Dorm room essentials

[Anonymous]

What is your DC taking with them?

[Anonymous]

Not much (guy) and he has to fly.

Fan, mattress pad, bedding, surge protector/power strip, laptop, headphones, phone chargers, clothes, a couple posters, towels. Resisting a lamp and fridge but I will prob bring those with tags on - and see what he says when we get there.

[Anonymous]

https://www.unpakt.com/blog/ultimate-college-packing-checklist/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your DC taking with them?

Really? There are thousands of these lists on the internet....just use your google and run along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not much (guy) and he has to fly.

Fan, mattress pad, bedding, surge protector/power strip, laptop, headphones, phone chargers, clothes, a couple posters, towels. Resisting a lamp and fridge but I will prob bring those with tags on - and see what he says when we get there.

He's flying with a fan? I'd buy everything on arrival that doesn't fit in a suitcase or two.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone bring a bong anymore?

[Anonymous]

The one thing I remember being the best idea I hadn't thought of was a robe for walking back and forth to the bathroom. My mom bought me one and I was glad to have it. There were a lot of guys milling around even though the dorm was all female!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not much (guy) and he has to fly.

Fan, mattress pad, bedding, surge protector/power strip, laptop, headphones, phone chargers, clothes, a couple posters, towels. Resisting a lamp and fridge but I will prob bring those with tags on - and see what he says when we get there.

He's flying with a fan? I'd buy everything on arrival that doesn't fit in a suitcase or two.

Yep. Small trunk that can be checked on Southwest and it fits a small fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone bring a bong anymore?

Pick up a new one when you get there

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[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?

Congratulations to your DC! I was that student at one time and we have family there so--three nieces, one at university, one just out, one just about to start. I figure you already know about getting international plug converters for anything electronic your DC is bringing from home (laptop charger, phone charger, etc.)--right? Also bring a photocopy of the passport picture page (makes it faster to deal with the US consulate if passport is lost and needs replacing). Copies of any other documents you and DC deem important enough to keep just in case. Clothing for layers for sure. Buy a fan there -- it was HOT, in the 90s, in much of Britain this summer and predictions are for hotter springs and Summer's to become the norm. There's no escape if you go indoors--dorms and flats, even new ones, very rarely have AC and on upper floors of many newer buildings you cannot open windows. Even in fall it can be stuffy inside--that is, when it's not damp inside. I say this with love and as a very frequent traveler....

One niece swears by nose-cancelling headphones because she had her "own" tiny bedroom but it was in a shared space with seven other students each in a single room with shared kitchen and lounge. Walls were like paper and she could hear every word spoken on either side of her. Said serious headphones saved her sanity. That's good advice in the US too.

[Anonymous]

Less is more
If you are not sure, dont take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Congratulations to your DC! I was that student at one time and we have family there so--three nieces, one at university, one just out, one just about to start. I figure you already know about getting international plug converters for anything electronic your DC is bringing from home (laptop charger, phone charger, etc.)--right? Also bring a photocopy of the passport picture page (makes it faster to deal with the US consulate if passport is lost and needs replacing). Copies of any other documents you and DC deem important enough to keep just in case. Clothing for layers for sure. Buy a fan there -- it was HOT, in the 90s, in much of Britain this summer and predictions are for hotter springs and Summer's to become the norm. There's no escape if you go indoors--dorms and flats, even new ones, very rarely have AC and on upper floors of many newer buildings you cannot open windows. Even in fall it can be stuffy inside--that is, when it's not damp inside. I say this with love and as a very frequent traveler....

One niece swears by nose-cancelling headphones because she had her "own" tiny bedroom but it was in a shared space with seven other students each in a single room with shared kitchen and lounge. Walls were like paper and she could hear every word spoken on either side of her. Said serious headphones saved her sanity. That's good advice in the US too.

Thank you! Good call on the fan. We were in France during the heatwave. Ugh!