<p>@prepschoolhopes
My daughter asked for a picnic blanket, the kind that folds up into its own tote bag. </p>
<p>Room stuff:
The mattresses are HARD, and most kids use the memory foam twin XL mattress toppers, and some use a fluffy fiber or down one on top of that. These tend to sell out early (college kids snap them up in mid August, so suggest ordering on-line and having it shipped directly to the dorm once they accept shipments. Your school will have shipping instructions, (and for all this school stuff we always love Amazon prime membership with free shipping).</p>
<p>A comforter that does’t show much dirt and is lightweight is the best bet (not white!). In winter the heat is usually up too far. (A little fan helps) A big pillow to put against the wall on the bed or floor to lean on like a couch comes in handy. </p>
<p>The wire squares that snap together to form storage cubes, rolling plastic drawers, and storage baskets are good bets. Most kids loft their beds so anything that can help that cave under there be more organized is very helpful. </p>
<p>My D loved a soft fuzzy rug for the floor, the basic carpet on the floor in the dorms is usually pretty hard, and often stained. Costco has a wonderful soft very deep shag in several colors (white, tan, brown), about 5X7, that is perfect for about 99 dollars. We had to get a new one every year (spills and gunk) but really worth it since the kids hang out on the floor a lot (computer, socializing, eating, homework, sleepovers). </p>
<p>Many kids bring comfortable desk chairs from home. Costco has some inexpensive comfortable ones.</p>
<p>Or if you don’t get a comfy chair, bring cushions for the one the school gives you.</p>
<p>My kid asked for turtlenecks prep year as a relief from wearing ties. Lower year, it was “WHY did you buy those tutlenecks for me? They look so stupid!” Now he wears one or two occasionally–I’m guessing under sweaters though I do’t know. So yeah, agree buy little before Parent’s Week-end. The dream is not the reality.</p>
<p>When friendlydaughter was heading to BS I bought a handy little clothes steamer that was on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond. I thought she might use it if her clothes for formal dinners were wrinkled. I think it’s still in its package. So, I would recommend NOT spending your money on that.</p>
<p>Check with your school on their policy of swapping furniture brought from home for school supplied stuff (like a desk chair). SAS is explicit that you are not supposed to substitute. I’m sure for liability reasons.</p>
<p>Also check the policy for heat-producing electrical devices. Some of these dorms are very old; even a hot temper can be dangerous.</p>
<p>We have a poster shop we like to visit every year ( summer tradition) but you can always find great poster deals online, too. What boy’s room would be complete without John Belushi “College”? Seriously. </p>
<p>You can buy posters for as low as $4.00 on Amazon. I think that’s a pretty sweet deal. Also- schools are fairly strict about poster (and T-shirt) content so make sure everything you buy follows school guidelines and you’ll be fine. For example: There are two versions of the “college” poster. Don’t buy the one with JB drinking out of a bottle. I know I’m stating the obvious here… but I thought I’d mention it just in case! :)</p>
<p>My kids also hang Hand Block sheets from India on their walls. I know it’s not everyone’s taste, but it’s definitely an option if you want to cover a dreary looking wall. It looks a lot better than it sounds ( I did it, too. BS- College) and I’ve noticed many students (boys and girls) are still doing the same thing today. </p>
<p>A small area rug is always nice, too. There is nothing colder than a BS floor! </p>
<p>PM: I haven’t seen the hand block sheets (coverlets) since I was at school. Where do you find them?</p>
<p>Also – my kid took those removable decals similar to these: <a href=“http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2445485011”>http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2445485011</a> just make sure they are the removable kind. What dorm wall wouldn’t look better with a Bob Marley quote on there (i.e. “Every little things gonna be all right!”)…</p>
<p>Coverlet- that was the word I was looking for! Thanks for putting me out of my misery, @london203! We buy them at the poster shop and they’re a much heavier cotton than a sheet . I know there are many vendors online (prices vary) and I believe Amazon sells them, too. </p>
<p>I love the letter idea for quotes! </p>
<p>PS re posters: don’t buy too many in advance. Many schools limit the amount of wall space that can be postered (for fire safety reasons). At my kid’s school, they allow only 20% of the wall space in the room to be covered.</p>
<p>Every school has different rules. At my dd’s school no fabric wall hangings are allowed - including flags or coverlets. </p>
<p>Great point @friendlymom! All schools are different so definitely check out rule/guidelines before you purchase room decorations.</p>
<p>I use and love Label Daddy for clothes and stuff and for bedding The company Store is online and always has xlong… good sales… 15% off for newbies. I live near an outlet mall… good finds. </p>
<p>@babykins: Is there an online store?</p>
<p>yes, both are .com </p>
<p>labeldaddy.com (for labels that never come off ever !) The company store .com is for bedding…xlong some good deals. </p>
<p>For bedding, an x-long bottom sheet or two (a mom can dream) and a lightweight down comforter with a comforter cover have been all my kid has used now for three years. I expect that the sheets will go in the garbage and the comforter will follow him to college. </p>
<p>Prep year, I ended up sending him his ratty old comforter from home–really helped with homesickness and a transition to new room. My mantra is always wait until you buy anything, other than a foam mattress topper and thick mattress pad to contain it so they don’t sleep on the foam (note, I have boys). They will not really know what they want and need until they’ve lived in the dorm for a while, and dorm rooms get too crowded really quickly. My kids spent two years bringing a suitcase full of stuff that he didn’t want home every vacation. </p>
<p>Could someone specify exactly what is meant by “foam mattress topper”? There seems to be a very wide range of options, and I’m not sure which way to go. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Just go to a store and poke them. Pick whatever suits your back & your budget. </p>