<br>
<blockquote> <p>espresso machine>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>At both of my kids' schools these are not permitted in the dorm rooms. The only "appliances" they were permitted to have were fridges under 4 cubic feet. DD can have a microwave. DS could only have a microfridge rented from the college. No coffee pots, no hot plates, no toaster ovens, no George Formans, no hot pots, etc.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Warning on buying too much too soon! Girl roommates generally like to coordinate and match their bedding, towels, etc. Once they find out who their roomie is, they get online and pick out their "theme". Not an issue with boys, usually!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, not necessarily. D's first indication that she and Frosh roomie might have issues was an insistence on stuff matching. D'd already bought some nice linens in dark green and blue, while roomie was into pink and lace. I don't remember this "matching" stuff from when I was in school, and certainly didn't think D needed to go along with it. It heralded lots of other "differences".....</p>
<p>I totally understand the urge to get started NOW.</p>
<p>Try to hold back, for the most part, if you can stand it. You'd think towels would be OK, but they are graduation gift favorites, so your student may receive towels from someone else. Son received 3 sets. Some of these 3M hanging thingees that secure to the wall but release when the tabs are pulled, (Command is in the name), a compact tool kit, and a first aid kit are items you could compile now to satisfy the urge to get started!</p>
<p>Congratulations, all!</p>
<p>I waited until pretty late in the game to do all my shopping and didn't have a problem with it.</p>
<p>Re: coffee machines and toasters, I am allowed to have both in my room.
Re: clothing, "everyday" clothes were an issue for me, but realize that in many places the college "uniform" is sweats/gym shorts/jeans and tshirt/tank top/sweatshirt/hoodie.
Re: sheets, I have twin jersey sheets from Target that are actually too big for my Twin XL bed, so if you go with those (comfy and not too expensive) you should be fine.</p>
<p>If you want to get started now, it might be a good idea to think about what your kids have that they plan to take with them. I brought my comforter, my DVD player, a bunch of my favorite books, a trunk (that doubles as a eating table, "games" table, lock box, and end-of-the-year clothes suitcase), and a few travel mugs as far as equipment goes.</p>
<p>You could also do a lot of internet shopping to get ideas, but make sure you have a list of things that are in the dorm before you start. Will he or she have somewhere to put a TV? How about food storage? (My answers: stackable DIY drawers from Target hold food, TV and DVD player sit on top). How do refrigerators and microwaves work? What's the bathroom situation like? What are dimensions for desks, file cabinets, and windows? How many outlets are there? Can you use surge protectors? What's the best way to use a printer or a laptop? Is the internet wireless? Could you build a loft? What is the lighting situation like? </p>
<p>I would also HIGHLY recommend getting at least a 13 gallon trash can (are trashbags provided? They are at my school.) because little under the desk ones are not good for bulky items, coffee grounds, pizza, etc.</p>
<p>A safe or lockbox is a good idea, but also make sure there is somewhere secure to put it (after all, someone could just walk off with it!)</p>
<p>When it comes to storing academic stuff, I prefer to have hanging file folders in a drawer in my desk. This works really well because it keeps everything in the same area and they're easy to organize. Apparently milk crates work well for this too.</p>
<p>I received a floral hammer that unscrews as multiple phillips and flat head screwdrivers. It is a hit among the girls that forgot to bring one, and guys too!</p>
<p>Your kids will probably get a lot of gift cards and stuff for graduation presents. If you guys already figured out how to pay for all the dorm stuff (it's expensive!), consider saving the cards that have shops near the future school so your kids can have something to spend when their cashflow is low. You'd be surprised at what you can get at LNT for less than $40, or Macy's, or Target! Some of those gift cards have been lifesavers.</p>
<p>Plush carpets are not a bad idea either, and cheap is definitely okay. What with all the strangers sleeping on it, and all the beer that will inevitably be spilled, as well as all the dirt and dust from college kids, it's really just easiest to toss out the carpet at the end of the year.</p>
<p>I also have a clip board which has really come in handy at random times. And an analog clock for the wall (that my roommate can't read, haha). I also love having a dish scrubby, my own toilet paper, and bulk supplies of laundry detergent, fabric softener, and paper towels. Plastic utensils are annoying to get used to, but really, since they are disposable, they are the best bet. </p>
<p>A cute keychain from your school for your dorm keys is fun too--that might be something fun to get online while waiting to figure out dorm shopping.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any other freshman dorm questions!</p>
<p>DS room provided two drawers that you could pad lock. I purchased a twin pack of "Master Lock" key entry. Both of the pad locks required the same key to open. DS kept one key on his key chain, one at home and placed one key in a super magnetized plastic key box with sliding cover. Place the magnet box some where under bed or desk making sure no one knows the spot.</p>
<p>Regarding buying weather-related garments at an end of season sale, a word of warning. If you live in a southern state or California/Arizona, you may get a bargain, but most likely you will not find anything that will be suitable for a New England or Upper Midwest winter. Your student should wait until he/she arrives at school and buy locally before the season. Otherwise you may end up with a fashionable coat or boots that are totally unworkable in a Northern climate.</p>
<p>another option is to use a web source such as MooseJaw or one of those to see what is on sale and appropriate for the temperature range</p>
<p>What the kids don't have now that we did- a stereo system and records! As a music major and intense classical music fan, that was a large part of my yearly shlep. Now students put all their music on an IPod.</p>
<p>Depends on the student...my son the music major does have a lot of music on his IPod and computer...but he also has a good quality small stereo system that he uses too. Of course the quality is 10 times better and 10 times smaller than the HUGE thing I carted around for years!!!</p>
<p>Speaking of laptops, one MUST is a locking anchor to prevent or at least minimize theft.</p>
<p>things that I stocked up on:</p>
<p>shampoo (she likes a certain kind and when its on sale, i put some away- cheaper to send it)</p>
<p>safety pins
pens, pencils
tooth paste
flip flops (for the shower)
a GOOD shower caddy - hard to find
nail clippers, tweezers, etc
hair ties and bobby pins (they get eaten up by the dorm elves)</p>
<p>if you have another sibling and they currently share things- like a hair straighener- might be good to look for one on sale
socks</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>flip flops (for the shower)>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>This made me chuckle!!! "for the shower"...you think?</p>
<p>I could have said thongs---so there.....</p>
<p>and it can be pouring rain and my D will wear her flipflops on the street....sigh</p>
<p>Do most dorms let you raise the bed? Should we buy those bed risers or just bring something else?</p>
<p>I would wait on these too - at my d's school the housing service did this for you - they didn't want anything but their own risers and lofts on any beds in the dorm.<br>
We moved my d in from China so bought just about everything when we arrived - other than some clothing we shipped. We got there the day before early move in and did major shopping - bought all the bedding, towels, school supplies, personal items, food, etc. Then after move in we shopped again and bought all the space saving stuff since her clothes didn't fit in the tiny closet! But we needed to see her room before we knew what to buy. It was tough because many stores were sold out of college items - Target was a wasteland but we managed to find a store that was a little further out that still had storage stuff. We also ordered some things online and had them delivered which worked well - her duvet cover, a phone from amazon, etc.<br>
Now she is moving to an apartment next year and the bedding size is changing so all the mattress covers, bedding, etc. needs to be replaced. Thinking of ordering it online since I won't be there to move her in again (she doesn't drive).</p>
<p>When the time comes: much later!, you can avoid the empty store syndrome by pre-ordering most of the stuff from BB&B and specify that you will pick it up at the store closest to the college. It will be waiting for you on the specified day. And, if you ordered things you find you do not need, you do not have to take or pay for them.</p>
<p>Sweet deal.</p>
<p>Patience is required!</p>
<p>Summer, not even late spring, is when the merchandise is available and the sales occur. Wait to buy those sheets and that computer. I tried to get sheets before they ran out and ended up returning some as better ones at cheaper prices became available (hint- the JCPenney catalog is a good source, especially when every son wants navy...I heard tales of lesser quality from some of the stores mentioned). The only reason to buy a computer now (the laptop/desktop and Windows/Mac debate answer is to go with what your child prefers) is the XP versus Vista choices that may not be there next summer. </p>
<p>Remember to check with your child's college website, the housing subsites always have lists of what to bring/not bring, what is provided and what is prohibited, etc. The school will also send you needed information this spring. Also, your child is likely to change his/her mind if they decide too soon. It is also helpful to see or at least know the actual room dimensions and layout- closets included.</p>
<p>Red is a great school color- I chuckle at the UW dorm literature that shows students in a laundry room with the caption about remembering to sort those reds. I still remember the horrible color a lime green slip (when did I ever wear it in the 70's???) turned with a red item in the load. Pink is good... I actually have washed red items a few times before son ever took them to school.</p>
<p>I remember bringing home some items at the end of freshman year that never made it out of the package- mothers think differently than sons. There were also a few things son bought and never used.</p>
<p>Get a remnant carpet piece (cheaper than finished about 11 x 12.
even better get foam pad but most dont' have.<br>
small coffee maker good.
desk lamp
look on craigslist for fridge towards the end of the year. Got a great one for $25 last year.
a trunk can be used to move lots of clothes and then as a t.v. stand or coffee table or stereo shelf....as well as storing off season stuff.
those cloth shoe bags that hang in closets retangular openings make great shelves for the closet...to hold lots of incidentals, one for laundry products, one for kitchen items, one for food items, towels etc.
alarm clocks.
a comfy chair.</p>
<p>Make dental and doctor appts early so if additional tests/work need to be done, you have time. Wisdom teeth are a hot topic in August. </p>
<p>You won't get a bargain, but you have more flexibility if you schedule early.</p>
<p>It has been my experience that many male freshmen students don't really worry about sheets, and the floor makes a great closet. I think our extra set came home in the same packaging. </p>
<p>One wise parent on this forum said "if it doesn't fit in your car, it won't fit in the dorm room so don't bring it." I wish I could remember who, because it was the best advice!</p>