I recently bought all of my room stuff! I mean, I got a duvet cover (blue jersey T-shirt), a duvet insert (heavyweight alternative down), a throw blanket (it’s really soft but not actual fur. microfiber or terrycloth I think), two sheet sets (one blue “marble” print and the other grey jersey T-shirt) and a tapestry from Urban Outfitters (it’s dark blue with a light mandala) (25% off bedding sale right now!). I’m getting everything else at Target. I’m allergic to feathers so I have to get hypoallergenic filling and stuff which is a pain but worth it I guess?? My room scheme is basically blues, greys, and whites but it’s not too important. I don’t know my roommate.
Anyways, I was wondering what else I really need. Should I bring other decorations besides a tapestry? I was looking at other websites and stuff, and there’s a ton of cute decorations but I feel like I’d lose/damage them and waste money. So it would be better to DIY stuff or buy them from Walmart, right? If you’ve brought some to BS please tell me if you hung onto them.
Do you know what Kimoji is? It’s Kim Kardashian’s apparel line that’s kinda scandalous. Would it be appropriate for me to bring items from that line to school, if they don’t have inflammatory logos? A lot of the content is marijuana-paraphenalia but I’m planning on bringing the stuff that’s not so inflammatory. My phone case is from the line and I paid $30 for it, so I’d rather not trash it. It’s the Kim crying tie-dye circle from it. How do I tell the difference between LED and halogen lamps? I was looking online for them (target’s website) and nothing said specifically that it was LED or halogen.
Should I bring a gift on the first day for my roommate/dorm? I don’t want to be stuck in a situation where my roommate brings a gift but I don’t, but I wouldn’t want to put her in that position either. What would you do? I’m talking about something mildly insignificant like cupcakes or chocolates. I’m allergic to nuts so they would be nut-free.
Lastly, should I bring microwave cookery? I was looking at Buzzfeed’s list of cool dorm stuff and you can find microwave rice steamers and noodle cookers and vegetable/fish cookers and whatnot. Would I bring these or would they be useless and wasteful? I plan on eating in my room a lot especially during finals, but I might just order delivery.
You have no idea how much I love Kimoji ahahhaah: I send those gifs as much as possible, and recently ordered a Kimoji pool raft. I think that you’ll be fine as long as it’s not the more racey stuff (but there is definitely a lot of racey stuff haha).
I don’t think that you’re allowed to bring any microwave/hotplate type stuff: I think that you might be able to find that in your dorm building, but I really have no idea.
That’s super nice of you to bring something for your roomate! Since it’s not obligatory, you should just buy something if you want and make sure your roomate doesn’t feel like they shouldve done something. Maybe bring something small from your hometown? Although anything with chocolate really does do the job.
I’m generally really minimalistic so I dont even know if I’m going to have decorations. Since I live so far away I am planning on accumulating what I need/want as time goes on and I would reccomend the same. Just order from Amazon as you see fit?
Lighting: You don’t need to worry about the light you buy: LED/Halogen are the light bulb types (unless the lamp comes with a built in light). I really liked those cool neon light thingies from Urban Outfitters but I am not willing to spend $100 on a miniature neon cactus. One thing that I’m definitely ordering is a strip of LED lights with a peel-off sticky backing. It’s pretty much a flexible strip of LED lights that comes with a remote to change the colors: I have a strip stuck to the bottom of my bed right now and my bed looks like a literal space ship with light flooding out of under it.
Honestly my plan in terms of food is just to have a box beneath my bed packed with snacks along with tea/hot chocolate packets.
I have no idea if most decorations and such will end up surviving the school year, so maybe some parents could weigh in?
As I’ve been shopping (because DS really couldn’t care less what his dorm furnishings look like) I’ve been thinking how easy it is to have a truly minimalist son who could probably get through the school year with one set of sheets, 2 towels and a lamp…all navy blue. Decorations? Nope. (He may bring some stuff, but that’s his department.) Gifts? Wouldn’t cross his mind, or mine.
I’m surprised you don’t have a list of what you need, or suggestions. In general I don’t think that any kind of cooking appliances are permitted – microwaves, toaster ovens, hot pots, kettle, etc. Schools seem to have different policies on food in dorm rooms. My son can rent a refrigerator for the year and keep food in a sealed plastic container. That’s probably what’s at the top of HIS list. I tend to think you can start out light and add what you find you need as you go. I saw a lot of Amazon Prime boxes in the mailroom at our revisit day. Enjoy your shopping 
I would strongly reccomend not brining a hot plate or anything of that nature until you get to school. Some schools allow them, and others don’t, so it would really be a shame if you had to trash it.
In my experience, roommates don’t usually bring gifts for each other on move in day. I would doubt that your roommate would bring a gift for you on the first day, but if it would make you feel better to have one just in case of the slim chance she does bring a gift, go for it:)
At many schools, the tapestry will be a non-starter as well since there are restrictions on what flammable items you can hang on the wall. Best to refer to the specific school’s list.
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!!!
@CTMom21 I highly recommend two sets of sheets for the year. I’m sure not all kids wash their sheets, but I know mine actually does and it’s super easy when they have a clean set to throw on their bed while the others are washing.
@RuralAmerica – Ha ha. I’m sure I’m exaggerating. I’ve actually got 3 sets of sheets and a total of 4 bath towels for him He does occasionally mention that his sheets need to be washed, so I’m cautiously optimistic
My DDs second set of sheets cam home in the package! And no she didn’t wash the only set all year she claims.
I recommend taking a mattress pad with you. (not necessary, but it is a nice comfort item)
Yes! @LateNightReadshd For sure bring a mattress pad. You can get them at Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon, Target, etc. I got mine off amazon. They are a life saver and you will be so thankful you have one. They make the bed sooo much more comfortable.
you can create a type of “registry” thing at BB&B where you go around the store and scan all of the items that you want, and then they can send a list of all of those items to whichever store in the country that you want. You give them the date that you are picking up the stuff and when you get there they just give you a box containing all of your stuff.
We did this when we sent my sister to college and it worked great, so we are doing it again for bs.
^^^agree this is really great. You can call your designated store and tell them when you are picking up. They will have it curbside all packed up and ready to go into your trunk. Couldn’t be more convenient.
We did the registry last year. Picked out everything at our home store and picked it up at the store nearest to his school. It was really convenient to just go to the store and pick up the things you had already selected. However, when we got to the room, we realized that we bought too much stuff. It was just as easy to return all of the stuff we didn’t need.