Yikes. $149 for a backpack is too rich for us, even if it lasts for years.
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I donāt remember seeing anyone going to UCSB, but Iām right here in case you need something and we are well connected with the medical community in case you need referrals.
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The side table for the dorm bed was probably the best purchase we made. D19 and two of her friends got the Shelfie and said it was great because the way their rooms were set up they had no nightstand. Even if they did it wouldnāt have been tall enough as their beds were lofted to about 36 inches. I think we got the original size, it held her phone and a bottle of water, sometimes a book or whatever she needed.
The long phone cord is also key and the extension cord with the cube on the end was helpful so it could stay on the shelf without sliding down every time she unplugged her phone.
As for an alarm, D19 just uses he phone alarm and sets about 6 of them. She sleeps through them so much she has to set a bunch and if she doesnāt wake up by then her roommate will yell at her (donāt worry, she got lucky and had a roommate who was the exact same and they both had to do that for each other!) In fact, as I sit here typing this in the family room I can hear her alarm going off in her bedroom - it is 12:30pm here and she still has not budged. 
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9RPZZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
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One of my sons got an old school Jansport with the leather panel on the bottom. Very reasonable and heās been happy with it. They have them at Zappos, so easy to return if you change your mind.
Thank you!
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My kids have LL Bean backpacks that have lasted for years!
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These make great nightstands (thereās a separate lid for the top tier):
They always have a college sale in July/August with free shipping.
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Check out LLBean - $60, monogrammable and indestructible!
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Great suggestion! It has everything he could need including laptop sleeve and I feel comfortable that it will protect the contents in the rain as well.
It is $90 less than the other one I mentioned and Iāve always loved LL Bean customer service.
Thank you for posting.
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My son had one that lasted from 1st to 8th grade and has a new one thatās going to college with him after 3 years in high school. They are great backpacks!
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@loveorangecats We like Dakine backpacks. My son is graduating with the same one he has had since 7th grade!! Will be buying a new one for college 
. My husband and daughter also use them.
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Jansport was my backpack that I used from high school through college. I have them for my kids and they have a lifetime warranty. S21 had a tear. We paid $5 to send it to Jansport and they replaced it. I think they have versions w/ laptop sleeves built inside. Patagonia has them, too.
My Dās Adidas back pack finally bit the bullet after 4 years of heavy use. Sheās buying another one. adidas Prime V Backpack
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Doesnāt have to be quiet when yoāre putting a mattress topper and mattress pad on top of it, but I know ours are not vinyl and are washable.
@loveorangecats Best backpacks weāve used are the Adidas Prime. I think Prime II. Guaranteed for life. My kids used them all through high school without issue and then we got new ones for college in different colors. Usually can find them cheapest at Kohls. Also have had no issue with rain or snowy winters. Theyāre about $50. Canāt beat that. ALso very large.
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Jinx! We posted the same time about the backpack. I think they are on to Prime V now ; )
Backpacks: Travel & Daypacks by Patagonia This is the one I got D for college
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Haha I saw that right as I hit send and mine posted. Best backpack!
For others - my daughter who had a typical dorm bed (the other didnāt), she has loved this! I was hoping she didnāt want to keep it for her apartment next year so I could take it for my son, but nope she wants to keep it. I am assuming she wonāt need it when we move her in since sheāll have a regular bed so then Iāll plan to take it home. But she has used this for 2 years and said it was one of the best things ever. Also, long chargers for the beds slightly raised (or lofted), Britta pitcher if your kid is one of those, command strips and hooks.
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Thanks. That looks interesting & Iāll share it with D21. Sheās only 5ā tall, so backpack sizes are always an issue, and this comes in womenās sizes. (If she likes it, weāll get it at REI for the member rebate.)
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We got a big vacuum bag for the mattress topper. Shove it in the bag and suck the air out and it becomes super compact.
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@inthegarden They ship really compact. Just take it out but donāt cut the shrink wrap. You can air out the smell.
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