Now that July is over and we’re into August, the end of
summer is well within site. This means that soon enough, children will begin
their journey back to school (Ah, I can hear the groaning and eye rolling now.)
Sure, most kids under 18 will be dragging their feet all the way to the bus
stop, but for those lucky young adults ready to take the next step and head off
to college this fall, this time of year can be anything but dreaded. A plethora
of knowledge and experiences await them; but what about something as simple as
their dorm room? Most kids won’t give it much thought besides which bedspread
they want and what posters to put up, but here are a couple tips on what to
bring, and what to leave at home when preparing for the college dorm experience.
Essentials:
1. Extra-long sheets
If you’re purchasing sheets for a dorm bed, it’s important
to remember that your regular twin bed sheets just aren’t going to fit it, no
matter how much you stretch and pull. There seems to be a universal law among colleges
that all twin beds in dorms be an extra foot or so longer, to accommodate the
tallest of students. This means that you’re going to have to be on the lookout
for sets of extra-long sheets (Also known as Twin XL). Most big name stores
that you’re already buying supplies from will carry them, and usually have
quite a selection around back to school time. Just make sure you’re paying
attention to the label and picking up the correct size; retailers seem to have
a knack for stocking regular sizes right next to the extra-long variety in the
same color/patterns (trust me, I sadly know this from experience.)
1. 2. Shower caddies/flip flops
Although I have yet to encounter a college environment I
would deem unkempt or unclean, it’s very important for prospective students to
remember that you’re sharing an environment with potentially hundreds of other
people. If there’s one place on campus to remember this little fact, it’s
definitely the dorm bathroom. While you’re out getting those extra-long sheets,
be sure to pick up a handy shower caddy to keep all bathroom essentials packed
together and safe. Most dorms do not allow you to keep your shampoos and soaps
within the actual bathroom (they’ll most likely be thrown away by cleaning
staff) and who wants someone from down the hall using their personal cleaning
items in the meantime? Something else that should be kept with your shower
caddy: a pair of water-proof flip flops to wear in the shower. Like I said, I
wouldn’t call most college bathrooms “unclean”, but bacteria thrives on wet
surfaces, and athlete’s foot is notorious in dorm showers. Better to be safe
than sorry.
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3. Lanyards
Seems simple enough, huh? Chances are you already have a
lanyard of some kind, or will receive a complementary one the second you step
foot on campus. I myself didn’t realize how useful they could be until I was
juggling text books, a backpack, a purse, and a hundred other things while
trying to not lose my keys and student i.d. Most colleges will charge fees for
replacement of a dorm key/i.d. and if you don’t like the idea of a random
person possibly having access to your room, it’s important to keep a solid eye
on those things. A good lanyard can keep all your essentials within arm’s
reach.
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4. Fans
Parents, brace yourselves: in the next couple weeks, I
guarantee you will receive AT LEAST one cranky phone call complaining about
just how hot it is in your student’s dorm. It’s a terrible fact that most dorms
do not possess air conditioning, making fans an absolute essential. Your
standard box window fan is your safest bet for keeping cool, especially if you
end up on a top floor (remember, hot air rises!) You might also want to invest
in a small, personal fan to keep comfortable while trying to sleep. No matter
what you choose to use, remember that some colleges do not allow appliances
that consume over a certain amount of electricity. Check with your school’s
Student Housing department to make sure you’re within compliance. Another sly
tip: Most schools do in fact provide air conditioning units, available to
students with breathing and allergy conditions. In some cases, having a basic
doctor’s note can upgrade you from furnace to five star living.
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5. Headphones
For most students who own ipods, this is already probably
packed and ready. However, no one quite understands the importance of a simple
pair of headphones until they fully enter the college environment. Sure,
everyone likes to listen to their music, but imagine all of the distractions
going on around you on campus. Headphones can be a godsend when you’re
attempting to study for a big test, or you’ve got a roommate with a snoring
problem.
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6. A door stop/snacks
These items might seem a little strange, but make no
mistake; they are crucial to the college experience! Once settled in, it’s important
for students to get to know their neighbors, form bonds, and make friends.
Nothing helps as much as having a good sturdy door stop to allow potential new
friends to stop by and chat. It gives others a chance to get to know you on a
different level than running into each other on the way to the bathroom. Snacks
of course, are an added bonus; my best friend used to keep an entire drawer
full of chips and cookies, leading to several chances to make new friends. Of
course students are there to learn first and foremost, but not having a strong
support system of friends and acquaintances can really be a drain on the
college experience.
Do not bring:
-Overly expensive items
It’s a sad fact of life that no matter where you go, there
are going to be a few bad eggs. Hence why you won’t want to bring anything
overly expensive that isn’t necessary to college. Leave any expensive clothing,
accessories, electronics, or anything similar at home. It’s understandable that
most kids are going to need a laptop, ipod, tv, ect. But you’ll want to cut
down on potential theft in the dorm. While a locked door can do wonders to
deter theft, it’s not the last line of defense. Discuss the importance of
placing all valuables in a concealed area that possible thieves won’t think to
check.
-Pets
This should go without saying, but college just isn’t the
place for Fido or Fluffy. Most, if not all college dorms have a strict no
animal policy that does not allow furry critters of any kind. I’m sure the
majority of students are already aware of this, but you’d be surprised at the
things some people try to get away with. If it isn’t a cat or dog, but you are
unsure of a school’s policy on if it is allowed, it’s better to just be safe
and not bring it along. Most students will be spending the vast majority of
their time studying, going to classes, or sleeping; maintaining a pet just
isn’t conducive to college life. If you find yourself needing some sort of
animal companionship, dorm favorites are goldfish, turtles, and hermit crabs
for their low need for attention/interaction, and their inability to escape and
terrorize your roommates.
-Your textbooks
I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out. Most colleges
allow you to browse classes and requirements online these days, and even print
lists of necessary materials. Many students can buy their books from the on
campus bookstore as soon as they arrive, and have them ready to go for the
first day of class. The problem with this method? Most classes, although
covering the same topics, are taught by a number of different teachers at
different times, all with different requirements. You can potentially spend
hundreds of dollars on textbooks that your professor will never use, only to
sell it back to the bookstore for a fraction of the price. The smart thing to
do is to simply wait for the first day of class, and allow your professor to
announce what they require. The best way to buy your books is by looking them
up on a site like Amazon.com (They have a wonderful offshoot for college called
Amazon Student) or Half Price Books.com. These sites allow you to find the
exact same books sold in the bookstore for a fraction of the price. You can
save potentially hundreds of dollars a year simply from picking up a used
textbook instead of shelling out for the shiny new addition.
Resources:
When it’s time to get out there and start gathering your
supplies for back to school, make sure to look at
Target’s Back to College collection.
They offer a wide range of products catered to all styles, with an emphasis on
being functional yet trendy. Another great store for dorm shopping is
Bed, Bathand Beyond
especially if you’re looking for simple and effective storage solutions for a cramped
space.
Like I mentioned earlier, you can’t beat
Amazon.com’s
selection when it comes to buying textbooks, but
Half Price Books is also worth
a good look. Most of those sites also allow you to sell the books back, so make
sure to take care of them for a higher resale price.
And finally, if your student is looking for awesome ideas on
how to decorate their dorm room, head over to
Pinterest.com and look through
some of their simple and creative methods to personalize an empty space.
