My dd used everything mentioned in these posts. haha. It really depends on your kid. She cleaned weekly, vacuumed, dusted. Laughing at the vomit on sheets. If you have a dd, there are also occasional period leaks to consider. She never used a flat sheet, just fitted. It doesn't take up extra space for 1 fitted sheet and 1 extra pillowcase.

The ottoman mentioned is like this - it isn't big. It functions as a step stool/extra seat/footrest as well.

https://www.wayfair.com/Mercer41--Nickolis-Upholstered-Storage-Ottoman-X211691332-L310-K~W100580221.html?refid=GX685254702230-W100580221_2053827621&device=c&ptid=352059013845&network=g&targetid=aud-1616885063939:pla-352059013845&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=253915525&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=2053827621&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgT7KBHld8yZqduqLTqBhFu5u2ZD2YQVn674BPq2WVg1ClZH27mpMJRxoCyeYQAvD_BwE

She didn't use those bedside storage things, though (it hangs and has pockets on it).

You will get VERY different answers for boys and girls. Most boys brought a tv for gaming, as an example. My dd would not have used it, just used her laptop.

Yes, my kids hid hard alcohol in their ottoman during the dorm inspections. I think there is only one inspection a semester and they get adequate warning.

Those book thingys that the professors make you buy.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post a link to the ottoman people are referring to? That seems like it would take up all the floor space! Thanks!

The ottomans are small. They sell them on PB teen, wayfair, amazon, etc., but they are like this:

https://www.dormify.com/products/livvy-boucle-storage-ottoman?variant=43656198291627

Anonymous wrote:storage ottoman/cubes like this
https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Folding-Storage-Ottoman-ULSF028G01/dp/B09ZY77T8D/ref=asc_df_B09ZY77T8D/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693770001584&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15946500683365930915&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007569&hvtargid=pla-2043623406192&psc=1&mcid=fa2939a497b53ee382217897b5622aa3&gad_source=1

Didn't even take it out of the box.

One thing I was surprised that they DID use? A little stick vacuum! https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bissell-3-in-1-Lightweight-Corded-Stick-Vacuum-2030/55566580?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1825&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=2222222227755566580_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-2225087348827:pla-394283752452&wl5=9007569&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=55566580&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVIqJ93dx8hz-B40oBfHuG28wbasWhywaiyEZCL5znNI4yBU25GNJsxoCQk8QAvD_BwE
All three of my kids actually vacuumed!

The ottomans are a great place to hide alcohol. Just an fyi if u get them for your kid.

Anonymous wrote:The basic blue rug both roommates had decided on until Other Mother arrived and took charge w/her own decorating ideas of black and white zebra print everything.

This made me laugh

Anonymous wrote:
Or get your kids doing their own laundry well before college!

+1

Anonymous wrote:Do not bring the entire wardrobe. Kids who have spent their life dropping items in the hamper—after wearing them them for two hours, expecting that they will be laundered before magically appearing on a hanger in their closet—learn very quickly to wear a pair of jeans more than once, change the tshirt but don’t wash the sweatshirt, etc…. Do load up on socks (a dozen identical pair, so that “pairing” is not needed) and underwear.

We started buying higher quality clothes and fewer of them around senior year of high school. Worked well.

Or get your kids doing their own laundry well before college!

The basic blue rug both roommates had decided on until Other Mother arrived and took charge w/her own decorating ideas of black and white zebra print everything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra set of sheets.

This. Dd didn't use the extra set of sheets in 4 years.

+2 Most kids wash the sheets and put them back on the bed. It's not like you can be sleeping while you are washing your sheets anyway.

NP and I’m feeling like I’m the only one who got drunk and threw up more than once freshman year. I could pull myself together the next day enough to put clean sheets on the bed but was too hung over to wash them immediately since the laundry room was several floors away. I hated sleeping on dried vomit the next day. I will not share these stories with my kids but it’s the main reason I needed two sets of sheets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra set of sheets.

This. Dd didn't use the extra set of sheets in 4 years.

But I feel like you still should have an extra set, just in case. Stomach virus, or high fever, other college activities that result in needing to change sheets and perhaps there isn’t enough time to wait to wash and dry the set in use.

I would want that personally, but it’s not like they would die if they just put some towels down as sheets and got through the night.

Most of it. The dumpster on move out day are insane. Brand new stuff still in boxes in the garbage, vacuums, rugs, whole pieces of furniture, etc. Only sent up essentials bc they are going to throw out everything else

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra set of sheets.

This. Dd didn't use the extra set of sheets in 4 years.

But I feel like you still should have an extra set, just in case. Stomach virus, or high fever, other college activities that result in needing to change sheets and perhaps there isn’t enough time to wait to wash and dry the set in use.

Can someone post a link to the ottoman people are referring to? That seems like it would take up all the floor space! Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:What dorm items did you buy that your freshman ended up not using or didn't get much use of?

Tnx!

Husband pillow and lap desk