I definitely agree with the less is more approach. BS kids get really good at ordering from Amazon.
If the room isn’t airconditioned, I do recommend a box fan to blow the hot air out of the room and this fan to circulate cool air. It’s compact, a bargain and really cools the room. Target always carries them this time of year. Honeywell Turbo Force Table Air Circulator Fan : Target
These are great sheets. Top and bottom labels and elastic all the way around make making the bed easier and they don’t slip off which is especially important if their bed is lofted. Twin/twin Xl 400 Thread Count Solid Performance Sheet Set White - Threshold™ : Target but, don’t kid yourself, if your kid is anything like 95% of the kids in BS, even though the laundry will do the sheets, they are not going to take them off the bed and put them in their laundry bag. Every year I send two sets only to find the second set unopen when we pack up to head home for Christmas break.
A cart like this was useful to hold his shower caddy and additional toiletries. Michael’s usually has a great price on specific colors. Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy™ | Michaels
One of the things I didn’t think about was tupperware and some utensils for the room. DS23 liked to pack up an additional meal if he knew they’d be coming back late from an athletic event or he’d want a snack while studying. (The school supplied each kid with a mini fridge)
A desk lamp and clip-on lamp are both useful.
We got DS a small safe for his passport and cash.
Bring plenty of command strips, hooks, duct tape, extension cords and power/charging strips.
Things to think about, but you probably want to wait to purchase once you see the room:
A storage cube they can use to climb on if they have a lofted bed
A clip-on bedside table or a tall storage unit to use as a bedside table if their bed is lofted.
If the school is in New England a drying rack and boot tray may be useful to dry wet and muddy clothes/shoes. My son likes to have a doormat to keep the dirt off of his floor.
Shoe storage