Dorm checklist--anything you'd recommend?

[Anonymous]

Screwdriver and hammer. We were stuck trying to take something apart to bring home, can’t remember what right now, but luckily some kid was still there and had what we needed!

[Anonymous]

Paper list of phone numbers. After Hurricane Sandy a lot of kids couldn’t charge phones and didn’t know numbers to call people. Also get roommates’ numbers and parents’ numbers and promise to only call in case of emergency. When my daughter had to go to ER I was so glad to be able to reach the roommate. Send a list of meds and health history on paper in case she needs doctor or ER. My daughter could not have remembered all the stuff she was asked, especially when upset. If it’s all written down it helps. They learn to take responsibility for health care in steps like that.

[Anonymous]

Lock box for meds, cash, Social Security card if she’ll be working.,

[Anonymous]

I'm one who did the "buy there" that was suggested here and regretted it SO much last year!

The university where my kid went gave them assigned move-in times. It was to help traffic flow and to ensure enough resources were available for all students.

My kid's move-in time was earlier than the stores opened. So we dropped off her stuff, set up as much as we could, and then headed to the stores once they opened... and they were swamped. We stood in line at BB&B for over an hour. Then we sat in traffic to get back to her dorm for over 45 mins. Stuff we picked over or completely gone at Walmart, Target, etc.

Also, we were against the clock because after their move-in time, they were supposed to head down to a new student all day picnic where they also learned more about the various on-campus activities, so she missed a big portion of that.

Then we had to wait in a secondary line to be able to drop off the stuff we bought because it was not her scheduled time. All the while the RAs and dorm advisors (her college has a professor who lives in each dorm to oversee everyone) were requesting parents to start vacating the dorms to give the kids time to start adjusting.

Everyone else who brought their stuff had cute rooms all set up and ready for the first day of class and hers just looked like a disaster area with bags of stuff all over. I felt horrible leaving, but she was antsy to get down to the picnic and begin making friends, etc.

I will NEVER do that agian. DCUM failed me! This year I have another one going off and everything has been purchased and packed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one who did the "buy there" that was suggested here and regretted it SO much last year!

The university where my kid went gave them assigned move-in times. It was to help traffic flow and to ensure enough resources were available for all students.

My kid's move-in time was earlier than the stores opened. So we dropped off her stuff, set up as much as we could, and then headed to the stores once they opened... and they were swamped. We stood in line at BB&B for over an hour. Then we sat in traffic to get back to her dorm for over 45 mins. Stuff we picked over or completely gone at Walmart, Target, etc.

Also, we were against the clock because after their move-in time, they were supposed to head down to a new student all day picnic where they also learned more about the various on-campus activities, so she missed a big portion of that.

Then we had to wait in a secondary line to be able to drop off the stuff we bought because it was not her scheduled time. All the while the RAs and dorm advisors (her college has a professor who lives in each dorm to oversee everyone) were requesting parents to start vacating the dorms to give the kids time to start adjusting.

Everyone else who brought their stuff had cute rooms all set up and ready for the first day of class and hers just looked like a disaster area with bags of stuff all over. I felt horrible leaving, but she was antsy to get down to the picnic and begin making friends, etc.

I will NEVER do that agian. DCUM failed me! This year I have another one going off and everything has been purchased and packed!

Fly in the day before, rent a car and do all your shopping, move in at the appointed time, and bring everything up to the room at once.

[Anonymous]

I'm one who did the "buy there" that was suggested here and regretted it SO much last year!

The university where my kid went gave them assigned move-in times. It was to help traffic flow and to ensure enough resources were available for all students.

My kid's move-in time was earlier than the stores opened. So we dropped off her stuff, set up as much as we could, and then headed to the stores once they opened... and they were swamped. We stood in line at BB&B for over an hour. Then we sat in traffic to get back to her dorm for over 45 mins. Stuff we picked over or completely gone at Walmart, Target, etc.

Also, we were against the clock because after their move-in time, they were supposed to head down to a new student all day picnic where they also learned more about the various on-campus activities, so she missed a big portion of that.

Then we had to wait in a secondary line to be able to drop off the stuff we bought because it was not her scheduled time. All the while the RAs and dorm advisors (her college has a professor who lives in each dorm to oversee everyone) were requesting parents to start vacating the dorms to give the kids time to start adjusting.

Everyone else who brought their stuff had cute rooms all set up and ready for the first day of class and hers just looked like a disaster area with bags of stuff all over. I felt horrible leaving, but she was antsy to get down to the picnic and begin making friends, etc.

I will NEVER do that agian. DCUM failed me! This year I have another one going off and everything has been purchased and packed!

OP here--sorry this happened to you! We have an assigned move-in (elevator) time as well, so thanks for the warning.
We are still doing some light shopping, but should be ready to go later this month.

[Anonymous]

First aid kit including thermometer, various medicines, bandages
Tool kit including hammer, screwdriver, wrench, nails, screws
Flashlight and extra batteries
Shower shoes and hanging toiletry bag/shower caddy
Fan
Booklight
Water filter/pitcher and a nice water bottle and/or couple of tervis cups with lids.
Travel coffee mug/thermos
Headphones and/or ear plugs
Eye mask
Slippers/house shoes to wear around the dorm
Kleenex
Clorox wipes and/or cleaning spray
Laundry detergent and tide sticks
Coins for laundry?
Key ring or lanyard
Dish soap and small cleaning brush to wash out cups/mugs
Condoms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laundry detergent and tide sticks
Coins for laundry?

My kid's school requires pods in the washing machines.
No campus we visited had coin operated machines. They were either on some kind of account linked to your student ID, or they were free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm one who did the "buy there" that was suggested here and regretted it SO much last year!

The university where my kid went gave them assigned move-in times. It was to help traffic flow and to ensure enough resources were available for all students.

My kid's move-in time was earlier than the stores opened. So we dropped off her stuff, set up as much as we could, and then headed to the stores once they opened... and they were swamped. We stood in line at BB&B for over an hour. Then we sat in traffic to get back to her dorm for over 45 mins. Stuff we picked over or completely gone at Walmart, Target, etc.

Also, we were against the clock because after their move-in time, they were supposed to head down to a new student all day picnic where they also learned more about the various on-campus activities, so she missed a big portion of that.

Then we had to wait in a secondary line to be able to drop off the stuff we bought because it was not her scheduled time. All the while the RAs and dorm advisors (her college has a professor who lives in each dorm to oversee everyone) were requesting parents to start vacating the dorms to give the kids time to start adjusting.

Everyone else who brought their stuff had cute rooms all set up and ready for the first day of class and hers just looked like a disaster area with bags of stuff all over. I felt horrible leaving, but she was antsy to get down to the picnic and begin making friends, etc.

I will NEVER do that agian. DCUM failed me! This year I have another one going off and everything has been purchased and packed!

Fly in the day before, rent a car and do all your shopping, move in at the appointed time, and bring everything up to the room at once.

We drove in the night before but didn't get into town early enough to do any shopping. The trip was 3 hours but took almost 7 due to the amount of traffic going that way and some accidents. I don't think it would have done any good, though, because the move-in was based on grade so things were crazy each day. Thursday - juniors living on campus & out of season student-athletes, Friday - sophomores living on campus, Saturday - freshmen & new students, Sunday - seniors living on campus. Friday & Saturday were the busiest days because those groups have the most on-campus housing dwellers. As I said, by the time Saturday came, the stores were just cleaned out.

The one going to college this year is going to school in NYC so everything has already been packed and is being shipped. We're carrying very few things with us when we fly out.

[Anonymous]

NP here reading with interest as I'm starting to think ahead for my DD heading off to school NEXT Fall (2019). I've heard about shopping once you get there too, and the PP has given me pause. Thanks for posting your horror story! I have heard you should order online and just pick up your stuff in the store, which would have minimized the issues regarding everything being sold out - but not the issues with the lines... Think we'll just buy everything and have it ready to go!

Another tip I've heard is to clearly label everything. Some schools have students that help you bring things inside and unpack. They descend upon your cars and just start unloading! So things should have name/dorm/room number and maybe phone number? I've also heard it's helpful to have a rolling card/dolly to help minimize trips to/from the car.

[Anonymous]

Flew from NE to South a couple of days early. Went to Bed & Bath for items we already selected in NE and were put aside for us in a box. If u find the same item cheaper somewhere else or prefer another item, u just don’t buy the item when u do pickup. This reserves the item for u.

[Anonymous]

What is the deal with mattress toppers? Do all kids get these now-a-days? And if you have a topper, do you need a mattress pad too? And will your regular sheets fit over top of all these things? How much do people usually spend on these things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with mattress toppers? Do all kids get these now-a-days? And if you have a topper, do you need a mattress pad too? And will your regular sheets fit over top of all these things? How much do people usually spend on these things?

The mattresses are thin and lumpy. Mattress toppers provide cushion. I’d use a mattress pad too my kid probably couldn’t care less. Deep pocket extra long sheets will fit.

Assume sheets may be washed once a semester and lots of sex, spilled food and god knows what else on them. Plan accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What is the deal with mattress toppers? Do all kids get these now-a-days? And if you have a topper, do you need a mattress pad too? And will your regular sheets fit over top of all these things? How much do people usually spend on these things?


The mattresses are thin and lumpy. Mattress toppers provide cushion. I’d use a mattress pad too my kid probably couldn’t care less. Deep pocket extra long sheets will fit.

Assume sheets may be washed once a semester and lots of sex, spilled food and god knows what else on them. Plan accordingly.

Not unless your kid has allergies to dust mites, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm one who did the "buy there" that was suggested here and regretted it SO much last year!

I don't think people typically "buy there" when the college is only three hours away by car! We only did it because DD had to fly halfway acress the country.