Now that The Girl is headed off to college, we have been faced with the reality of packing everything she will need into ½ of a 15×15 room. So we’ve created a Dorm room checklist – What to bring to college.
I’m not one for clutter, and never really have been, and since that has rubbed off on The Girl big time, we want to have what she needs—neat and organized, without having her swallowed up by stuff like a bad Hoarders episode.
First off, I have to admit, we are kind of erring on the side of minimalism. We signed her up for Amazon Student, so I figure she can always pop on and get whatever she needs, delivered to her door in two days. It will also give her a chance to watch movies or shows during her downtime, right on her laptop.
I don’t want to say I am the best mom ever, but if a certified letter came, I certainly wouldn’t turn it away. Ha! {As a total sidenote, it occurred to me that Amazon Student would make an AWESOME birthday gift for pretty much anyone—if you need some gift ideas.}
It is FREE for the 1st 6 months {and has most of the perks of Amazon Prime} and then it’s 50% off the Prime membership after that. Pretty sweet deal, I think.
Okay, now on to the checklist.
Dorm room checklist – What to bring to college
Toiletries
Most dorms have a shared bathroom on each floor, so a shower caddy of some sort is essential for carting soap, shampoo, etc. back and forth from bathroom to dorm room. Fill the caddy with soap/body wash, shampoo, conditioner, razors, washcloths, etc. I think 2 towels are plenty.
In an ideal world, that means there is time to wash one while the other is in use. That assumes that your student will hang up the towel to dry daily—could be a crap shoot depending on your student’s personality.
Since the showers in dorms are also communal, they suggested that my daughter bring a pair of cheap flip-flops to shower in. That way, she can keep her feet from getting dirty while she gets clean–go figure. They will also need any other grooming supplies: brush, flat iron, deodorant, make-up, etc.
Kitchen Supplies
Most colleges have community kitchens {or your student will be on a meal plan}, so things like pots and pans are not necessary, but we are sending my daughter to school with her own can opener just so she has her own when she wants it. We are also investing in a mini-fridge.
It will allow her to keep yogurts and other items that she may want to chance in the communal fridge at her immediate disposal. We got a little basket for her to keep her own personal snacks in and she is bringing a refillable water bottle.
Depending on your student’s situation, you may want to consider a microwave.
For the Bed
Obviously, your student will need bedding. Again, along the same lines as the towels, I think two sets of sheets are plenty. You may also want to send them with their own laundry detergent and a roll of quarters to encourage that they actually DO the laundry.
They will need a pillow and comforter as well. We will also be bringing a mattress cover–I mean, it is a shared mattress after all.
In the Room
How much your student wants to personalize their room is probably pretty individual.
The basics include a desk lamp, laptop, school supplies {pens, pencils, stapler, etc.}, alarm clock, surge protector, laundry bag or basket, garbage can {and bags if you want to line it}, an all-purpose cleaner and a couple of rags, kleenex, a roll or two of paper towels.
More individual items include posters, iPod docking station, t.v., dvd player, camera, bulletin board, white board, etc.
Just in Case Items
A tool kit {with batteries, duct tape, masking tape, hammer, screwdriver, etc.}, sewing kit, and first aid kit {band-aids, nail clippers, hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, Advil, Pepto, tweezers, cotton balls, cold medicine, etc.} will cover most just in case scenarios.
For Around Campus
A couple of other items to consider while your student makes their way around campus is an umbrella, backpack, bike and bike lock. Also, any clothing that is climate specific, if your student is headed to a warmer/colder climate than where you currently live.
How about any of YOU, have you sent kids off to college already and noticed something essential that we’ve missed?
~Mavis
Diana says
Mavis- good start to dorm list, Couple of things I would add
1. a laundry bag, one with the back type strap , learned from my oldest laundry baskets are cumbersome.
2.pods for detergent- kids that schlep the bottle tend to forget the bottle
In the laundry room , a pod can fit right in their pocket on the walk to the
Laundry
3. Over the door rack, as space Is a tough commodity in some of the dorm rooms
4. I also seriously encourage a shower wrap.. No having to fuss with a tile coming
Undone on the walk down the hall. Shower wraps have your fav- Velcro to keep them
Closed and secure
Good luck to the girl, she’s going to do fabulous !!
KAte says
1. Everything is really individual, I found a basket much easier to carry, and it slid right under my bed! Plus it had the added benefit of providing an easy container for someone else to put my clothes into if I didn’t get down right away to get them out of the washer. Seeing your clean and wet clothes piled on top of a dirty machine and sliding onto the floor isn’t so happy.
2. I left my detergent right in the laundry room, most of us did. I use dry detergent, and people didn’t mess with it often. I noticed others were much more likely to snag some liquid detergent than my dry stuff.
sabrina says
I would add Bed Risers so she can put bins under her bed. Most dorm rooms have a closet and an over the door shoe rack that has individual pockets are good to put stuff in. Easy storage solution.
KAte says
Check with the school, my dorm had a stash of cinderbocks for just this purpose in the basement. You might not have to purchase anything.
KAte says
*cinder blocks
Beth says
Good luck to your daughter. Mine is on the same adventure. Some advice for you…..DON’T sleep over in the dorm. We just went for orientation and beds and sofas that were perfectly acceptable in my twenties became a major pain, figuratively and literally! Find a good hotel nearby! 😉 Thanks for sharing. I’m interested in all the advice people have to give you.
Stephanie says
I’d also suggest the under the bed plastic totes. That way you can change out seasonal clothing and it won’t be in the way. And I’d take a package of toilet paper. There never seems to be enough, especially on weekends. 😀
Helen in Meridian says
The flip flops are to keep her from getting athletes foot. I would send half a pkg of Costco velvet hangers (like the Huggable Hangers from HSN.com only 1/3 the price). These make 3X the space in an actual closet. Send the whole box. Also 3 or 4 pkg of those 3M stick and later peel off hooks, the kind that hold 3 # or more. Today t Costco they put out the xmas wired ribbon. They have 1 ribbon that is wired burlap looking. Last year I bought 2 the first day, and they disappeared so fast at the store because 1 per box. These are great on homemade gifts etc. and country decorating.
Helen in Meridian says
The burlap ribbon is for your homemade food gifts, not for The Girl’s college dorm room.
Helen in Meridian says
Send 4 or 5 of those microfiber wash cloths you advertise today. I use them to wash my face. They work great removing makeup etc.
Leslie Grant says
My son also appreciated a small rug for his bedside. Nice for that first step out of bed in the morning while feeling around for slippers.
Marcy says
My daughter is a picky eater, so I knew she would be buying and making some of her own food, despite the fact that she was on a dining plan. We put a number of spices in small food safe bags that we then put in a larger Ziploc bag. Instant spice cabinet!
We didn’t send her with a lot of the supplies we knew could easily be purchased on Amazon. She took enough for the time we thought it would take her to get settled, then ordered what she needed from Amazon and had it delivered to her. We also ordered things from Bed Bath and Beyond and then picked them up at the store that was local to her. This is how we bought the stand fan she used. It worked both as an air circulator and a white noise.
Detergent pods are a great idea, as is the stain stick that can be used to treat a stain today but not washed until a few days later.
Her small rechargeable screw driver was very popular and she loaned it out frequently. Having a sewing kit was also a popular thing.
The smartest thing we did was send her an air popcorn maker and a supply of popcorn a few days after she settled in. She could start the popcorn, open her room door, and watch the people pop up. there is just something about the smell of popcorn popping, right? This allowed her to meet her floor mates and helped stave off some of the freshman loneliness.
Marcy
Emily says
If she doesn’t have a microwave (many dorms don’t allow them) a hot pot is essential. That was she can boil water for tea, hot cocoa, ramen etc in the comfort of her own dorm room. Add in two mugs (one for her and one to share with a friend/roommate) and she’s set.
KAte says
I second this. I found my electric kettle to be invaluable! I could use it to make tea, boil water for noodles, instant oatmeal, ect.
Many dorms won’t allow microwaves or hot plates in the rooms because of the fire risk. Although, many dorms will offer a central location that will have a small kitchenette with a microwave available.
Rochelle says
The Amazon wish list has been a fabulous tool for my daughter and I to use. She ads things that she needs or wants and buys them when she has a little extra money. I’m able to go on any time I want and get her a little treat or necessity. She has things like a volley ball, novels, a cooking set, and waffle iron on her list.
Shannon says
An electric hot water kettle is handy for tea and coffee, if she gets one of those single-cup coffee makers that sits on top of your coffee cup (or a single-cup French press). These are also handy for ramen, etc.
Catherine Foster says
These are great ideas. My daughter will be going off to college in 2015, so I hope you repeat this column next year, along with any updates on what you/she learned over the course of the year.
KAte says
Also useful might be a Britta or similar type water filter. Depending on water source, age of pipes, ect the water might taste different. A charcoal filter can go a long way towards combating weird water.
Tina B says
This is a brilliant idea! Where my 2 boys (and this year my 3rd will go) attend/ed, the water tastes nasty. A Brita pitcher kept in the dorm suite’s fridge made all the difference for them. Now that they are in apartments, they are still using their Brita pitchers.
Belle says
My favorite was the bed bug mattress enclosure. There are all sorts of nasty bugs that get into dorms.
Sandra says
I’m a veteran college mom. Command hooks and Command poster hangers are the greatest! Also, mark everything. It’s a shock, but some college students will try to “jack” other people’s belongings. Or borrow them and not give them back. I also recommend a small tool kit – hammer, screwdriver (look for one with interchangeable bits), pliers, etc. My daughter used hers several times for odd things like fixing jeans buttons, pulling a nail out of a shoe, and putting together cheap furniture. Another shock is how much it costs to do laundry – it was $6 to wash and dry one load!
Mavis Butterfield says
$6??? Holy cow!
Lisa says
Also make sure to check that your homeowners insurance has adequate coverage for computers, cell phones, etc. Our insurance covered theft and storm damage. We added a rider to cover the computer should it have been bumped and ended up on the floor. Can’t remember if we had something extra for the cell phone or not. The rider was pennies compared to the cost of a new computer.
Our son also had a few bowls, utensils and reusable bottle. He would get cereal and milk for his next day’s breakfast. With an 8:00 a.m. class and 15 minute walk to get there he opted for a little more sleep and ate breakfast in his room.
Stephanie says
I have no advise as my kids are little (both under 5), but I am totally tearing up as I am reading all these comments knowing that in 10+ years I will be in the same boat and sending my girls off on their own. Stay strong Mavis! From what I have read on your blog The Girl is going to be fine and have so much fun at college 🙂
Rachel says
I don’t know if this would work for your daughter’s dorm but Bed, Bath & Beyond sells those bed frame lifters that are plastic and give you about another 8 inches of under-the-bed space to store stuff. I used them every year in college. Actually my first year of college we just bought cinder blocks for $1/piece and propped my bed up that way but they were a pain to haul up and down at the beginning and end of the semester.
I agree with another reader – MARK EVERYTHING. It seems silly but people won’t steal your stuff as willingly if your name is on it. And your stuff will disappear, it is sad but true.
Donna says
A locking foot trunk to keep her valuables in and so she can lock up her laptop when she’s not using it.
HollyG says
We found that the dorm beds were mostly twin XL which were a lot harder to find in stores in our area. I looked on line at a number of sites and the service that the college recommended for linens actually hard the best deal. The sheets were fine and lasted well.
Lana says
Target carries XL twin this time of year.
Lana says
Before purchasing a dorm fridge make sure that you are permitted to bring your own. Most colleges provide or require you to rent theirs these days.
Mavis says
Good idea to check!
Karin French says
$6 for a load of laundry, that’s crazy!! Thank goodness my son’s university doesn’t charge for laundry machines. But, with the cost of tuition, room, and board I think none should! My son uses sticky foam shelf liner for the bottom of all his plastic tubs and towers. The concrete floors are slippery and cold. This prevents them from sliding everywhere. Also, Febreeze, and lots of it! (Might be more of a guy thing though!!) The dorm beds are not comfy(shocker, right!). In addition to the bed bug mattress cover(essential!!)we got our son a foam topper for his bed. Our son goes back on Aug 9th for football. That following Wednesday I am flying to Seattle to visit my sister and family. My first time there and I am so excited! Maybe we will bump into each other, Mavis!!
Mavis says
Oh I think you’ll just love Seattle!! We sure do.
Karin French says
Coming from the East Coast I cannot wait! We are going to Pike Place Market on Thursday,14th. If you know of any other “must see” places, let me know!!
Karin French says
Mavis, this is hilarious! My son got an University update letter today. Apparently over the summer there were “high tech” washer and dryers put in the residential halls replacing the old ones(which were nice front loaders and dryers, btw!). Apparently these models can be accessed from his phone to monitor their availability and when his laundry is done. Now if only they can sort and fold for kids also!
Meryl says
I found an awesome deal on an alternative down comforter on Amazon and had it shipped to the airbnb host’s home I will be staying at while getting daughter situated. (I asked first of course- they said it would be ok!) We will be purchasing all kinds of stuff online and picking up in store near her college town in CO. This way we can take advantage of online discounts and codes and earn money back through online portals. Best of luck Mavis!!! This is a first for me too and I am so nervous!!! The closest drugstore to her is Walgreens so I will be earning points on our shared card for her shopping too!
Marg says
My two cents! Don’t bother with the bed lifts, as they are super unstable! Also, the 3M command hooks that allegedly can be removed after 10 months in the dorm without marking the walls, in fact, ripped a 2 huge chunks out of the wall. Never again! The school charges for the repair. Buy the teacher’s putty for hanging up posters. For the germaphobe, some rubber gloves, if she has to clean up anything – [can we say over served drunken suite mates?] Also, small wastebasket liners.
I could go on and on! Hope your daughter has a great time and smooth transition.