Hey everyone, I move into my dorm in about a month and a half and have made lists of what I need to pack but am worried about both over packing and under packing. I will be driving there with my parents so everything will be going in the car. As of right now, I’m thinking this is what I’ll be taking:
1 xl duffle bag of clothes
1 large canvas laundry bag of bed stuff/towels
1 gym bag of toiletries/laundry stuff like detergent and softener
1 reusable grocery bag of school supplies/random stuff
maybe one bag of shoes?
my back pack with all my electronics
Is this too much/too little? I don’t want to be bringing a weird amount of stuff compared to others on move in day. Also, how much did you spend on outfitting your/your kids dorm? thanks so much in advance for your help!
I wrote this for a Boarding School audience, but it applies to college freshman as well. I now have a college rising sophomore and rising senior who both go to college on the opposite coast.
<<As a family who has 8 years of BS furntiture piled up in our basement, let me suggest less is more. You don’t need desk hutches, extra book cases, coffee makers, lamps, wire milk crate stackables and the like. A nice desk lamp, and your own printer goes a long way. A few pictures of friends/family and your dog is nice, bedding yes. But no microwaves.
Your room will likely be overstuffed already with bed, dresser, book case desk and desk chair. Bring a fan for hot fall weather. You don’t need to bring all your clothes. You can switch them out at Thanksgiving or fall long weekend, and bring back winter coats, boots and hat then.
There will be hangers and extra dorm room stuff passed down from seniors to freshmen. Bring your bathroom/shower caddy and stuff to leave in the BR, and a robe and maybe a tiny area rug to step on in front of your bed, maybe storage for clothing and supplies under your bed. Your dorm may have bed risers already. If not, you can run out and buy them at Target. Less is more!!! >>
Based on my experience, most people bring more than that (sometimes a LOT more). Many people have a mini-fridge or share one with their roommate. That can be helpful for storing snacks, leftovers, and drinks.
Also, decorations will make your dorm feel more like home. You might want a rug or a desk lamp like @preppedparent mentions. The walls are usually quite bare and boring, and you can’t paint them, so think about bringing posters or pictures.
Personally, I like your “bag” approach. Looks good to me.
Agree with adding a desk lamp, rug and a few photos. They may have a poster sale at your school and that would be a fun thing to do with your roommate(s). Check your school website to see if you need to bring a trash can or cleaning supplies for a suite bathroom. Your packing sounds just right – less is better. Bring a small first aid kit/medicine/band-aids/Tums. If you have a prescription med that should not fall in the hands of others, you may need to get a locking container of some sort.
I got DS an over-the-door clear shoe pocket thing. They are great for holding snacks, supplies, cords, etc. on the back of a closet door. (I have three at home holding everything but shoes.)
agree with over the door rack and mini fridge that you and your roommate may buy together or rent. Also–the emergency medical kit with cough syrup, Tylenol, bandaids, Benadryl, inhaler if you have one, couple cans of chicken soup, and bottles of Gatorade or orange juice with some shelf life. Just a mini medical kit that you restock midyear. It will save you when undoubtedly every freshman either gets the mono or the flu. Keep it in the back of your closet or on top of your armoire (if no closet) with your suitcases/sheets.
For the most part, your packing list sounds great - trust me, you don’t want to bring too much and have to deal with it all during move-out. Try to bring one set of nicer clothes for occasions that might call for dressing up. I can also attest to the usefulness of a small medical kit when the inevitable freshman flu strikes. Include a box of tissues along with the medicine/first aid stuff if you can 
Unless your dorm has air conditioning, I would also bring a fan. I would also recommend a small, portable safe. I really liked having one to keep all of my important documents in.