<p>My son had a supply of Motrin, Pepto Bismol, and Tums. </p>
<p>Those are things you don’t want to have to run to the school store for when you really need them…</p>
<p>Cleaning supplies - my d purchased her own Swiffer for the dorm room floors. I never would have thought of that.</p>
<p>My advice: For a son, take the list and remove half of it…then you’re still likely to be packing up things that are in their original packaging/wrappers = unused next May. Seriously.
:)</p>
<p>My daughter attends a boarding school for high school. One of the things she’s found handy has been a bunk bed shelf that gives you a place to put an alarm clock, your glasses, etc. up on the level of the bunk bed. </p>
<p>This is obviously only useful if beds are lofted or bunked.</p>
<p>After reading all your replies, I can only say thank goodness it’s not my D going as she’d read your recommendations and multiply them - she doesn’t travel light! My S seems to think the rooms are cleaned for them…(hmm? really? I wasn’t paying attention…I’ll have to confirm this …
He’s not likely to do much cleaning at all, but I think he would use a dustbuster for cleaning up spills etc. </p>
<p>@PhotoOp, what’s a Swiffer? We moved here from England a couple of years ago, (which is why I ask so many questions…this is very different to how it happens over there!) and I have yet to see a Swiffer! </p>
<p>Did anyone take an ironing board? S will be interning (after the first semester) and will need button-down shirts and occasionally a suit…will try to get him non-iron shirts but he may need to iron something at some point…</p>
<p>[Swiffer</a> Products - Swiffer Sweeper, Swiffer Dusters, Swiffer Sweepervac, Swiffer Dust and Shine, and Swiffer WetJet](<a href=“http://www.swiffer.com/en_US/products.do]Swiffer”>http://www.swiffer.com/en_US/products.do)</p>
<p>The Sweeper is usually what people are talking about with Swiffers. You can find them in Wal-Mart or similar stores.</p>
<p>Here’s a list broken down by category of what you will need.</p>
<p>College Dorm Checklist</p>
<p>Bedding: The average dorm bed is 80" in length. This means you want to purchase basic Twin XL bedding accessories.
What you will need: mattress pad, mattress protector, egg Crate, bedskirt, fitted and flat sheets, comforter, pillows, and pillow cases.
Additional options: Bed riser, Bedside Organizer, Bed clip-on light or fan</p>
<p>Shower Accessories: To make the trip to the showers an easier experience, here’s the necessities worth getting.
What you will need: 1 pair shower sandals, multiple bath towels, bath tote bag or organizer, shower caddy, wash cloth set, and cosmetic or grooming essentials.
Additional options: Portable shower radio, toothpaste squeezer, cosmetic organizer</p>
<p>Decor: Dorm rooms are made to be unisex and bland. Here’s some ideas to create a better environment.
What you will need: Area rug, Floor & desk lamps, lightbulbs, Door hanging or wall mount mirror, Posters, Poster frames, Blackout Curtains
Additional options: Tapestries, Dry Erase Board, Cork Board, clock</p>
<p>Appliances: A lot of time, especially freshman year, will be spent in your dorm room. These appliances will make life more enjoyable.
What you will need: Small refridgerator, microwave, coffee maker, vacuum, iron, ironing board, fan, Water purifier
Additional options: Toaster oven, hot pot, air conditioner, blender/mixer, george forman grill</p>
<p>Electronics: Unless you plan on living in the library the whole time your in college, you will need a few electronics and gadgets to get you through.
What you will need: Alarm Clock, Laptop or Desktop computer, Printer, Surge Protectors, power strips, extension cords, TV (preferably flat pannel)
Additional options: DVD player, game system, phone, ipod or mp3 player, headphones, computer speakers, wireless mouse</p>
<p>Furniture: If you have the room all to your own or share it with other people, you will want to have some additional dorm furniture.
What you will need: Desk, desk chair, futon, tv stand, dresser
Additional options: Beanbag, night stand, ottoman, rocker, small table</p>
<p>Storage and Organization: College Dorm Rooms aren’t meant to be open and spacious. They are very limited on space. These things will help keep everything clean and organized.
What you will need: Hamper (pop-up), laundry basket or bag, trash can, underbed storage, shirt and pants hangers
Additional options: storage shelves, shoe organizer, vacuum air tight bags</p>
<p>School Supplies: Getting ready for the semester means new school supplies. This is pretty standard for what to have in preparation for class.
What you will need: Bookbag, notebooks, pencils, pens, calculator, printer paper, sticky notes, scissors, glue, whiteout, stapler, paper clips
Additional options: Day planner, spell checker, index cards, push pins</p>
<p>Additional Essentials: These are some additional options you may want to consider also
Microwavable foods, random snacks, plastic plates and bowls, plastic cups, food storage containers, plastic utensils, dorm room safe, duster </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.collegedormroom.org%5B/url%5D”>http://www.collegedormroom.org</a></p>
<p>First check the information about what to bring/not bring listed by the school attending. Some schools provide things others don’t. Wastebaskets are one such item. They will likely have a list of suggested items as well. You can find college lists at most department stores and Bed, Bath and Beyond- these will include many things they want to sell you that aren’t needed or even wanted. Ironing- why bother? Check with the school for things provided- there may be an ironing board, vacuum cleaner and other infrequently used space occupying things available in the dorm. Cleaning supplies- minimal for a dorm room. Note room dimensions, including the closet if you can. Son found an 18" x18" shelving unit to put in his dorm closet more useful than a lot of hanging space. Various laundry bags/baskets exist- consider ease of use and storage space for them in deciding. Check with the roommate- some things can be shared.</p>
<p>A prior poster asked about multi-tools and whether colleges were as concerned about weapons as high schools. Check the Residence rules. The schools I am familiar with do restrict knives to 4". This of course seems quite silly since they also provide kitchens and cooking with a 4" knife is a form of cruel and inhumane torture. I expect my D will take her 10" chef’s knife with her anyway. She might have to leave her sword home though.</p>