I have a friend who is a junior in High School and she is already buying things for her college dorm. She took the packing lists from the five schools she is applying to and made a master list thats three pages long. Should I start buying things for college too? Keep in mind that it is currently April and our senior year starts in September.
@laxgoalie1221 In my opinion junior year of HS is way too early to start dorm shopping unless it is a financial issue and you are trying to spread out the spending. You should wait until you commit to a school and then see what your needs will be. You will have 3 months to buy anything you will need which is plenty of time. Sometimes girls like to coordinate their bedding so if you are female that is something to consider. You will have plenty of time so just take a deep breath and focus on school and your applications and worry about your dorm once you choose a school. Good Luck!!
And you should buy 1/2 of what is suggested. And then leave half of that at home.
There is absolutely no need to begin buying things during your junior year in high school. There is plenty of time after you graduate to get what you need, want and is permitted at your school. Save your money for your senior year expenses, such as photos and prom attire. Also, many things will be on sale and you receive promotional discounts. For example, Bed Bath and Beyond offers a service where you can select your items and pick them up and pay in another state. They offer 20% off everything you purchase from summer through October for your first year in college. No need to pay full prices, have it sitting at your house in the way and then have to haul it/ship it to college.
You do not need the majority of the items on the packing list. Don’t get caught up in your friends slight obsession. On step at a time. The next step are to study hard and take the SAT/ACT, develop a list of colleges, and prepare college applications and essays.
There are many items that you only need one of that roommates tend to talk about and decide - such as a microwave, vacuum etc. Each school can have its own list of non allowed items. Even bed sizes vary - many schools but not all schools have twin xl beds. Personally I would wait until spring of senior year once you know where you are going before you go all out on getting items.
Sounds like your friend is excited! I agree with everyone else, no need to shop now. Summer after you graduate, as college is getting close, is a good time. Plus, tastes and trends and items change so it’s really too early to buy anything. Also, you really don’t need that many things. There’s just not that much space!
Surely this isn’t a serious question.
- When they are on sale
- If you see an awesome design you like
- Summer after senior year
Dont’ make a master list of everything possible…dorms rooms are small. i would suggest bringing the basics and then amazoning anything you find you need.
We have a huge “dorm mountain” in the room over our garage - all the stuff our daughter bought for her room that she doesn’t use anymore! Don’t buy much!
My nephew graduated college May 2018 and my daughter graduated high school about two weeks later. My brother kept telling me not to buy anything until my daughter went through his stuff. Not that he thought my daughter wanted/needed most of the stuff but more that he just didn’t want the stuff at his house any more.
Agree that not much is needed and folks may give you lots of stuff as gifts. Plus, you may go locally and commute to save money and then transfer to U. Different Us have different size beds and rules about what is and isn’t allowed in dorm rooms, especially appliances.
Don’t buy a thing until you know what college you will be attending, what dorm you will be in (the size/configuration of room/bed matters), who your roommates are (and how many). Don’t overbuy – if you forgot anything amazon can get it to you in 2 days.
You would think it would get less crazy after freshman year, but no. D is a junior in a off-campus apartment. We visited her over Easter weekend and she sent us home with a large duffel stuffed with stuff she didn’t need anymore. Maybe her messy roomie is giving her angst and she’s doing whatever she can that is under her control. You will definitely NOT need 1/2 the stuff you think you do, and there will always be SOMETHING you didn’t know you needed - that’s what Amazon and Target are for.
Our D ended up gifting and tossing a lot of nice “stuff” because she got tired of moving every fall and spring. Really wait to see where you’ll really be attending and save your money because it will help you have a much better college experience.
I have bought my HS junior three things for college that she can (and does) use right now: a Keurig, a neutral-colored throw blanket, and a laundry basket. We are keeping an old trunk from her summer camp days that could be used in a dorm room if she so desires. I also bought her a new bike because the Disney Princess kids bike wasn’t going to cut it. I don’t know if she will take the bike to college, but it is getting used now.
No rush if you are a junior but if you see some great things on sale, go for it! Bedding, sheets (twin XL) and towels are good things to watch for on sale. Remember the golden rule when packing/buying for college, “Less is more.” You will be living in a very small space. You really don’t need much.