can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I put it all in my shopping cart and it was $600. and that's on sale.

I dont need to save money, but do I need to go "nice" on everything? do I need it all?

mattress topper - can I go cheaper? like a $50 one or do I get the $150 one. or even the 250 one
mattress pad - this can be basic, right. and do you do a topper and a pad?
comforter vs duvet and cover (which is a lot more, but nicer)
sheets and towels - i can manage this part.


My son doesnt care about bedding.

We did get a nice Sleepyhead mattress pad and kid liked it. It was on sale, but still pricey but we just got a thinner one and it was fine. Can't speak to the cheapo ones but this is something I'd spend money on. You can buy any old cheap mattress encasement. Two sets of sheets, two sets of towels. Kid used a comforter, not a duvet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many towels?
My son uses every towel only once in high school (and does all his own laundry to keep
up at this rate). It's his one quirk that he insists on that the rest of us don't share. I can't imagine this will continue in college?

2 sets of towels, maybe more washcloths

[Anonymous]

One thing I'd recommend is a pre stocked box for when your kid gets sick - cough syrup, mucinex, cough drops, gatorade, tea, soup, thermometer, Covid tests, masks, etc. They WILL get sick and when they do, they are not going to feel like going to get all this stuff or even know what to get.

[Anonymous]

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.

Honestly, I know a desk lamp seems standard but kid didn't use hers. She had enough light in the room with the standard ceiling light and a floor lamp that we bought. She ended up giving her desk lamp away, which slighly annoyed me because we would have saved it for her younger sibling.

So maybe wait on this one and see if it's actually needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to buy when we got to college (a plane ride away) and then washed at the college during move in day - which DS thought was humiliating, but nobody noticed and the laundry room was me and 2 other moms doing the same thing. Anyway - that turned out to be a good idea because I could show DS how to use the laundry they had there. That, despite what other kids insisted, throwing a weeks worth of everything in the biggest machine and then into the biggest dryer was fine! And then use that same big machine for comforter if it dirty

do not recommend mom hanging around on move in day (and we're also a plane ride away for 2 kids). mom should definitely not be in the laundry room.

Not sure what you mean by hanging around. We were in at around 10am and then at the parents event at 1 and then left with everyone else. Laundry takes 45 minutes. Some of us had to buy sheets when we go there.

drop off stuff. picture if he's willing. leave.

NP you know colleges handle this different, right? Yale was a two-day affair!

you hang out in the kid's room for 2 days?! wow, Yale, you've changed

yep. two days. I guess you would be gone by 10:30AM on the 17th and judge others - you do you!

AUG 17
Move-in day
Events for families
AUG 18
Morning events for families
Suggested departure time for families (2:00 p.m.)
Afternoon and evening orientation events

you're conflating posts. of course you stick around for programs designed for parents. but parents don't hang around in the doors long after move in.

nobody here said they did. one parent said they did laundry at move in and one mom jumped all over her for *hanging* around for two days. ridiculous.

Nope. Doing your kid's laundry in the dorm on move in day IS "hanging around." If it takes you 2 hours or 2 days, that's a different matter.

That is your opinion and you are welcome to it, same as everyone else with a different opinion.

Why so judgy?

Seriously. I am getting flashbacks to the posts on here with moral indignation over potty training at age 2 vs age 3.
Certain parents just need meaningless things to feel superior about.

By 2, you've already missed the easiest window.

[Anonymous]

We are doing this for my son:

Air purifier (already have from our home)
Fan (already had from our home)
3 towels and 3 washcloths
Desk lamp (already have from our home)
Bath caddy (from Target)
Cleaning supplies (already have from home, will send more via Amazon later when he runs out)
Mini fridge (bought this new, a lot are on sale now)
Microwave (he is taking the extra one on our bar)
Hangers (already have from home)
Door hook (already have from home)
Bins under bed (already have from home)

He is super picky on bedding, so that is his only job. That has yet to be accomplished.

There is no way we are buying much new when we have it already in the home. Also, less is more. The dorms are so tiny and have to share it with someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Boys don't need a comforter or duvet.

Get them 2 fleece blankets and call it a day.

why are two fleece blankets superior to a comforter?

They are not, this is a weird comment. Just get your kid what they like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The most important thing that my 3 kids all actually thanked me for a few weeks in to school was the cold medicine i sent with them

Get a plastic shoe box from Dollar Tree. Fill with the big bottles of Day and Nyquil. Plus band aids, Ibuprofen and Tylenol, Vicks vapor rub, chapstick.

I would update and include some liquid IV powders.

They rolled their eyes when i put it together. Yes, there are stores but once you need this stuff you don't want to go to a store.

The crud comes on fast.

Yes! They will protest and roll their eyes and say they don't need this. And then they will get sick and they will be so thankful it's all there for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to buy when we got to college (a plane ride away) and then washed at the college during move in day - which DS thought was humiliating, but nobody noticed and the laundry room was me and 2 other moms doing the same thing. Anyway - that turned out to be a good idea because I could show DS how to use the laundry they had there. That, despite what other kids insisted, throwing a weeks worth of everything in the biggest machine and then into the biggest dryer was fine! And then use that same big machine for comforter if it dirty

do not recommend mom hanging around on move in day (and we're also a plane ride away for 2 kids). mom should definitely not be in the laundry room.

Not sure what you mean by hanging around. We were in at around 10am and then at the parents event at 1 and then left with everyone else. Laundry takes 45 minutes. Some of us had to buy sheets when we go there.

drop off stuff. picture if he's willing. leave.

NP you know colleges handle this different, right? Yale was a two-day affair!

you hang out in the kid's room for 2 days?! wow, Yale, you've changed

nope, nobody is hanging out in their kids rooms for 2 days. there's programming on campus. even my kid's college - not yale - had some great parenting presentations. We were there for two days - not in and out in 30 minutes. I know some are. Lehigh is notorious for not wanting parents out of the car. I dont think that's *better* to be honest.

They don't want parents out of the car? That's weird and a turnoff to me. My kid would have HATED that. We had just a few hours to move in, clean, and get her room set up. It took all 3 of us working constantly. And she wanted us there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to buy when we got to college (a plane ride away) and then washed at the college during move in day - which DS thought was humiliating, but nobody noticed and the laundry room was me and 2 other moms doing the same thing. Anyway - that turned out to be a good idea because I could show DS how to use the laundry they had there. That, despite what other kids insisted, throwing a weeks worth of everything in the biggest machine and then into the biggest dryer was fine! And then use that same big machine for comforter if it dirty

do not recommend mom hanging around on move in day (and we're also a plane ride away for 2 kids). mom should definitely not be in the laundry room.

Not sure what you mean by hanging around. We were in at around 10am and then at the parents event at 1 and then left with everyone else. Laundry takes 45 minutes. Some of us had to buy sheets when we go there.

drop off stuff. picture if he's willing. leave.

NP you know colleges handle this different, right? Yale was a two-day affair!

you hang out in the kid's room for 2 days?! wow, Yale, you've changed

nope, nobody is hanging out in their kids rooms for 2 days. there's programming on campus. even my kid's college - not yale - had some great parenting presentations. We were there for two days - not in and out in 30 minutes. I know some are. Lehigh is notorious for not wanting parents out of the car. I dont think that's *better* to be honest.

but hanging out in the dorm laundry room doing the kid's laundry? 👌

What's so weird about this? We were all pitching in to get the kid set up. If you're not washing the sheets, you'd be doing something else. Some of us help our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to buy when we got to college (a plane ride away) and then washed at the college during move in day - which DS thought was humiliating, but nobody noticed and the laundry room was me and 2 other moms doing the same thing. Anyway - that turned out to be a good idea because I could show DS how to use the laundry they had there. That, despite what other kids insisted, throwing a weeks worth of everything in the biggest machine and then into the biggest dryer was fine! And then use that same big machine for comforter if it dirty

do not recommend mom hanging around on move in day (and we're also a plane ride away for 2 kids). mom should definitely not be in the laundry room.

Not sure what you mean by hanging around. We were in at around 10am and then at the parents event at 1 and then left with everyone else. Laundry takes 45 minutes. Some of us had to buy sheets when we go there.

drop off stuff. picture if he's willing. leave.

NP you know colleges handle this different, right? Yale was a two-day affair!

you hang out in the kid's room for 2 days?! wow, Yale, you've changed

nope, nobody is hanging out in their kids rooms for 2 days. there's programming on campus. even my kid's college - not yale - had some great parenting presentations. We were there for two days - not in and out in 30 minutes. I know some are. Lehigh is notorious for not wanting parents out of the car. I dont think that's *better* to be honest.

They don't want parents out of the car? That's weird and a turnoff to me. My kid would have HATED that. We had just a few hours to move in, clean, and get her room set up. It took all 3 of us working constantly. And she wanted us there too.

🫶

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to buy when we got to college (a plane ride away) and then washed at the college during move in day - which DS thought was humiliating, but nobody noticed and the laundry room was me and 2 other moms doing the same thing. Anyway - that turned out to be a good idea because I could show DS how to use the laundry they had there. That, despite what other kids insisted, throwing a weeks worth of everything in the biggest machine and then into the biggest dryer was fine! And then use that same big machine for comforter if it dirty

do not recommend mom hanging around on move in day (and we're also a plane ride away for 2 kids). mom should definitely not be in the laundry room.

Not sure what you mean by hanging around. We were in at around 10am and then at the parents event at 1 and then left with everyone else. Laundry takes 45 minutes. Some of us had to buy sheets when we go there.

drop off stuff. picture if he's willing. leave.

NP you know colleges handle this different, right? Yale was a two-day affair!

you hang out in the kid's room for 2 days?! wow, Yale, you've changed

nope, nobody is hanging out in their kids rooms for 2 days. there's programming on campus. even my kid's college - not yale - had some great parenting presentations. We were there for two days - not in and out in 30 minutes. I know some are. Lehigh is notorious for not wanting parents out of the car. I dont think that's *better* to be honest.

If you don't know how to parent by the time your kid's in college you have major issues.

You sound very unfamiliar with colleges these days. It's quite common for them to have programming for parents at move in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Honestly, I know a desk lamp seems standard but kid didn't use hers. She had enough light in the room with the standard ceiling light and a floor lamp that we bought. She ended up giving her desk lamp away, which slighly annoyed me because we would have saved it for her younger sibling.

So maybe wait on this one and see if it's actually needed.

I'd wait. DS's room wanted zero extra stuff in his room.