Dorm checklist--anything you'd recommend?

[Anonymous]

I made a little medicine kit with ibuprofen, sedafed, cough medicine, cough drops, nasal spray, vitamins etc. By the time they are sick they don't feel like going to cvs.

laundry basket
access to the amazon prime account
mattress allergen cover and topper
storage drawers for under bed for socks, sweats etc
hangers
hooks
scope out local food places and do two gift cards to have an occasional meal outside the dining hall (sweet greens, panera). we have a vegan so was needed
uber account
flip flops for shower
wipes to clean room on move in (my DD's room was really gross due to summer housing before move in)
fan -- clip on is nice but not strong enough if really hot. we got a floor one from target
white board/cork board
long iPhone cable
water bottle
one plate, one bowl, one spoon, fork and knife
rent water cooler and split with roommates (hot and cold water)
rent micro fridge from school
scope out the dry cleaner if needed
netflix account password
print favorite pics in 4/6 or 5/7 so can do own collage on dorm wall
lamp if not supplied
add numbers to cell phone in advance (registrar, student health, advisor if known, student accounts)
febreeze if dorm floor carpeted
scale
sports equipment

[Anonymous]

I made a little medicine kit with ibuprofen, sedafed, cough medicine, cough drops, nasal spray, vitamins etc. By the time they are sick they don't feel like going to cvs.

laundry basket
access to the amazon prime account
mattress allergen cover and topper
storage drawers for under bed for socks, sweats etc
hangers
hooks
scope out local food places and do two gift cards to have an occasional meal outside the dining hall (sweet greens, panera). we have a vegan so was needed
uber account
flip flops for shower
wipes to clean room on move in (my DD's room was really gross due to summer housing before move in)
fan -- clip on is nice but not strong enough if really hot. we got a floor one from target
white board/cork board
long iPhone cable
water bottle
one plate, one bowl, one spoon, fork and knife
rent water cooler and split with roommates (hot and cold water)
rent micro fridge from school
scope out the dry cleaner if needed
netflix account password
print favorite pics in 4/6 or 5/7 so can do own collage on dorm wall
lamp if not supplied
add numbers to cell phone in advance (registrar, student health, advisor if known, student accounts)
febreeze if dorm floor carpeted
scale
sports equipment

Wonderful list! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

20:08 back to add

And, flocked hangers! DD has more closet space than drawer space. Flocked hangers really are space saving.

Good point....I think my DD's room (I saw one like it) will have more vertical closet space, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I made a little medicine kit with ibuprofen, sedafed, cough medicine, cough drops, nasal spray, vitamins etc. By the time they are sick they don't feel like going to cvs.

laundry basket
access to the amazon prime account
mattress allergen cover and topper
storage drawers for under bed for socks, sweats etc
hangers
hooks
scope out local food places and do two gift cards to have an occasional meal outside the dining hall (sweet greens, panera). we have a vegan so was needed
uber account
flip flops for shower
wipes to clean room on move in (my DD's room was really gross due to summer housing before move in)
fan -- clip on is nice but not strong enough if really hot. we got a floor one from target
white board/cork board
long iPhone cable
water bottle
one plate, one bowl, one spoon, fork and knife
rent water cooler and split with roommates (hot and cold water)
rent micro fridge from school
scope out the dry cleaner if needed
netflix account password
print favorite pics in 4/6 or 5/7 so can do own collage on dorm wall
lamp if not supplied
add numbers to cell phone in advance (registrar, student health, advisor if known, student accounts)
febreeze if dorm floor carpeted
scale
sports equipment

NO FEBREEZE - It is carcinogenic and people can have allergic reactions!

[Anonymous]

3M Command strip hooks for wet towels/rain coat. Two is enough, bring more to share is roommate(s).
whistle
flash light with extra batteries

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure anyone said this yet but extension cords and a longer cord for iphone - sometimes plugs are kind of far from beds.

[Anonymous]

Box fan

[Anonymous]

Why the need for bed risers? What do flocked hangers have over wire hangers?

[Anonymous]

First Aid kit including all the cough and cold medicine the kid prefer.
Brita filter - water tastes different everywhere.
sneaker balls - helps with the smell of the whole room.
good portable phone charger
a door stop - an open door helps to meet new people

[Anonymous]

Nowadays it is much easier for students just to get an Amazon Prime student account and have the stuff sent directly to them. I wouldn't sweat it OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the need for bed risers? What do flocked hangers have over wire hangers?

Bed risers allow for greater storage space under bed or bunking beds or putting in L configuration.

Flocked hangers are less bulky than nice wooden or plastic but sturdier than wire.

[Anonymous]

My son's school said ethernet cable on a long cord.

Apparently all the rooms have wireless, but a) plugging in is more reliable, and b) the cable jacks are always in the wrong place.

[Anonymous]

We shopped once we got there for dorm room stuff (other than bedding and towels). It helped that we brought a measuring tape with us. Useful items included charging station (depending on number of electronics/outlets) and power strip. Over door hooks for coats and towels. Underbed drawers. A good thermos (DC’s a STEM kid in a cold climate — so long days away from the dorm. So it helped to be able to grab tea or coffee (or add hot water to chai mix) from the cafeteria at breakfast and/or lunch.

We also did a Target run and treated DC to first round of OTC meds, toiletries, laundry supplies, and power bars. PITA to lug home (or procure once you’re sick) and expensive to do all at once.

[Anonymous]

My oldest will be a freshman this year, but I saw on a list/message board somewhere that a GOOD plunger (if they don't have a communal bathroom down the hall) is a must have.

So I bought one for my son and his suite mates. They will be 4 guys sharing a bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Everything that has been listed above by PPs plus:
- Dustbuster handvac or dustpan w/small broom
- Small rug for by the bed
- Hand sanitizer
- Caddy for toothbrush (to avoid leaving it in the communal bathroom and being exposed to cross-use)
- Small lamp
- Printer - two kids wanted and one didn't (b/c he uses his sister's at the same school which annoys her to no end but it is what it is)
- Printer paper & extra cartridges for the kids with the printer
- Extra flash drives
- Small hammer, screw driver kit
- lots of Command strips of varying sizes
- stapler, scotch tape and masking tape

We also start out each kid with a case of water & some snacks that go in a plastic bin with a tight lid. The first aid kit items recommended above are really helpful for your kids to have!