Any parents with kids in college dorms?

[greenbriar]

what type of things should we start collecting



I am thinking


bath towels
sheets
microwave
mini fridge



things of that nature

[Breeze54]

1. Beer Keg cooler, keg pump, smokeless ashtray, condoms,

designated driver, crock pot, small grill by 'what's his face', condoms, digital camera,
Xmas lights, extra sleeping bags for overnight/weekend guests, money, money, money.... :P

[greenbriar]

2. Uh NO...no beer, no condoms ...hehe

crock pot is a good idea tho

[PeaceNikki]

3. I can see saying no beer... but condoms are not a bad idea.

[AlCzervik]

4. Seriously.

[greenbriar]

5. I know...but I am not gonna buy them

she wouldn't want me too either


I can HOPE that she doesn't need them, but I am smarter than that too



but grrrrrrrrrrrr don't want to envision it

[Breeze54]

7. Then get her a diaphram and condoms are for HER PROTECTION!

AIDS is on the rise among those of college age.

[PeaceNikki]

10. It's a health issue.

I know it's very hard to imagine. I have a 17 year-old, too.

I really kinda wish you'd find a way to give her some and talk about it... and hope like hell she doesn't NEED them, but know that she has them. It's far better than the alternative

Signed,
a mom at 18 who swore it'd never happen

[greenbriar]

14. true

we do talk

I sometimes push her too far and she is very personal about issues. She knows she can come to us for ANYTHING but it embarrasses her to no end to talk about these things.

At times, I do push her and tell her things and then she gets pissed off and says I know mom you raised me I have good boundries and I am not stupid.

[Breeze54]

18. Stupidity has nothing to do with normal sexual urges...

That's life! ;)

[Breeze54]

6. no condoms?!?

I'd be supplying them by the case, if my son was in a dorm!!
But he goes and stays at his friends dorm and he brings at
least 4 friends when they go up there... crock pot works!

Condoms would be a safety precaution. "Better safe, than sorry"! You know?

[Captain Angry]

26. Condoms are in baskets in the womens room.

They're in baskets at the health center.

The school of thought is that there should be no excuse for not using one, if the situation arises.

[huskerlaw]

8. Fuzzy bathrobe

for running back and forth from the shower.

dishes/utensils (cheap and microwave safe)

some sort of small, soft chair or beanbag for relaxing

Large pillow for leaning against the wall/headboard to facilitate studying on the bed

Lap desk (there are really cute ones at Barnes & Noble)

TV and DVD player (doesn't have to be big, but having a TV in a dorm room is a godsend)

Small dish-drying rack (I had one that folded up)

Plastic drawers w/ wheels (portable/moveable storage is a must, though it might be easier to purchase after move-in so you know what kind of space you're dealing with)

Large, easy to carry back-pack. Don't save money here. Cushion and size are key.

...if I think of more, I'll let you know!

On edit: A carpet remnant. If the room isn't carpeted, find out the measurements of the room and then go to a carpet store and ask if they have a similarly sized remnant. Since the piece is significantly smaller than most rooms, they will sell it to you super cheap. And it covers up the nasty tileness of the dorm floor.

[coffeenap]

9. Clip on reading light; basket to carry shampoo and soap, etc;

many dorms no longer allow microwaves--be sure to check; laundry carrier; rug for yucky floor next to bed; if I think of more I will come back and edit. Have fun!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. Did the college give any guidelines?

It's been a long time for me but I remember they provided sheets and sheet service plus there were mini fridge rental services.

[rockymountaindem]

12. Posters posters posters

Gotta cover up those bland dorm walls with something. Trust me.

[unsavedtrash]

13. flip flops.

Don't shower or walk around the bathroom without them!
dish soap, kitchen & bathroom cleaner (409 type stuff), toilet brush, personal toothbrush holder, tape to write their names on food items, and a dry erase board.

*
I don't have kids but many friends have lived in dorms and those are some of the things I've seen them buy when we were shopping.

[no name no slogan]

15. earplugs

you never know if you're roomie is a snorer until it's too late...

[greenbriar]

16. now those are some good ideas

thank you


keep em coming

[petronius]

17. Grow lights and a hollowed out bible...

[KitchenWitch]

19. Mini fridge

Small dishrack.
small chest of drawers.

[Peacetrain]

20. a marker board and marker for the door so people can leave notes

laundry basket

batteries, batteries, batteries

and at least one case of ramen noodles :)

[greenbriar]

21. she loves ramen noodles...crushes the bag and eats them dry

uggggggg

[sasquatch]

24. You should beat her for making you experience that

:rofl:

[eyesroll]

22. Make sure you know whether the dorm beds are extra-long or standard twin,

before you get sheets.

If she'll have a roommate, she'll want to coordinate some of the bigger stuff (fridge, microwave if allowed, etc.) with the roommate.

[greenbriar]

23. good idea

thanks

[Captain Angry]

25. You wouldn't believe the stuff in the dorms now.

I saw kids with 42" plasma TVs, video game systems, etc.

You're on the right track though.

Clipboard, reading light <-- maybe even one of those miners head lamps. I knew quite a few kids with those.

Adjustable shelves.

A lanyard or something to hold keys when they go to the bathroom. The first time they lock themselves out of their room, they'll want it.

Noise canceling headphones?

If they've got a bike, an EXCELLENT lock.

[Tektonik]

27. Here's a complete list of things I'd want

-Twin XL sheets
-Twin XL mattress pad
-blanket & comforter if she does not have twin ones already
-Twin XL mattress topper if the dorm mattress blows
-Microwave
-Mini Fridge
-Rice Cooker since it can also do veggies and other simple things
-Towels
-Flip flops because dorm bathrooms are NASTY and lots of people get foot fungi from 'em
-A desk light
-A desk fan
-A laptop (a MacBook would be best) + wireless broadband card if the college has shitty wireless, which it shouldn't.
-Lysol
-Earplugs and an eye mask if she's a light sleeper
-A LOUD alarm clock
-A reliable computer printer preferrably with a scanner
-Corelle plates
-A better cell phone plan

[greenbriar]

28. nice

list


thanks

[BensMom]

29. More

plastic milk crates
laundry soap and collapsible clothes hamper
sweat pant and more sweat pants
thick fun socks
duct tape - poster putty

[XOEnterprises]

30. 1. Shower caddy

2. Hotpot (for boiling water for tea/other food)
3. Laundry hamper, if she doesn't have one
4. A screwdriver-no, I'm not kidding. You'd be amazed at how much I've used mine, but maybe that's just my luck. I have a cute little one that has exchangeable heads, and used to tighten the screws on my dressers/desks several times.
5. A Brita pitcher-when I moved away, I hated the tap water at college; it wasn't used to what I drank at home. I don't know if she's that particular. They even make those slim ones, perfect for mini fridges
6. Coat hangers

I can't think of anything else! I think others had the other necessities.

[Scooter24]

31. There is a website called "College Confidential"

which is probably THE best site on the web to inquire about higher education.

I've been a member for a while and contribute often.

Here is a link to one of the threads that consolidated a lot of the shopping lists from various parents with kids attending schools all over the country-
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/53990-last-year-s-shopping-checklists-bedding-threads.html

The "Parents Forum" is the place for parents to ask about whatever is on their mind about their child's experience...
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/

Also many main colleges have their own thread, so you can start by the main forum page-
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/

Feel free to use the search function to find out what you're looking for. If not, feel free to ask, we're one big family.

Hope this helps and best of luck! :hi:

[greenbriar]

32. thanks

those are cool links

[The_Casual_Observer]

33. TV set, some pots & pans & plates & utensils (if there's a kitchen)

[pokerfan]

34. This thread has gone nuts

Just the essentials. Why buy a freaking microwave and color TV when the roommate might already have one? Maybe there's a perfectly good community microwave. Let the kid get settled in first and then figure what's needed.

a trusty alarm clock
a decent desk lamp
shower shoes
bath robe and towels
toiletries
small first aid kit
laundry basket
a decent daypack
flashlight
duct tape

[AlCzervik]

35. shower Shoes--yes, yes and yes.

[Fox Mulder]

36. College dorms are small so I'd advise only buying things your...

kid needs. I'd say you got a good list going there so far. At my college, we weren't allowed to have microwaves in the dorm room for safety reasons, so I don't know if you should get that or not. Things may be different at another college. :shrug:

[greenbriar]

37. I was married when I went to college

I didn't get to have the dorm experience.

[seaglass]

38. They now have a microwave-fridge combo appliance that you

can rent through the school. Since there is usually limited space and limited outlets usually roommates will split the cost. I'd check with the school before making a purchase.

-Cleaning supplies (fantastic or similar with paper towels)
-Laptop - again check with the school - my daughter's school has a standard laptop and config supported by on-campus tech support, there was also a student discount on the purchase

Nice to have:
- One of those pillows that you can use to sit up in bed (they look like the back of a chair)
- Laptop desk

The school should supply a moving list and that should include both the things to bring and the things not allowed.

My suggestion would be NOT to order the linens package through the school (extra long twin sheets) because Linen N Things should have a good supply in the summer at a better price. We found that the mattress pad was required, they can be kind of expensive - we first bought the egg crate pad but that just didn't work.

[Tektonik]

40. XL twin mattress pads should start at 10 bucks

I've seen em for 10 and 20 bucks, so there's no reason anyone should be spending too much dough on a mattress pad really. (a mattress pas is one of the thin cotton pads with elastic to fit around the mattress and is washable).

Now a mattress topper like a fiberbed, featherbed or memory foam can be a different story. :P

[seaglass]

41. That's what I meant - a mattress topper. Thanks. n/t

[Lyric]

39. Here's the list from my college's dorms of what you are and aren't allowed to bring.

What to Bring/What to Leave

Things to definitely bring:

* flashlight
* surge protector
* rain wear and an umbrella
* shower bucket, towels, and washcloths
* bathrobe and shower thongs
* prescribed medicines
* alarm clock
* sewing kit, pins, and scissors
* room decorations
* an electric fan for Arnold, Boreman, Dadisman Halls, and Spruce House.
* two sets of linens (extra long twin size), blanket, and pillow (mattresses are 36" X 80" for university-owned halls; check individual hall descriptions for bed sizes in leased halls).

Things you may want to bring:

* computer
* board games and cards
* coffee mugs and plastic cups
* throw pillows for your bed
* mini-stereo with headphones
* school supplies and backpack
* overnight bag for weekend trips
* envelopes, stationery, and stamps
* an extra lamp and stackable crates
* mini-refrigerator (120 volts, 2 amps)
* coffee maker (with lighted on/off indicator)
* Hot air popcorn poppers (UL approved)
* Electric blankets
* Stereo, radio, VCR, TV
* Fans

Things to leave at home:

For health and safety reasons the following items are not permitted in student rooms. Noncompliance with these measures will result in confiscation of items (to be returned when you go home) and will be considered a student conduct/disciplinary matter:

* toasters
* electric ovens
* waffle irons
* sandwich makers
* crock pots
* waterbeds
* stacking beds or loft beds
* portable heaters of any kind
* electric grills
* any appliance with an open-flame heating element
* candles
* incense
* empty alcohol containers
* microwave ovens (unless rented from a University-approved vendor)
* air conditioners
* extension cords or multi-receptacle outlets (UL listed power strips with surge protectors are permitted)
* charcoal grills
* motor bikes
* weapons (see Community Standards of Conduct)
* pets of any kind (except for guide dogs and one ten-gallon tank with fish)
* no free weight equipment over 20 pounds
* gasoline, lighter fluid, or any combustible of flammable liquid
* paint ball guns
* Halogen lamps
* sub-woofers
* drums and amplified equipment such as electric guitars

This list is not comprehensive. Residential Education reserves the right to ask students to remove items that are considered unsafe. If residence includes a kitchen area in the apartment, appliances are permitted.

------

A lot of dorms are banning microwaves unless they're the kind rented from a vendor, because the vendor microwaves are specifically made for dorm rooms to be more spill-resistant and less flammable in case of fire. You might want to check out your kid's college rules about that kind of thing. :)

[fight4my3sons]

42. what about some first aid stuff

like tylenol, cold/allergy stuff, first aid kit? My dad is a doctor so he made sure I had that stuff when I went away.

Oh, and a lock box for valuables my roommate stole my b/c pills! bitch :eyes:

edited to add last sentence

[Tektonik]

43. Oh I forgot one thing

Econo-sized bottle of No-Doz tablets. :P

[JVS]

44. A big sign that says "Welcome to the fuck bunker"

[democracyindanger]

49. "Rear entrance open"

[JVS]

50. "all de;iveries to the rear" was the name of a movie one of my friends owned

[flvegan]

45. She? Pepper spray and a whistle.

Target gift cards so she can decorate it "her way" once she's there.

Cell phone and laptop seem to be musts these days, too.

[CreekDog]

46. i wouldn't have wanted to live in a dorm with my parents

:crazy: :dunce:

[democracyindanger]

47. Costco crate of Cup O Noodle

Electric kettle, can find one at Costco
Costco box of laundry detergent
Costco box of bathroom soap
Costco bottle of shampoo
Costco jar of peanuts/trail mix
Costco bottle of No Doz
Costco bottle of Advil

If your kid is going to have a roommate, hold off until he/she is assigned. School usually gives you contact info so you can sort out who's going to bring stuff they'll share like a mini fridge and microwave

Condoms will be available for free at the student health center. But having a Costco crate of Trojans couldn't hurt.

[Lady President]

48. Tool Kit

I met more people because my dad bought me a well stocked tool kit. Everyone is going to need to hammer in a picture, put together a futon, hang curtains, etc.

Also, a couple decks of cards.