Thermometer, over-the-counter medicines, daily vitamins and Airborne. Those over-the-counter medicines, daily vitamins and Airborne were all gone by before end of first semester. I packed a very thin, cheap canvas sleeve / bedside caddy ($6 / Amazon) for my son to store his cell phone while sleeping so he could reach from his bed. No need to worry dropping an iPhone on the floor (hard surface floor) while sleeping.
A mattress topper made a dorm bed super comfy though. I even bought a same topper for our bed at home after feeling my son’s comfy topper. It was the biggest expense and is very bulky after setting up. It worked out because he was allowed to leave some of his stuffs in his dorm room when his campus was closed in March. So, no storage fees during this summer. My son is moving out from his dorm and having a bigger bed in his apartment this coming year. So, he plans to keep it for a guest to sleep on the floor.