DC is a minimalist, but had a few must haves including a foam mattress topper, first aid/medical box, bathroom caddy, laundry bag with pocket to hold detergent, single cup coffee maker, mini fridge, small clip on fan, desk lamp with USB ports.

Be sure to check if there are certain things that are prohibited. For example, my kid can't bring any upholstered furniture, had to have a certain size mini fridge, wasn't allowed a rug in the freshman dorm (upper class dorms do allow them), and is forbidden by local fire codes from having fabric wall hangings and plug in fairy lights.

I can’t stop laughing at music sex with fridge.

One thing my DC has said is very useful for his lofted bed is this shelf:

https://www.bedshelfie.com/products/bedside-shelf-minimalist-small-nightstand?gclid=CjwKCAjw8-OhBhB5EiwADyoY1V7GiUb0wKdbxRZBz8fQDDKnPrnvsNwZEyOTKAamfyoIkBM2o185ABoC1JMQAvD_BwE

For some things, you really need to wait and see the room, but we picked up a bean bag chair that DC says he uses all the time. We got plastic shelving for under the bed at the Container store (being able to measure first was key). Also purchased a small fan that attaches to his head board and a lamp for his desk.

One thing is to check the college dorm web site for info on electrical cords — DC’s school requires all extension cords to have a surge protector with a switch and they can’t be “daisy chained.” Finding 8’+ cords with a surge protector *with a switch* wasn’t so easy (found one at Target, but Amazon was the best bet) and we needed more than we thought (e.g., the only place to put the fridge was more than 5’ away from a plug.

I know people say to not overbuy beforehand, and that worked for us because my DC is in a big city with lots of stores, but even there all of the stores close to campus got pretty picked over. The mailroom also got jammed up right at move in day, so ordering on line wasn’t a great option at first. I could see wanting to buy ahead of time if DC is in a small college town or you don’t have a car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

I'm laughing at the bolded - was that a typo? At any rate, my kid's university provides both the mini-fridge and the microwave in every dorm room. Makes it so much easier to move in/out. Agree with your advice that less is more.
NP

PP- OOPS yep just a typo!

This may be one of the greatest typos ever. Thanks for the giggle!

Yes! Love it. My kid's dorm also comes w/ fridge and microwave (no music sex though). Also air purifier.

I'd say for must haves:
If no A/C, a fan that can sit in the window sill to draw in cooler air
Fairy lights
Mine uses a chair a lot. We got it super cheap on sale at Target, it folds up like a chair-in-a-bag but has a cushy seat. Uses that a lot.
Area rug (may want to coordinate w/ roomie)
Electric kettle
Water pitcher or filtered bottle
Caddy for shower stuff
Cheapie flip flops for shower
Power strips w/ usb ports
possible clip on bed table or narrow shelf or cart if nothing in room that suits
light organizers/plastic shelf/drawers for under bed (put bed at top setting or on risers)
memory foam pad for prison-like college mattresses!

I'm the OP. I thank you all for your replies and suggestions!

I must say, when the first post to my question was "I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave?" I almost fell off my chair. That made me laugh so hard!!!!

Keep the suggestions coming! I really appreciate them. Is music sex with appliances a thing now? LOL!

Not TVs. They have them in lounges and kids stream from laptops.

Both of my kids rank a good memory foam mattress topper as the best thing they brought to college. The annoying thing is that they need to off gas for a couple days, so they take up so much room. Brita pitchers for the dorm fridge and Hydroflasks (the brand name that stay cold forever) are also considered essentials by both kids.

Something I missed: a carryon sized bag that takes up very little space when empty. Because they need something to bring clothes home in for fall break, Thanksgiving, etc.

From a mom perspective, Amazon sells a great medical kit called DormDoc. It’s all the bandages, alcohol wipes, OTC meds, etc your kid could need, individually packaged and put in neatly labeled pockets, with a laminated card attached that literally says: if you have nasal congestion, take Medication X every X hours. See a doctor if your symptoms don’t improve in 3 days or your fever is Y. It even tells you how to treat a hangover and has Gatorade powder. Very compact too.

I also sent my kids, who started in fall 2020 and 2022 with a COVID box— a toolbox with COVID tests and everything they needed to get started. And sure enough, kid 2 ot COVID week 2 of school. She rolled her eyes when I insisted she take the COVID kit. But was glad to have it when she got sick. And for 2022, most of the freshman class got COVID the first month.

Now the unfun part: your kid is an adult. Get the paperwork in order. HIPPA waivers, Healthcare and Financial POAs, FERPA waivers. If there is an emergency, you need to be able to communicate with the school.

Besides that, strongly agree less is more. In the Era of Amazon Prime and Wal Mart everywhere, it’s better to leave it at home and buy it if you need it.

Anonymous wrote:Finally, our DC made a decision on the University the kid wanted to attend. We are so happy that this long process is over and DC is happy, if not super proud, of the choice.

This will be our first DC to send to college. DC is attending an OOS school. I'm almost 100% positive that the dorm room has a mini fridge and microwave.

Our schedule is kind of tight this summer, accommodating my younger DC summer sports requirements while also taking a vacation.

We would like to get a head start on buying things for her dorm room. We would love recommendations on either essentials or "luxury" items such as a TV, HomePods, etc.

Thanks for your help!

Rooms are small so don't take too much stuff

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

I'm laughing at the bolded - was that a typo? At any rate, my kid's university provides both the mini-fridge and the microwave in every dorm room. Makes it so much easier to move in/out. Agree with your advice that less is more.
NP

Let me guess - Penn State? My DC is headed there too. Supposedly the fridge/microwave combo was invented by a Penn State grad so they purchased them for all the dorm rooms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

I'm laughing at the bolded - was that a typo? At any rate, my kid's university provides both the mini-fridge and the microwave in every dorm room. Makes it so much easier to move in/out. Agree with your advice that less is more.
NP

PP- OOPS yep just a typo!

This may be one of the greatest typos ever. Thanks for the giggle!

Do not use any of the store lists - they have way too much stuff that students don't need. Details really depend on your student preferences, but start minimal and then add in the fall once they know how they are actually living. Main categories are bedding, laundry, bath & toiletries, clothes & closet organization, cleaning supplies, office supplies, kitchen/snacks, technology (phone/computer), and entertainment.

A few college specific things to consider that they may not already have in their bedroom:
Foam topper for the bed, 8" bed risers, lapdesk, backrest pillow for the bed, small fan, 15 ft 3-prong extension cord, LED desk lamp
My DS's weren't super into decorating, but we got a $15 wall tapestry off Amazon which was quick and really made the room look nice.

I made some "boxes" of set of things using sterilite boxes with the latching lids:
Medicine box (various cold/flu, bandaids etc.), Kitchen box (some basic silverware, cups, plates, chip clips, can opener, small knife, small cutting board, etc.), Office box (stapler, hole punch, scissors, etc.), sewing kit, small toolbox

It's hard to know what to recommend to you Op if you don't give us the setup.

A conventional small dorm room with 2 beds, 2 desks, and a shared sink is much different than, say, a suite type setup that is more spacious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

I'm laughing at the bolded - was that a typo? At any rate, my kid's university provides both the mini-fridge and the microwave in every dorm room. Makes it so much easier to move in/out. Agree with your advice that less is more.
NP

PP- OOPS yep just a typo!

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

I'm laughing at the bolded - was that a typo? At any rate, my kid's university provides both the mini-fridge and the microwave in every dorm room. Makes it so much easier to move in/out. Agree with your advice that less is more.
NP

I’ve never heard of this music sex with fridge and microwave? Those are typically things kids rent or bring. Maybe the college your dd going to is different. Anyway, my recommendation would be to only bring what she really needs when you drop her off. Bedding, clothes, essential personal stuff. If she has roommates or suitemates they will be sharing stuff, and really it’s just so hard to know what they are going to want until they get there and do college for a bit. Plus, moving a massive amount of stuff in an out is a huge pain in the neck and the universal advice more experienced parents give is “bring less than you think you should”

Finally, our DC made a decision on the University the kid wanted to attend. We are so happy that this long process is over and DC is happy, if not super proud, of the choice.

This will be our first DC to send to college. DC is attending an OOS school. I'm almost 100% positive that the dorm room has a mini fridge and microwave.

Our schedule is kind of tight this summer, accommodating my younger DC summer sports requirements while also taking a vacation.

We would like to get a head start on buying things for her dorm room. We would love recommendations on either essentials or "luxury" items such as a TV, HomePods, etc.

Thanks for your help!