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One thing parenting has taught me over the years is that your children grow up quickly. One day you’re holding them and they’re keeping you up all night. The next thing you know they are starting school. Those school years go by fast and then you know it, they’re off to college. My youngest started her college journey in August. She chose to go out of town so she’s staying in a dorm. We had heard about all the things she would need, but we were still blown away with all the accessories. We were already prepared for what was needed for her classes, but dorm life is different. If you have a child that will be going to college soon there’s a lot to get. Check the essentials for classes and dorm room for new college students.
School Supplies
We all know they will need the essentials like paper, pens, pencils, and folders. If your child carries around their laptop, phone and other items don’t get a regular backpack. Make sure you invest in a Texas Instrument calculator. They are a must have and plus reliable to help figure out those hard equations. Sticky notes and note cards are great for remembering or to make presentation notes. Binder clips and a basic stapler to keep their work together. Sometimes it’s better to write things down so you may want to grab a planner while you’re at it. They will need to carry most of this stuff around so make sure you get a backpack. Backpacks for college is what’s best for your child. The backpacks for college can hold everything from your supplies to your laptop and phone. Below are some items you will need for dorm life.
Items for Dorm
Bed & Bath Accessories
My daughter wanted to decorate her dorm room a certain way. One of the first things she wanted to do was bed and bathroom accessories. She wanted a nice comforter set for her bed. Just to be safe, we went ahead and got her a mattress topper also. Of course, she wanted to decorate her walls with a certain color pattern. The bathroom will have to be decorated also. First off, get the bathroom set that includes shower curtains and bathroom décor. Remember, the space isn’t that big, so you may want to invest in storge bins. Below is a list of bed and bath accessories your college student might need.
- Throw blanket
- Bed sheets
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Mattress pad
- Alarm clock (The phone isn’t enough)
- Tissue
- Paper towels
- Under bed storage
- Towels: bath, washcloths, and hand towels. Consider putting your name on a tag in permanent marker, especially if you have plain white or other “anonymous” towels.
- Folding Sports Wagon (My daughter said it’s the best thing ever)
- Extra pillow(s) if you will lounge/study on the bed. You may need so you have a better idea.
Grooming and Health Stuff
Keeping up with your health and hygiene is a must, regardless of whether you’re in college or not! A first aid kit is a must because your child could have a small injury. They could treat themselves especially if it’s after hours at the school clinic. Try to mirror the grooming stuff they have at home and get plenty of it. If your student stays a good distance from home, you want to have it where it’s one less than to worry about. Studies have proven that there is a strong correlation between self-care and academic performance. Below are a few essentials they will need when it comes to grooming and health stuff.
- Shower gel or bath soap
- Shower Cap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Hair grooming tools (combs, hair dryer, brush)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Lotion/ skin cosmetics
- Women who wear makeup might want a portable makeup kit/box.
- Bathrobe
- Dental floss
- Eye drops
- Q-tips
- Mouthwash
- Nail clippers
- Loofah
- Cotton swabs
- Handheld mirror or vanity
- First Aid kit, including basic adhesive bandages, vitamins, aspirin, cough drops etc. (This will cut down on trips to the health center!)
- Prescription medicines and copies of each prescription
- Bathroom cleaning products (if you
- Shower mat
- Air Freshener
- Thermometer
- Heating pad
- Air purifier
Laundry Time and Clothes
My daughter finally got a dose of reality when it came to laundry. The dorm room isn’t that big so they will be doing laundry a lot. With the dorm not being the biggest you may want to invest in a clothes rack. They’re a great way to display your most loved pieces of clothing while also helping to keep everything organized. Head to Costco’s or Sam’s Club to grab the big sized detergent. Investing in a good detergent pays off when your clothes last much longer than they would’ve using a harsher formula. Below is a list of things needed when it pertains to laundry and clothing.
- Weather-appropriate outer clothes. You will probably be walking to class; be sure your coat or jacket is right for the climate
- Laundry basket and/or bag
- Laundry detergent
- Bleach
- Dryer sheets
- Stain remover stick
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Socks
- Shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Jewelry
- Sweats
- Sunglasses
- Sportswear
- Loungewear
- Sneakers
- Boots
- Sandals
- Swimwear
- Gloves and scarf
- Belts
- Watch
- Iron or steamer
- Ironing board
- Starch
- Hangers
- Shoe storage
- Coat rack
- Suitcase/ luggage
- Lint brush
Décor
As mentioned before, you will need to invest in décor for their dorm room. My daughter picked something that matches her personality. Let’s be honest, this is their new home so go out of the way to make it comfortable. Rugs are a great way to bring some life and color to the room, while posters can give the space some character. Closet organizers and storage hangers keep your wardrobe neat and tidied away so you have more room. No matter how you choose to decorate your dorm, remember to have fun with it and take the time to explore what makes you feel most at home. Below are some items you may need for your child dorm room when it comes to décor.
- You will probably also be able to buy some of these on campus
- Sticky wall mounts and removable adhesive hooks. Most schools do not allow you to put nails in the walls, so you will need other ways to hang your décor
- Personal pictures, photos, and other favorite items. Avoid heavy frames, since you may not be able to hang them
- Curtains and spring rod if you like them and your school allows them. Some people like this touch in their room
- Rugs or a piece of carpet if you have vinyl floors, which can be cold and uncomfortable.
- Additional seating for guests (Futon, bean bag, pouf)
- Desk chair
- Decorative area rug
- Desk lamp
- Trashcan
- Floor lamp
- Bedside table
- Bed risers
- Over the door storage hanger
- Stepladder
- Bulletin Board
- Dry-Erase Markers
- Fan
- Curtains
- Adhesive Hooks
- Closet Organizer
Electronics
They will need electronics during their time in college. Several colleges are transitioning to more online learning. If your child started college this year, they are accustomed to online learning due to Covid. Between their phone, laptop, iPad, and other electronics two outlets may not be enough. We bought my daughter a power strip for her room. A quality headset is important for online lectures, as you won’t get distracted by white noise and other hindrances. Below are a few things they may need in their dorm room as far as electronics.
- Computer/laptop
- TV
- Stereo/speakers
- Roku or Amazon Fire Stick (For Streaming)
- Game systems
- Tablet
- HDMI cord
Food and Snacks
My daughter and her friend have a nice little kitchen and chill area. Between their room and kitchen area, they have plenty of space for snacks and food. They both love their coffee, so we did get them a Keurig machine. Make sure you go grocery shopping for them also. We went to the local grocery store and Sam’s Club to fill up their fridge. They can enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee or whatever before heading to class. There are quite a few essentials they can use when it comes to food and snacks.
Microwave, hot plate, coffee maker, etc. Check first–many schools have especially strict safety regulations about these items. Also, find out what communal kitchen space may be available.
- Plastic cups
- Microwave-safe bowls
- Food storage containers
- Coffee mug
- Water bottle
- Dish soap
- Scrubber
- Small dish towel
- Foil
- Napkins
- Disposable forks and spoons
- Can opener
- Ziplock bags
- Popcorn
- Chips
- Sodas
- Bottled water
- Cereal
- Granola bars
- Soup
- Condiments
- Juice boxes
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Sandwich meat
- Bread
- Fruit snacks
Other Items
There are other things your college student will need. We were making a list of things that we could think of before she even went to college. Just remember, your child will be away from home, and this could be the first time. Below are other items you may need but wouldn’t think about during the time.
- Umbrella
- A small and inexpensive toolkit.
- Car registration & insurance
- Medical insurance card
- Driver’s license
- Student ID
- Social security card
- Financial aid forms
- Debit card
- Emergency contacts
- Safety pins
- Flashlight
There are some essentials for classes and dorm room for new college students. I’m hoping you can use this guide to help you prep your future college student. If you can think of anything else, leave some feedback below.
