small dresser that fits in the closet. No way S would have had room for his clothes without.
We got D the storage boxes that she kept under the bed. She said she never opened any of them the entire year!
We have a kiddo with allergies/asthma. We had to buy him an air filter after the first month. Also, he found useful: his hi quality adjustable desk lamp, fan, a few oven/microwave safe dishes (including a covered one) to heat up food, collapsable, stackable wood cubes that can serve as seating, storage cubbies or appliance stands, stainless steel toiletries basket.
Has anyone added: basic tool box, wooden bed lifters? Those are nice to have.
Things mine ended up getting after school started were comfy over the ear headphones, more charging cables for phone (to connect to portable charger, plug into laptop, etc). Seems he used them a lot more and it got worn out. Extra storage, but sometimes it is better to see what is needed and where. For example, he had his bed on risers so ended up with a short night stand. With a 3 drawer plastic thing he gained storage and a place to put his alarm clock and fan within reach of his bed. Also those round chairs from target that fold up. A small clip light for when he needed to work in bed and roommates were asleep. Snacks 
I’d recommend to start with the basics and let them figure out what they need. Easy enough to run to the store or order on amazon and then you don’t end up with a lot of extra stuff. Mine got a graduation gift that was a big tub of basics - Tylenol, bandaids, salt and pepper shakers, a microwavable bowl, sunscreen, etc. That came in handy - both the items and the tub for storage.
One weird thing that comes in handy when moving in is a rubber mallet; makes it a lot easier to change the setup of the furniture (raise/lower beds on their posts and such) without damaging things. Something that hangs off a bed frame to hold glasses, books, and a phone (my phone doubles as an alarm clock) is a real necessity if there’s any possibility that there will be a bunk or loft situation. My roommates didn’t like it when my alarm clock was on my desk and I had to climb out of my upper bunk to get to it. Also, big plastic totes and milk crates can be stacked on their side to create extra shelf space for textbooks. My boyfriend even used milk crates and plywood to make a bookshelf that can be taken apart and used to carry stuff. Anything that can be used for storage space and doubles as a move in/out container is useful.
My D reminded me that she gets a lot of use out of a small plastic nightstand (I think with 3-4 drawers) – it gave get a but if extra storage space (good for smaller items such a medicine kit, chargers etc.) and she put it next to her bed with an alarm clock/phone/etc. She still uses it in grad school.
We also got her a shoe storage that could hang on the back of the closet.
Always keep in mind the more things you buy for a dorm room to make it comfortable, the more crowded it is making it less comfortable.
Before bringing under-bed boxes, just make sure there’s under bed space. Lol, not in my girls’ freshman spaces (bunk beds with their drawers under the bottom bed.) And since D1 was on the upper berth any extra bed lamp would need an extension cord.
But also, don’t miss the great tradition of a WalMart run, after dropping things off in the dorm. An odd last parent bonding before we leave.
The Bunk Buddy is genius!
I just added several of y’alls suggestions to my Amazon wish list for DD to review.
What she really really wants is character sheets - like Captain America, Star Trek etc in the Twin XL - NOT comforters/duvets but actual sheets and I cannot find any.
“And since D1 was on the upper berth any extra bed lamp would need an extension cord.”
An extension cord - one which allows multiple things to be plugged into it - and with a surge protector!
https://www.thinkgeek.com/brain/whereisit.cgi?t=star+trek+twin+xl
https://www.target.com/p/captain-america-174-sheet-set/-/A-52385072?
@doschicos Thank you! I had been to Target and didn’t find anything until I searched specifically Captain America
A simple toolkit with heads that can be changed, pliers, and a wrench is always useful. And people tend to realize at the last minute that power strips are very important.
A simple first aid kit with bandages, Advil/Tylenol, antibacterial ointment, and Claritin. Not an extra for a dorm room, but more of an essential. And kids do forget.
My DD will be taking a mini fridge, Keurig, Electric tea pot and a nutribullet
Her dorm is suite style, she has a mini kitchen in the common area.
lots of great recommendations, Thanks!
This is very much an extra item, but I brought a desk hutch and it was the best decision. I initially found this one:
https://dorm-decor.com/collections/desk-cubby-accessories/products/desk-cubby-restoration but it was super expensive. For about about $40 of supplies from the hardware store my brother and I built a similar one. It was a life saver for having extra, vertical storage and it minimized the amount off clutter so I could actually study at my desk.
^^almost $400 for what’s pretty much a shelf??? You had the right idea to DIY
Lots of colleges will supply the desk hutch. Check before you buy.