Dorm room essentials

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone bring a bong anymore?

Make your own in Bong101.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is a sophmore and moved into the dorms last weekend.

Bed[u]: Last year when I posted a similar question another poster pointed out that your kid's bed will be their "refuge" so make it as comfortable as possible.

-two sets of sheets; my son gets frequent nose bleeds in the middle of the night so we made sure to get him a dark color.
-comforter with a "t shirt"/jersey soft duvet cover
-throw blanket that is really soft
-an egg crate foam mattress topper (go for at least 3 inches thick)
-mattress pad

Shower: My son's dorm has a bathroom in between two bedrooms, with 2 students in each bedroom.
-two sets of bath towels, hand towels, wash cloth
-shower shoes/flip flops
-a caddy to organize all his toiletries (https://www.target.com/p/2-in-1-plastic-shower-caddy-gray-room-essentials-153/-/A-54284141?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Bath%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Bath&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9007589&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=CjwKCAjw1_PqBRBIEiwA71rmta-o3z8uvu0XtQttipOKaroI7YTzIST_lnZR--BFclkIvnllY7q1fxoCJ40QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
-all the typical toiletries
-a plunger to keep in the bathroom for all the suitemates to use. Yes, I'm sure the school provides one with housekeeping, but it's embarrassing to ask
His school provides the shower curtain, bath mat

-An over the door hanger https://www.target.com/p/over-the-door-quad-hook-satin-nickel-room-essentials-153/-/A-14034271?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BImprovement%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Home%2BImprovement&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9007589&gclid=CjwKCAjw1_PqBRBIEiwA71rmtbD4RZZpnxIUhYGrc0_8F2SGWLHhHYPSsOMlBvCIxvEPPnrJfQX-1hoCLM8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds to hang towels, jackets, etc. on

-Two rolling carts like this https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30401789/?gclid=CjwKCAjw1_PqBRBIEiwA71rmtVSJcctDog85pEl4REuldP8kKvdm68BxOvjZ8ROZlbjZZBc8xBQ6xBoCYVcQAvD_BwE (Michaels Craft store and Target have similar ones)
One he uses as a night stand and the other he uses to put snacks/dishes, etc. in

- A microwavable mug with lid https://www.corningware.com/products/5696/meal-mugs?sort_by=star_rating&sort_order=DESC, a couple spoons and forks, and a few dish towels and small bottle of dish detergent. He rents a microwave/fridge combo through his school, his school doesn't allow students to bring their own microwave.

-clothes, including rain-proof clothes because he walks long distances to class. Wrapping paper to create drawer liners for the drawers, hangers

-a hamper/laundry basket combo https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/pop-up-flip-trade-hamper-in-medieval-blue/1040293899?categoryId=13309&fromCollege=true

That's all I can think of right now...Anything you forget, Amazon can get to them in a few days. Unless your kid is going to Deep Springs College or something, chances are there are stores for basic supplies close by

This is so helpful. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't as fun to think about as dorm stuff but I wanted to share this: We didn't realize until a few weeks ago that it's a good idea to get your over-18 child a durable power of attorney document and an advance medical directive document (notarized and witnessed). If your kid ends up hospitalized and unable to communicate what he wants, you can't assume that medical professionals are all going to honor what you tell them to do or give you medical information just because "I'm the parent and the next of kin." These kids are legally adults and no doctor or bank "has" to let a parent know anything at all even if the student can't communicate. Yes, generally it's highly probable you'd be in the loop at least on medical things but don't assume it. Same goes for the bank if a student is incapacitated--that's why a power of attorney for financial and legal issues is important. I wasn't sure it was necessary but look on College Confidential for posts from parents who did end up needing those documents.

We told our DC that we very likely would never need to use these things but it was always better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. We were advised to keep the originals at home and send copies to college with DC. Maybe folks out there already know to do these documents but in the rush and excitement of the last summer before college we hadn't considered them.

We heard you the first 10

An advance directive is fine. No adult--or "over 18 child" is going to want to give you durable power of attorney without massive pressure from you--particularly if your stated definition of "incapacitated" is expansive.

Time to land the chopper.

[Anonymous]

Condoms - duh.

[Anonymous]

Renters insurance.

Small flashlights and batteries.

A transistor radio with batteries. (Make sure the kid knows how to use it.)

A regular little toolkit and an eyeglasses/phone toolkit.

A collection of different kinds of tape — Scotch, two-sided Scotch tale, masking tape and duct tape.

A first aid kit.

Splinter tweezers.

A wide range of footwear, especially if at a school where it’s hard to shop for shoes: water shoes, Crocs, snow boots (if relevant), dress shoes, hiking boots or boots, etc.

A big road atlas.

A paper map for the town where the college is.

Maybe a good road atlas for the state or region the college is in.

A package of Sharpies, and few fabric markers.

A big, heavy duty stapler. (With a warning that putting staples in trees can hurt trees and is wicked.)

A pack of cards with a book that describes some card games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone bring a bong anymore?

Make your own in Bong101.

No. It is all vaping now. Odorless and no bulky paraphernalia

[Anonymous]

A thermometer, so when they’re sick and phone you, they can tell you if their temp is normal or high.

For the international student, research a local bank and see if you need any special info/documentation to set up an account. Also check out phone plans, and whether it is better to get a local SIM card. For US students, research which ATMs the college has on site and see about opening an account with that bank, so the student doesn’t have to pay $$$ to withdraw cash.

Consider buying bulky items online and picking them up upon arrival at a local Walmart/Target - especially larger things like fans, pillows, mini fridge, comforters, lamps etc.

For regular prescriptions, consider using national chains (eg CVS, Target, Walmart). It makes it easier to pick up refills, because you can go to any branch, whether the student is at home or on campus - the pharmacy just looks up the student’s account on their computer.

[Anonymous]

A flu shot before they go, because they may not get around to it once they’re at college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A flu shot before they go, because they may not get around to it once they’re at college.

You can have them do it during thanksgiving break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A flu shot before they go, because they may not get around to it once they’re at college.

You can have them do it during thanksgiving break.

True, but I got my kid to do it before he left because a lot of students at his college are returning from study abroad or from their homes in the Southern Hemisphere where it is winter/flu season. When he was in elementary school, he’d get sick by October every year, as the kiddos all returned to school each September and shared the germs they’d picked up on vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't as fun to think about as dorm stuff but I wanted to share this: We didn't realize until a few weeks ago that it's a good idea to get your over-18 child a durable power of attorney document and an advance medical directive document (notarized and witnessed). If your kid ends up hospitalized and unable to communicate what he wants, you can't assume that medical professionals are all going to honor what you tell them to do or give you medical information just because "I'm the parent and the next of kin." These kids are legally adults and no doctor or bank "has" to let a parent know anything at all even if the student can't communicate. Yes, generally it's highly probable you'd be in the loop at least on medical things but don't assume it. Same goes for the bank if a student is incapacitated--that's why a power of attorney for financial and legal issues is important. I wasn't sure it was necessary but look on College Confidential for posts from parents who did end up needing those documents.

We told our DC that we very likely would never need to use these things but it was always better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. We were advised to keep the originals at home and send copies to college with DC. Maybe folks out there already know to do these documents but in the rush and excitement of the last summer before college we hadn't considered them.

We heard you the first 10

An advance directive is fine. No adult--or "over 18 child" is going to want to give you durable power of attorney without massive pressure from you--particularly if your stated definition of "incapacitated" is expansive.

Time to land the chopper.

Land the chopper? Seriously? This is what adults in a family --including the adult college student -- do: They realize that life can and sometimes does throw you situations that are bad, like an incapacitating injury that means you not only need a medical directive but need someone to handle finances. They realize that insurance companies, hospitals, banks and colleges are not touchy-feely institutions that let mommy and daddy help out based just on the fact they're the parents. And they plan accordingly in the hope that the plan never gets used. Since the idea of a POA came up, I've found out that quite a few families do them for college students. No "massive pressure" involved. It doesn't mean parents are running their kids' daily lives at college. It just means there's less of a fight to be able to help if something serious happens. Which is exactly what the lawyer who did our documents found out when her son was seriously injured at college. Yeah, it can happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is off to the UK for university. We will purchase most things there. Any particular words of wisdom for an international student?

1. err on the side of less. there's always a way to buy on amazon and ship (locally - I don't mean international shipping).

2. do not overlook how you will get these things home/store for the next year.

My kid isn't off to the UK but does study a thousand miles from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Renters insurance.

Small flashlights and batteries.

A transistor radio with batteries. (Make sure the kid knows how to use it.)

A regular little toolkit and an eyeglasses/phone toolkit.

A collection of different kinds of tape — Scotch, two-sided Scotch tale, masking tape and duct tape.

A first aid kit.

Splinter tweezers.

A wide range of footwear, especially if at a school where it’s hard to shop for shoes: water shoes, Crocs, snow boots (if relevant), dress shoes, hiking boots or boots, etc.

A big road atlas.

A paper map for the town where the college is.

Maybe a good road atlas for the state or region the college is in.

A package of Sharpies, and few fabric markers.

A big, heavy duty stapler. (With a warning that putting staples in trees can hurt trees and is wicked.)

A pack of cards with a book that describes some card games.

great advice for the kid going to school in the 80s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Renters insurance.

Small flashlights and batteries.

A transistor radio with batteries. (Make sure the kid knows how to use it.)

A regular little toolkit and an eyeglasses/phone toolkit.

A collection of different kinds of tape — Scotch, two-sided Scotch tale, masking tape and duct tape.

A first aid kit.

Splinter tweezers.

A wide range of footwear, especially if at a school where it’s hard to shop for shoes: water shoes, Crocs, snow boots (if relevant), dress shoes, hiking boots or boots, etc.

A big road atlas.

A paper map for the town where the college is.

Maybe a good road atlas for the state or region the college is in.

A package of Sharpies, and few fabric markers.

A big, heavy duty stapler. (With a warning that putting staples in trees can hurt trees and is wicked.)

A pack of cards with a book that describes some card games.

great advice for the kid going to school in the 80s

Your list is more of a time capsule than dorm room essentials. Maps, books on how to play card games, radio, tape...do they even make this stuff anymore

[Anonymous]

Atlas - funny.