can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine that any college boy is going to wash a duvet cover at school.

If there is one that exists I'm conflicted about whether I'd want to meet him or not.

This is the toxic parenting stuff I had to work through a generation ago. People still putting this on their kids? Real men don’t do laundry? Good lord.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you’re looking for other suggestions, hope this helps, from a parent of a boy and a girl both currently in college:

Things both of mine find/found useful include:

A few IKEA frakta bags with zippers. Great for storage etc. You can use them as checked bags on flights (double them) but I found sturdier duffels on Amazon.
Bed in a bag. Homegoods usually gets a big shipment of those in Twin XL in late summer.
Bathrobe for the girl
Slides for hanging out in the dorm footwear
Command strips and yes the shelf and yes put painters tape on the wall and the command on top
Power strip
Extension cords that can reach up high
Fairly lights for the girl
Strip lights for the guy
They picked this stuff out btw
Slim hangers
Mirror
Lamp for desk
A couple things for the wall like a quilted board or a flag, pics of friends and family, maybe a mini cord with clips to hang them from. They can decide
Some covered plastic bins. A few sizes. Costco had a great size so one could be medicine, one a few cleaning products etc
Shoe rack
Over the door hooks (substantial size) to hang towels or backpack or rain jacket etc
Shoe pocket thing for over one of the doors to hold all sorts of things
Ottoman with storage
Damp rid
Dustpan or dirt devil
Basic med supplies including theraflu. Dorm flu, frat flu hit them all
A microwave is nice if you can.
Tall garbage pail
Basics like a mug or two, ziplocs, scissors, painters tape. One kid likes tea so sent an electric kettle but ended up using the micro. The other likes coffee so got a mini keurig.
TV and mini fridge they worked out with the roommate. Area rug same. That was really nice to have.
Extra shoes even if they say no bc they will get rained on and soaked
Dressy outfits/dresses for the girl and at least one nice outfit for the guy with jacket and tie. They get asked to things or they rush, so it’s nice to have.
Gift cards to local places for a treat
Just think about organizing containers etc that will help them keep their stuff accessible. Space is so tight. Total chaos not good when they’re starting out.
My daughter actually flipped over a comfort stuffed animal from Target. My son did not want more than one pillow but ended up liking the extra one and the throw pillow bc they are sitting upright a lot up there and it makes it comfortable.
I guess basically let them take the lead. You can gently suggest and don’t take it personally when they say no. They can order things after move in.
Space is so limited. Lighting and storage and decor of their choosing are really great. I found both to be super nervous and a little irritable during move in, but all good in the end. It’s their time.

Things they ended up not using:
Extra bedding or towels - there’s no room
Bed skirt.
Flashlights (they only want their phone)
Britta pitcher/filter - took up too much space and they instead used the dorm water filling stations
Multi hangers that hang a bunch of clothes together - didn’t end up using

I also found them getting pretty nervous over the summer so working on their lists and picking stuff up helped.
It will be great! Don’t worry 😊

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you’re looking for other suggestions, hope this helps, from a parent of a boy and a girl both currently in college:

Things both of mine find/found useful include:

A few IKEA frakta bags with zippers. Great for storage etc. You can use them as checked bags on flights (double them) but I found sturdier duffels on Amazon.
Bed in a bag. Homegoods usually gets a big shipment of those in Twin XL in late summer.
Bathrobe for the girl
Slides for hanging out in the dorm footwear
Command strips and yes the shelf and yes put painters tape on the wall and the command on top
Power strip
Extension cords that can reach up high
Fairly lights for the girl
Strip lights for the guy
They picked this stuff out btw
Slim hangers
Mirror
Lamp for desk
A couple things for the wall like a quilted board or a flag, pics of friends and family, maybe a mini cord with clips to hang them from. They can decide
Some covered plastic bins. A few sizes. Costco had a great size so one could be medicine, one a few cleaning products etc
Shoe rack
Over the door hooks (substantial size) to hang towels or backpack or rain jacket etc
Shoe pocket thing for over one of the doors to hold all sorts of things
Ottoman with storage
Damp rid
Dustpan or dirt devil
Basic med supplies including theraflu. Dorm flu, frat flu hit them all
A microwave is nice if you can.
Tall garbage pail
Basics like a mug or two, ziplocs, scissors, painters tape. One kid likes tea so sent an electric kettle but ended up using the micro. The other likes coffee so got a mini keurig.
TV and mini fridge they worked out with the roommate. Area rug same. That was really nice to have.
Extra shoes even if they say no bc they will get rained on and soaked
Dressy outfits/dresses for the girl and at least one nice outfit for the guy with jacket and tie. They get asked to things or they rush, so it’s nice to have.
Gift cards to local places for a treat
Just think about organizing containers etc that will help them keep their stuff accessible. Space is so tight. Total chaos not good when they’re starting out.
My daughter actually flipped over a comfort stuffed animal from Target. My son did not want more than one pillow but ended up liking the extra one and the throw pillow bc they are sitting upright a lot up there and it makes it comfortable.
I guess basically let them take the lead. You can gently suggest and don’t take it personally when they say no. They can order things after move in.
Space is so limited. Lighting and storage and decor of their choosing are really great. I found both to be super nervous and a little irritable during move in, but all good in the end. It’s their time.

Things they ended up not using:
Extra bedding or towels - there’s no room
Bed skirt.
Flashlights (they only want their phone)
Britta pitcher/filter - took up too much space and they instead used the dorm water filling stations
Multi hangers that hang a bunch of clothes together - didn’t end up using

I also found them getting pretty nervous over the summer so working on their lists and picking stuff up helped.
It will be great! Don’t worry 😊

This is a good list. I have 3 kids in college and concur on everything but the towels and sheets. My DCs (all girls) used the extra sheets and towels. They also all use duvets and wash them every week!

[Anonymous]

concur. will add, depends on room. I had one kid in a suite with a common room. tv (they used projector) nice. in a reg old double a tv is a lot. they watch their own shit on a laptop

[Anonymous]

might consider a cable lock if they take their laptop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine that any college boy is going to wash a duvet cover at school.

If there is one that exists I'm conflicted about whether I'd want to meet him or not.

This is the toxic parenting stuff I had to work through a generation ago. People still putting this on their kids? Real men don’t do laundry? Good lord.

Are you a homophobe? Or just think women should do laundry for the boys? Would you be okay meeting a girl who washed her duvet? There's something very messsed up about a society that has people who say things like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:might consider a cable lock if they take their laptop

A cable lock for their laptop? Is laptop theft a thing?

[Anonymous]

Stupid question, how does the regular twin size quilt would fit the xl twin bed? DS uses a thin quilt at home, and layers up with fleece blanket in winter. The quilt he has does not come on xl. I have a spare that would like to Susie for the dorm, but xl thing is throwing me off! We got the xl bed sheets and toppers.
Thanks for all the good advice in this post!

Signed bya very first time mama sending her only child to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:don't send a boy to college with a duvet and cover. but a sleepyhead topper is great.

I get this position, but also it's kind of crazy to me. A comforter seems so hard to wash and a duvet cover so easy. (I get that putting a duvet cover on is hard!). maybe college laundry has big giant machines?

What is hard about putting on a duvet cover? Do you guys not know about the inside-out trick?

We use a top sheet and light blanket. And wash the comforter or duvet rarely. Do people wash these regularly? And expect a college kid to wash them weekly?

We wash the duvets in our house once a week, just like the sheets. This is why we have duvets and not comforters- so easy to clean.

Next to zero duvets are being washed in the dorm laundry room weekly. Unless it's the Yale mom coming back to do her kid's laundry.

At least her kids speak to her! Fleece Blanket Mom couldn't get her kid to take a picture with her.

Oh no.

That is a different mom.

My kids take pictures because they are so grateful to nor have to fluff a beer soaked duvet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine that any college boy is going to wash a duvet cover at school.

If there is one that exists I'm conflicted about whether I'd want to meet him or not.

Or fluff.

What college boy fluffa anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question, how does the regular twin size quilt would fit the xl twin bed? DS uses a thin quilt at home, and layers up with fleece blanket in winter. The quilt he has does not come on xl. I have a spare that would like to Susie for the dorm, but xl thing is throwing me off! We got the xl bed sheets and toppers.
Thanks for all the good advice in this post!

Signed bya very first time mama sending her only child to college.

What you have is perfect!

[Anonymous]

Hamilton offers advice on "Absolute Basic Necessities" and "Optional Items":

https://share.google/2WKoiuosNmuzNTPk6

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hamilton offers advice on "Absolute Basic Necessities" and "Optional Items":

https://share.google/2WKoiuosNmuzNTPk6

These are actually “UNecessities”:
alarm clock radio
addresses for loved ones
stamps
message board
(these are pre-cell phone items)
laundry drying rack
extra sets sheets

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Make sure to get twin (long) flat and sheet. A blanket, pillow and a fan!

Maybe a robe, shower slipper, and caddy.

Then bring their usual self care and school stuff, plus a new water bottle.

All of this, plus an inexpensive mattress topper. Also a cheap nightstand with fabric drawers, a small lamp for that, a desk lamp, and two long surge protectors. Nothing remotely fancy. Including a few items of new clothing, I spent ~$400.

never saw a college boy wear a robe. and never saw a college boy with a nightstand w/lamp. None of my kids' freshmen dorms could have accommodated a night - the rooms are too small for that.

If they don't wear a robe, what are they wearing to and from the shower down the hall?

are you from the planet earth?

huh?

I can't remember the last time I saw a human wearing a robe outside of a hotel spa or an advertisement.

My dd loves her bathrobe - she has the same one at school that she has at home. Not because she needs something go walk through the hallway in, but because she finds it cozy to throw a bathrobe on right after the shower. My ds will no doubt do what he does at home - throw a towel around his waist and go. Def send shower shoes - mine just use their adidas slides. And I agree with most others re bedding - a good mattress topper, a waterproof mattress pad, threshold sheets from target and an inexpensive comforter that will wash well. A good pillow is key. Under bed storage. Don't send too. many clothes. And my kids like having a nightstand for books, alarm clock, water bottle.The poster who said send meds is absolutely right - I made a box of cold medicine, advil, vitamins, bandaids, etc. Came in very handy. Also the air purifier, fan and desk lamp are impt IMO.

I think OP has a boy.

No robes.

My son wants a robe. He'll be on a mixed gender floor.

My kid's school had to give a big lecture meeting to the students on the coed floor of the dorm last year. A couple of the foreign male students were opening shower curtains on the girls, then claiming unawareness that someone was inside. They also had to scold all the males on the floor for their peeing habits, getting pi$$ all over the seats, back of the toilet where the tank meets the seat, not flushing after peeing. Getting pee down the front of the toilet, leaving seats up, etc, etc.

If I had a girl instead of boys, there is zero chance I would let them sign up for a dorm with coed bathrooms. I imagine any girl without brothers was completely disgusted by their first time sharing bathrooms with boys.

The bathrooms are unisex?

Many are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure to get twin (long) flat and sheet. A blanket, pillow and a fan!

Maybe a robe, shower slipper, and caddy.

Then bring their usual self care and school stuff, plus a new water bottle.

All of this, plus an inexpensive mattress topper. Also a cheap nightstand with fabric drawers, a small lamp for that, a desk lamp, and two long surge protectors. Nothing remotely fancy. Including a few items of new clothing, I spent ~$400.

never saw a college boy wear a robe. and never saw a college boy with a nightstand w/lamp. None of my kids' freshmen dorms could have accommodated a night - the rooms are too small for that.

If they don't wear a robe, what are they wearing to and from the shower down the hall?

are you from the planet earth?

huh?

I can't remember the last time I saw a human wearing a robe outside of a hotel spa or an advertisement.

My dd loves her bathrobe - she has the same one at school that she has at home. Not because she needs something go walk through the hallway in, but because she finds it cozy to throw a bathrobe on right after the shower. My ds will no doubt do what he does at home - throw a towel around his waist and go. Def send shower shoes - mine just use their adidas slides. And I agree with most others re bedding - a good mattress topper, a waterproof mattress pad, threshold sheets from target and an inexpensive comforter that will wash well. A good pillow is key. Under bed storage. Don't send too. many clothes. And my kids like having a nightstand for books, alarm clock, water bottle.The poster who said send meds is absolutely right - I made a box of cold medicine, advil, vitamins, bandaids, etc. Came in very handy. Also the air purifier, fan and desk lamp are impt IMO.

I think OP has a boy.

No robes.

My son wants a robe. He'll be on a mixed gender floor.

My kid's school had to give a big lecture meeting to the students on the coed floor of the dorm last year. A couple of the foreign male students were opening shower curtains on the girls, then claiming unawareness that someone was inside. They also had to scold all the males on the floor for their peeing habits, getting pi$$ all over the seats, back of the toilet where the tank meets the seat, not flushing after peeing. Getting pee down the front of the toilet, leaving seats up, etc, etc.

If I had a girl instead of boys, there is zero chance I would let them sign up for a dorm with coed bathrooms. I imagine any girl without brothers was completely disgusted by their first time sharing bathrooms with boys.

The bathrooms are unisex?

Many are.

Yes DS’s floor, including bathrooms, is ‘gender inclusive’. He could have opted out, but really didn’t care. He does want a bathrobe though.