Dorm checklist--anything you'd recommend?

[Anonymous]

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.

I could never do this--we would forget too many things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We are flying a few days early. Planning to spend time in the city and shop before heading out to the more rural college location. It helps if you have a good idea of what the room will look like. We've been searching for photos and videos since dorm assignments came out.

Didn't their school have an orientation? Many colleges now have orientation well before move-in day so your DC can register for classes,etc. It's a good chance to see the rooms, take measurements, and meet roommates in advance.

NP here - sometimes this works, but sometimes it doesn't. Kid #1 - she had her dorm assignment, but her dorm was locked up for the summer, so she couldn't see the inside while we were there for orientation. Kid #2 actually stayed in his assigned building (not the exact room) during orientation, so he was better prepared for exactly what to expect. As for meeting roommates, well, that only works if they happened to attend the same orientation. We went 1 for 2 on that front as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We are flying a few days early. Planning to spend time in the city and shop before heading out to the more rural college location. It helps if you have a good idea of what the room will look like. We've been searching for photos and videos since dorm assignments came out.

Didn't their school have an orientation? Many colleges now have orientation well before move-in day so your DC can register for classes,etc. It's a good chance to see the rooms, take measurements, and meet roommates in advance.

Colleges handle orientation different ways. At this school, it is the week before classes start. So freshmen move in, have orientation, then start classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I could never do this--we would forget too many things.

Everybody forgets something or something that you got won't work in the dorm room after all and needs to be exchanged. The point is, that you get MOST everything up on the move in day.

You (or your kid) can go out shopping afterwards for whatever else they might need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I've seen, most of the kids have t.v.s in their dorm rooms. The screens are bigger and it's easier to have friends in to watch a game or whatever.

Better to have a friend with this arrangement than to be that person. Do you want people hanging out in your room all the time? If so, be the kid with the TV. If not, be the other guy.

And seriously they'll be playing Fortnite anyway

I had a t.v. in my dorm room. I had friends in to watch shows from time to time. It wasn't a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.


I could never do this--we would forget too many things.


Everybody forgets something or something that you got won't work in the dorm room after all and needs to be exchanged. The point is, that you get MOST everything up on the move in day.

You (or your kid) can go out shopping afterwards for whatever else they might need.

OP here. We are taking DC to a large city 12 hours away. We won't be there to shop afterwards, and DC won't have a car to get to shopping areas easily, so for us, the point is to be as thorough as possible.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.


I could never do this--we would forget too many things.


Everybody forgets something or something that you got won't work in the dorm room after all and needs to be exchanged. The point is, that you get MOST everything up on the move in day.

You (or your kid) can go out shopping afterwards for whatever else they might need.

OP here. We are taking DC to a large city 12 hours away. We won't be there to shop afterwards, and DC won't have a car to get to shopping areas easily, so for us, the point is to be as thorough as possible.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

Check out this website www.Amazon.com. They have a pretty wide selection and will deliver for free if you spend over $25. Also most large cities have public transportation to shopping areas.

[Anonymous]

Check out this website www.Amazon.com. They have a pretty wide selection and will deliver for free if you spend over $25. Also most large cities have public transportation to shopping areas.

Please don't ruin this nice thread with your snarkiness. Not all dorms will accept packages from Amazon, as has already been mentioned in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Check out this website www.Amazon.com. They have a pretty wide selection and will deliver for free if you spend over $25. Also most large cities have public transportation to shopping areas.

Please don't ruin this nice thread with your snarkiness. Not all dorms will accept packages from Amazon, as has already been mentioned in this thread.

+1
Lol imagining kid on public bus with area rug, mattress topper, plunger, and stick vacuum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.


I could never do this--we would forget too many things.


Everybody forgets something or something that you got won't work in the dorm room after all and needs to be exchanged. The point is, that you get MOST everything up on the move in day.

You (or your kid) can go out shopping afterwards for whatever else they might need.

OP here. We are taking DC to a large city 12 hours away. We won't be there to shop afterwards, and DC won't have a car to get to shopping areas easily, so for us, the point is to be as thorough as possible.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

I'm sure that you'll remember the big things. The smaller stuff she can always get at the bookstore or if worse came to worse I suppose she could use Uber to get to/from Target or Walmart. I'll be she and her friends will be figuring out how to get around in the big city.

I know it's nerve wracking to think about it as a parent but our kids are extremely capable. They will manage . Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

They have these solar chargers for sale on places like Groupon. They are widely used in the developing world. But they are also great for things like a power outage, hurricane etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the buy there idea... some colleges have Amazon same/next day delivery. Some suffer a run on the local stores and it's insane to attempt to buy anything.

Bed Bath & Beyond has a program where you can shop for items at your local store and arrange to have them delivered to the store closest to the dorm. Sort of like a bridal registry. I imagine other chains do the same.

Also: Condoms.

And a bong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea what my son's dorm room will look like - teeny tiny!

Less is more. Focus on needs: bedding (mattress pad, sheets, comforter, blanket), desk/floor lamp, fan, mini fridge if not provided by the university, hamper for dirty clothes, t.v., towels, bath caddy, caddy for cleaning supplies, First Aid kit, stick vacuum.

I got my son a 5X7 area rug that is light weight and easy to transport. I also got him a camp chair that he can use in his dorm room to watch t.v., he can take it outside or anywhere else he might need a portable chair. He also ordered some posters/wall art for his room.

A vacumum? Wow I am sure my son would not consider that a need. Caddy for cleaning supplies? Will he be cleaning other rooms? I am impressed.

He and his suite mates are responsible for cleaning their bathroom (they do room checks so, yes, it does have to be cleaned). And, yes, he needs cleaning supplies.

The stick vacuum is up to him to use. If he gets dirt on his rug from hauling in sports equipment at least he'll have something to vacuum it up with. I got the vacuum for cheap on sale with a coupon so if he doesn't wind up using it, oh well. At least he has one.

My kid says no TV. He can stream anything he wants on his laptop. Some colleges eve have streaming services that all students have access to.

From what I've seen, most of the kids have t.v.s in their dorm rooms. The screens are bigger and it's easier to have friends in to watch a game or whatever.

We were told not to bring a tv because they could get cable on the computer. We're just buying our kid a decent monitor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Check out this website www.Amazon.com. They have a pretty wide selection and will deliver for free if you spend over $25. Also most large cities have public transportation to shopping areas.

Please don't ruin this nice thread with your snarkiness. Not all dorms will accept packages from Amazon, as has already been mentioned in this thread.

+1
Lol imagining kid on public bus with area rug, mattress topper, plunger, and stick vacuum

I guess you are not familiar with what delivery means? We ordered a fridge after arriving to save room in the car. OK..if your school does not allow packages but I have never heard of that so I assume it is not the norm.

[Anonymous]

Here is a pretty definitive list of what to bring: http://www.hercampus.com/life/campus-life/what-bring-college-best-college-packing-list-ever