Did you buy a dorm kit and from where?

[Anonymous]

I received a bunch of flyers about buying bedding, lamps, etc. package and thought it was a rip off, so I threw them away. Now, that I am looking to buy it, it actually seems that it was a decent price! Did you buy one of these kits and if you don't mind sharing the retailer? Also, what did you find your DC really needed for dorm and campus living, and what was a waste of money? Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

I would not gamble. I think the quality souls be hit or miss. There is a big range in quality if sheets or towels; and I would think for these comoanies to make a profit they are probably on the lower end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not gamble. I think the quality souls be hit or miss. There is a big range in quality if sheets or towels; and I would think for these comoanies to make a profit they are probably on the lower end.

So you recommend buying everything separately? Did you make your own list or follow the one university recommended? I had friends tell me that they bought too much and rarely needed most of the things and it just took space. Thanks for any advice you can offer. DS's college is about 3 hours away from us, btw.

[Anonymous]

Bed Bath and Beyond.

The freshman dorm had 2 bedrooms and a shared bathroom for the 4 girls. The school provided bunk beds, desks with terrible chairs, and a single tiny dresser which they expected 17-18 year old girls to share.

So she needed:
2 complete sets of TWIN XL bedding
2 lamps (one over bed, one on desk)
a desk organizer
an ergonomic chair
clothing storage
shower caddy

She appreciated the little extras like:
a little rug next to the bed
a safe that attached to the bunk bed for her ADHD medication, BC pills, cash, valuables, and documents like her passport
a tray that attached to the bunk bed

[Anonymous]

We were tempted by the package but discovered that the sheets had polyester and may be scratchy (my older niece advised us against it).

Went to Ikea and spent under $200 for really nice stuff. Feather duvet, 100% cotton duvet cover, 100% cotton sheets, cute desk lamp, giant down throw pillow, 100% cotton towels, throw rug, bath rug, tons of hangers, wastebasket, lots more odds and ends. Great colors, cute designs, so cheap.
Also hit Target-got a great square ottoman/storage container that is also a seat-$17.99 and the standard milk crate type boxes $3.50 each. They also have nice micro fiber sheet sets for $16.00-great colors. Don't forget to get TWIN XL sheets!!

We forgot a mattress cover so went to Bed Bath Beyond later and prices were way more there.

Heading to college next week with all the stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bed Bath and Beyond.

The freshman dorm had 2 bedrooms and a shared bathroom for the 4 girls. The school provided bunk beds, desks with terrible chairs, and a single tiny dresser which they expected 17-18 year old girls to share.

So she needed:
2 complete sets of TWIN XL bedding
2 lamps (one over bed, one on desk)
a desk organizer
an ergonomic chair
clothing storage
shower caddy

She appreciated the little extras like:
a little rug next to the bed
a safe that attached to the bunk bed for her ADHD medication, BC pills, cash, valuables, and documents like her passport
a tray that attached to the bunk bed

Thank you so much! This is awesome, university list is 3 pages long and quite frankly with all the other expenses, it is becoming insane. How many towels did she need? DS will be playing varsity sports, so I have to add things for that as well. Did you find your DD needed a safe to put her laptop in? DS has a very pricey laptop, so I am worried about stealing. He is my first off to college, so I am a bit clueless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We were tempted by the package but discovered that the sheets had polyester and may be scratchy (my older niece advised us against it).

Went to Ikea and spent under $200 for really nice stuff. Feather duvet, 100% cotton duvet cover, 100% cotton sheets, cute desk lamp, giant down throw pillow, 100% cotton towels, throw rug, bath rug, tons of hangers, wastebasket, lots more odds and ends. Great colors, cute designs, so cheap.
Also hit Target-got a great square ottoman/storage container that is also a seat-$17.99 and the standard milk crate type boxes $3.50 each. They also have nice micro fiber sheet sets for $16.00-great colors. Don't forget to get TWIN XL sheets!!

We forgot a mattress cover so went to Bed Bath Beyond later and prices were way more there.

Heading to college next week with all the stuff.

Thank you so much! I will be heading off to Ikea too. All your suggestions are great. I am glad now I didn't get the dorm kit. Ottoman/container sounds like a great idea. I am so glad I have Dcum community to help me. You are the best!

[Anonymous]

Also, don't panic that everything has to be purchased now!!! She can always order items online if there aren't good options at stores in the local area.

[Anonymous]

if your kid is coming home for fall break or you will be visiting for parents weekend you can take items then.

I think only one set of sheets are necessary. Kid can take them off bed and wash them an putvthem back on. Otherwise you have to store the second set.

Also you may want to wait or check with your school before buying another chair. Some schools you may have to store the extra to retire at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Extension cords & multi plug cords

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bed Bath and Beyond.

The freshman dorm had 2 bedrooms and a shared bathroom for the 4 girls. The school provided bunk beds, desks with terrible chairs, and a single tiny dresser which they expected 17-18 year old girls to share.

So she needed:
2 complete sets of TWIN XL bedding
2 lamps (one over bed, one on desk)
a desk organizer
an ergonomic chair
clothing storage
shower caddy

She appreciated the little extras like:
a little rug next to the bed
a safe that attached to the bunk bed for her ADHD medication, BC pills, cash, valuables, and documents like her passport
a tray that attached to the bunk bed

Thank you so much! This is awesome, university list is 3 pages long and quite frankly with all the other expenses, it is becoming insane. How many towels did she need? DS will be playing varsity sports, so I have to add things for that as well. Did you find your DD needed a safe to put her laptop in? DS has a very pricey laptop, so I am worried about stealing. He is my first off to college, so I am a bit clueless.

She had two huge bath towels and several smaller ones, but they were all whites ones that we already had at home. Groupon has these periodically.

For the laptop, we just used the cable kit that traveled with her to the library as well. The cable came from Amazon and was under $30.

[Anonymous]

Take note of the cabling recommendations. Ethernet cable may be necessary. The wireless in dorms can be pretty bad.
If you're buying towels , I would get some that differentiate hers from others. Athletes run through a lot of towels - 3 bath and 6 hand towel size for the sports bag.
Net laundry bag for socks in washer/dryer.
Command Hooks
Over the door hooks in normal and commercial widths
Full length mirror that hangs over a door.
Rented a fridge/microwave so included some microwave safe containers for reheating and storage along with some utensils
Lots of thin storage efficient hangers (Huggies from container store) plus some plastic ones for hanging wet laundry
Clothes steamer
Collapsible laundry basket (bed, bath and beyond) and dirty laundry bins (bought the thin net ones from Container Store)
Outfitted a first aid kit that included cold meds and injury related stuff plus the enzyme packets. Put a copy of the prescription card in that too. The kids never think about this until something happens then tey feel to bad to get to the CVS.
Temperpedic mattress pad, mattress cover for bed bugs and then top mattress pad. Dorm mattresses are about 3" thick
I also got a European size pillow as a backrest for the bed.

What we didn't initially buy but should have is a laptop cover that is shatter and waterproof. The kids tend to loft the beds for storage and big OOPs when they fall asleep with their computers in bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take note of the cabling recommendations. Ethernet cable may be necessary. The wireless in dorms can be pretty bad.
If you're buying towels , I would get some that differentiate hers from others. Athletes run through a lot of towels - 3 bath and 6 hand towel size for the sports bag.
Net laundry bag for socks in washer/dryer.
Command Hooks
Over the door hooks in normal and commercial widths
Full length mirror that hangs over a door.
Rented a fridge/microwave so included some microwave safe containers for reheating and storage along with some utensils
Lots of thin storage efficient hangers (Huggies from container store) plus some plastic ones for hanging wet laundry
Clothes steamer
Collapsible laundry basket (bed, bath and beyond) and dirty laundry bins (bought the thin net ones from Container Store)
Outfitted a first aid kit that included cold meds and injury related stuff plus the enzyme packets. Put a copy of the prescription card in that too. The kids never think about this until something happens then tey feel to bad to get to the CVS.
Temperpedic mattress pad, mattress cover for bed bugs and then top mattress pad. Dorm mattresses are about 3" thick
I also got a European size pillow as a backrest for the bed.

What we didn't initially buy but should have is a laptop cover that is shatter and waterproof. The kids tend to loft the beds for storage and big OOPs when they fall asleep with their computers in bed.

This is all very useful, thank you. I didn't even think of Ethernet cable! I realize I am completely unprepared for the actual dorm move, I am emotionally fine, but I better start working on it. Not much time left at all. He does need a ton of injury meds and creams for even when no injured. Thank you so much! He is on Everything Meal Plan, I wonder if he can take a container to cafeteria and then take some food for later at night? He is always hungry again past 9pm.

[Anonymous]

If there is a Target or equivalent in town wait to buy a lot of stuff until then. And kids make heavy use of Amazon Prime, especially in the beginning. You don't need everything before move in. Do get sheets, towels, pillows, mattress pad, thick foam pad, desk stuff, some snacks, power strips, stuff for the walls, command hooks and strips, etc. We also got 2 rolling underbed boxes for storage, and one kid had stacking plastic drawers for extra clothes.

Everyone has an expensive laptop. They need to be careful with them, but a safe shouldn't be necessary. Both my DCs locked their dorm doors though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is a Target or equivalent in town wait to buy a lot of stuff until then. And kids make heavy use of Amazon Prime, especially in the beginning. You don't need everything before move in. Do get sheets, towels, pillows, mattress pad, thick foam pad, desk stuff, some snacks, power strips, stuff for the walls, command hooks and strips, etc. We also got 2 rolling underbed boxes for storage, and one kid had stacking plastic drawers for extra clothes.

Everyone has an expensive laptop. They need to be careful with them, but a safe shouldn't be necessary. Both my DCs locked their dorm doors though.

Thank you for the advice. I will get the basics first, and take it from there. There is a Target, but I am trying not to pay the premium as I think prices in college town will be more than here. Maybe I am wrong? DS will be sharing a room with another student, so hopefully both will use common sense when it comes to safety.