Going off to college is big step in anyone’s life. Prevent multiple trips to the only store in the tiny college town by getting these items before move-in day. Make your student’s life easier and more comfortable with these essentials. The transition from living at home to living in the dorms is hard for everyone, but these items will make that change trouble-free.
- Moving bags: boxes or storage tubs are great for some items but most things can be moved with extra large, heavy duty moving bags. Not only can you collapse and store them easier, but if your college student wants to use them for storage during the year, they fit under a dorm bed really easily. These are great for storing seasonal clothes like big winter jackets that aren’t needed yet, but they will want soon enough.
- Laundry bag or laundry basket with bag: depending on your preference (and you might not know yet) or on your amount of space, both of these are great options for the college dorm. The bag has a mesh pocket to carry the detergent in so your college student won’t leave it behind. The basket comes with a bag inside of it for portability to the shared laundry (or home to mom and dad’s).
- Closet storage: space saving hangers, stackable closet organizers, and over-the-door storage helps keep closets organized, tidy, and maximize the amount of space there is. College dorms have tiny closets for the amount of stuff students will start with or accumulate over the year. Avoid the clothes monster that forms on the floor by having spaces for everything to fit.
- Bedside organization: depending on the dorm room and the set up of the furniture, your college student may need a wall organizer or a bedside organizer. Dorm rooms are too small to add side tables and the desk should be kept for studying, not for nighttime needs.
- Vacuum: college students are inherently messy. They are living on their own for the first time and figuring out they actually need to clean their space. Make sure they have the tools they need like a vacuum and disinfecting wipes.
- First Aid Kit: do not let your college student move into a dorm without a first aid kit and maybe a small fire extinguisher (if allowed). Make sure they know what is in the kit and how to use everything, when its needed and when additional help may be needed instead.
- Waterproof mattress protector: not only does this protect the mattress from future spills, but you don’t know how many people have slept on that before your student. They do get cleaned and changed out, but adding a mattress protector gives one more barrier between your student and the mattress. They are machine washable and can fit mattress and additional padding as well.
- Bedding: comforter and sheets, as well as pillows to help your student sleep while they spend the first extended period away from home.
- Air purifier: get rid of mold, dust, and other allergens from the air your student breathes.
- Shower shoes and shower caddy: shared showers are the norm for college dorms. Make sure your student has shower shoes to prevent spread of foot fungus. Having a shower caddy they can take with them prevents awkward running back and forth and gives those items somewhere to live between showers. Organization is so important for a small college dorm.
- Microwave and microwavable dishes with utensils: college students live off of their microwaves and the increasingly creative ways to cook different foods. Make sure they have multiple plates, cups, and utensils to get by. Don’t forget to get them dish soap so those items get cleaned between use!
- Laptop lap desk or laptop pillow: encourage studying and getting homework done with a lap desk or pillow so your student has options on where they work best.
- Makeup mirror vanity: foldable so it can be put away when not in use perfect to use on a desk.
- Mounting tape: most older dorms are made with concrete blocks and difficult to hang pictures, cork boards, or marker calendars. Get some mounting tape so your student can decorate their dorm room and make it feel like home.
- Extension cord: make sure to get one with a surge protector and multiple types of ports, many items come as a USB or USC plug without a wall adapter. Getting one with a flat wall plug is helpful if the outlet is behind a bed or other furniture. Don’t be confined by the outlets for where your college student moves their room around, an extension cord for lights, TVs, microwaves, etc. allows for full freedom to move things around.
This may be a stressful time, but enjoy the journey of move-in day! Its chaos and its challenging, but its also the start of a very exciting time for your college student. Get them started off on the right foot and make college a great experience!
