What to bring/buy for for college dorms

<p>I have looked at the list on W&M's website about suggested items to bring for your student's dorm but I also have heard that folks over buy and end up bringing home things b/c they couldn't fit it in the dorms. Any sage advice about must have's and what to avoid buying for William and Mary dorms? Or anything that you thought worked out really well but wasn't on a normal college list?</p>

<p>While this isn’t the advice you are looking for, I just want to mention that the dorms that are used for freshman this year are all very small rooms. Don’t start buying yet! My son’s room doesn’t even have a sink so that meant that he was taking some things he wouldn’t have otherwise (water pitcher, filter water bottle etc). Other than personal things like bedding (extra long twin- get a good mattress pad, 2 sets of sheets and a comforter or something similar) and towels, I would say wait until you know where you are living and with whom. Granted, that won’t be until July- but there isn’t room for two refrigerators, two printers, etc. So wait and then decide who is bringing what.</p>

<p>Oh yeah- and buy rain boots.</p>

<p>Thanks TJmom! This is actually very helpful. Even looking at the dorms online, the space looked tight. I have bought some of the basics- sheets, towels, mattress pad- as they would have worked anywhere he went. (Trying to pick up stuff since last college clearance sales last August/September so that we don’t have so much to buy at once.) I also have heard about bringing a sturdy umbrella from just about everyone. That is definitely on my list. I had thought about rain boots or something all weather, but wasn’t sure if he would wear them. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Speaking from experience with S2, an umbrella was never used. He could have given it away for all I know. He wears a goretex shell that he can layer over a polartec jacket depending on the temp. He started with a nice Patagonia rain jacket but said he didn’t need both and no longer keeps it at school. I won’t waste the money on an extra jacket for S3 knowing the one will be fine. I did insist on goretex hikers, which have been well worn in rain, slush, and snow. He has thanked me many times for these. I just picked up S3 a nice pair of Vasque on sale at EMS. </p>

<p>I agree with tjmom in not buying anything too specific until the dorms are assigned in late July. Having basics out of the way like linens will be nice vahokeymom. The August S2 left DH kept looking at the growing pile of college stuff in the library and would mumble “bleeding money” as he walked by, lol. It adds up.</p>

<p>Divvy up with the roommate who’ll bring a 5x8 area rug, mini-fridge and/or small printer if the kids want them. Other than that and bedding, these are the things we found essential:</p>

<p>[20-Inch</a> Box Fan 3-SPEED](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHJ2I2/ref=ox_ya_os_product]20-Inch”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHJ2I2/ref=ox_ya_os_product)
[Floor</a> Lamp](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A9E734/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Floor”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A9E734/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
[Bedrest</a> Pillow](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H3F5HG/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Bedrest”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H3F5HG/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
[Shower</a> Tote](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KFVL6W/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Shower”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KFVL6W/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
[Soap</a> Case](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z9449Y/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Soap”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z9449Y/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1)</p>

<p>Note: Prices on these items vary considerably! We got the fan, for instance for less than $25! </p>

<p>We didn’t get any special rain gear other than a good quality hooded rain jacket.</p>

<p>VAHockey- mentioning those boots. These have actually been the butt of many jokes at our house. When S1 went to college, I told him he needed boots and he declined (he was going where he needed them for snow). At the end of his freshman year, he reluctantly told me that he needed some Tims (Timberland boots). When I reminded him that I had told him to get boots before freshman year, he looked shocked. Turned out when I said he needed boots, he didn’t know I meant Tims and somehow picture I wanted to send him off with the pull on rubber things (with Mickey Mouse maybe?) on them like kindergartners wear. Both boys have Tims- just the ones that come up over the ankle- not knee boots like the girls wear. There is a Timberland outlet in one of the outlet malls in Williamsburg and they usually have some good deals.</p>

<p>One more thing- you don’t even have to take a printer if you don’t want. Swem charges 7 cents per sheet and the kids charge it directly to their account with their ID. Only issue, if you forget to log out afterward someone who doesn’t follow the honor code can continue printing and charge it to your account. This did happen to my younger son earlier this year so remind them that they need to log out. I am sure it varies by major but the son who is a freshman only needed to print two times this year- all the rest of his stuff was submitted electronically. The older son (law school) prints quite a bit but he uses the printer in the law school library. Much easier than keeping up with cartridges, paper, etc.</p>

<p>Tjmom, love that story about the boots! Ha! My S hasn’t worn a long sleeve shirt in 7 years so I am going to have a talk with him about winter wear stuff, boots included, to buy for school. It may take him freezing his tootsies off in order for him to see the light. He wears hoodies but I stopped buying him jackets, long sleeves years ago and gave up. I have heard it is like the monsoons in Williamsburg so umbrella is a must. And one of the student panelists, a boy, at a Fall Focus event also mentioned boots so I am a believer. It is just convincing the S that he will need some of that stuff. Good to know about the available printer resources too as that would help to save space in the dorm. All good stuff for us to think about and consider!</p>

<p>The boots in Williamsburg are not as much for the cold as they are for the wet. When it rains as often as it does there, the ground just gets saturated and sneakers slip too much. The waterproof Tims look more like regular shoes- kind of like hiking boots- but keep you from sliding down Yates path.</p>