Dorm room extras that made life more comfortable

Feeling so overwhelmed since I have purchased NOTHING and drop off is in 3 weeks-currently making a list of essentials. Thanks for starting this thread as it is very helpful. Thanks to those who added links as well.

You, @artmummy, are way ahead of the game. Your child will be fine with basically nothing. Anything can be sent by Amazon. You might get to BB&B too late for the good color sheets, but your child will be fine with white, or orange, or purple.

@SweetTea my D is 5’10” and she still needs a step stool to reach the top shelf of her closet.

Mine is 5 foot nothing. We bought the step stool months ago.

I’m not a member of Costco and it’s too inconveniently located for me to join. But I want that mattress topper! I’m sitting here thinking, “Who so I know with a Costco membership?!!”

I ordered an inexpensive regular foam topper and it doesn’t make a noticeable difference. We don’t have particularly nice mattresses and D isn’t fussy at all, but she found the bed she slept in at orientation very uncomfortable.

@MACmiracle, pm me if you want to use my membership. Our brick and mortar Costco doesn’t have the topper, so shipping was the best (only) way to get it anyway.

One thing to point out. Even things like college gear can be cheaper and different styles at like local to college Kohls, Meijers, Target. We found some gear that the school shops didn’t have for good pricing since it was around move in time. They seem to always have clearance on like t-shirts, sweats etc.

@pickledginger , thanks! How much is shipping?

What is really nice about the Cisco one is the cotton cover. Less expensive toppers usually are foam without covers from what I’ve seeen.

I do all my shopping at Walmart, it’s the cheapest grocery store in my area for everything related to college.

Has anyone bought a personal safe for their student? I’m trying to decide if having a secure place to store important documents, money, credit cards, checks, jewelry, etc. is worth it. I think one of the lists we found suggested it, although I’m not certain.

I’m sure my kids will be very trusting of everyone, justly or not. But can we really trust friends of friends and acquaintances they don’t really know at all? I want to think the best of everyone, but…

I have one. Yes, I have always trusted my room/suitemates, but they are not the only ones in and out of the room.

Interesting… No safe. My son has small box that he puts like in the underwear drawer in the back. No one knows its there.

My son used a safe to store his prescription medication.

@RandyErika, we bought one for D18. Her room is right near the laundry room and we wanted a safe place for documents and a little cash. Could be overkill, but it wasn’t that expensive.

I think I’ll order this the day we leave, to be delivered a few days later: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0754M9LZT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2YYHSLEGIR44T&psc=1

That’s a lot of crap.She will be the hit of the dorm. (she is sharing… Right?)

Can’t remember if said but a router helps if they have multiple devices. Many are inexpensive

Oh, yeah. I figure it should be a decent icebreaker.

I just left Costco and picked up a small fire extinguisher for $12.99 that’s rated ABC (which includes electronics which is what I worry about) https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/First-Alert-Rechargeable-Home-Fire-Extinguisher%2c-5-lbs.product.100320367.html

My local store also had a 2-pack of Seville Classic Foldable Storage Ottomans for $24.99. Of course just yesterday I ordered the exact same ottoman from Amazon for $21.62 (for just one). I can’t find them on Costco’s website to link but here it is on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Seville-Classics-Foldable-Storage-Charcoal/dp/B00ROR7SYS

@JazzyTXMom & @WWC4me Where did you purchase the safes? How big and useful were they would you say?