right arrow
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Rohan is a freshman at Dartmouth (and loves it) having gotten in ED for the Class of 2023. He's here to debunk myths regarding admissions and student life at his school. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our May Checklists for HS Juniors and HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.

Dorm room extras that made life more comfortable

1235789

Replies to: Dorm room extras that made life more comfortable

  • twoinanddonetwoinanddone 24507 replies19 threads Senior Member
    would like to say that most dorm rooms in our area are overheated,

    Thus the reason my daughter took 8 blankets the first year and one the final year. Fan is much more important than blankets. When it is 29 below, not advisable to open the window.
    · Reply · Share
  • SnowflakeDogMomSnowflakeDogMom 457 replies7 threads Member
    @bjkmom - I have those magnetic strips and use them for knives, I love them. How do you plan to secure to the walls?
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    @SnowflakeDogMom I'm hoping maybe Command Strips? We never did get to Ikea yesterday... maybe today?

    How do you secure the ones you have?
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    edited August 2018
    OK, so after reading all this, I tentatively have a boot tray and coat rack in my amazon cart. (School is in NH). I'll wait till the princess wakes up and get her input before hitting "submit."

    Either way, I'm ordering one of the boot trays for our Long Island house. For under $10, I have no idea why we don't already own one.

    Lots of the other stuff that sounded good-- a surge protector with multiple outlets, a fan, a "husband"-- we've already taken care of.
    edited August 2018
    · Reply · Share
  • SnowflakeDogMomSnowflakeDogMom 457 replies7 threads Member
    @bjkmom My hubby used the mounting hardware and screwed them into a beam in our walls - I really really love them, they are a super strong magnet, look great etc but they are pretty heavy and with the strong magnets I am not sure if command hooks will do the job.

    FWIW - We bought a wipe board at Target last night that has a magnetic section along with a cork section - some cute tacks and she is good to go
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    As it turns out, one of the graduation gifts she got was a set of string lights that double as clothes pins. So much for the magnetic strip ;)
    · Reply · Share
  • HImomHImom 35806 replies396 threads Senior Member
    Our kids both loved thin, lightweight blackout curtains that they attached with hooks (yes, both are night owls). They bought them online and preferred them to eyeshades.

    I agree with the “less is more” concept. Generally dorms or other college residential space is already smaller than the students have been living in, so open space is at a premium. Don’t cram it full of “stuff.”
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    edited August 2018
    Well, I think we're just about done shopping.

    I just did the Target run for meds. There are one or two things coming from amazon, like the comforter she finally decided on and that boot mat. (The coat rack was eliminated in favor of still more Command hooks... they won't tip over or use floor space.) And of course, she still has to tackle packing up her clothes and deciding what to take and what to leave.

    When we get info on the amount of space under her bed, I can pick up some underbed storage units-- I don't want to do that until we know the height. The dorm was just refurbished and the info isn't online. So she's planning to email the dorm director.

    She did receive a large, cute mirror as a gift: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/hello-gorgeous-18-inch-x-22-inch-light-up-mirror/1060556585?opbthead=true&ta=typeahead&Keyword=hello-gorgeous But I think she's thinking of returning it, and just getting a full length mirror instead-- less bulky and more practical.

    But with 2.5 weeks to go, I think we can give the Visa card a well deserved rest.
    edited August 2018
    · Reply · Share
  • TekSanTekSan 102 replies8 threads Junior Member
    I'll add USB charging cords (various lengths) for phones. Also, I read a suggestion of ear muffs (noise protection type) rather than noise cancelling headphones. It really can cut down on overall decibels and conversational noise, and can be used with ear plugs or ear buds. We'll be trying as I'd rather spend $30 versus $250.

    Finally, felt pads for the bottom of chair legs can limit the squeaking on ceramic dorm floors. Also might be a nice gift/hint for upstairs neighbors.
    · Reply · Share
  • doschicosdoschicos 26280 replies265 threads Senior Member
    "But I think she's thinking of returning it, and just getting a full length mirror instead-- less bulky and more practical."

    Have you checked to see if the dorm room comes with a full length mirror? Many do.
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    She sent out an email yesterday to the residence director, though she certainly can't expect a response till at least Monday. Since the dorm was just refurbished, that's certainly a possibility.
    · Reply · Share
  • gouf78gouf78 7808 replies23 threads Senior Member
    edited August 2018
    I love microfiber sheets! They're soft, lightweight, non-wrinkle and dry in a flash--perfect for dorm. I don't think they are hot at all. The ones I have wear great. There are different grades but for dorm it doesn't really matter.
    edited August 2018
    · Reply · Share
  • prodesseprodesse 1390 replies71 threads Senior Member
    I am told that microfiber pillowcases are good for teens who use benzoyl peroxide as an acne treatment. Cotton ones bleach unattractively.
    · Reply · Share
  • RandyErikaRandyErika 475 replies5 threads Member
    Question - one of my twins Ds starting later this month will be in a dorm without AC. Is it best to coordinate with her roommate in buying a fan that would cool the entire room or just focus on my kid’s need/comfort. We could also pick up an inexpensive personal fan to get through the first week, and decide if a window fan or tower makes more sense. Given that space may be at a premium, I don’t want commit to taking up what might not be available.
    · Reply · Share
  • bjkmombjkmom 7948 replies159 threads Senior Member
    edited August 2018
    I got my daughter an oscillating tower with a remote control... I think it was this one:https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/lasko-reg-32-inch-3-speed-oscillating-tower-fan-with-remote-control-in-black/1060419729?opbthead=true&ta=typeahead&Keyword=fan

    I figured that once the warm weather ended, it would probably be easier to store than a box fan.
    edited August 2018
    · Reply · Share
  • chercheurchercheur 1296 replies9 threads Senior Member
    edited August 2018
    Our kids both loved thin, lightweight blackout curtains that they attached with hooks (yes, both are night owls). They bought them online and preferred them to eyeshades.

    We are also taking room darkening curtains with a grommet top. Instead of hooks, we are using a small shower tension rod inside the window frame. I think they make the room more homey and may help the kids sleep better.
    https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/zenith-reg-twisttight-reg-40-inch-premium-tension-stall-shower-rod-in-white/1010133874?categoryId=13477

    Edit: Use soda can tabs on your hangers to double or triple your closet space! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_oDfZx-cPs
    edited August 2018
    · Reply · Share
  • momtogirls2momtogirls2 974 replies7 threads Member
    I picked up the vornado fan https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-Flippi-Personal-Circulator-Midnight/dp/B000YKC0UY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1533494468&sr=8-5&keywords=vornado+fan&dpID=41qDKHarO-L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch for orientation when it was about 90 out. My daughter has used it at home on hot nights and says it works well - she has it on her nightstand

    My daughter picked this rather than a bed buddy https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DCEU7N0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    We picked this up (in a different color) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Ultra-Collapsible-Collapsible-Storage-Ottoman-Tan/46271146 - it will fit under her bed (If it is like the sample room we saw) can be used for storage (thinking sheets and/or towels) and extra seating

    Once we actually know if she has space she wants to get something as a nightstand unless the desk is there.
    · Reply · Share
This discussion has been closed.

Recent Activity