Do you have a child going to college this fall? Well, I'm a first time college mom now, and I was wondering if you had any tips about what to pack for the dorm. Thanks!

Mine isn't until next year, but I'm still very anxious to hear responses to your question - thanks for asking it!

cj/

Congrats! D/s is a jr this coming year, so I'll share what worked for us.

Try to contact roommates early to coordinate. If there are any kitchen items allowed (d/s had a small kitchen) plan who will contribute what. Microwave, dishes, utensils, pots & pans, etc. Buy cheap, since many items are magically lost. Most kitchens have a frig, but so many of the kids brought one with them, some rooms ended up with 2 or 3 extras! The end of the year is a great time if your school is local, because you can often get a desk, frig, microwave, etc., from kids who live further away and don't want to bother bringing them home.
Coordinate who will outfit what in the bathroom...shower curtain & hooks, rug, toilet brush.
Some dorms offer the option to loft your bed, but you usually have to put your request in over the summer. Lofting allows more floor space, and can be a big help.
Look online for textbooks, which are a big expense. The school book store usually has the lists, and often sells used books. It is still often cheaper to buy them from a used book seller, and there are many that specialize in textbooks. Check and doublecheck the numbers, not just the title.
Be aware that many dorm beds require extra-long twin bedding. You can buy this almost anywhere now.
Pack about 1/2 dozen towels, a laundry bag, a roll of quarters for the washer.
Pack your cleaning supplies, but try to find out if there is a vacuum available to borrow from the R/A before buying one. They take up a lot of room.
Give your d/d or d/s a good supply of stamps, so you might occasionally hear from her, and she can send cards/pay bills.
Check your cell phone carrier to ensure calls your child makes at school are not treated as 'roam' calls so you are not socked with a $1,000 bill in October!

I'm sure there are a million other things I'm not thinking of, but hopefully this helps a little!

I just took my oldest son back last friday to start grad school and my other son will be leaving in 3 weeks to start as a freshman. Fortunately both will be at the same university. I have found that the greatest tool for the moving process is the large shopping bags with the nice handles that you get from some of the mall stores. They are sturdy and are easy to carry. Just make sure that the kids fold them up and save them for move out day in the spring. When my oldest was a freshman, I was able to buy him laundry soap tablets but haven't been able to find them for a couple of years. He found them easy to transport down to the dorm laundry area over the heavy bottles of liquid. It also took the guesswork out of measuring. I have never attempted to send bleach but the powder bleach that is safe for colored clothes works well. My guys also love the spray non aerosol bottle of Downey Wrinkle Releaser. It has a nice scent and can easily smooth out any wrinkles quickly from tight closets and drawers. Another must is a pack of thank-you note card with stamps. They will be more likely to send them when needed if they are on hand. Another thing I just thought of is the egg crate foam matteress pad. I like to buy a king size one and cut it in half for the single dorm bed. I usually just toss it away in the spring and use the other half for the following year. I also use it along with a quilted fitted matteress pad that is washable. Good Luck with your college bound experience.
One more thing..... my guys would skin me if I forget to send plenty of Qtips. They are really crazy about using them on their ears after showering.

You need to think about everything that they use for everyday life. Laundry supplies, hamper, duffle bag, detergent and, quarters. Will they iron clothes? A small iron and possible table top ironing board to go on top of the bed. Check with the university to know what types of small appliances are allowed. As someone said, if possible check with the roommate to see who is bringing fridge, microwave, coffee maker. Dishwashing soap, cheap plates, cups, tableware, Do you need a wireless card in the computer to connect with the network? They will need a trash can.
They will need generic office supplies (scissors, stapler, tape, post it notes, note pads, stamps, stationary supplies, calendar). A lot of students like to have a small dry erase board for messages.

Most colleges now have welcome baskets and finals baskets for sale. I found that I could put a basket together cheaper than they were selling it for.

Books: You can get them online cheaper than the bookstores, but it takes longer to get them. Generally to get the cheaper used books in the bookstore, you have to reserve them the semester before.

My third and last child finished college in Dec. If your child is going into a dorm room, know which type it is. Some are just rooms built in the 1920's with bathrooms down the halls (second son) and others are quads with kitchens, etc. That would tell you what you can and can't bring. Check with the college. Some provide microwaves and refrig. My dd was in a 3 bedroom (two girls in each) and their bathroom (with 2 showers, 2 toilets, 2 shinks). The school cleaned the bathroom and provided toilet paper. They had to provide their own soap, towels. They could not leave their soap etc in bathroom so get one of those carrier things for soap, toothpaste. Also get paper plates and plastic forks, spoons. It is easier than washing things (because they never do). If they are close by ( child 2 and 3), they can bring things up as they need them. My dd came home once or twice a month ( 2 hrs away). I sent back anything she needed (food, shampoo). She also brought back items she did not need (boots, winter coat). My oldest went about 700 miles away. But we had family in that city.( we lived there before). So he stored things at his aunt's apartment over the summer. Ask any questions, I may have the answer.

Does anyone have anything that they thought their child would need to have but discovered they did not? Since there's only so much space both in the car and in the room, I'd like to know the things that were never used as well as the useful ones...

I'm planning to scoop up this year's back-to-school items when they go on clearance in prep for next year....spread out the expenses...

Thanks!
cj/

I can think of a few things my daughter used, power strips are a must and she used flip flops for the shower area, they took their showers wearing them.

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

Ditto on the flipflops (to prevent plantar warts) and power cords. My dd went away to college in Jan. She was attending community college and working at Target. You got it right. She picked up all the deals when the college stuff went on sale. She got sheets for $3, a rug for $2, trash cans for 75 cent. I would check on what the college provides. My dd did not have to buy microwave or frig. The college provided them. Since she went to school where they had snow, a small rug by their room door was good. Actually, they had a hallway between the bedrooms and their bath that they could leave the boots in.

Some things depend on whether you have a son or daughter & also will you be driving them to school or is it in another state where you will be shipping.

My daughter went out of state, but we were still able to take her & all her stuff. Since we were taking her, we waited to buy stuff like laundry detergent, toiletries, etc. I took my coupons & after we got there we it the local Walmart. Up & down every aisle there were other familes doing the same thing. This saved so much room in the car!

I don't think boys take as much stuff, especially clothes. The mother of my dd's first room mate had gone to the same college so she had ideas of what they would need. One thing that she suggested was a foot locker type suitcase. This held so much stuff on the way there, then they used them in their rooms for out of season clothes. They would use them like coffee tables. If you think this is a good idea - MAKE SURE you get one with wheels ! ! You will appreciate this when you get there & your kid lives up a couple of flights of stairs.

Someone else had mentioned checking with the roommate. My DD & her roommate coordinated that one would bring the tv & the other would bring a cd player w/speakers. Not enough room for 2 tvs.

Phone cards & quarters are especially important.

Please, please keep the suggestions coming!! My son leaves in about a month for college... my first....
I can use all the advice I can get..

when you see those freebies for laundry detergent samples..send one to your cs ! They will love to get the mail and this way they get things they really can use. I sent away for detergents, free post it notes, fabric softners, shampoos,etc.

I agree with the big shoppings bags and handles..they can fold them up and stuff in the closet.

if the dorm does not have a/c..remember window fans !

Do not pack winter things until they come home for Thanksgiving.

My cs's dorm had free laundry..so no quarters needed...but they never had enough socks and underwear..he waited until he had nothing left.

I used to send cards for all holidays..halloween, easter, etc..so stock up on the sales.

I also sent care packages on a reg. basis.

good luck ! I hope it is a smooth transition.

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Live, Love, Laugh

Things I bought that my dh NEVER used:

winter boots even though it did snow up there

lots of clothing..he ended up wearing the same things day after day

phone cards ( he had a cell phone but a reg. phone in his room )

first aid kit ...the nurse on the campus supplied them with all sorts of cold meds, tylenol, condoms even.

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Live, Love, Laugh

oh thought of some more things he used and needed ! ( and wanted !)

a bike to ride on campus
cards for pizza , gas, coffee in town
a dolly to get all his stuff up the steps to his room
My son enjoyed planting herbs on his window sill with clay pots and seeds
bottled water
a suit for formal events but that can wait till later
gym work out clothing and swimtrunks
lots of towels and socks..they really go thru these
JC Penney has good sales now on housewares..so does Target
oh, another thing..check what sort of desk lamp they can have. My cs's school would not allow halogen lamps..of course that is what we had bought for him..
more than one alarm clock..they usually sleep thru just one

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In everyone's experience, do most/all dorms use the XL Twin beds?

I definitely think the boy and girl lists will be different.....and because I have boys, I won't need a U-Haul for clothes....LOL I bet 3-4 pairs of jeans, a few pairs of shorts, and a pile of t-shirts will do it for my guy. Lots of boxers and socks! One pair of sneakers, one pair of boots, and a pair of flip-flops. Voila!

I think cell phones, computers, and Ipods have probably changed the game a little bit. With the big Ipod and the speaker docking system, I don't envision needing a big stereo system or all the records that I took. Records....now I'm really dating myself! Have any of your kids downloaded all their music and movies onto an external or portable hard drive? Did they take their DVDs and a player? My son watches season DVDs of the Simpsons and stuff over and over...

Thanks so much for all the inputs, I'm really appreciating them and taking notes. Power strip, good one!!

Keep them coming!
cj/

yes...I agree..not a lot of clothing for boys. In fact, this fall I am not even buying any new clothing for my cs ds because he brought home a suitcase stuffed with un worn things ! My ds I believe did not bring a dvd player..he had a tv his aunt gave him.

one warning though , about room mates and sharing who brings this, who brings that. My ds's room mate called him and if my ds brings the ref. and microwave..he will bring a tv and stereo ? I first thought that was a little unfair since the ref. and microwave cost us about $150 and this kid brings a tv from home..

well..turns out the room mate only lasted 2 weeks at the school and was arrested for shoplifting wine in a local store. Finally dropped out of school..he had been drinking and smoking in the room which annoyed my ds to no end. so it was a good thing my ds did bring his microwave and frige.

another thought if you ds goes to school far away is a Halloween costume. most colleges have a party and all.

we bought XL sheets for my ds at Target but then came to find out he had a reg. sized twin mattress. It still fit though.

oh a robe ! They will need a robe to walk to the bathrooms if they are down the hall..or if they just come out of the shower and all. Most robes go on sale after Christmas so you can get a cheepy one now and a nice one after christmas.

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me again ! sorry ! Just thought of another thing...CLEANING SUPPLIES! The school does not furnish this. Your cs will need things like clorox wipes, paper towels for spills and covering the microwave food, orange cleaner or 409.. sponge or Mr. Clean eraser, ROOM FRESHNER SRAYS or renuzits...

You can get a lot of the cleaning supplies at dollar tree...they also have dollar flip flops for the shower.

YOU may also want to get a lock and chain for your cs's desk top computer..they can bolt it to their bedpost.

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OK...I''m adding on again too..

If they are taking a printer to go with their computer, send them with a ream of paper.

They do appreciate care packages & also fat letters. I would save clippings from the paper or magazines that I thought my DD would find interesting. Coupons for national restaurants that might come in your paper, but that your student will have access too. Also coupons for toiletries or cleaning products that they will run out of later. Boys especially might like clippings about sports teams they played on, etc...My DD said lots of the girls didn't get mail from home because the families would phone or e-mail, but the kids loved to find mail waiting from home.

At her school there was an organization that made up care packages as fund raisers. They would notify you by mail usually about time for mid-terms, finals, Easter, etc. The first time these came out, she saw other girls receiving them but had no idea her old Mom knew about them too. She was pleasantly surprised when hers was delivered.

Don't know about the boys, but the girls will probably do a little decorating at Halloween & Christmas. I tried to find flat paper type decorations as they were cheap to mail & didn't take up much storage space.

Number one thing is a matress pad and foam topper. You must know the size, though.Although foam topper and coverlet or comforter you should buy XL twin, because even if the get a regular bed, you can still use it, sheets will fit too, just be longer. My son's college has different beds depending on the dorms. My son has had both beds so we have both sizes. Most of those bed aren't so comfortable, so anything you can do to make it better.
a fan, if no air,
tool kit,
power strips with circuit breaker,
BED RISERS
area rug and vaccum cleaner,
Robe and flip flops... bathrooms are down the hall...caddy for all the personal stuff.
We bought all the stuff, tv, stereo, fridge, good thing cause DS room mate only lasted till Christmas. Keep that in mind, cause it happens a lot. Even if your child is friends with his room mate. College is not for everyone. I figured it was better to be prepared, and we could always sell it if we didn't use.
Under the bed storage container. Storage space is very limited.
Own first aid kit with cold meds, aspirin,muscle cream, etc.
DS used one of those pillows with arms on it, so you could sit up and read in bed. At first he was hesitant to bring, but actually loved having it.
Cell phone.
Laptop
wipe off/write on board for the door, for friends to write messages on
Bike with a lock. necessary
Poster putty for hanging things
Duct tape!!!!!
Quarter for laundry. DS was able to use food card there, so we just had to add money to it, when he needed it.
snack and non perishibles for their room. spaghettio's, ravaoli, cereal, popcorn, etc. microwavable dishes



My biggest piece of advise is if your child is going to college next year, Shop Target, for clearance deals at the end of this back to school sale. I did this and saved a ton of money. Especially on bedding. Sheets I picked up for 6 dollars a set. I was able to buy 4 sets 2 reg, 2 XL for the price of 1. Boys, don't care what color, girls may. Like I said I was going to sell, but he ended up using it anyway. Had a box in the garage, and when I found something they could use, in the box it went. That way I shopped a whole year and it wasn't a big expense.

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Freedom Stands...Because HEROS Serve

Mary

2 things that saved my life in college were a Sewing Kit (it is one of those things you never think about) and a AAA card!

Any kind of dual-purpose storage would be a good idea. We used the milk crates to haul things to college and then stacked them to use as bookshelves. The under bed storage tubs are nice as well.

Padlock and chain for the bike... My nephews keep their bikes in their rooms which I will never understand since it doesn't snow in Flagstaff until October.