they couldn't believe how comfortable her bed was.

 

[ctinct]

I sent my daughter with a brand new iron last year. She didn't use it. She tells me Downy Wrinkle Release works great.

 

[clh2]

I sent my daughter with a brand new iron last year. She didn't use it. She tells me Downy Wrinkle Release works great.

Funny - DD INSISTED she will need an iron for next year...I'm betting it will come home exactly brand new with in the unopened box.

 

[Mickey For President]

@both of my son's colleges and now the one my daughter will be attending irons are on the "Not Allowed" list. Check that carefully because if they are caught with something from this list its usally a heavy fine.

 

[Leigha]

If you can get that much out of him, you'll be doing good!! DS & I went and got the twin XL sheets he needs for engineering camp at college in a couple of weeks, the same sheets he'll be taking to college in 2 years. He went with gray. Boys are so exciting, lol. But after DVC Daisy's explanation of why gray towels are a good idea, I figure that will work for sheets too, so I'm ok with it!







All you need to raise the bed are bed risers. Walmart has them cheap in black or white:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Whitmor-Bed-Risers-Black-Set-of-4/15104328

Thanks but I failed to mention she wants to raise it way up - like 4 to 5 feet! Any recommendations for that one anybody??

LOVE the list addicted2dizney!!

 

[imsayin]

I sent my daughter with a brand new iron last year. She didn't use it. She tells me Downy Wrinkle Release works great.

I've never heard of this. Do you put it in washer or dryer? I may add it to my own laundry

 

[Chelley00]

Thanks but I failed to mention she wants to raise it way up - like 4 to 5 feet! Any recommendations for that one anybody??

LOVE the list addicted2dizney!!

DSs school wont allow you to loft your bed unless you use their lofting company. It was actually pretty inexpensive.

I've never heard of this. Do you put it in washer or dryer? I may add it to my own laundry

It's a spray.

 

[MrsPete]

Safety or Money - take your pick.

I know that there must be schools that allow the students to use their own risers, otherwise the stores wouldn't be selling them. But we haven't run across one yet.

Microwaves/Refrigerators are another one. I'm heading into our 5th year of kids in college. We started out with being able to bring your own microwave/mini-fridge. Then we went to having the option to rent or buy the school approved ones. Now I'm down to there being one automatically supplied in the dorm room and the cost of it is included in those skyrocketing dorm fees.

So don't buy your kid a mini-fridge or microwave either until you know the situation there. I did gain a really nice mini-fridge to keep beer and coke in out in my garage though.

Those cheap-o bed risers aren't safe. A couple years ago we bought some (at Bed, Bath & Beyond) for my oldest daughter's room, and as soon as she sat down on it, the bed shifted. And that's how I got a hole in my drywall. The ones we had weren't sturdy; maybe some others have "deeper holes" for the bed legs, or perhaps our bedframe wasn't the right type. But I threw them out.

Anyway, bed risers (and concrete blocks) are strictly forbidden at my daughter's school --they seem VERY FUSSY about it.

However, they recruit a small army of parents to help with move-in day (I signed up because it means my daughter can move in a day early -- park the car right by the front door, no lines for the elevator -- why, yes, I'll work a couple hours!), and students can just ask for the quickly-trained dad squads to come to their room and either bolt their beds together as bunks OR have them raised with school-provided risers. No charge. What they don't want is well-intentioned students balancing beds on Walmart-quality book crates, etc. I can buy into that.

My daughter's room will come with a microfridge. Before we knew she was assigned to a dorm that includes them, I'd already decided to go with renting. Why? I remember my refrigerator being a major pain to move in/out of the room every year, and because ONLY school microwaves are allowed. Yes, if one weren't provided for her, buying would probably be more economical in the long run, especially if my oldest live on campus all four years OR if my youngest could also use the fridge, but sometimes convenience wins.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Thanks but I failed to mention she wants to raise it way up - like 4 to 5 feet! Any recommendations for that one anybody??

LOVE the list addicted2dizney!!

you are very welcome! University of Delaware uses this company

www.bedloft.com it's the only way you are allowed to loft a bed there. you can check and see if your child's school is on the list.

 

[TLuvsD]

Check Kohls for memory foam mattress toppers. And if you are buying in advance, check in late Sept when they are on clearance. I also bought a bed-bug proof mattress case. And because D is picky a mattress topper that is a hypo allergenic featherbed. So, first the mattress case, then the memory foam, topped by the feather bed thingy. Since I bought some it on clearance, it's less than $100 for all of it.

The comforter is a duvet from Ikea. We took it when we went to Orientation, it fits the bed and she loves it. Clip on light from Target (needed for a bio project, so bought it in April). Still shopping for a folding butterfly type chair and some storage.

 

[poohbear8]

I haven't read all of the posts, but here are my suggestions or things I did for DS last year.

Tomorrow or ASAP, go to Bed, Bath & Beyond if you have one and take your coupon. I found DS's bedding on clearance this time last year (and earlier this year). I got the whole set for under $50 this year and last year I think I paid $69 with regular prices being $150.

I bought 2-3" memory foam topper from Overstock.com. Well worth the $60 I spent he said.

I bought a waterproof mattress pad to encase the memory foam to protect it from spills. Sadly, it didn't get used. When we arrived the mattress was so gross, we used the cover to protect the memory foam from the dirt, until we could get another one. Sadly, DS never put the over on the memory foam like he was told. It turned yellow from the body heat. He is moving off campus next year, so it was trashed after a year. Moral: Buy a second mattress case to put the mattress in. The one on the memory foam is optional, but the dirty green vinyl mattress needed to be covered up.

Also, if your kid gets put in a triple room (3 kids in a room meant for 2) and they tell you it could be a week, or two, or the whole semester....plan for the worse. DS was tripled and didn't get untripled until 1/2 way through the school year! Thankfully, one boy lived close by, so he didn't have too much stuff and the other boy stayed with friends, so rarely were all 3 boys in the room at the same time. We did have to whittle down the stuff he kept in the room though.

Buy the skinny hangers for both sexes! Because we had the skinny hangers, we took a closet and gave up the dressers to the other boys. They saved so much more room than the cheap plastic ones.

 

[NotUrsula]

Funny - DD INSISTED she will need an iron for next year...I'm betting it will come home exactly brand new with in the unopened box.

The answer lies in how she feels about linen. If she loves it she will need the iron, but if not ... meh. (DWR spray will NOT be effective in getting creases out of linen.) The kind of folks who manage to think ahead can press clothing under the mattress; I knew guys who always left their dress shirts there so they would look crisp.

My school also forbade irons if used in our rooms. However, they did have a wall mounted ironing board in the kitchen at the end of the hall where you could use your iron. (Of course, very few people ever did, because the board cover was always greasy from people sitting dirty dishes on it.) The standard protocol was to do your ironing on your bed on a stack of towels. I had a funny incident once during a surprise room inspection; we tidied all of the other contraband away, but I forgot about the still-warm iron that was sitting on the floor next to my bed -- with the telltale stack of towels ON the bed. The RA was standing there with her clipboard going, "aren't you forgetting something?" Busted. )

 

[luv2mickey]

Does anyone have seating ideas other then a futon. His room is really to small we are already lofting the bed and there is still not much room. Dish and butterfly chairs won't work for a boy he is to tall and 185lbs so I think he is to big, I've been looking at the Ikea Poang chair, any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[Anne34]

Does anyone have seating ideas other then a futon. His room is really to small we are already lofting the bed and there is still not much room. Dish and butterfly chairs won't work for a boy he is to tall and 185lbs so I think he is to big, I've been looking at the Ikea Poang chair, any other ideas?

Thanks

My DD had a butterfly chair that she brought last year. She was asking for a new chair before Christmas because the frame was bent from all the peole using the chair (esp taller/heavier boys). I have sat in the Poang chair and it is nice, but does he have the room for it? She wanted to small chair because that's all the room she had under her bed with the desk there too. If he is close by, you might want to wait until you after you move him in to see if there is room. The Ikea chairs don't have sales (But you may not live close to one either)

 

[luv2mickey]

I have the dimensions of his room and I think he has room outside of the loft, but your right I have never even been to an Ikea store we have one 1.5hrs away and one 2.5hrs away. I think we'll take a trip Saturday and look at them. Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like all the chairs are either to cheap or to expensive, not much in the middle.

 

[addicted2dizney]

I have the dimensions of his room and I think he has room outside of the loft, but your right I have never even been to an Ikea store we have one 1.5hrs away and one 2.5hrs away. I think we'll take a trip Saturday and look at them. Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like all the chairs are either to cheap or to expensive, not much in the middle.

I have one of the ikea chairs and they do take up a lot of space. I'm not too sure they would fit well in a dorm room. I have heard some schools don't like extra chairs in the dorms for fire safety etc.. because it can block/impede the ability to get out of a room quickly if it's in the way. My D's friends have suggesting getting a storage style "cube" with a cushioned top so you can roll it into the bottom of your closet and use it as storage when you don't need it as seating. It's not the most comfortable seating but will suffice for room entertaining.