Why didn't I think of that? (Dorm stuff related)

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’ve read the thread on dorm necessities, and I’m not alien to dorm items since S spent the last summer away at a college-level program, so this is not a post asking about traditional dorm items.</p>

<p>Was there anything at all, other than the usual dorm stuff, that you wish you bought (or had the foresight to buy) that proved to be an real winner? Or something the roommate had that was really useful?</p>

<p>On the other hand, which items proved to be useless?</p>

2

<p>Sleeping bag comes in handy for weekend roadtrips, weekend visitors, or the occassional “can you sleep somewhere else, my girlfriend/boyfriend is visiting for the night)”. Bring a bottle opener (sorry parents, they will use it to open a corona or two). Don’t bother with fabric softener sheets because they can’t be bothered with carrying them to the laundry room or throwing them in the dryer. For guys, you might consider bringing a nerf type football or whiffle ball/bat for spur of the moment fun time outside. Don’t forget to bring extra cheap headphones because they seem to always get lost or broken.</p>

3

<p>Those lists are sooooooooo comprehensive. I like to keep things simpler and more basic. These days with the computer doing so much, there isn’t the need of the stereo equipment which was central to my gen’s dorm stuff. I would let the other kids bring the extras. Makes moving out easier, keeping the room clutter free easier.</p>

4

<p>D found the flashlight I forced her to take extremely useful. Got her one of the smaller maglites.</p>

5

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<p>Also, if you let other people bring things, and they end up deciding not to bring them home, you can get some free goodies on Move-Out Day. My family acquired a whole new set of cleaning products and some very nice soaps when my brother was moving out (he was the last suitemate to leave).</p>

6

<p>Stanley tool kit–D got to meet a lot of guys who needed to borrow a tool.</p>

<p>Useless item–laundry basket. She used her rolling suitcase to carry her stuff to the laundry facilities.</p>

7

<p>Thank you. Flashlight, Stanley tool kit, sleeping bag … thank you for all your suggestions. cptofthehouse, I’ve seen some lists that got me thinking, “Now I need to rent a U-haul?” I know better and my S likes to live very, very simply, so this should not be too bad.</p>

8

<p>When my older D. graduated she got a great gift of a plastic box filled with safety pins, needle and thread, and other common and useful items that she wouldn’t have thought to bring. She said one thing she really used was the spray bottle of Febreeze!</p>

9

<p>A television. When I moved in my son in I saw several 27" TVs being lugged up the stairwell. Crazy. There is no room and no need for such a device. My son has a desktop PC in which he installed a TV tuner which was easily hooked up to the cable connection. He watches TV on his flat screen computer monitor and the sound comes through his computer speakers. It even has a remote. And all for less than 80 bucks. </p>

<p>People told him that they had never saw such a thing.</p>

10

<p>I second the tv. Our S bought with him the dinky little old tv that had been sitting in his room here at home, never used, because we never had cable run upstairs. His school had free cable hookup in the dorm so it came in handy. Actually I think the only thing he ever watched on it was LOST, but that alone was enough to make it worthwhile.</p>

<p>Also, an accidental item we found useful:
When were were looking for a cheap memory foam mattress, all we could find was Queen size. We trimmed it to fit the XL twin bed, and saved the strip we’d cut off. S. kept it rolled up under his bed, and it definitely came in handy the two times younger S spent overnights. Most dorm floors are cement with tile over. Between the thin area rug, the foam remnant, and sleeping bag, sleeping on the floor wasn’t so bad. </p>

<p>While on the topic I’d also add an extra pillow to the list. Good for studying, sleeping, and visitors.</p>

11

<p>kcphobo-the Tuesday before I graduated (was that really only a week ago?!?!), my sister presented me with her graduation present-a laundry hamper (I don’t plan on taking any luggage) CHOC FULL of dorm supplies!</p>

<p>In it was a spray bottle of Febreze, which she told me the girl who went shopping with her (who lives in a dorm…my sis doesn’t) said was THE single most useful item she took to college with her. Makes sense…don’t have the time/energy to clean? Just spray some Febreze!</p>

<p>MY favorite items? The hairties (we have VERY thick hair, and we always seem to lose them…she gave me a TON!), all the school supplies, and the HUGE beach towel! (I got towels of my own, but being a SoCal girl, I’ve grown up using beach towels instead of regular bathroom towels when I’m fresh out of the shower.)</p>

12

<p>Some things that I (or room/hallmates) had + appreciated, but that weren’t obvious or necessary (some have already been mentioned):</p>

<p>Independent of room specifics…</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Basic tool kit.</p></li>
<li><p>Basic sewing kit (turned out that my comforter liked to rip in a new spot every week for my first two years…thank goodness for having a needle and thread around the room).</p></li>
<li><p>Febreze, Clorox wipes, and Lysol spray…the divine trio of dorm cleaning products. For the less picky, skip the spray.</p></li>
<li><p>Air freshener. Just…because. Make sure it’s a fairly weak scent (my roommate and I settled on “Clean Linen”), or it can just make everything worse. Goodness knows the type of smells that college students will be covering up.</p></li>
<li><p>A small, cheap vacuum (dorm one was difficult to maneuver, plus constantly broken or missing…my roommate and I were very popular come move-out time…the thing was filterless, and <$25).</p></li>
<li><p>Sharpie(s). I habitually label everything. Very, very good habit to have in a dorm, and it didn’t take long for hallmates to move from teasing to copying me.</p></li>
<li><p>1-2 small boardgames. Most people who didn’t bring them seemed to acquire them during the year. It’s nice to have social options within the room/dorm when you don’t feel like going out, but still want to do something. Boggle, Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, and Apples-to-Apples were all hits on my halls.</p></li>
<li><p>A small collapsible duffel, cheap backpack. Ended up taking some weekend trips, long day trips, etc. for which my larger luggage or giant school book bag wouldn’t have worked very well.</p></li>
<li><p>Ziploc bags. I can’t even think of what I really used them for, but I know I always did.</p></li>
<li><p>Paper towels. Much like above.</p></li>
<li><p>Big old bed sheet from home. Who would’ve thought? It went to some outdoor movie nights, concerts, and picnics with my hall mates, family, and an EC group. Nicer than having to throw bed blankets on the ground, larger (+ cheaper and more convenient) than normal picnic blankets. </p></li>
<li><p>Crayons, glue stick, packet of construction paper. I realize how ridiculous that sounds, but from the perspective of a moderately artistic person, they were surprisingly handy + entertaining. Lots of impromptu card and holiday decoration making, for one thing.</p></li>
<li><p>Beach towels (in place of bath towels). I’m with HGFM on this one…I’ve always used them without realizing that it was abnormal. They’re big, cozy, colorful to have hangin’ around the room, and can be brought to the pool, beach, camping, or shower.</p></li>
<li><p>My personal recommendation for hampers are the collapsible ones (like <a href=“http://www.aolcdn.com/red_galleries/bed-bath-and-beyond-hampers-400a080607.jpg[/url]”>http://www.aolcdn.com/red_galleries/bed-bath-and-beyond-hampers-400a080607.jpg&lt;/a&gt;). Easy to pack, easy to schlep around, don’t get smelly themselves.</p></li>
<li><p>Thermometer.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Dependent on room specifics…</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Shower curtain. For the first two years, a solid one acted as our closet door; for the second two years, two sheer ones were my curtains…couldn’t even tell that they were for a shower, and way cheaper than regular curtains.</p></li>
<li><p>Hanging sweater organizer. I know it sounds nuts, but I spent two years with VERY limited clothing storage space, and it was fantastic for holding, well…most things…pants, sweaters, t-shirts, whatever. This is the type of thing I mean, and they can also be found half-length: <a href=“http://www.organizeit-online.com/images/3783.jpg[/url]”>http://www.organizeit-online.com/images/3783.jpg&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
<li><p>On a related note, one year a closet-doubler was a real life-saver: <a href=“http://www.organizeit.com/images/commdoubhang.jpg[/url]”>http://www.organizeit.com/images/commdoubhang.jpg&lt;/a&gt;. </p></li>
<li><p>Foot stool. Had a lofted bed for the first two years, and it just made life easier. Also functioned as a bedside table whenever I was sick, a regular table (on the floor…) for eating take-out in the room, and a way to reach the closet shelves. Bought during freshman move-in in the Target kids furnishing area.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>If there’s a store like “Organize It” around you or your campus, it’s probably worth making a trip. Lots of good space-saving, dorm-friendly, but I-would-never-have-thought-of-that type items. Most will be unnecessary, but some will really be helpful. A slow walk-through of Target is also advisable.</p>

13

<p>My S thought I was the world’s most overprotective mom because I insisted he take a first aid kit. Until he got sick. Doesn’t have to be fancy…you can make your own…include Advil, hot/cold pack, ACE bandage, bandaids, a digital thermometer, and Bacitracin. They’re living in close quarters, and they will get sick.</p>

14

<p>That’s a great list, student615. </p>

<p>Febreeze sounds like a must-have item. My D did a CLSC thing last summer and stayed in a dorm at a university. She said one girl brought Febreeze and EVERYONE borrowed it constantly. In fact, she is in Greece/Turkey right now on a class trip and sure enough, packed a small bottle of Febreeze. I don’t think she’ll leave home without it anymore!</p>

15

<p>Camping chair(s) because they fit in a small space, but are great for extra seating when friends come over. Cable ties (zip ties) serve multiple purposes and are very cheap.</p>

16

<p>She said one thing she really used was the spray bottle of Febreeze!</p>

<p>Especially during finals week when students don’t shower or wash their clothes
:p</p>

<p>The librarians walk through spritzing it liberally.</p>

<p>We also had bought one of those trunks ( which would be not necessary if you don’t drive)
It was a handy surface, her freshman room had a small bookcase that fit perfectly on top of it and when next to her desk it brought her printer level.
Another seating area with pillows & you can store things in it you don’t need. Plus it technically locks ( although if someone really wanted to get in, I don’t think it would be hard)
Hers wasn’t as nice as these appear to be.
[College</a> Trunks. Protect your dorm valuables with a college trunk.](<a href=“http://www.cnmfg.com/college/]College”>Trunks - Trunks made in the USA. A great trunk for camp or college.)</p>

17

<p>an air mattress for friends sleepovers. Also some kids had bean bag chairs/blow up chairs ( most rooms were either single or divided doubles)</p>

<p>She didn’t bring a tv/microwave/fridge.
Not needed/allowed.
Did bring a little hotpot for water/soup/tea
Fans/desk lights- traditional dorm items that are really needed so I will mention anyway.
Pictures from home for the walls
recipes from home.
They get sick of dorm food pretty fast & I think most dorms have shared kitchens.
Making a list of favorite easy to shop for and cook meals is welcomed.
Of course you can always make up a care package of that stuff and send it on ( or email it :wink: )</p>

18

<p>A small can opener. Not all cans of ravioli have a pop top!</p>

19

<p>Ever had to get use to a new toilet seat?</p>

20

<p>I just asked S, who will be a jr next year what, of all of the things I bought and sent with him, was the most usefull. He said medicine kit and electric tea kettle (with auto shut-off). But he said the kettle was by far the most usefull. I also noticed that when we picked him up this spring that he had purchased Febreeze and Downy Wrinkle Releaser. He said he’d learned to iron things by hanging them in the bathroom, turning on the shower and then using the wrinkle releaser. My S, as I’ve posted before, is a giant in the field of getting laundry done ;).</p>